"Out of Africa June 2016: Meeting Needs and Equipping Engagement" The Africa Region of The Global Church of the Nazarene in Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa newsletter, May 2016 for Tuesday, 14 June 2016
Church of the Nazarene Africa Region
Table of contents:
- South Sudan Refugee Crisis--Update
- See the Need. Meet the Need
- Transforming a Community with Holiness
- Youth Training in East Africa
- Prayer requests
Gambella is home to one of the largest and most active Church of the Nazarene districts in Ethiopia. Among the Nazarene church members affected were fourteen adults and six children who died, eight adults who were wounded, and nine children who were abducted. Another 73 members had property vandalized or stolen.
South Sudanese Refugees
The raid was carried out by members of the Murle community of South Sudan, which has stolen livestock and children in the past. More than 22,000 people in 20 villages were forced to flee from their homes during the most recent attack.
The Church of the Nazarene is working to respond to the needs of families affected by the violence.
South Sudan, which was established in 2011, is the world's youngest country. Tens of thousands of South Sudanese people have been killed and more than 2 million people displaced during the country's civil war, which began in December 2013. The country is now facing a food crisis as nearly a third of the population is dependent on international food aid to survive.
About 272,000 South Sudanese refugees have moved to the Gambella province, which is near the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia. Tension between various ethnic groups is high, often dissolving into violence, and cross-border raids in the area are not uncommon.
Prayer is requested for church and community members in Gambella during this time of unrest and uncertainty. Some church families are still missing their children, and many are struggling financially after having property stolen or destroyed. Many in the area are still extremely vulnerable to future violence. Please continue to pray for those who continue to deal with the aftermath of this violence.[NCN News]
See the Need. Meet the Need. In Gweru Province in Zimbabwe, times are tough. All of southern Africa has experienced biblical drought this past summer, and the Gweru Province is no different. This food instability, as a result of the drought, has effected the provincial hospital's ability to feed its patience.
The raid was carried out by members of the Murle community of South Sudan, which has stolen livestock and children in the past. More than 22,000 people in 20 villages were forced to flee from their homes during the most recent attack.
The Church of the Nazarene is working to respond to the needs of families affected by the violence.
South Sudan, which was established in 2011, is the world's youngest country. Tens of thousands of South Sudanese people have been killed and more than 2 million people displaced during the country's civil war, which began in December 2013. The country is now facing a food crisis as nearly a third of the population is dependent on international food aid to survive.
About 272,000 South Sudanese refugees have moved to the Gambella province, which is near the border between South Sudan and Ethiopia. Tension between various ethnic groups is high, often dissolving into violence, and cross-border raids in the area are not uncommon.
Prayer is requested for church and community members in Gambella during this time of unrest and uncertainty. Some church families are still missing their children, and many are struggling financially after having property stolen or destroyed. Many in the area are still extremely vulnerable to future violence. Please continue to pray for those who continue to deal with the aftermath of this violence.[NCN News]
See the Need. Meet the Need. In Gweru Province in Zimbabwe, times are tough. All of southern Africa has experienced biblical drought this past summer, and the Gweru Province is no different. This food instability, as a result of the drought, has effected the provincial hospital's ability to feed its patience.
Rev. Noah Sibanda from Gweru, Zimbabwe, on the Zimbabwe West District, had a vision from his university days. He had a dream of farming solely based on fulfilling the compassionate part of ministry--a farm that provides for the needs of the community, not just an individual or a family.
Last year, a friend, who is also a worshipper at his church, invited Rev. Sibanda to his farm. Rev. Sibanda shared his vision with this friend, telling him about the compassionate ministry idea he had. He agreed to allow the Mkoba Church of the Nazarene to use part of his land for this farming purpose. A borehole (well) was drilled and the planting began.
"So far, we have planted more than a hectare (about 2.47 acres) of green vegetables and tomatoes," says Rev. Sibanda. "With so many vegetables, we decided to fulfil part of our vision. We have started to donate our vegetables to the hospital in our community."
This hospital can have anywhere from 750-1200 people hospitalized and bed-ridden on any given day. With drought and hardships facing many people, there is acute food shortages at this hospital. "Our vegetables came in handy to the hospital," Rev. Sibanda said. "For the last two weeks we have been taking these large amounts to feed the sick people at both the hospital and the isolation hospital here in Gweru. We call it compassion in action." On average, Rev. Sibanda and his team donate many kilograms of vegetables to various hospitals per week.
Last year, a friend, who is also a worshipper at his church, invited Rev. Sibanda to his farm. Rev. Sibanda shared his vision with this friend, telling him about the compassionate ministry idea he had. He agreed to allow the Mkoba Church of the Nazarene to use part of his land for this farming purpose. A borehole (well) was drilled and the planting began.
"So far, we have planted more than a hectare (about 2.47 acres) of green vegetables and tomatoes," says Rev. Sibanda. "With so many vegetables, we decided to fulfil part of our vision. We have started to donate our vegetables to the hospital in our community."
This hospital can have anywhere from 750-1200 people hospitalized and bed-ridden on any given day. With drought and hardships facing many people, there is acute food shortages at this hospital. "Our vegetables came in handy to the hospital," Rev. Sibanda said. "For the last two weeks we have been taking these large amounts to feed the sick people at both the hospital and the isolation hospital here in Gweru. We call it compassion in action." On average, Rev. Sibanda and his team donate many kilograms of vegetables to various hospitals per week.
In addition to their work at the hospitals, each Sunday they are able to give many kilograms of vegetables to widows and orphans in the church and community. "The principle is simple," says Rev. Sibanda. "Do what you can. Where you are. With what you have."
Rev. Sibanda has bigger plans to reach their entire community for Christ through compassionate ministries. Let's pray that God will continue to add more grace to this ministry.[Rev. Noah Sibanda, Pastor on the Zimbabwe West District]
Transforming a Community With HolinessFor many years, Rev. Paul A. Parlot has been showing the Jesus Film around Liberia. Now, he is the Jesus Film Coordinator of Liberia.
Rev. Parlot went into the Liberian village of Zweerroh in the Lower Margibi Country to visit his elder sister, northeast of the capital city, Monrovia. While on his visit, he saw that there was no church in the community. On Sundays, people either go to their farms or sit at home doing nothing. In addition to the fact that there is no real church option in this community, many of the people practice Africa Traditional Religion (often referred to as ancestral worship or animism).
As this was the case, Rev. Parlot decided to show the Jesus Film in this community for three nights and then try to launch a new church. At the first worship service many people, of all ages, were in attendance. There was great celebration on that day. Rev. Parlot preached the message of holiness, and many turned away from idol worship and toward the living God.
Emmanuel Kekula was one of those who gave his life to the Lord at that service. Emmanuel's past life had been ruined by alcohol abuse and sexual promiscuity, but on that day, his life was transformed. Today, Emmanuel is the pastor of the Zweerroh Church of the Nazarene, also called Victory Church of the Nazarene.
Let us pray for Pst. Emmanuel Kekula and the Victory Church of the Nazarene to continue to share the word of God's grace, and also to serve the Lord in righteousness and holiness all days of their lives.[Rev. Daniel Johnson, DS of the Liberia District]
Youth Training in East Africa
I was privileged to attend the very first of its kind Africa East Field NYI leaders meeting held from 26th -29th May 2016 at the Nazarene Bible School of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Five out of nine countries were fully represented including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The meetings were attended by NYI district presidents and was officiated by the AEF NYI coordinator, Mr. Barasa Nicholas, supported by the Africa Region NYI coordinator, Rev. Ronald Miller. The time spent at this meeting was edifying, empowering, motivating, inspiring as well as equipping.
Right from the first evening devotion based on John chapter 2 by Rev. Miller, we were made to realize that though in life things go backwards, with Christ things get better, and life will be full of abundance as long as we don't debate with Christ (meaning that we should do whatever Jesus tells us).
The following morning, Central Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Stephane Tibi,passionately shared with real life experiences about his encounter with God as he addressed the topic "Spiritual Development of a Leader". I learned that when I begin to be serious in prayer, God will answer me more, and this can only be possible if there is a two way communication relationship with God (2 Chronicles 7:14). Rev. Tibi emphasized that to be able to listen from God effectively one should take the simple steps of repentance (turn away from what does not please God); forgive (others and one's self); and asking God to fill him/her with his Holy Spirit. This massage touched my heart!
Empowering, motivating, inspiring as well as equipping, Rev. Miller returned to guide conversations regarding NYC 2016, 3RD WAVE CONFERENCE and Urban ministries. However in order to get the new NYI district leaders on board, Miller made a recap of what NYI stands for by explaining the theme verse (1 Timothy 4:12), NYI values, NYI guiding principles and later on guiding us into great eye opening discussions on the NYC 2016 and the 3RD WAVE connections.
From our conversations regarding Urban Ministries in the Africa East Field, I was made to realise that as district youth leaders, we must learn new ways of urban ministry and that youth leaders must take a center stage in this ministry, owing to the fact that almost 80% of urban population are youth or young adults.
This meeting ended with a communion service led by Rev. Miller, culminating in a passionate prayer for each person who was in attendance. From this meeting, I am optimistic that the fires set ablaze in the hearts of NYI district leaders in this field will keeping burning and ignite the hearts of many young people to start to live a dynamic life in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER REQUESTS
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.
English / Français/ Português 
@NazAfrica
Mrs. Shelly Miller, editor
Africa Region Church of the Nazarene, 17 Botes Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa
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Emmanuel Kekula was one of those who gave his life to the Lord at that service. Emmanuel's past life had been ruined by alcohol abuse and sexual promiscuity, but on that day, his life was transformed. Today, Emmanuel is the pastor of the Zweerroh Church of the Nazarene, also called Victory Church of the Nazarene.
Let us pray for Pst. Emmanuel Kekula and the Victory Church of the Nazarene to continue to share the word of God's grace, and also to serve the Lord in righteousness and holiness all days of their lives.[Rev. Daniel Johnson, DS of the Liberia District]
Youth Training in East Africa
I was privileged to attend the very first of its kind Africa East Field NYI leaders meeting held from 26th -29th May 2016 at the Nazarene Bible School of East Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. Five out of nine countries were fully represented including Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. The meetings were attended by NYI district presidents and was officiated by the AEF NYI coordinator, Mr. Barasa Nicholas, supported by the Africa Region NYI coordinator, Rev. Ronald Miller. The time spent at this meeting was edifying, empowering, motivating, inspiring as well as equipping.
Right from the first evening devotion based on John chapter 2 by Rev. Miller, we were made to realize that though in life things go backwards, with Christ things get better, and life will be full of abundance as long as we don't debate with Christ (meaning that we should do whatever Jesus tells us).
The following morning, Central Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Stephane Tibi,passionately shared with real life experiences about his encounter with God as he addressed the topic "Spiritual Development of a Leader". I learned that when I begin to be serious in prayer, God will answer me more, and this can only be possible if there is a two way communication relationship with God (2 Chronicles 7:14). Rev. Tibi emphasized that to be able to listen from God effectively one should take the simple steps of repentance (turn away from what does not please God); forgive (others and one's self); and asking God to fill him/her with his Holy Spirit. This massage touched my heart!
Empowering, motivating, inspiring as well as equipping, Rev. Miller returned to guide conversations regarding NYC 2016, 3RD WAVE CONFERENCE and Urban ministries. However in order to get the new NYI district leaders on board, Miller made a recap of what NYI stands for by explaining the theme verse (1 Timothy 4:12), NYI values, NYI guiding principles and later on guiding us into great eye opening discussions on the NYC 2016 and the 3RD WAVE connections.
From our conversations regarding Urban Ministries in the Africa East Field, I was made to realise that as district youth leaders, we must learn new ways of urban ministry and that youth leaders must take a center stage in this ministry, owing to the fact that almost 80% of urban population are youth or young adults.
This meeting ended with a communion service led by Rev. Miller, culminating in a passionate prayer for each person who was in attendance. From this meeting, I am optimistic that the fires set ablaze in the hearts of NYI district leaders in this field will keeping burning and ignite the hearts of many young people to start to live a dynamic life in Christ Jesus.
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, as well as those whose property was vandalized.
- 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.
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.
English / Français/ Português @NazAfrica Mrs. Shelly Miller, editor
Africa Region Church of the Nazarene, 17 Botes Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa
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