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Rev. Shute's Work in Africa Honoured
Written by: Felix Otiato
Rev. Howard Shute Jr., earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Engineering Technology, in 1974 at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York. Later, in 1986, he went to Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, where he graduated with a Masters of Divinity degree. Before his call to full-time ministry in '86, he worked as a manufacturing engineer, Inventory Control Manager, Planning and Purchasing Manager, and finally as a Manufacturing Executive, responsible for all facets of manufacturing in one of the company divisions where he was responsible for profit management.
From 1989 to 1997, Rev. Shute served as an Associate Pastor in Colorado and Senior Pastor in New york. Both of these churches where he served experienced numerical, spiritual and financial growth. From December 1997 to December 2008, he served as missionary, Field Director and Field Strategy Coordinator in the Horn of Africa for the Church of the Nazarene. He was assigned the responsibility to help establish and develop the work of the Church of the Nazarene in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and other countries (primarily in the Horn of Africa) as well as other parts of the African continent.
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ANU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Leah T. Marangu and ANU Council Chair Dr. Filimao Chambo adorn Rev. Howard F. Shute Jr. with his doctoral regalia. Dr. Shute was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Divinity (honor Causa) by Africa Nazarene University during the 15th graduation ceremony on 6 July 2012 in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Howie Shute's ministries have included becoming aware of opportunities to establish the Church of the Nazarene in new areas. He also helped to determine the needs for leadership development and training, which included sending potential leaders to ANU for training and establishment of a pastoral training program on the field, which included partnering with the Department of Religion at ANU. He encouraged and inspired clergy and laity to develop their full potential as holiness leaders in the Church of the Nazarene. The Church and various communities in Africa benefited immensely from Rev. Shute's commitment to learn with the purpose of participating in the development of Africa through the work of the Church. |
| Watoto Wa Mungu, God's Children
Written By: Rev. Célestin Chishibanji
The local church of La Main de L'Eternel (Hand of the Lord), led by Pator Kalenga Mike, has opened its doors and is taking care of 11 street children in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Pastor Mike went to a training sponsored by Nazarene Compassionate Ministries and while in attendence,God put a burden on his heart for those living nearest to him. He is currently living near a local market which provides much opportunity to encounter people and there, the local pastor felt God's leading. Recently, the church building of La Main de L'Eternel was destroyed. As a result, I visited Pastor Mike three times to encourage him about the church building. In those encounters, we spoke and began to pray for God's leading.
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Young boys who are part of the ministry to street children at La Main de L'Eternel Church in Lubumbashi, DRC.
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Pastor Mike was convinced he was being called to reach out to the street children he saw in the market. After much prayer and discussion, we decided to begin the work with young boys from the market community. The older boys needed more people to care for them and the girls are in need of more resources than are currently available, but, the start is good. God uses His people to touch His people's lives. Using local resources, the first steps were taken towards helping these young people. These beloved are called "watoto wa Mungu" which translates to "God's children." Each day, the boys, aged seven to eleven years old, receive lunch. Also, water and soap for showering and washing clothes has been supplied. We teach them the alphabet and mathematics, in preparation for the return of each of the boys to school.
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All 11 boys with Pastor Kalenga Mike. Each child receives daily food as well as guidance and support from Pastor and his devoted wife.
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Beginning the second week of July, we will start rebuilding the church where these boys will be further taken care of. As usual, we are in need of prayer, as we need a shelter for these little ones while efforts are being made to connect them to their relatives, get them back in school, and address their spiritual, emotional, and physical needs. But, God is good and His living creation is being changed through ministry!
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Agapé Gemeente Reach out to over 2,000 Children and Youth for Christ
Written By: Brittany Leslie
The Agapé Gemeente Church of the Nazarene in Rustenburg, South Africa, has always held to being a church with a community focus. In 2008, while meeting in a temporary worship setting, the church, which was raising money for a permanent worship center, felt God was leading them to invest in ministry to youth and children. The church postponed building and began plans for their first Jeugfees or "Youthfest", as an off-shoot of their annual Kinderfees, "Kidfest".
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Small groups helped the volunteers make personal connections with the children possible.
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This year, both the Kinderfees and Jeugfees were held at Laerskool Vastrap, the
local primary school. Pastor de Koker said, "We're a community-based church, so we choose NOT to have the Kinderfees and Jeugfees at church facilities." From 7:00am until 1:00pm, over one thousand children aged 5-11 came for games, music, food, fun, and most importantly, the Word of the Lord. Each day, 150 volunteers gave of their time and energy to instruct, entertain and corral the kids. The Kinderfees, which is the 15th held by the church, was funded entirely by community donations and funding. Daily, children were led to the Word in large group settings, as well as small group activities. By the end of the week-long Kinderfees, 127 children came to know Christ as their Lord and Savior!
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Jeugfees participants who gave their lives to Christ put their name on this wall.
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There was not much time for a turn-around, however, as the teen and youth activities of the Jeugfees ran from 6:00pm until 9:30pm. Over one thousand youths, as well as 50 volunteers participated in the Jeugfees which had dress-up activities, worship from the Altar Band, speakers, and a chance to hear about the love of Christ. These 12-20 year olds were presented with the theme of "One Life" and many made the life-changing decision to follow Christ as Lord.
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| A Thousand Brought to Christ in Togo
Written By: Laurie Watton
I want to share with you how the Lord is answering our concerted fasting and praying for the 4-14 window, a movement to reach children aged 4 to 14. On June 14-21, the South Togo intentionally ministered to children. Not only that, but they called children to intentionally evangelize in villages. They recorded 464 children receiving Christ as their personal Savior. On the third night, they showed the Jesus film and reported that 576 children received Jesus during the film.
According to Pastor Yaovi, they "were able to establish a Nazarene church for children [so as to] not lose the 930+ newly repented."
The most exciting part is that the work is only beginning! The major of the village has offered land to rent. Please pray for wisdom for all the leaders involved in this effort. Pray for intentional discipleship of these children. Pray that everyone will be able to go forward and reach these and even more children.
Let us not grow weary as we pray and fast... lifting up each who are on the front lines of ministering to children! Yes, let the little children come to Jesus. |
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Nazarenes in Maputo Celebrate Holy Living
Written By: Rev. Arlindo Mondlane
As a district, we rolled out our "Celebrating Holiness" Initiative in February. From then until Easter, holiness celebration programs were running in local churches. Members met every week for prayer and Bible studies, and every two weeks on Friday, for all-night prayer. Prayer and fasting was done collectively once every week, with a few doing it every day.
Pastors taught about holiness and called people not only to learn holiness as a theological subject, but also to live holy lives and embrace holiness as a lifestyle. It was a great experience and church members responded positively. In fact, a holiness movement was felt throughout the district. This first phase of the Celebrating Holiness Initiative ended at Easter.
The second phase of the celebration took place from Easter to Pentecost Sunday. Local churches in the district were divided into zones according to location and they met every day for holiness studies and prayer. Some zones created a "zone center," where they met while others went around to churches in that zone that had the opportunity to host the movement. Members again responded positively to this program. Different speakers were invited to teach and preach, and attendants participated actively.
The Saturday before Pentecost, the whole district met in Maputo Central for a workshop facilitated by Rev. Margrida Langa who is the Principal of the Nazarene Bible College in Mozambique. She challenged the people to live a holy life as demanded by God. The main reference was Leviticus 19, verse 2. Rev. Langa emphasized that living in a sinful world doesn't mean that we should become sinful people as well. After all, Jesus prayed for us to live a holy life while on Earth. We had a blessed time. After the workshop, we had a service led by the District Superintendent, Rev. José Moiane.
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The District over the Pentecost weekend coming together to celebrate holy living in Christ together.
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On Pentecost Sunday, the last day of the celebration, we met again in Maputo Central and the guest speaker was Rev. Manuel Chambo, former District Superintendent. Rev. Chambo emphasized the need to be circumcised and be totally transformed as holy sons [and daughters] of God. Over 2,500 people attended the service. This was the first time that the Maputo district served the Lord's Supper in a gathering of this nature with such a large number of participants. |
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Every Sermon a Holiness Sermon: Reflections from a Fellow Preacher
Written By: Rev. Gift Mtukwa
Every preacher has to decide what they are going to preach each Sunday. For some, this is a joy and for some, this is frustrating. In my own ministry, the decision on what to preach is an exciting one, this is because every sermon is a holiness sermon. At times, we preachers think that some passages of scripture are "holiness passages" and others are not. I Peter 1:16 and others that explicity include holiness language are favorite ones for most of us. This thinking is far from the truth, however. We have to see holiness in every passage of scripture. I am not suggesting that we read into the scripture, but am saying a proper reading is required. This type of reading demands a change of perspective though.
This change of perspective begins with our understand of God and His holiness message. God is a holy God and everything about him is holy. Human beings are holy only as they relate to a holy God. It is also important to note that holiness is not one theme among others in the Bible. The Bible is a holiness book, from Genesis to Revelation. The theme of holiness is actually the whole message of the Bible. God created us to be in a relationship with Him and this relationship was marred by sin. God has provided a way to reverse this situation through Jesus Christ of Nazareth. When our relationship with ourselves and our relationship with our environment is what it ought to be, there is holiness (Dunning 1998).
We need to look at the Bible as a story of God, who is out to make people holy, and what we preach each and every Sunday morning, Sunday evening or even what we teach in our Bible study lessons has to do with a holy God reaching out to an unholy people so as to make them holy. In light of this truth, our preaching cannot be about anything but holiness. In this way, every sermon is a holiness sermon. I am pursuaded that more and more pepole will experience entire sanctification under our ministries if we make holiness preaching an every day affair.
*Rev. Gift Mtukwa is currently serving at Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya. |
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The NTCCA graduates of 2012.
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NTCCA Graduates 11
Written By: Marquita Mosher
Nazarene Theological College of Central Africa, located in Linlongwe, Malawi, held its graduation on 21 July 2012. Principal Rev. David W. Mosher encouraged the graduates to "Go in the power of the Spirit to make a difference in their area of ministry."
Dr. Mark Louw, Africa Regional Education Coordinator, also spoke to the graduates, as well as Rev. Paul Mtambo, Field Strategy Coordinator for Africa Central Field (ACF). The guest speaker for the ceremony was Dr. Larry Lacher, pastor of the Church of the Nazarene in Roxanne, Illinois, USA.
There were ten residential students and one extension student who earned their Diploma in Theology.Theogene Mbonimpa was the class valedictorian, with the highest grade point average of 3.8. Additionally, nineteen students, from various extension centers across ACF received their Certificate of Ministry. |
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Prayer & Praise
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-Anna Krog, the Office Administrator for Africa Region NCM, has been struggling with very high blood pressure for two weeks. She has had several emergency room and hospital trips, and while she is home resting, still needs prayers.
-Revs Gary and Penny Sidle and their children; Lindsay, Alyssa, and Josiah. Gary and Lindsay were driving home when their vehicle was hijacked at gunpoint. Praise be to the Lord that neither was hurt, but all the personal items in the vehicle, including Penny's computer, were taken.
-Rev. Harry Mashangu and Mrs. Remember Maluleka whose home was broken into. Rev. Mashangu is the Principal of Nazarene Theological College in Johannesburg, South Africa. Articles of value and irreplaceable value were taken.
-Jordan, nephew to Andrew Johnson from Helping Hands Africa, developed an infection from sinusitis that went to the brain. In order to relive the pressure, he underwent and operation but complications arose that resulted in a coma and finally death. Please pray for the family and extended family during this time of mourning.
-Claudia, wife to Rev. Gideon Alexander and the extended family on his passing on 22 July. Gideon had a major heart attack at the age of 40. Rev. Alexander was the pastor of Manenberg Church of the Nazarene in Cape Town, South Africa.
-Claudia Stevenson, retired missionary who served in South Africa, Swaziland, and Nigeria, has been placed on hospice care. Pray for comfort and peace for her at this time.
-For the family of Mr. Lwando Maulapwe, father to missionary Mary Chanda who serves the Middle Africa Field. Lwando passed away at his home in Lubumbashi, DRC and is survived by his wife, Linda, four sons and two daughters as well as the children's families. Pray especially for Mary as she was unable to return to the DRC for the funeral due to political complications.
-For the family of Mr. Paulo Langa who passed away 25 July in Maputo, Mozambique. Paulo was the treasurer of the Seminario Nazareno em Mozambique (SNM) and is survived by his wife, Inês Langa, and children.
-For the family of Rev. Jussa Kachepe who went to be with the Lord after a 5-year illness. Prior to retirement, Rev. Jussa pastored the Bangula Church of the Nazarene in Chismo, Malawi.
-Pastor Samuel Muthama and the extended family on the passing of his wife. Pastor Samuel pastors the Machakos Kiatune Church of the Nazarene on the Kenya Central District.
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