Explore the Africa Region
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Pray, Fast, Give: Responding to the Ebola Crisis
- by Cosmos Mutowa, NCM Africa Regional Coordinator |
Between October 26 and November 23, we ask our local churches in Africa to pray and fast for the many families who have lost loved ones and those who are infected by the Ebola virus and need medical help. We have lost a Nazarene pastoral couple in Liberia to Ebola. (Read more, here).
Continued prayer requested after Liberia pastor dies from Ebola
Monday, October 13, 2014
Monrovia, Liberia
By NCN News staff
Joe and Hannah Sonkpah (Click View Slideshow for additional photos.)
Joe Sonkpah, pastor of the Grace Chapel Church of the Nazarene in Liberia, passed away October 10 from Ebola days after his wife, Hannah, perished from the same disease.
Hannah was helping provide medical assistance after local hospitals in Monrovia closed because they were unable to assist patients with Ebola, a disease that has killed more than 3,400 people worldwide. At least 7,000 people have or are suspected to have Ebola in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, according to the World Health Organization.
Liberia Monrovia District Superintendent Daniel Johnson said Joe and Hannah Sonkpah were the first Nazarene Ebola victims.
The Church of the Nazarene continues to fight the spread of Ebola through hygiene education and supplies. The Liberia Monrovia District recently distributed tap buckets and boxes of soap to local congregations.
"Pastors and lay leaders at the distribution exercise first gave thanks and praise to God, and then extend their sincere thanks and appreciation to the [Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator], Rev. Dany Gomis and Rev. Cosmos Mutowa (Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Africa regional coordinator) for the compassionate assistance given to the local churches in the mist of the deadly Ebola crisis in Liberia," Johnson said. "Please continue to pray that God will stop the spread of this deadly virus, and eradicate it from West Africa, especially from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Liberia, which are [hard] hit by the virus."
Church of the Nazarene Africa Regional Director Filimao Chambo requested prayer for the Sonkpah family. Joe and Hannah are survived by four children, who are under quarantine.
How to help
Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator Daniel Gomis suggests the following activities to support relief efforts:
Have a time of fasting and a time of prayer at least once a week
Pray for God to bind any fear and loose peace in the hearts of the people of West Africa
Pray for our district superintendents, pastors, leaders, and churches in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Conakry, that the Lord will use them powerfully as agents of hope and salt and light of Jesus in these difficult days
Pray for God's wisdom and protection over the medical doctors and health personnel in the Ebola-affected countries
Pray for God's wisdom for the head of nations and decision makers in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea Conakry
Inform and educate by checking the World Health Organization and International SOS websites for updates
To contribute toward relief efforts through Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, click here.
Funds contributed through the Africa Emergency Relief Fund will go toward Ebola education programs, prevention and hygiene supplies, and food and vitamins for individuals and families in affected communities.
____________________________In addition to prayer and fasting, we ask the Church of the Nazarene in Africa to participate by setting up an offering collected in every local church toward the Ebola Crisis. We would like to encourage setting aside the period between October 26 and November 23 for this offering to be designated as "EBOLA offering for West Africa."
Nazarene Compassionate Ministries - Africa is already helping the Africa West Field with initial funds, but we will need as
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| Distributing soap and sanitizer from NCM in Sierra Leone |
much help as we possibly can to mobilize the
church in reaching out as Christ's hands and feet to our brothers
and sisters in these affected countries.
(Read more, here.)
So far three countries have suffered the brunt of this pandemic and I am grateful to Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Daniel Gomis for the sterling work he is doing in mobilizing the church in West Africa to support those in need.
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| Camp Victory (part 2) - by Rev. Chipiliro & Annies Kadyamaliro Charle |
Editor's note - Camp Victory in Malawi hosted eighty youths from August 3-27. Read Camp Victory (part 1), here.
My name is Stiphano and I am thirteen years old. My parents divorced when I was very young and I live with my mother. Two years ago, my dad taught me how to drink and smoke. From  that time, my behavior changed and I was disobedient and rebellious. I did whatever I thought best for myself.
When my mom told me that she planned that I should spend part of my vacation with my fellow youths and I was excited thinking that I would be more free. I did not know that she planned to take me to a spiritual youth camp.
The first days, I was bored and I wanted to run away. But God spoke to my life through one of the sermons and I felt as if something was coming out of my body. That day I gave my life to Christ and I was helped in prayers.
At camp, I have had counseling and I am able to see my old life leading me to death, but Christ saving me. I am happy that God has already started using me to win others to Christ and I have made Him a promise to continue even at home.
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 My name is Fakisoni and I am sixteen years of age. I am the only Christian in my family. My friend convinced me to attend Camp Victory last year and that is when I got saved and joined the Church of the Nazarene. Since then, I have been afraid to tell my family the Good News.
During this year's camp, I have learnt new techniques about how I can evangelize and I have been encouraged and helped in prayers so that I should reach my family. I am ready to face any challenge. I will speak what the Lord has done and wants me to tell my family.
Through this camp, my life has changed. This year I brought one friend and it is my prayer that next year I should bring more than two friends. I am the living testimony of what God has done. I was a worse sinner but through Camp Victory, God saved my life through His Son Jesus Christ. The Lord is good all the time.
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My name is Chimodzi. I am sixteen years old. I praise God for having an opportunity to attend this year's Camp Victory. 
Although my suicide attempt changed my family situation, I was still living in sin and had that decision moving in my heart that I would do it any time I would face any challenge. At the camp this year, God helped me to understand the type of life I was living and the need for me to know that He loves me and He sent His only son to die for me so that I should have life and live for eternity.
Through a sermon preached, I gave my life to Christ. I was helped in prayers and I went through counseling. I am a new being. I have learnt a lot during this camp, like brick laying, maturity, agriculture, evangelism and more. I have seen that God is calling me into a full time ministry and I am ready to serve Him for rest of my life. |
| Radio Training in East Africa - by Peet Voges |
Radio training took place in Nairobi, Kenya during September. Two different groups (14 students in total) were trained and the participating students showed great potential to use the Studio Backpacks to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve. The training included voice presentation, script writing, and program planning, as well as, technical production, editing and final authoring of the program.
The groups were divided in to 3-person teams per workstation, but worked as individuals and in a team setting. The final programs produced by both groups were very good and consisted of a variety of interesting short presentations mixed with music.
The groups were sub-divided into six language teams representing 9 different languages: French, Tigryna, Borana, Oromo, Amharic, Samburu, Turkana, Somali, and Arabic. The teams are already busy developing program materials for each language
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We also received good news that a local FM radio station in Northeast Kenya, offered the Church 2 x 4 hour blocks per week at approximately $40 per week. This means it will only cost about $5 per hour for airtime. This is wonderful news!
Please pray for the teams as they work to prepare the radio program content to meet this great challenge. We also want to thank the Lord for making all of this possible and for the doors that He has opened for the proclaiming of the Gospel to the unreached people of East Africa. |
| Radio reaps a harvest in Liberia - by Tee T. Latahn |
It is a great pleasure to write you of what the Lord is doing through the radio ministry in Karnplay, Liberia Central District. The radio ministry is an effective tool for spreading the good news of our Lord Jesus to places where I couldn't personally reach.
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| Peter (center) |
Two years ago Mr. Peter Barleah of Duoplay Town monitored our radio program with a special presentation on salvation. The following Sunday, Mr. Barleah who has been in church leadership for many years, walked for about four hours to find the Church of the Nazarene in Karnplay. After all of his questions on salvation were answered, Peter received Christ as Lord and carried the good news back home to friends and relatives. Today, Peter is enrolled in the NTI and leading the Church of the Nazarene with 50 members in his hometown. In our last leadership training, he came along
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| The Boumeins |
with four young leaders.
A couple, Mr. Sam Boumein and his wife, Sister Janet Blah Boumein, monitored our radio program and discussed the message together. For two weeks, they looked for the church in Karnplay not knowing it was a home church. In September, the couple joined our worship service, shared their testimonies and were both led to receive Christ as Savior.
In the Buu-Yao District of Nimba County four new churches have been established. Pastor Emmanuel Zor who works in the communities has invited me to travel with him to recognize and teach the new churches. This plan will take effect as soon as the Ebola crisis subsides.
Please pray with us for own radio station. We are in the process of buying two lots. |
Tembe inaugurated at the Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique
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| Rev. Adolfo Tembe |
The Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique held the inauguration ceremony of Rev. Adolfo Tembe on September 12, 2014. He was elected as the director on November 30, 2013 and has been the acting director since.
The former director, Rev. Margarida Langa, addressed the crowded chapel. Appreciation for her service to the school was shown. She will continue as a lecturer.
The inauguration featured speeches from the Seminario's administration including the academic dean, treasurer, and chairman of the board. The district superintendent of the Xai-Xai district, Rev. Simião Salomão Chiponde, and the field strategy coordinator, Dr. Paulos Sueia, also shared.
Papers were signed and books were turned over publicly from the former director
to the new director.Rev. Tembe spoke followed by Dr. Greg Crofford, regional coordinator for education and clergy development. An offering was collected for the work of the Seminario and a final prayer was offered.
Dr. Crofford states, "Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique is blessed to have Rev. Tembe as its director. He brings to the task a wealth of experience as both an educator and pastor. God has good days ahead for our Seminario."
Editor's note - Read about Rev. Tembe's election, here. |
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Amy Crofford, managing editor
uVerne Ward, executive editor
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rch of the Nazarene
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