In This Issue
Trees planted by the water
My faith is increasingly strengthened
Ziimbabwe Missions Orientation
Children's Ministry in Tanzania
Prayer requests and praises
Pray for the graduates of our Bible colleges as they begin a new level of ministry.
Pray for the story tellers in Tanzania and around the region as they impact their communities - including the children,
Pray for the Work & Witness team from the Gauteng District in Souh Africa as they continue to prepare and then go.
Pray for David and Jodi Cooper as they work with Africans who are called to missions.
Pray for the French-speaking leaders of the Africa West Field. May they be able to apply what they have learned and benefit from the relationships formed during the recent meetings.
Explore the Africa Region
Come to the website:www.africanazarene.org
@NazAfricaChurch of the Nazarene - Africa Region
Le Coin Nazaréen
Noticias NazarenasTrees planted by the water - by Verna Stanton
Nazarene Bible College of East Africa (NBCEA) celebrated a graduation on 30th May 2014. The
graduation ceremony started with a tree planting event at NBCEA garden. Rev. Gardner, our key speaker and each of our graduates planted a tree along the stream. Then, the six excited graduates walked into Ongata Rongai Church of the Nazarene with their own pomp and circumstance, accompanied by five of their teachers while friends and family stood to honor them.Most of these five men and one woman had struggled for years to finish this course of study to become pastors. Testimonies were given about the challenges they faced in finding the time and resources to continue, but their brilliant smiles showed no sign of those difficulties at graduation!
This graduation was different for NBCEA because it was the first time in a long while they had their own 'stand-alone' graduation and it was the first for Rev. Elijah King'ori since he became the Director of NBCEA. Usually, the graduations have been held after the district assembly on each district, but on this occasion we had graduates from two districts.
Graduate Moses Njua acknowledged all those who had supported the students through the years thanking the pastors and missionaries. Then he stated, "I thank those who started the idea to have this kind of education where we can come at different times when we have the chance."
Thank God for the visionary leaders who brought extension education to help serve many hundreds of students who have graduated and are serving in God's kingdom. Currently, there is at least one center on each of the districts in Kenya and Tanzania. The song we sang sums it up well, "To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done."
My faith is increasingly strengthened
The conference center was located in a very warm place in the middle of nature surrounded by grass and eucalyptus, mango, avocado and kola trees.
Seminar participants included district superintendents, area coordinators, NYI leaders and leaders of other district committees (Women, NMI, Sunday School, etc.). In all, 52 participated from eight countries (Mali, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Guinea-Conakry, Senegal, Niger and Côte d'Ivoire).
Rev. Daniel Gomis, the field strategy coordinator, organized the event which was the first for French-speaking West Africa. General Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Stan Toler used the theme "Lead to succeed." Regional Director Dr. Filmao Chambo's talk was entitled "Created for Mission." Dr. Greg Crofford, Regional Director of Education, spoke of "Our Core Values" and spiritual gifts.
Gomis and Toler
Participants were motivated despite a busy schedule and expressed renewal in their lives. Rev. Munkendi Alidor, Coordinator of the National Education Council (Cote d'Ivoire), said: "Before coming to this conference, I was very discouraged. The Lord spoke to me during the conference. I am confident that this conference was organized for me! I was spiritually renewed and the Lord foiled the plans of the enemy in my life."
"This is my first conference. I'm so blessed; I felt alone working in Mali and the conference opened my eyes," responded Michel Tiawara, Burkinabe Minister Coordinator of church planting in Mali.
Pastor Emmanuel Kiatti, Zone Coordinator Togo North, exclaimed: "I am amazed by what I have seen here in Abidjan. My faith is increasingly strengthened."
At the end of the conference, there was much acclamation for God. Traditional clothing for speakers Dr. Toler, Dr. Crofford and field treasurer Michelle Eby were given in appreciation.
Editor's note - this article was compiled from reports from District Superintendent Kouakou Prao and ITN/NTI Co-director Rev. Antero Fontes.
Zimbabwe Missions Orientation - by Amy Elliott
Editor's note: The Gauteng District in South Africa is planning a Work & Witness trip to Zimbabwe. In preparation, they asked missionaries David and Jodi Cooper to lead a two-day Nazarene Missions Orientation (NMO). The Coopers are available to lead NMOs across the region.
Though many people have been a part of the Church of the Nazarene for many years or for their entire life, a large amount of members still do not fully understand the concept of missions. The Zimbabwe Missions Orientation, not just focused on the short term mission trip to Zimbabwe, but missions as a whole, facilitated by David and Jodi Cooper, was an eye opener with regards to missions in the Church of the Nazarene. We were exposed to the history of missions in the Church of the Nazarene worldwide. They shared on their experience as missionaries and expressed that though it is not always easy; it is rewarding to fulfill God's call on their lives. We learned that missions, takes a lot of adaption, as it pushes individuals outside of their comfort zones. With aspects such as culture, language, environmental settings, and societal norms to be considered, it is of utmost importance to do research on the country to be somewhat equipped in these areas.
I would recommend people go on a short term mission trip as it is
an amazing experience that encourages diversity and helps you spread the message of what Christ did for us to those who may not know and that in itself is a blessing. We are all called to go out and make disciples for Jesus Christ. Whether it be testifying to someone of the Good Lord's mercy and grace in your community, at work or at school, or preaching to a crowd of people, we are all called as children of the Most High God to spread the Gospel to all nations of the world. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Children's Ministry in Tanzania - by Rev. Don Gardner, East Africa Field Strategy Coordinator
We just finished a Tusemazane (Let's Talk) event in Mwanza, Tanzania. We had over fifty people, pastors, teachers, and laity.
Friday and Mary Ganda, along with the three Tanzanian trainees did the workshop. The Tanzania North District had asked me if it would be okay for their District Advisory Board/district to sponsor sending their experienced trainers to TZ Central district to do training there.People were amazing! The district superintendent from Tanzania Central district was incredulous and very impressed. Near the end of the training, some of the pastors began to question whether or not the model would be effective with children. This area of Africa tends to just chase children away, if they are under 12 years old. They don't see the need to teach them spiritual things, although they believe education, reading, writing, etc., are important. They commonly believe that children don't have capacity to learn spiritual things. Some even believe children don't have a soul until about 12 years of age.
So, Friday went out into the neighborhood and rounded up about a dozen kids of varying ages and brought them in the church. Some were kids of local members, some from the community. One of the lady pastor trainees told a story, did the repeats, and asked the questions, while all 50+ adults looked on. The adults were astounded at how the kids corrected her mis-told story, and then were amazed at the wisdom the kids exhibited when answering the questions. I was sitting there trying not to giggle. Needless to say all the adults were extremely impressed. After we finished the training, we left. I found out later that most of the participants stayed around for several hours discussing how they can use the model in their churches, especially with children.
I believe we have witnessed a breakthrough in children's ministry for that area!
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
Africa Church of the Nazarene
17 Botes Street
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
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