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OOA 09/01/2008
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Church of the Nazarene
Africa Regional Newsletter
01 September 2008
Namibia Welcomes 1291 New Nazarenes and 13 Organized Churches in One Day
Rev Michael Shalley
Prayer of dedication for new pastors and congregations in Namibia
The Northwest Zone of Namibia met in Opuwo from 8-10 August under the leadership of District Superintendent Rev Michael Shalley for their assembly. The business for the weekend concluded with a resounding celebration for what God has been doing in this area at the Sunday Morning Worship rally. At the rally, Shalley reported that he was honoured, as one of his last official acts as DS, to organize 13 brand new congregations and receive 1291 into the full membership. After a prayer of dedication for the new pastors and their congregations, the worshippers rejoiced with great praise as they welcomed these new members into their family.
Africa Regional Director, Dr Eugénio Duarte, commented, “The Church's potential for continued growth and development in Namibia is one of the greatest on the continent. On the foundation that has taken years of dedication and hard work, the national leadership is preparing itself for even greater achievements. Congratulations, Namibian Nazarenes, for the growth registered this year and keep up the good work. You have a very significant part to play in our soon to be reached first million Nazarenes on the continent.”
New District Superintendent Installed in Namibia
Rev Michael Shalley
Rev Michael Shalley and pastors of Namibia District pray for new DS Rev Claassen, daughter Jody, and wife Wilma
The 25th District Assembly of Namibia met in Windhoek from 15 - 17 August 2008 for their annual business sessions. The weekend events were chaired by Dr Michael Shalley, who, since the first district assembly in 1984, has served as their District Superintendent for 14 of the past 25 years, and the last 10 years consecutively. The business of the assembly included a letter from Dr Jerry Porter, General Superintendent in Jurisdiction of Africa Region, as to the appointment of a successor to Shalley. Rev Chrisjan Claassen, pastor of the Walvis Bay congregation, was appointed as the new Namibia District Superintendent. During the Sunday morning worship rally at the Windhoek Enyumyko Church of the Nazarene, Shalley installed Claassen as the District Superintendent. Standing beside Claassen were his wife, Wilma, and their daughter, Jody. Shalley commented that this was a great beginning to the next 25 years as the church welcomes one of their own into the DS position, and passed on the torch of 40 organized churches, 11 mission churches with a full and associate membership of 3842, and 131 preaching points with another 200 in membership to the next generation.
Zambia Child Development Training Stresses God’s Heart for Children
Mrs Adrianne Matlock
What is God's heart for children? How do children fit into the context of the Body of Christ? How can the church meet the needs of orphans and vulnerable children in its communities? Sixteen enthusiastic participants discovered and discussed some answers to these questions during the Child Development training facilitated by Adrianne S Matlock in Lusaka, Zambia, on 20-23 August 2008.
Leaders from the Northwest, Copperbelt, and Lusaka represented their districts in the training, which immediately followed the Central Field Holiness Conference. The purpose of the training was to mobilize and equip churches and districts to minister holistically to the orphans and vulnerable children in their communities. Training addressed a variety of topics ranging from basics about worldviews and the general needs of children to practical steps for networking with other organizations and the steps to start a child development programme.
Some participants are already conducting child development activities at their local churches, while others made plans to present this important ministry to their home districts and churches. The success of the training will be seen in the coming weeks and months, as God cultivates the seed that was planted into a thriving effort on the part of His people in Zambia to show the love of Christ to help the orphans and vulnerable children in their communities reach their God-given potential.
Dr Daniel Ketchum Challenges Pastors in Rwanda to Make Their Church a House of Prayer
Mrs Sandra Tibi & Rev Samantha Chambo
From 14 to 22 August 2008, the French Equatorial Field (FEF) held SDMI and NMI (Nazarene Missions International) meetings, and pastoral leadership summits in Rwanda with the theme “A commitment to intentional discipleship and a call to prayer for our churches and the world.” Speakers included Dr Daniel and Mrs Carol Ketchum, Rev Daphne Mathebula, Rev Samantha Chambo, and Mr Stephane and Mrs Sandra Tibi.
Dr Daniel Ketchum, Mr Stephane Tibi, and Rev Daphne Mathebula with Articles of Faith StudyMap designed by Stephane
The first days of the meetings, held in Kigali, Rwanda, were dedicated to Sunday school and discipleship. Stephane Tibi, Field Education Coordinator, trained leaders from Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda with the Ten Commandments StudyMaps. He challenged them to teach the Ten Commandments along with the 16 Articles of Faith of the Church of the Nazarene to all persons in their churches using the graphics tools so that their people would be grounded in their faith and know what they believe. Rev Daphne Mathebula, SDMI (Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International) Coordinator for the Africa Region, followed-up on the meetings held in January 2008 in Kigali where she had discussed and shared key elements concerning Sunday school, discipleship, and NMI. During each of the sessions, leaders were asked to continue in their ministry and to commit themselves to intentionally form, train and equip disciples for Jesus Christ.
This call to intentional discipleship was echoed a few days later during the leadership summits held in Kigali from 18-19 August and Gisenyi from 21-22 August for the pastors and spouses from Rwanda and Burundi.
Rwanda pastors actively participate in sessions
Dr Daniel Ketchum, Global NMI Director, and Rev Samantha Chambo, NMI Coordinator for the Africa Region, talked with much passion about the purpose and goal of NMI. The pastors and their spouses were encouraged to have a vision for their churches and to identify and pray about what the mission of their local churches would be. Dr Ketchum challenged pastors to first make their family homes houses of prayer and then also their local churches. He emphasised that a movement of the Holy Spirit will take place in the church only when prayer becomes a priority. All were reminded that making disciples starts in our Jerusalem’s, which are our families, local churches, and neighborhoods. We are to be sensitive to our children and youth too, and mentor them and involve them in special projects. Special attention was given to prayer and intercession, which again needs to start and be modelled in the Christian home.
Mrs Carol Ketchum taught the ministers’ wives with much sensitivity and wisdom from the Word of God. The ladies marvelled and rejoiced greatly as they discovered how they were uniquely created as women - body, mind and soul - by God, their Creator. They were also taught how to be united in Christ with their husbands. Mrs Ketchum reminded them of God’s specific purpose for them as woman, wife, pastor’s wife, mother and child of God, as well as of the challenges and responsibilities of these roles. Times of personal sharing and collective and individual prayer brought relief and joy of being understood and loved by God.
Daphne Mathebula, Carol Ketchum, and Sandra Tibi also taught effectively the foundations of our faith to many through the graphic on the Articles of Faith.
Powerful testimonies about the work of the Holy Spirit around the world reminded all of the participants that God’s desire is to draw all people to His heart, and that this should be our motivation and focus too.
Each evening during the leadership summits for pastors and spouses, Dr Ketchum preached a holiness message, praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the lives of his brothers and sisters. Along with Scripture references, he reminded everyone of the essential steps in order to be set free from sin’s grip and to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
The conference for the Rwanda Central District, where Rev Francois Tambwe serves as District Superintendent, took place in Kigali, and was very well attended by 50 pastors and spouses. Pastors at this summit were gripped by the fact that some preachers in creative access areas were persecuted for their faith in Jesus. But the story of one pastor in particular, who was imprisoned every Monday after having preached on Sunday, and every other time he would preach in the streets, caught their attention. One of the pastors was so touched by this story that he encouraged all the pastors to take up a love-offering for him and his family! Chambo commented, “This gesture demonstrated that all are connected in the family of God through the blood of Jesus Christ, irrespective of geographic location.” Dr Ketchum promised that the sum offered that evening by the Rwanda pastors would be transmitted to their fellow minister.
The Rwanda Northwest district summit was held in beautiful Gisenyi, surrounded by mountains, rivers, waterfalls and colourful people. Gisenyi is very active in the Mission of Christ. Their commitment is expressed through a fully equipped counselling room for traumatized children at the local Church of the Nazarene. Here, 58 children participate in therapy. The district also cares for 800 orphans; most of whom have lost parents during the genocide. Northwest District Superintendent, Rev Simon Pierre Rwaramba, was enthused about all that God is doing on his district, and the 80 pastors and spouses left inspired to continue their labour for the Lord.
Chambo commented, “It was truly inspiring to see the hand of God operating in this nation which was so devastated by genocide, and to get a glimpse of what God is doing on this beautiful continent. I feel privileged to be a part of it.”
Sandra and Stephane Tibi, missionaries to the French Equatorial Field, stated, “Truly, the Lord rejoices to bestow good gifts on His children, to set them free and to allow them to serve Him in faithful and obedient love! We would like to thank each and every one who has helped and allowed these meetings to happen; our district superintendents, guest speakers, and participants. We are particularly grateful to our Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev Chanshi Chanda, who first initiated retreats for pastors and spouses on the French Equatorial Field last year. God is good, and He wants to equip His Church!”
Korea Work & Witness Team Continues Building in Tanzania
Rev Don Gardner
Korea Nazarene University’s International English Church in Cheonan, South Korea, sent a Work & Witness team to Dodoma, Tanzania, from 06 21 August 2008. The team, comprised of people from five countries, continued construction work on the Spiritual Training Centre in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania, on the heals of the W&W team from Calvary Church in Oklahoma who had departed the previous week.
The Korean team was able to complete installation of the roof on the Dodoma house. According to Rev Don Gardner, Field Strategy Coordinator for the Africa East Field, “This team's assistance will provide plumbing and electrical installation, as well as sewage connection to the city sewer system. This is the first phase of a multi-phase project, which will provide a spiritual training centre for Tanzanian pastors and laymen as a distance learning centre for Nazarene Bible College of East Africa. Our hope is that it will also become a distance learning centre for ANU in the not-too-distant future.”
Olivet Nazarene University “Missions in Action” Team Visits Zambia
Rev Gary Sidle
From 19 through 31 July, an 11 member team from Olivet Nazarene University (ONU) visited Zambia on an awareness trip of how the church is ministering to those impacted by HIV/AIDS. The team was headed up by Ralph Goodwin, Professor of Finance and Accounting at ONU, his wife Alice, and Jennifer McClellan, ONU Coordinator of Missions and Volunteer Opportunities. The team came as part of the ONU ministry called “Missions in Action.” They had an opportunity to visit several local church ministries of NCM (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries) as well as observe NCM ministries that work in connection with the Children’s AIDS Fund (CAF) and USAID projects. Goodwin, who serves as the chair for the Africa Central Field Partnership, contact Rev Gary Sidle, Zambia Mission Coordinator and Field Education Coordinator, about the possibility of the team visiting Zambia after several members were impacted by reading Africa’s SOUL Hope by Ellen Decker.
The team also took part in ministries with children at Child Development Centres in Lusaka, visited homes with home based health care programmes, abstinence programmes for youth, and orphan and vulnerable children’s programmes. Team members also included prayer walks where they prayed with many for both physical and spiritual healing and invited them to Sunday services. The Zambia Church was excited and encouraged as they visited and worshiped together.
Team member/leader Jennifer McClellan shared these comments following their return to the USA:
“Our goal was to learn more about the AIDS pandemic and how the Church was responding. Our desire was to put names and faces in place of statistics and be an encouragement wherever possible.
“We saw the story of Jesus coming to life as we walked down dirt roads in villages and compounds and as crowds would gather and follow to see what the ‘mzungus’ might do; so many were in need of Christ and His healing. On one occasion a small boy began yelling to his friends, ‘Jesus is here! Jesus is here!’ We saw Jesus on many faces and felt His presence as we spoke and prayed with the people. The easy laughter and great sense of humour of the Zambians encouraged and taught us. We found their leaders and pastors to be diligent and passionate in their service to the widows and orphans, the sick and the needy. We witnessed the great results of NCM programmes that were not only working effectively but also literally changing the future of the youth of Zambia. Instead of sheer desperation, we found a joyful and grateful people - beautiful from the inside out. Instead of destitution, we found real, tangible hope we did not expect.
“One student shared this lesson she had learned. ‘I saw a lady dying of AIDS and TB, living in a house smaller than my bedroom, with her four kids. When we visited, she was feeding the neighbour kids as well as her own. She told us she loves Jesus, and that was most certainly apparent. The Zambian people are walking the REAL walk. Would I be able to persevere through the things that these people have? Now that I’ve been on this trip, I know that I could handle it because I have learned by example.’
“At the end of each day while visiting Kanyama, Napundwe, Mbabala, Chikumbi, and Livingstone, we would scrub to get the red dust from our feet. As I looked at my own dirty feet, it seemed they were now stained by the roads of Zambia. Just as the dust seemed permanent, so do the thoughts and impressions of the precious people we met that are implanted on our hearts. We have committed ourselves to not forget to pray for our new friends and brothers and sisters in Christ until there is no more ‘Tidzoanana’ (until we meet again). God bless Zambia. God bless Africa.”
Rev Gilbert Bakasa, NCM Coordinator for Africa Central Field, said, “The ONU team was exposed to the hardships, pain, and challenges that orphans and vulnerable children are going through. They also saw for themselves the extent of the ravaging effects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. We hope that the team will be our voice to all those who may want to know what the Church of the Nazarene is doing through NCM Zambia in response to the HIV/AIDS problem.”
Editor’s note: For photo’s of the Mission in Action team ministry to Zambia, visit their website at http://www.olivet.edu/news/default.asp.
Youth in Mission Team Ministers in Ghana
Mrs Laurie Watton
A warm, humid, gentle evening breeze tickled the weary travelling faces of four adventurous young ladies from the USA; Kate, Kinzie, Amanda, and Aimee, upon their arrival on Ghanaian soil on 2 June 2008 for a seven week adventure and blessing for the girls, Ghanaian churches, and John, Laurie, and Mitch Watton, who hosted the 2008 Youth in Mission Team to Ghana. Spiders, lizards, skinks, the Muslim call to prayer heard five times a day, the hustle and bustle of women carrying heavy loads on their heads, plus numerous dishes to shock their taste buds, marriage proposals, were just a few of the cultural differences they experienced.
VBS at church compound in Ghana
Many children came to the church compound numerous times each day. They helped orient the team’s ears to a different accent, and provided an opportunity for them to play with the kids. Organization of a 2-3 day Vacation Bible School ensued, and soon they were able to bring VBS to seven different churches. Who can resist the rich smiles of eager children!? And dance! The girls truly learned new worship styles!
Following the VBS sessions, JESUS Film equipment was assembled, at times right in the church compound, and at other times, in the community. It was a great honour to watch hundreds of children and adults viewing “The Story of Jesus for Children”, the truth, in contrast with the Muslim call to prayer heard in the background. Our hearts’ cry and desire is that they also will come to know Jesus. Local churches were given follow up discipleship material which the girls helped assemble in the print shop.
Buidling up the walls of local Nazarene Church in Ghana
In addition to working with children and encouraging local churches in ministering to children, the YIM team was also willing to get their hands dirty! Carrying concrete, mixing concrete, and carrying concrete blocks gave everyone stronger muscles and brought smiles to many Ghanaian faces. The walls of a local Nazarene church school are now higher, and a district centre is taking shape (YIM worked alongside a fantastic W&W team from Virginia).
Feeding, bathing, and changing many infants and toddlers at a local orphanage took a few of them out of their comfort zone, but melted their hearts to the needs of vulnerable and orphaned children. Exploring, hiking up mountains, swimming in exotic waterfall pools, being tossed by crashing waves of the ocean, learning how to play the djembe, singing, dancing, playing, and most of all.....loving others and loving God, truly was a rich blessing for everyone working with the YIM team.
Missionary Laurie Watton commented, “God is so Good! Thanks to Youth in Mission for sending Kate, Kinzie, Amanda, and Aimee. Lives are changed because they came, and we give God all the honour and praise!”
Accepting Jesus Brings Extraordinary Joy and Assurance
--JFHP Prayers and Praise 27 August 2008
“At the end of the film I was the first to respond to the call of the pastor where I gave my life without reserve to the Lord. Immediately I received extraordinary joy and also an assurance,” shares Nina from Africa. “My coming to the JESUS Film showing was truly accidental. I felt alone because of a situation I experienced with my husband. The situation can be explained by the crisis in our family that we experienced after our marriage. I felt truly alone and I was walking to the area where the film was being shown. First, I was welcomed by the warmth and the joy that animated the film. Secondly, I had a sense of sharing and a sense of confidence that followed. I am thankful for the joy I received.”
Missionaries on the Move
Mr David Cramer
Todd and Brittany Leslie are newly appointed Intern missionaries and the proud parents of 3-month-old Emmerson. They are part of the current missionary Training and Orientation class in Kansas City, MO, USA. Upon completion of their training, they will be deployed to the Africa Regional Office in early January 2009. Todd will serve as Administrative Assistant to the Regional Director. Brittany will assist with Missionary Personnel. Todd received his MBA from Olivet Nazarene University and Brittany holds a BA in Elementary Education from Olivet.
Jeremy and Tricia Johnson have recently indicated that they will not be renewing their missionary contract when it expires in March 2009. They have expressed satisfaction with serving the Lord in Africa, but feel that God is leading them another direction at this time. Jeremy has served in the Region’s Finance Service and is currently the Regional Communications Coordinator. Tricia has worked in Missionary Personnel, specifically with Africans who are called to missions, and has managed the Region’s guest flats. Perhaps both Johnsons’ most challenging assignment is being parents to 5-month-old twins and a 5-year old! Although they will still be on the field for several months, we take this opportunity to express thanks and appreciation to Jeremy and Tricia and to wish them well with their future plans.
Phil and Denise Anderson, missionaries on the Caribbean Region, will be relocating to Johannesburg later this year or early next year. In the Caribbean, Phil has been serving as the Regional Communications Coordinator (RCC) and Denise has been the Compassionate Ministries Coordinator. These assignments have prepared them for similar service on the Africa Region where Phil will take over the position of RCC from Jeremy Johnson and Denise will be working in education and /or Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Phil has a BA in Communication/Journalism and Denise has a Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD in social work. They have two girls, Makenzie and Morgyn.
As reported in a previous Out of Africa, Howie and Bev Shute will be relocating to Johannesburg in early 2009. Howie is serving as an Assistant to the Regional Director for Church Growth and Development. Bev will be assuming the responsibility of Regional [Missionary] Personnel Coordinator.
Please pray for each of these families as they transition to new assignments and areas of ministry. Pray also for our Regional Director, Dr Eugénio Duarte, and that the transitions will be smooth for the Africa Region.
Praise Reports:
Rev Jonas Mulate: Jonas was spotted sitting in the Regional Office on Thursday, 28 August! He had just returned from a visit to the doctor where it was confirmed that the surgery on his back has healed nicely and he was released to return to his home and ministry assignment! He would like to thank everyone for their prayers on his behalf both prior to the surgery on 16 July, and throughout his recovery period. It was especially difficult for him NOT TO sit for these past six weeks. Jonas testifies to God at work in every aspect of his recovery. Thank you for your continued prayers as the Mulate’s return to their missionary assignment in Botswana the first week of September, and for God’s continued strength and direction in ministry.
Mary Chanda: The doctors in South Africa were able to determine the cause of the extreme fatigue, severe headaches and high blood pressure Mary was experiencing. The Chanda’s have travelled from Zambia to South Africa for Mary to undergo medical examinations and tests the week of 25 August. Mary is the wife of Chanshi Chanda, Field Strategy Coordinator for French Equatorial Field. The Chanda’s sent this message:
“Thank you very much for praying for us during this time when my wife has not been well. We could feel your prayers and we are happy to let you know that Mary is doing well. She has "Essential hypertension" and the cause is unknown the doctor said. It can be controlled with pills, exercises and reduced salt diet. Mary's problem in Zambia was a high dosage of medicine and wrong diagnosis; we are thankful to God that we quickly came down to South Africa for further tests before she took a lot of time on medication. Thank you for your love and prayers.”
Matson Mtambo: Mason underwent surgery on 8 August for abdominal pain. A week after the first surgery, he had another surgery and he was in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two weeks. He is now out of the ICU and has improved a great deal. Rev Paul Mtambo, Field Strategy Coordinator for Africa Central Field, wrote, “Thanks a lot for your prayers for my Brother Matson. We, the Mtambo family, wish to express our deepest gratitude to the Nazarene family for standing with us during this difficult time. Thank you so much.” Thank you for your continued prayers for Matson’s speedy and complete recovery.
Prayer Requests:
Please pray for:
Latin Voges, 9-year-old grandson of Kitty and Peet Voges, who will undergo tests the week of 01 September on a mass discovered in his abdomen. Latin was sick with bronchitis and a high fever, and the doctor ordered an x-ray of his lungs. The radiologist saw the abdominal mass. Latin is responding well to the antibiotic for bronchitis but is still weak. Kitty and Peet appreciate your prayers on behalf of Latin and their family at this time. Pray also for the doctors, that God will direct them in diagnosis and treatment of Latin. Kitty is the Secretary to the Africa Regional Director. Peet is the Coordinator of Radio Ministries for Africa Region.
Mother of Rose Chipasu: Rose has requested prayer for her mother, who is sick with Malaria and also has high blood pressure and kidney problems which have caused swelling in her legs. Please pray for God’s healing touch upon her body and for her full recovery. Pray also for her family. Rev Rose Chipasu is the Literature Coordinator for Zambia.
Rev Paul Mtambo, who takes over responsibility as Field Strategy Coordinator of the Africa Central Field and the countries of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe effective 01 September 2008.
Goss and Vineyard—Mission Corps Assignment: Rev Mikki Goss and Rev JoAnn Vineyard will arrive in South Africa on 6 September for a three month assignment as Mission Corps volunteers. Pray for travelling mercies and for the Lord’s blessing as they minister.
Pastors and Wives Conference in Choma, Zambia (Southern Province) in September with guest speaker Dr Thomas Lowry.
Kenya Western District prayer focus for the months of September through December is for spiritual renewal. Pray for all of the churches on the district and for District Superintendent, Rev Julius Omandi.
The X-Treme Team Children’s Teacher Training and Medical Ministry in Masailand, Kenya on the Rift Valley District which was scheduled for 27 July – 12 August has been postponed until 3 – 13 November 2008. Please pray for the team as they prepare for travel and ministry in Kenya.
The Holiness Convention and Youth Camp on the Kenya Eastern District scheduled for 15 – 21 December 2008. Rev Elijah Kingori, District Superintendent, has requested prayer for this important occasion.
Zimbabwe: Political tensions continue as negotiations between the ruling parties have not reached an agreeable resolution. Pray that the leaders will be open to the establishment of a new government to work together for improved conditions in the country.
From the Word
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).
OUT OF AFRICA
Church of the Nazarene
Africa Regional Newsletter
Editor: Linda Braaten
PO Box 44
Florida 1710
SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 11 472 3615
Fax: +27 11 672 7614
E-mail: news@africa-region.org.za
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