Nazarene Theological College
(Muldersdrift, South Africa)
By: Rev. Mashangu Harry Maluleka
"Behold I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:19)
In 2011 as staff, faculty and student body we resolved that every Wednesday we would fast and pray for divine intervention on behalf of Nazarene Theological College (NTC). We gathered in the morning, during lunch hour and also in the evening to intercede for NTC. Amongst other things, we prayed for the safety of NTC, that God will provide for students who are struggling financially, that God would call young people into the ministry, and finally that God would send more facilitators to help with the work load.
I am pleased to say that NTC is currently experiencing a security and safety that only He can provide. All our students who owed sizable amounts of money to the college have had financial breakthroughs. We have seen enrollment on campus grow, with thirteen new students joining the college community.
Also, God has miraculously sent Rev. and Mrs. Marty and Charlotte Murphy as volunteers for the next six months. Rev. Marty is teaching two modules, Pastoral Theology and Marriage and Family, as well as assisting the chaplain. Mrs. Murphy is assisting in the administration office, making life much easier there as well. Mrs. Deverani Hudson also joined us from the Eastern Cape as our new Registrar. Rev. Grieta Lindeque, a recent graduate of our B.Th. program me also came on board this year to teach Spiritual Formation and Christian Education. To God be the glory for the great things He has done!
|
|
Dust Bins and Thesis Proposals
Since its inception in 1984, the Nazarene Bible College East Africa (NBCEA) has swelled. The school, which this past year boasted 38 degrees granted, has 500 students enrolled in the Theological Diploma Program, and another 1,200 in the Theological Certificate Program. According to records, every single graduate in the last 28 years has gone on to full-time ministry within the church. The school, which says that it's all about a "thirst for knowledge and making time to get it," while praising "our God who calls us from different places and uses the least,"can be summed up in the following story of one student. Richard Awanda came to NBCEA as a cleaner. He then enrolled to take pastoral classes. When he completed those courses, he enrolled at ANU, where he successfully obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree. This past August, 2011, Rev. Awanda completed his class work for the Master of Arts in Religion and is currently working on his proposal for his thesis. Its all about God who lifts us up like He lifted Rev. Awanda up!
|
|
Corrections
In last month's publication of Out of Africa two things were incorrect.
1. Dave Restrick's wife isn't named Marquita. Marquita is a missionary on the Africa Region, but she's married to Dave Mosher and they live in Malawi. Dave Restrick's wife is named Rhoda. So sorry for the confusion!
2. In the article regarding the flooding in Mozambique, the roadway was not just covered by water, the entire road and raised causeway that passed over it were washed away by the flooding and will need to be rebuilt.
Our sincerest apologies for the inaccuracies.
|
|
Prayer Requests & Praises
-Continue to pray for Missionary Linda Braaten's mother who has been ill
-Pray for safe travels for
Dr. Toler and Dr. Chambo
--Children still needing sponsorship throughout Africa to cover school and food costs for the upcoming school year.
-Pray for the the "Power of One" and "Celebrating Holiness" initiatives to spark Wesleyan Holiness revival all across Africa
|
|
Dr. Stan Toler Teaches the Power of One Evangelism in Africa
By the Out of Africa news team
Dr. Stan Toler, General Superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene is providing practical training on Effective Evangelism Strategies for the Local Church under the Theme: The Power of One, in the Africa Region.
Beginning October 2011, over 500 leaders have now received training in the Power of one. In March 2012, Dr. Toler trained pastors and District Superintendents in Africa Central Field, Horn of Africa and South Field. It is anticipated that those who have gone through the training return back to their districts or local churches with a renewed vision for evangelism. They have also been certified to train others and be the catalysts of the Power of One in their home districts.
Dr. Stan Toler passionately challenges the church to obey Christ's command to evangelize unbelievers, disciple the believers, and multiply churches. The training sessions are enriched with stories of experience and expertise developed during his 40 years of pastoral ministry in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, USA[1].
The Vision of the Power of One Initiative is to motivate believers to use their spiritual gifts in praying, witnessing, teaching, and organizing events that will introduce unbelievers to Christ.
We maintain that the local church is the representation of our faith and mission, tasked to make known to all people the transforming grace of God through the forgiveness of sins and heart cleansing in Jesus Christ. Our mission first and foremost, is to "make Christ-like disciples in the nations," to incorporate believers into fellowship and membership (congregations), and to equip (teach) for ministry all who respond in faith. The ultimate goal of the "community of faith" is to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28) at the last day. (Manual of the Church of the Nazarene 2009 -2013) Therefore, we strive to prioritize the resourcing of the local church by finding ways to provide and or facilitate training that focuses on energizing and mobilizing all believers in all local churches to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission; multiplying disciples and multiplying churches. This is a priority and integral part of the ministry of the Africa Region.
To further facilitate and foster effectiveness the Church of the Nazarene on the Africa Region declared 2012 a year of Celebrating Holiness. The aim is to disciple the church in biblical holiness; encourage renewed emphasis on preaching, teaching, and holy living. We are praying for realization of personal and corporate Wesleyan holiness revival. We believe that this should be the foundation of the growth and multiplication of the churches where disciples are making disciples in Africa and throughout the world.
[1] Dr. Stan Toler was chosen for the highest elected office in the Church of the Nazarene at the 27th General Assembly at Orlando, Florida, USA, in July 2009, after serving for 40 years as a pastor.
|
Power of One Africa Central Field
 By Rev. Gary Sidle
General Superintendent Dr. Stan Toler and Africa Regional Director Dr. Filimao Chambo recently visited Zambia to participate in the Africa Central Field Leadership Conference. Over 60 participants from across the field from the countries of Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe participated in the 4 days of training in Lusaka. Dr. Toler presented the Power of One workshop covering simple ways for every church and church member to be involved in evangelism and discipleship. There was lively discussion over the 3 days of the workshop as District Superintendents from all 12 districts on the field along with key field leadership and key local pastors discussed the Power of One principles. In the days following the workshop many pastors and leaders reported their plans to take the training back to the local churches. One pastor even reported he preached on the Power of One in his Sunday sermon at the end of the week. Continuing Education credit was given at the end of the workshop.
Dr. Chambo presented two sessions on "who" we are as Nazarenes, discussing the core values, and our mission. Also there was time for open questions and answers on various topics with Dr. Chambo and Dr. Toler. The questions asked were of high quality focusing on the challenges facing the church, but also reflecting the positive growth of the church on the field. Rev. Paul Mtambo, Field Strategy Coordinator, also dealt with field issues among the leadership in several sessions. Rev. Gary Sidle presented from the book Simple Church asking each district and local church to focus on the Process of Making Disciples and to simplify that process so each local church can live out its mission to make disciples. On Saturday, Theola Phiri, Regional Coordinator for Jesus Film, held a workshop with the field leadership outlining a five-year strategy for the field for the Jesus Film ministry. The week closed out on Sunday as Dr. Toler led an ordination service at Chilenje Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Toler ordained 26 during the Sunday morning service. The service was full of praise and worship along with celebration for the 26 who were ordained.
|
|
Power of One Gambela Ethiopia
By Rev David Johnson
From March 17 - 22, 2012, pastors and leaders from four districts in the Horn of Africa met for fellowship, worship, encouragement and training. The meeting was held at the Gambela District Center in Gambela, Ethiopia. The four districts were South Sudan East, South Sudan South-East, Souh Sudan South and Gambela.
Area 1 Strategy Coordinator, Rev. John Yual, coordinated the meeting with training sessions taught by Steve Sharp, Rev. David Johnson and Rev. Yual. Training sessions included such topics as: Children's ministry, NCM, and local church finance and reporting. Several sessions were times of worship and sharing the word of God. The representatives from these four districts had a great time worshipping the Lord together. The Africa Region Holiness Revival emphasis was also reviewed and the people were encouraged to continue praying and fasting for holiness revival across our region.
On March 21, Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Ermias Mekuria, Regional Director Dr. Filimao Chambo and General Superintendent Dr. Stan Toler arrived to join the meetings. Dr. Chambo greeted the congregation and encouraged them to continue in ministry. Dr. Toler taught "The Power of One: Effective Multiplication Strategies for the Local Church." This material is designed to get everyone in the local church involved in evangelism. It shows local churches how to organize for intentional evangelism plus helps individual Christians know how to witness to others and disciple those who accept Christ. The material was well received by the leaders.
On the afternoon of March 22, the meetings were concluded with an ordination service. Over 200 people were in attendance for the service in which Rev. David Dak Kier, from South Sudan South-East District, was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. A great time of rejoicing and congratulating Rev. David followed the service.
The temperature in Gambela was extremely hot but the people didn't seem to mind. They were with Christian brothers and sisters praising the Lord, fellowshipping and encouraging one another. The time in Gambela was truly blessed with God's presence.
|
|
Nazarene Youth in Zambia Participate in Community Compassionate Project
By Mr. C. Nwachiyaba, District NYI President The Nazarene Youth International of the Zambia South District had a youth week from the 5th to 11th of March. The youth were responsible for various activities in their local churches. The focus of the youth week activities was to celebrate the Nazarene holiness heritage. Young people reflected, taught and preached the Biblical message of heart holiness in the various local churches within Zambia South District. The Nazarene Youth of Zambia South District compelled by the biblical message of holiness decided to impact the community by participating in a community compassionate service project. They selected one of the Zambia Government clinics in Lusaka to be impacted by Nazarene youth. Thus, on Monday, 12th of March the Nazarene Youth visited the clinic in Zambia and cleaned the entire clinic yard and the wards. They fed the patients, distributed fruits and personal/basic hygiene items to the patients and donated other hygiene items to the clinic. They also shared the Word of God and prayed for the patients.  The youth were thankful for the opportunity to participate in evangelism and compassionate service. The Clinic's management, public officers and leaders of the Church of the Nazarene in Zambia praised the Nazarene youth for their impact in the community around them. One of the patients openly expressed his joy by encouraging the youths to continue with the noble cause of spreading the Good News of God followed by the action it demands in other parts of the city and the country. He quoted the saying that Jesus used when commissioning his disciples, "be my disciples from Jerusalem to Judea and Samaria and all surrounding places." Dr. Filimao Chambo stated," I applaud the young people for their eagerness to pursue holiness and application thereof. I am proud of the Nazarene Youth International for faithfully carrying out the mission to call our generation to a dynamic life in Christ."
|
|
Dust Bins and Thesis Proposals
Since its inception in 1984, the Nazarene Bible College East Africa (NBCEA) has swelled. The school, which this past year boasted 38 degrees granted, has 500 students enrolled in the Theological Diploma Program, and another 1,200 in the Theological Certificate Program. According to records, every single graduate in the last 28 years has gone on to full-time ministry within the church. The school, which says that it's all about a "thirst for knowledge and making time to get it," while praising "our God who calls us from different places and uses the least,"can be summed up in the following story of one student. Richard Awanda came to NBCEA as a cleaner. He then enrolled to take pastoral classes. When he completed those courses, he enrolled at ANU, where he successfully obtained his Bachelor of Theology degree. This past August, 2011, Rev. Awanda completed his class work for the Master of Arts in Religion and is currently working on his proposal for his thesis. Its all about God who lifts us up like He lifted Rev. Awanda up!
|
Liberation
By Mary Spaulding
In a country where civil war has decimated the lives of its people for years, there is a reality that once the fighting has ended, the needs of the people will be great. But what if those who waged war had purposefully targeted the educated, the teachers, the schools, even the school children? A decade of no education, a generation of young people who cannot read or write, knowledge of what to teach and how to learn wiped from the collective memory of this people. That was the devastating outcome of Liberia's civil war and I was there to witness the result.
My students had come from great distances to attend my class, walking along muddy dirt paths, hitching rides where they could, several spending four full days traveling in order to attend the five-day class. Between rain showers that pelted the tin roof with such urgency voices could not be heard above the din, the learners earnestly leaned forward to catch every word I shared, eagerly lapping up droplets of refreshing knowledge and wisdom from God's Word, which we were discovering together. As Christians, we all desire to engage in meaningful service for those who are in great need. We yearn to use our gifts and skills for others. In Africa, the needs are indeed great and the emphasis on education is gratifying for those who have committed themselves to that purpose. I can guarantee you that the blessings will far outweigh any difficulties you might encounter along the way! I have taught in dirt-floor classrooms with no white board on the wall much less any computer on the desk, with no pens or papers for the students unless I brought them with me, with no desks on which to write except the students' own thin laps. Some classes have been held under trees, shifting the plastic chairs to catch the shade as the sun arched overhead, others in dimly lit classrooms, the only available light softly diffusing in through wall holes from the outside. But the students have always been eager to learn what I brought with me in my head and my heart. No one else for a hundred miles in any direction may have the life-giving "food" to offer these hungry students, who gobble it up. In order to be able to afford any education, many Africans must continue their daily work. They can only take short breaks from their farm, their herd, or their city job. Many programs are based on one-week courses held quarterly in central locations to which the students travel. The rest of the time the student is back home with his/her family, work and church responsibilities. Africa is an immense continent with numerous climates crowding its massive geography. There is the hot, muggy rainforest seen in so many Tarzan movies. I've never sweated quite as profusely as I have in West Africa! But the winter nights in Swaziland can be bone-chilling. The vibrantly azure skies and temperate grass plains of Kenya look and feel quite similar to summertime in our Colorado Rockies. As long as one takes proper precautions and listens to the locals, most visitors depart no worse the wear for their time there. But beware! There is another danger lurking under the surface. Africa just might plant itself into your bloodstream and nestle under your skin. I have served in Africa eight times in 11 different locations, from two-week stints to a full semester in length. Always I have learned and gained from the Africans much more than any information I might have brought to them. I have seen the heart of Christ in Africans who own almost nothing but are willing to share whatever they do have. I have learned the true meaning of the kind of community Christ would desire for his church, a total dependence upon God while maintaining a co-dependence with each other. Come and live with them, if only for a short time. Breathe their air, soak in their ways, allow the Spirit to minister through them for your well-being. We will all be the richer as a result and it is Christ who will be glorified. Lila Watson, an Australian aboriginal, says it so well,"If you have come to help us, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with ours, then let us work together." We find our true freedom as human beings, not at the end of war, not in our wasteland of materialism, not even under "free" governments, but as we serve Jesus Christ through his body here at home, and around the world. Come, let us experience His liberation...together!
|
|
Out of Africa Editor Brittany Leslie
|
|
|
|
|
