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Prayer requests and praises
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We praise God for:A season of growth across the Africa Region. Leadership development opportunities and the inspiration and learning they provide. Men and women called to ministry as pastors and leaders. Africa to Africa work teams who see a need and are going with God's help and blessing. We request:God's smoothing the way for the Africa delegation to attend General Assembly and Convention. Many are still working on visas and other travel arrangements. From the NMI Prayer Mobilzation Line:The mother of missionary Mario Martinez passed away on April 10. Mario and his wife, Irma, have been in Argentina where Mario was recuperating from surgery. Pray for them as they grieve Mario's mother's passing. The Martinez' serve in Equatorial Guinea.
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Explore the Africa Region
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Easter Holiness Conference -
by Rev. Gershom Kwerakwera
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We had a wonderful time appreciating God's presence during this year's Easter Holiness Conference (March 29-31). Four hundred thirty-six people from 19 churches gathered at Bangula church in Malawi. Rev Samson Makani showed the JESUS film each day. Rev Daniel Makumba, the Malawi Lakeshore District Superintendent, was our guest speaker. Preaching began the first evening.
The next day, I taught on leadership. We also had teaching from Mr Idi Ndauma (Finance), Mrs Magret Afonso (NMI), Bro. Thomas Jackson (NYI), Rev Norman Folpence (NCM) and Rev. Daniel Makumba (Church Administration and Articles of Faith). Rev. Emmanuel Bello baptized 39 members. That evening, I lead in the sharing of Holy Communion.
On Sunday, some of our guests included the Member of Parliament for the area, the Honorable Steve Malamba, the police officer in charge, the village headman and TW R reporters. At the end of the program, the church presented gifts to all invited guests and me.
As the district superintendent, on behalf of the Malawi Lower Shire District, I would like to thank all those who have prayed for this conference and supported it with their finances and materials!
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ASF PALCON - by the Africa South Field News Team
|  Africa South Field held a Pastors and Leaders Conference from March 22-24 at the Good News Convention Centre. The theme was "Shamba no Jesu, asinmahloni" which in Zulu means, "We are going with Jesus, we are not ashamed."
General Superintendent Stan Toler was the keynote speaker. Sixteen other speakers brought encouragement, inspiration and teaching to the plenary sessions. The 352 attendees are already looking forward to the next time of intensive leadership and development training.
Halfway through the conference, Rev. M M Malibe, pastor of the Sasakani church, said, "It was wonderful. Since I've become a pastor, I've not attended a conference like this. It's a blessing." She indicated that she was looking forward to the next presentation, but that a presentation given the evening before touched her deeply. She feels a greater responsibility for her people and community. She will "bring them safely home."
Many of the attendees felt a need to pass on the information to others and use it in their local settings. Rev. Bethuel Mklonde, pastor of the Zola church on the Gautang District, said, "I feel there's been a lot of information given with the intention of growing our churches to a higher level of
 | Ordination service
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spiritual maturity. I think we mustn't just leave it as it is - theoretical, but we must make it practical."
Rev. Dance Mathebula, a pastor from the Drakensburg District said, "Thanks to the organizers of the conference. Personally, it was helpful. We will take these things away and we will implement them in our churches and districts. They will grow in numbers, spiritually and financially."
The PALCON culminated on Sunday morning with an ordination service.
Handouts derived from the conference Power Points are available on the Africa Regional website. Click here.
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Work & Witness - A Real Blessing - by Pat Stotler
| After arriving in Lesotho in 1993 to open work, we soon learned that any church organization that had no church building was not considered to be a real church. We began to pray about the matter earnestly for every time someone would ask us where our church was located and we told them we had congregations but no buildings, they just walked away from us. Some would even say, "Well, then, you are not a real church." God answered our prayers in 1996 when we received Alabaster funds and were able to build a church in the village of HaMakhoathi, near the capitol city of Maseru. Many Work & Witness teams have come and built churches and other structures in the past seventeen years.
Local leaders have worked diligently in the urban centers and the remote mountain regions. At one point, shortly after his conversion a young man was doing Basic Bible Studies with 26 people in six different villages. One day, Mission Aviation Fellowship called Dale to tell him he had a letter from this young man. When Dale opened it, it said, "Moruti (Pastor) Stotler, I went to visit a family today and their baby was very sick. I prayed for him and he was healed. Is that okay?" Dale sent a message back telling him to just keep on doing what he was doing.Today, he pastors the church at Manameng - a building made possible by Work & Witness. He holds services at eight house churches in different villages each week. He uses every opportunity to witness for the Lord.
As we look back, there has been an explosion of house church plants, hundreds of people coming to know Christ as their Savior and Lord and the message of holiness being proclaimed. Today, there are more than 100 house churches with more than 6,000 people in attendance on Sundays.
We thank God for Work & Witness teams who are willing to go to the ends of the earth for Him - especially to where buildings are a sign of legitimacy.
Editor's note: More and more opportunities are opening up for Africa to Africa Work & Witness trips. If you are interested contact your district NMI president and Field Strategy Coordinator. Be a part of this exciting ministry.
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BTh Graduation Ceremony for Two - by Paul Martin
| Following years of academic studies and several months of planning, the big day of celebration arrived. Rev. Vidal Cole and Rev. Paul Parlot knew that because of distance they would not be able to attend the on-campus graduation at Nazarene Theological College in South Africa. Thus, an area (Liberia - Sierra Leone) celebration for BTh graduates was planned. By gracious provision from the Africa West Field, Rev. Paul Parlot traveled to Freetown for the day of celebration. A grand celebration it was!
Over 300 persons attended the ceremony conducted in the Freetown British Council auditorium. The graduates in cap, gown and regalia,  along with platform leaders and guests marched in procession to the graduation march "Pomp and Circumstance." The ceremony included special music, the sharing of the mission and vision of Nazarene Theological College (South Africa), certificates of appreciation to the graduate spouses for their support (only one was in attendance), and reflections of the graduates.
The special speaker for the event was the Rev. Dr. Mrs. Olivia Wesley, principal of the College of Theology & Management and Church Training Center, an institution that trains ministers, especially those of the Methodist and Anglican churches. Her address challenged the graduates to servant leadership and to heeding God's call to holy living. The Pro-Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, the Rev. Canon Dr. J.E.M. Taylor-Pearce also shared a fine statement. He too stressed the need for authentic integrity in those who lead in ministry.
Following the recessional and many "Congrats," refreshments were served to the guests. The event was broadcast and reported via Freetown media.
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Nina's Story - by Rachelle Miller
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In Madagascar, we are leading the way in ordaining women for ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. Nina RAKOTOMANANA was introduced to Jesus Christ and, in turn, the Church of the Nazarene through a leader who held a Bible study in her community in 1997. During one of the studies, the leader invited people to accept Christ. Nina felt the urging of the Spirit, went forward and gave her life to Christ.
 | | Nina at her church |
In 2000, she heard the Lord call her to teach Sunday School. She also felt that she needed to start a Bible study in her community and in another community in Antananarivo. In July of that year, she heard the Lord clearly tell her that she needed to start a church. This was the start of her call into ministry. With the full support of her husband, Marcel, who was also a new Christian, Nina became a pastor and began studying for ordination through the Institut Théologique Nazaréen. Nina also works five days a week at the Street Kids Center. While she has many responsibilities, one of her main jobs at the Center is to take sick children to the hospital and be sure that the money allotted to them is spent on medical care. Nina is very careful to be sure the money is used correctly. She has always been a hard worker and dedicated to her work at the Center, but mainly to winning people to Christ and starting new churches. On the 10th of March, Dr. Stan Toler ordained her as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene. For Nina, this means that she is now set apart wholly for the work of Christ and to only be used by him.
 | Nina and family at ordination
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In Madagascar there is a very traditional mindset about women in ministry. For the older Malagasies, it's not "normal" for a woman to be a pastor. Men are viewed as being pastors, not women. In spite of this, mindset, Nina says that is not her greatest challenge. "For me," says Nina, "my most difficult challenge is to fulfill the mission of the Lord as stated in Matthew 28:19-20, until the end of my days. Growing the Kingdom of God is my greatest challenge."
When looking for inspiration and encouragement, Nina says that she looks to the story of Gideon and Judges 6:12. "Gideon had great fear, and I was also scared that I will not be able to be a pastor because I am female. But God encouraged me, so I continue to share God's Word."
Nina currently pastors a church about an hour bus ride and 15-minute walk from her house, as well as leading a Bible study in the community where she lives in the hopes of starting a new church in her own community one day soon. She has a passion for church growth and also to see people enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Her, her husband, Marcel, and their 2 daughters, Antsa and Iobe (U-be), are working hard in the church Nina's pastors to show Christ's love.
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This season of growth has been made possible by the prayers and giving of God's people in Africa and around the world. Thank you!
Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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