Kwasizabantu Conference Update from the President

Dear Team,

Last month’s trip to Europe was short, interesting and fruitful. I was invited to be one of the speakers at the European KwaSizabantu Minister’s Conference in Kaltbrunn, near Zurich, Switzerland. This was my principal reason for going. There were approximately 350 delegates from all over Europe – East and West – plus Canada, USA, Australia and Africa in attendance. ITMI’s European Director Piotr Zaremba was also one of the speakers and brought his son Timothy with him. It was great to see them again.

My host family in Switzerland quickly captured my heart. Othmar Voser and his wife, Maja, and two daughters, Dorothee and Stephanie made me feel “at home” immediately.

There were several unexpected opportunities for ministry. On my first Sunday in Europe I preached at the Swiss KSB base in Kaltbrunn. My interpreter was Jurg Laderach (the chocolate maker), who had just flown back the day before from Japan. On the second weekend I was invited to preach at the KSB center in Lindach, Germany, about a 4-hour drive north of the Swiss base. My dear friend Christoph Morger arranged for me to have a car. The drive was spectacular. Europe is beautiful in the spring; fruit trees are in full bloom, flowers are bringing colorful joy everywhere after the drabness of winter and farmers are preparing their fields for sowing. Rev. Erlo Stegen and his daughter Elizabeth were at the Lindach base. It was a privilege to have some quality, one-on-one fellowship.

ITMI organized a $1,100 grant for a Zambian pastor/evangelist Bishop Bwanali Phiri to attend the Conference. It was a life-changing experience for him; his first sight of snow, making new friends in Europe and generally blessing folks with his radiant smile.

The EU incorporated 10 former Communist states on May 1st. There were lots of celebrations. I was amazed at the growth of Islam, which is subverting Western culture in Europe. Europeans are aborting their children and experiencing negative population growth, while Muslims are rapidly multiplying and becoming a strong political force.

An important highlight of my trip was a quick 4-day visit with our family in Austria. There I got acquainted with our first great-grandson, Johannes Gaderer – six months old and already built like a football player! His mother, Lenora, is our daughter Deborah’s second child. The picture shows all four generations.

You’ve been wonderful to help our South African exchange student, Alicia van Huyssteen with her room and board at Moody. She now needs funds for next year.

Yours in His grip,





Bill Bathman