December 2012, Issue 1 |
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Prayer requests and praises
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We praise God for:New believers who come to know Jesus and the Church of the Nazarene through the JESUS film, compassionate ministries or community outreach. A bright future for the Church of the Nazarene on the Africa Region. ANU and her role in developing leaders and innovators.
Please pray for:Peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Especially for the people of Goma. Contact the Regional Office to join the Africa Prayer Partners and receive prayer requests as they arise on the region.
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Explore the Africa Region
| Come to the website: www.africanazarene.org
or check out our Facebook pages: English, French, Portuguese
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A Good Weekend in Burundi - by D.S. NTAHOBARI Luc
| In our district pioneer of Burundi, we use the ministry of the JESUS film with our program of evangelism and church planting.
The week of October 20, 2012 was a blessing on our district. Mr NTIBARWAMBARIYE John Bosco, secretary of the district advisory board and JESUS film coordinator, and I went to the province of Makamba, a town near Nyanza Lake, about 200 km from the capital Bujumbura. We showed the film for two days and 1,000 people came to see it. About 200 people made the decision to accept Christ and 60 people came to the follow-up meeting.
 | New pastoral couple
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During that weekend, we implemented a new local church which began with 45 people. This church has been a preaching point for two years. Now, we have recognized it as a local church. The photo shows the new pastoral couple. They are NIBINKOREYE Gerchon and his wife, Jeanine CUBWA. Both are students at the Nazarene Theological Institute and teachers in government primary schools. They have two children.
Pray for them that God may give them the spiritual strength to lead the church. Pray for them and the local church to have a plot where they can finally build a church building because the church now meets in a rented location. Continue to pray for the church in Burundi.
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Regional Support for the Appointment of Rev. Elliott
| Dr. Filimao Chambo, the regional director, recently announced that Rev Peter Collin Elliott had accepted an appointment as Assistant to the Regional Director for Church Growth and District Development beginning December 1. He noted, "Elliott's passion to introduce and win people to Jesus Christ as Savior, preach the message of holiness (Acts 1:8), and fervent desire to see the Body of Christ grow strong spiritually and numerically will serve well in this new assignment."
Many across the region have expressed their thoughts about the appointment.
Rev Gershom Kwerakwera, chairman of the Malawi Nazarene National Board, in an open congratulatory message wrote, "We are very excited for your new assignment and we are sure that God will be on your side as you continue with the work which you already started doing in different countries including Malawi. You are a visionary leader! We will still need your service here in this country!"
 | | Revs. Collin and Shireen Elliott |
Rev. Elliott will continue as Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator.
Fellow Field Strategy Coordinator Don Gardner (Africa East Field) said, "Rev. Elliot is a perfect fit for the assignment because of his extensive experience in leadership in Africa. His deep knowledge of the Church of the Nazarene and skills as a leader who develops leaders is evidenced by the strong church on the Africa South Field. His leadership is highly respected throughout the continent."
During his years as Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator, field membership grew by more than 100% from 33,211 in 2000 to 79,469 in 2011. The 23 districts developed with the move from 11 to 18 Phase 3 districts, four Phase 1 districts achieved Phase 2 status, and 1 Pioneer district received Phase 2 status. (For definitions of the district phases see paragraph 200.2.) "I thank God for His favor and presence and for a good field team to continue strategies for multiplication and spiritual health and growth" Elliott remarked.
Dr. Greg Crofford, regional education coordinator, said "I look forward to working with such a dynamic leader." Great days are ahead for the Africa Region.
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When Compassion becomes Evangelism - by James E. Copple
| Inok Elimlim Akaale, a 63-year-old traditional Turkana woman is a new member of the Church of the Nazarene. Akaale has lived a pastoral life herding goats and cattle in the rough and barren lands surrounding Lake Turkana - Kenya's largest lake. She has moved every two or three years in search of needed grassland and water. She, along with 850,000 people that populate Turkana County on the border of South Sudan has known famine most of her life.
The Church of the Nazarene in Lodwar, with funds provided by the global church, purchased emergency food for over 700 preselected beneficiaries. I had the privilege of interviewing Akaale and asking her why she attended this local church. Her answers illustrate the intersection between compassion and evangelism.
Jim: Why do you come to this church?
Akaale: I come for three reasons.
Jim: Three reasons (said with a smile) - What are those three reasons?
Akaale: I have been coming here since the month of May and I came here first because of the food distribution the Nazarenes were providing. I just keep coming. I was here when you brought the white people (wazungu) - a short woman hugged me and told me Jesus cared about me. (She held her hand to the ground to emphasize "short.")
Jim: What did that mean to you?
Akaale: I saw Jesus in her. (She started crying.)
 | | Inok Elinlim Akaale |
Jim: What are the other two reasons?
Akaale: I come here because Jesus does not hit me.
Jim: People hit you?
Akaale: My father did and my husband did. (Both died of AIDS)
Jim: But here Jesus will not hit you?
Akaale: No, and also Jesus feeds me.
Jim: Why do you say Jesus instead of Church? (Translator had to sort that question out.)
Akaale: The Church is Jesus and Jesus always says welcome with an open hand and not a raised fist. (She raised her hand in a fist motion and pretended to swing at me. We laughed).
The Famine Relief Initiative of the church included emergency food, sustainable agriculture, and counseling services for women victimized by violence. Akaale knew famine, abuse, and neglect. She is a survivor who found Jesus through the compassion of a church.
-- Jim Copple works alongside the Nazarene Compassion Organization which is how NCM is recognized in Kenya.
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ANU Celebrates a Decade since Charter - by Felix Otiato
| "Africa Nazarene University will not falter in its commitment to faith learning and service, but will instead continue to create new knowledge through research and innovations that will benefit Africa and continue to propel Kenya forward." Vice-Chancellor Prof. Leah Marangu made this declaration during celebrations that were held at the main campus to mark the 10th anniversary since the university was awarded its charter by the then President H.E. Daniel Arap Moi.
Prof. Marangu noted that there has been an explosion in the number of private universities in the last couple of years in Kenya, with questions about the quality of programs, accreditation and facilities. She called on all staff, faculty, students and alumni of ANU to remain steadfast to ANU's rich legacy to ensure that the university continues to distinguish itself as a center of excellence that produces transformational servant leaders. "Let us remember, it is the unshakable belief in Jesus Christ, upon which this great institution is built, that will ultimately set us apart from the rest," she said.
The Vice-Chancellor paid glowing tribute to the God-inspired individuals who founded ANU and nurtured it through its infancy to the respected institution that it is today. She further attributed the success of the university to the tenets of integrity, quality, transformation and servanthood that were planted at its inception and which ANU has jealously guarded.
 | Vice Chancellor Prof. Leah Marangu, guest speaker
Mr. John Nganga, ANU Alumni Coordinator Mugure Shikali and student Mercy Wanja cut the celebratory cake. |
Prof. Marangu also led the university in recognizing the role ANU alumni have played, as flag bearers of the university to all nations, for their devotion to the university through the practice of not only the knowledge gained, but more importantly the values of service, character and integrity instilled in them while students. Of particular attention during the ceremony were recent additions to the university's list of achieving alumni such as Lorna Rutto ('08), Kendi Muchungi ('00), and Amos Gichamba ('07).
She went on to reiterate ANU's track record of consistently producing graduates who have made an impact in their communities and continue to hold the torch for others to follow, attributing this to Christ-centered education. She challenged the community continue working with the university as it steps into the future by upholding the highest educational quality and individual as well as communal values.
The celebrations provided a common forum for all university stakeholders to give thanks to God for the successes of ANU since the charter was awarded in October 2002. They culminated into a special chapel service that was attended by all staff and students. (For a short ANU video, click here.)
--Felix Otiato is the Public Relations and Communications Officer at Africa Nazarene University.
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Interview with Clotilde Uwimbabazi - by Marquita Mosher
| Clotilde Uwimbabazi, best known as Amayi (Mom) Rusasa, was born in Gitarama, Rwanda. She is a 2012 graduate of Nazarene Theological College of Central Africa in Lilongwe, Malawi. She is married to Paulin and they have five children. Presently she is a primary school teacher at Jane Adam's Education Centre teaching maths, English, French Bible Knowledge, life skills and expressive arts.
 | Clotilde Uwimbabazi
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Where were you educated? My primary education was at Giko Catholic Primary School. I finished Form Six at École Secondaire de l'Association des Parents Adventistes de Gitwe receiving a diploma in primary education. I began teaching in 1990 and continued until it became necessary to leave Rwanda in 2002.
What did you want to be as a child? A teacher, I always wanted to be a teacher.
How did you come to know Christ as your personal Savior? Growing up, I believed in traditional medicine, but also attended a Roman Catholic Church. When we came to Malawi as refugees, we went through many difficulties on the way. We were placed in a camp, but life there was difficult so we decided to come to the city to look for work. Not knowing English at that time it was quite difficult, so we were actually begging to be able to support ourselves. We finally found a house in Area 25 in which the Bible College is located. It was through students doing evangelism that we came into contact with the Church of the Nazarene, this was in 2003. At this time I also began to teach French at Lilongwe Nazarene Private School which is a part of the ministry of NTCCA. They invited us to attend Ufulu Church of the Nazarene. They helped us learn English and we began to attend a Bible study where we read Scripture and answered questions. It was through this study that I came to know Jesus Christ. After a year in membership class with Rev Wilfred Yambayamba, we became full members in 2004.
How did you receive your call to ministry? Because I was teaching at LNPS, I was able to attend the morning chapels at the college. In 2008, I realized that God was calling me to be a pastor. In 2010, I became a student at NTCCA.
What is your favorite Bible passage? The Shema - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one." I also find the Apostle John's letters to be a comfort.
 | Clotilde with her husband, Paulin (left), and Field Strategy Coordinator
Paul Mtambo (right)
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Who is your favorite Bible character? John the apostle.
Can you name a unique situation where you know God intervened in your life? When we left the camp to come to the city of Lilongwe we prayed and asked God to find work for us. When we came in contact with NTCCA, we asked Rev. Yambayamba for a job of any kind. Within a week, I was teaching at LNPS. I know that had to be the work of God.
Who has been your mentor? Dr. Margaret Scott.
Whom are you mentoring? I mentor two young ladies-- Lucie Nzayisenga and Josette Habati.
What are your responsibilities in the local church? I am involved in women's ministries. I also have a Bible Club with the students at the school where I teach. There are about seventy students involved in a two hour meeting once a week.
What is your greatest desire for your children? I want them to know Christ as their personal Savior and to grow in Him. I also want them to continue their education.
Anything else you would like to say? There is a scripture passage that has been a comfort to me. It is Psalm 91.
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Definition of compassion -- "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..."
Merry Christmas!
If your church is doing something to show the compassion of God for a needy world, send me a note.
Together, we can meet the goal of being an informed and inspired community making Christlike disciples in the nations.
Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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