Saturday, October 15, 2016

Out of Africa October 2016: Innovation and the Great Commission from Out of Africa of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa of The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 14 October 2016

Out of Africa October 2016: Innovation and the Great Commission from Out of Africa of Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa of The Global Church of the Nazarene for Friday, 14 October 2016
Church of the Nazarene Africa Region Newsletter | September 2016
Table of contents
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DS Uses TV to Reach 1000's
On the Kenya Eastern District, the young DS, Rev. Augustus Mawia, has taken a somewhat unconventional step in order to share the holiness message of the Church of the Nazarene. He has taken to the airwaves and can now be seen on TV once a week.
Rev. Mawia said that he got connected to this TV station through a friend. The station then asked Rev. Mawia to come and have an interview, answering questions about family and religion. Rev. Mawia says, "Through the grace of God I was able to answer their questions." He said there were people watching while he was doing this and they were moved by his answers. Additionally, he said that after he answered these questions, they offered him a spot on the TV station once a week--and he said yes!
After being on the air for two different weeks, Rev. Mawia says that they have been able to share the Gospel message and holiness message of the Church of the Nazarene with thousands of people. He said that after the first week, they had contact with and learned that 27 people had given their lives to Christ. After the second week, 15 people have given their lives to Christ. Rev. Mawia says that his cell phone rings often with people who are wanting prayer and to learn more about Christ.
At this time, the plan is to continue to have the program once a week. Rev. Mawia says that, through God's grace, he will continue this and is excited that he will be able to reach many through the television.[Rev. August Mawia, Kenya Eastern District DS]
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South African Churches Unite
Most are familiar with the devastating racial past in South African known as Apartheid. During the decades of Apartheid, the entire society was segregated by law, including the church. To some degree, many churches continue to be segregated because of language or the comfort of worshipping with those who have a similar "style" to themselves.
On the RSA Gauteng District, which is largely the city of Johannesburg and some churches from out-lying areas, a few pastors on the western side of the district got together and said that they wanted a time to combine with other Nazarenes on their side of town. As a result of this, many of the churches have started meeting together one Sunday night per month. Part of the reason for this is for fellowship, but also for encouragement and breaking down barriers that have existed in past decades.
Most recently, the churches met at the Cornerstone Church of the Nazarene, which was a white church during the Apartheid years. It was beautiful to see the rainbow of faces in the congregation and to listen to the choir of voices raised in praise to our Lord where once those faces would not have been allowed through the front door.
The songs may be different, the style of worship a little different, but all of the praise is to the same God, and this is a uniting factor amongst the churches in a country that was, for decades, polarized by hurtful, legal racial segregation is a healing balm.
If you would like to see a video clip from the worship service, please click here.
These services will continue with the next one being held at a predominantly Indian congregation is a south suburb of Johannesburg called Lenasia.[Out of Africa]
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Compassionate Ministries in the Gambella Region, Ethiopia
When rebels attacked villagers in Adura and Murele in Ethiopia on the 25th of April, 2016, the world was horrified by the level of brutality and savagery on innocent and defenseless people. Children and woman were brutalized, some abducted and many displaced. Homes were destroyed and people's livelihoods were lost overnight.
The Church of the Nazarene were among the first to respond to this crisis. The
leadership in Ethiopia and the Africa East Field galvanized the church to respond through prayer, material and psychological support for those affected by this horrendous calamity. The Regional and Global church family joined hands in praying for the church in Ethiopia and those affected in particular. Several people opened their homes to provide care and support to many of those in desperate need of help.
The Church in Ethiopia through the help of the regional and global church were able to reach out in practical ways through the provision of food items and non food items, such as mosquito nets, plastic mats and pangas (similar to a machete). The church created a faithful presence in the lives and spaces of those affected, clearly demonstrating the true meaning of compassion.
The Gambella story is one that shows the effectiveness of a compassionate church in action and many thanks for the leadership in Ethiopia for living out a compassionate lifestyle through helping others.[Rev. Cosmos Mutowa--NCM Africa Regional Coordinator]
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Africa's Newest Missionaries: The Katanga'sIs the Great Commission - or the "Supreme Order," as the French say - for all followers of Christ everywhere? Ask Reverend Evans and Njeri Katanga.
Evans grew up in the Church of the Nazarene in Harare, Zimbabwe. Some years ago, he sensed that God was calling him to cross-cultural ministry. His journey took him to Kenya, where he enrolled at Africa Nazarene University outside of Nairobi, Kenya. ANU is already such a diverse community that he found himself interacting cross-culturally on a daily basis, but he wasn't convinced God was really calling him.
"I chose to ignore the small voice whispering that I could actually serve God this way," said Evans, "ministering in multi-cultural environments particularly including preaching and teaching. As a confirmation of this call, during my third year of study towards my Bachelor's degree I asked God to confirm for me that He indeed wanted me to serve Him cross-culturally. A few weeks down the line, I was jointly awarded a missional scholarship by the Gailey Foundation targeting Nazarenes called to missions."
In 2011, he married Njeri, who was keen to support Evans in his call, but did not think she wanted to leave her home and minister that way. "I needed God to confirm it for me if I was supposed to be a missionary," said Njeri. "I was really scared. I started praying about it and the more I prayed, I felt peace about it and God removed the fear that was in my heart. He also gave me the verse Matthew 28:20."
Matthew 28:20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember! I will be with you always, yes, even until the end of the age.”
Evans also says that there were some stereotypes that he had to erase. "I'd always known missionaries as elderly men and women, but now my family is part of the living testimony of young people serving as missionaries." He continues by encouraging believers that, "Every Christian is part of God's mission; while most participate in sending or supporting others, few actually go to serve cross-culturally. God is manifested through our everyday living and serving - all the more for missionaries."
Evans and Njeri have advice for young Africans who feel that they are called to be missionaries and serve cross-culturally. Njeri encourages them to start where they are, taking advantage of any opportunity they can to join in with missions. Evans says, "No one is too young to serve God in cross-cultural ministry. As such, begin nurturing and growing your capacity to serve in areas where your ministerial passion lies. I encourage any young man or woman feeling this call to intentionally invest in a journey of walking with God as well as approach an experienced missionary and request them to be a mentor - immediately the Lord begins to speak."
From this time until December, the Katanga's will be traveling through several countries in Africa raising awareness about missions and deputation for their work. In January 2017, Global Mission is deploying the Katanga family to Accra, Ghana, where they will work alongside our Nazarenes with a focus on theological education. [Evans and Njeri Katanga, Greg and Amy Crofford]
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NYC Africa 2016--Excitement is Building
The countdown is on for the NYC Africa 2016. Young people from across Africa are beginning to register for the event. However, much of the excitement surrounds the guest musical artists who have been booked for the event.
Central Africans will be excited that Ephriam is booked to come and share a concert, as well as Neville D, Dove Award winning musician. In addition to these two talented gentlemen, there will also be Christian hip-hop artist, Cjay whose talent has been compared to that of the American Christian hip-hop artist, Lecrea, who 
has an international following. (Click here to watch a video of both Neville D and Cjay.)
The NYC Team are busy finalising all of the activities, service projects, schedules workshops and making sure there is plenty of time for fellowship and connecting with others from around Africa. With each passing day, more exciting things are added to the program for this event and we encourage all of our African young people to try and be a part of this once in a life-time gathering in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Remember that registration is crucial and it can be done here.[NYC Africa 2016 Team]
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PRAYER REQUESTS
  • Pray for the family of retired missionary Olga Coetzer who passed away on August 17. The memorial service took place in Upington, South Africa, on August 23. 
  • Please pray for those affected by the political unrest in Ethiopia (http://nyti.ms/2dMo0n3). 
  • Continue to remember the family of Dr. Filimao Chambo as they mourn the loss of Dr. Chambo's father, Rev. Manuel Chambo, who died suddenly on the 4th of August. 
  • Continue to pray for the situation in South Sudan. There has been some renewed violence. 
  • Pray for the NYC Africa 2016 that will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 14-18 December 2016. 
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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.
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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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