Missionary Renegade: "Out of Africa: Comfort, Confidence, Completion" Out of Africa from The Africa Region of the Global Church of the Nazarene in Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa for Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Thursday, May 12, 2016

"Out of Africa: Comfort, Confidence, Completion" Out of Africa from The Africa Region of the Global Church of the Nazarene in Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa for Tuesday, 10 May 2016

Church of the Nazarene Africa Region newsletter | May 2016
Table of contents

South Sudan Refugee Crisis--Update
Throughout the last few years, the countries of Sudan and South Sudan have experienced violence and unrest, often due to religious persecution and political unrest. This has caused many of their citizens to flee to neighboring Ethiopia, seeking peace and refuge.

Nazarenes at the Kakuma Refugee camp (Not the same camp mentioned, but similar circumstances.)
On April 15, an armed group from South Sudan attacked people on the Ethiopian side of Gambella, killing over 200 people and kidnaping 108 children. Many people were critically wounded during the raid. The Church of the Nazarene has a large presence in Gambella, which hosts over 270,000 registered South Sudanese refugees.
Across a vast ocean and seemingly a world away in Melbourne, Australia, one of the Mt. Waverley Church of the Nazarene's congregations is comprised mainly of refugees from South Sudan. The Sudanese congregation's leader, Pastor Stephen Riek, learned that family members of his congregants in Australia have been killed in this unsettled region. Pastor Stephen and his congregation say, "Our request is that you may join in our prayers that the killing be stopped and the missing be found alive and safe."
Church leaders in the Gambella Region, are still assessing the situation, but request your continued and fervent prayers for them during this difficult task. The Church of the Nazarene has a major presence in the Gambella Region and, at this time, church leaders in Ethiopia are saying that Nazarenes have been "significantly" effected by the recent attacks. Your prayers are coveted.
An Unlikely Church Planter

Méchak lives in Lumbumbashi, DRC, in the south of the country. He is a young man with a good job maintaining large vehicles used in construction. His job and his skills have taken all around the DRC, often staying and working in one place for several weeks or even a few months at a time. In recent months, he has been working in place Pweto, about 480 km (298 miles) to the northeast of his home.
Méchak met another man named Papa Kayembe who worked for a nearby non-profit organization and began to speak to him about Christ. Before his month was up in Pweto, Méchak had led his new friend to faith in Jesus Christ. During the two months that followed, this new convert had continued to also share the good news and bring people together for prayer and Bible study.
Méchak returned to his home in Lumbumbashi and spoke with the DS, Rev. Celestin Chishibanji, and missionary, Rev. Gavin Fothergill, asking them to return with him at some time to meet with this brand-new congregation. After delays and near cancellations due to illnesses and government roadblocks, the DS, missionary, Méchak and two other pastors made the long trip over unpaved roads to the city on the Pweto on the banks of the Luvua River.

After a day and a half of teaching, 21 people gave their lives to Christ for the first time. The group immediately went to a lake where 28 men, women, and children were baptized. That evening, they showed the Jesus Film at a near by soccer field and still others gave their lives to Christ and were put into contact with the new church.
As preparations were made to leave the following morning, it was evident that the Holy Spirit had been at work before human beings, and He would wait no longer to reach those who the Lord was calling back to Himself. One large church does exist there, as well as a handful of other small churches, but the people of Pweto are still largely unreached with the Gospel and its message of holiness.
On the way home, the group stopped in another town, Kilwa, where one of the pastor's nieces lives. The family received the group and they were able to talk to this family about the church and starting a new work in that place.
Near accidents, harrassment by police, illnesses and late arrivals all confirmed that God has great things in store for the city of Pweto, all due to the faithfulness and obedience of a layman named Méchak. The entire group thanked God for his grace and prayed for continued strength so that they may go if he sends; respond if he calls, no matter the difficulty encountered along the way. For now, this verse from 1 Thessalonians 5:24 rings in our ears: The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. (Empasis added)[Rev. Gavin Fothergill, Missionary to DRC]
Grace Ushe: Graduating in God's Time
On the 23rd of April, over 70 men and women graduated from Nazarene Theological College, Muldersdrift, South Africa. These men and women graduated with certificates and degrees--some through satellite programs on their local district, others through online studying with the Bth (bachelor of theology) program headed by Dr. Denise Anderson, and still others through the more traditional method of relocating to Johannesburg and studying on the campus of Nazarene Theological College. All of these students sacrificed greatly, studied hard, and earned their way to their certificates and their degrees in Theology.

Mrs. Grace Ushe from Durban, South Africa, is no exception to this. She is a mother of two children and a wife to Rev. Stanley Ushe, the DS of the RSA KwaZulu Natal District. Here is her story of when she said yes and how God worked things in his time and his way.
One cannot run away from God's call. I have tried for many years to resist God's call to be a shepherd and hiding under being a pastor's wife, but God did not give up on me.
I said yes to the Lord in 2009. This was not an easy decision for me to make because I knew it comes with great responsibility and tireless studies as one prepares for the ministry. As a minister's wife, I was highly involved in the ministry in support of my husband who is a District Superintendent. I was involved in the District women's ministry and serving as a District NMI President, at the same time have to fulfil my family tasks as a mother to my children and as a wife to my husband. Though surrounded with all these tasks, I embarked on my journey to study theology on a diploma level in 2011 with NTC extension school in RSA KwaZulu Natal. As I was busy studying, Adams Mission Church of the Nazarene requested me to help them by pastoring, and I took the challenge.
When I was about to complete my diploma, only left with three courses, Rev. Sherry Kommel, the extension school coordinator, encouraged me to take a step to go for a Bachelor of Theology. Thinking of this great task ahead of me, I was convinced. I felt in my heart that to be equipped educationally and trusting God more, I could serve Him better in the ministry. I registered for Bth in 2015. Graciously, I was credited for other courses I did at the diploma level, then I had to do 12 courses to complete my Bth.
Life was never easy for me in 2015, being a multi- tasked woman in support for my husband's ministry and as family woman it was very hectic for me. In all this, God helped me to manage my time well so that none of my responsibility were neglected. I enrolled for three courses per semester aiming to finish my studies by the end of 2015. Through God's help and the support of my family and friends, I managed to complete my studies and graduated with a Bachelor of Theology with a Distinction, on the 23rd of April 2016 at Nazarene Theological College, Johannesburg, South Africa.
I am very thankful to God for sustaining me and giving me the strength and wisdom as I embarked on my studies. Indeed I say great is thy Faithfulness oh God.

NEW NYC 2016 Logo!

As NYC Africa draws closer, more things are falling into place. The website is up-to-date.
We would like to share the theme verse that the event will be built around as Isaiah 40:31, "...but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,they will walk and not be faint."
Online registration is still simple, quick and easy, and it can be done here. Remember, the cost is USD$130 for all food and accommodation (transport NOT included). Do not wait until the last minute to be a part of this great event.
For further information and the official promotion video, check out www.nycafrica2016.com or if you have specific questions, email nyc2016@africanazarene.org.
PRAYER REQUESTS

Please pray for the South Sudanese refugees whose lives have been in danger in Gambella Region, Ethiopia, and for the families grieving the loss of those killed or kidnapped.
Shortly after the Regional Conference in Abidjan, Emmanuel Latahn, the son of a Liberian DS, Rev. Tee Latahn, broke his neck after a fall from a plum tree in their yard in Karnplay, Liberia. Little E-Man, as he was affectionately called, was laid to rest on the 9th of April 2016. Please remember the family in prayer.
Pray for the family of Rev. Nicholas Nkosi, pastor on the RSA Gauteng District. Rev. Nkosi, his wife, two sister and a niece was involved in a fatal car accident on the 16th of April. No one survived.
Continue to remember our brothers and sisters who face religious persecution across our continent.
Continue to pray for the drought conditions that persist in southern Africa. Certain areas have been declared a state of disaster. Additionally, Ethiopia is experiencing its worst drought in decades, with more than 10 million people needing emergency aid.

ABOUT THE REGION

The Nazarene Church is in 42 countries in Africa, with more than 600,000 members in six fields.
What would you like to see in Out of Africa?
Email us at news@africanazarene.org.