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Prayer requests and praises
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We praise God for:Holiness revival spreading across the Africa region. Dr. Stan Toler and his ministry in Africa over the last 3 years. Involvement of local districts in funding education for pastors. Turning points and new days. "His protection over leaders under persecution, his provision and deliverance for leaders who have suffered great loss, and his anointing on leaders who have felt God's presence and real miracles in their lives." We request prayers for:Maria Teresa Duarte - recovering from surgery. Praising God that no cancer was present. Travel arrangements being made by African delegates to General Assembly and Conventions. For current prayer requests and praises, click here.
To view the Africa Region's
10 Extraordinary Prayer Requests, click here.
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Explore the Africa Region
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10 Extraordinary Prayer Requests:
Every Nazarene a Disciple-maker with a Real Burden for the Lost
by Frédérique Bouwer
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One night, I dreamed that I was selling drinks and snacks to spectators attending a match. Someone was standing next to me, but I saw only his silhouette, because I was dazzled. He asked me if I was happy as all these people were. I was happy to contribute to their well-being. Then he added: "Too bad they do not know ... they will all die," and he disappeared. I then realized that my choice to serve the world has cost lives. When I woke up, I realized it was not too late, and now God was calling me to serve, "Who will go for us?" (Isa. 6:8). "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few." (Luke 10:2).
If, through us, Jesus  touches a heart, which touches a heart, then another ... then we are like drops of rain, which together form a river, water the earth and meet the ocean before evaporating into the sky. It is through disciples who make disciples that Jesus leads to heaven. Let us not dry up, instead touch others to go farther and be stronger in Christ to save lives! Do not fear; God is with us, "Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say." (Ex. 4:12). _______________________
Dr. Duarte speaks about Sunday school
and a teacher with a passion for the lost. Watch the video. |
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Personal Reflection on Ordination - by Jean Jacques ALLOKO
| Editor's note: This was translated from the original article in French.
 | | Laying on of hands |
If there are, in the lives of men, unforgettable moments, this Friday, March 15, 2013 will remain for three pastors of the Africa West Field, one of those moments. Indeed, the field witnessed the arrival in the camp of the elders three pastors; who are Jean Jacques Alloko (Côte d'Ivoire South District), Edi Christian and William Amos Nteile (South Eastern Nigeria District).
It was in solemnity and with the attendance of the highest authorities of the church, namely the Jurisdictional General Superintendent
Dr. Toler, Regional Director Dr Chambo, Africa West Field Stategy Coordinator Daniel Gomis and the district superintendents of Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Cape Verde, Nigeria, that the ordination ceremony took place.
The ceremony reached its climax when the Elder's Choir sang, in English and in French, the hymns "To God be the Glory,"" I Surrender All" and "Called unto Holiness." An appropriate message based on the passages of Exodus 28:29-30, 29.5-8 and 2 Timothy 3:10-17; 4.1-5 was delivered by Dr. Toler.
The ceremony ended after the ceremony of laying on of hands and dedicating our beloved brothers in the ecclesiastical offices as elders in the international Church of the Nazarene.
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Celebrate a New Day - by Amy Crofford
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 | Rev. Mashangu Maluleke
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Over the weekend of March 14-16, Nazarene Theological College (South Africa) celebrated a new day in their educational pilgrimage.
It began on Thursday, with the board meetings held in the college chapel. As board members discussed and reported, a spirit of unity and hope spread though the group. Later in the evening on the beautiful grounds of the Good News Conference Centre, graduates and their families enjoyed a time of relaxed socializing with board members, lecturers and friends of the school. Students served as the musicians and masters of ceremonies.
Friday, the board meetings continued. Rev. Mashangu Maluleke received a unanimous vote to continue as the principal of the school for four more years.
Saturday morning, an expectant crowd filled the GNCC. The procession marched solemnly to the platform and the graduates filled the front rows of the congregational seating. Rev. Maluleke welcomed visitors and acknowledged the work of recent volunteers who had taught both at the NTC campus (Matt Marshall and Dr. David and Kathy Slamp)  and at the extension centers (Rev. Dennis and Loretta Yingling). He said, "When you give me a meal, I appreciate it, but I wish you would give me a second plate." This proverb means that they are welcome to come back.
The blended voices of the NTC choir sang, "Hallelujah, He's Wonderful" and "Amazing Grace." Family members or other supporters named by the graduates received special recognitions for their part in helping the graduates arrive at this momentous day.
Rev. Maluleke said, "There is no better investment than in the education of those whose impact cannot be measured." Districts and churches were acknowledged for their support. The scholarship endowment
 | | Joyful congratulations! |
fund used to subsidize students' tuition and raised using African resources has surpassed 1.8 million rand.
Dr. Greg Crofford, regional education coordinator, gave the commencement address based on Matthew 25. He reminded the students to find their talent(s), not covet the talents of others, be faithful with what they have and step out in faith.
Next, the awarding of degrees began to the deafening cheers and ululation of the crowd. People rushed to the front with cameras flashing. The valedictorian was Rev. Francis Mwansa from Zambia. He studied in the B.A. extension program that had graduates from Cape Verde, Sierra Leone and Liberia as well as closer countries.
As a final act together as a class, they knelt at the altar and shared communion.
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Africa West Turning Point - by Rev. Tim Eby
| The Africa West Field leadership meetings in Accra, Ghana from March 10-20, mark a turning point.
A turning point because it was the first meeting under the leadership of Rev. Daniel Gomis as the field strategy coordinator and a turning point because of the holiness revival that was stirred in our hearts. Over 40 leaders, both francophone and anglophone, from 13 countries and 19 districts gathered to receive training on the Power of One by General Superintendent Dr. Stan Toler. It was an appointed time as we have been blessed by enormous church growth across our field and now sense God's call to deepen the maturity of the church and sharpen our focus on holiness revival.
Each night we gathered for praise and worship and then a time of prayer as key leaders directed our thoughts toward personal and corporate revival. Rev. Gomis led the week with personal revival and challenged us to be authentic spiritual leaders across our districts. Tuesday night, Africa Regional Director Dr. Filimao Chambo challenged us to holiness revival reminding us of our first calling to make disciples in our families. Wednesday night, Dr. Stan Toler shared about the Power of Revival as we prayed for holiness revival in our ministries. Thursday night, Rev. Daniel Johnson, assistant to the FSC for the anglophone countries, challenged us to pray for revival of our nations. God's Spirit was present at every meeting with times of repentance, consecration, and joyous celebration.
 | AWF leaders
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On Friday, Dr. Stan Toler ordained three new candidates coming from the countries of Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire. We praise God for these new leaders who also experienced this holiness revival in their hearts and are returning back to their districts excited to pass on the passion and revival fire. (See the article above.)
God then visited us once again on the morning service at the Accra Central church as Rev. Friday Udofia preached a sermon out of
2 Kings chapter 7 that reminded us that we cannot be satisfied with where we are, but must move forward no matter how big the challenge to see God's miracles happen. God is at work ahead of us and we just need to step forward in faith that God will overcome the enemy and give us the victory.
Our final session was led by Rev. Moise Toumoudagou, assistant to the FSC for francophone countries, as we celebrated the faithfulness of God for our leaders. We worshiped and heard testimonies of what God has been doing in their lives. We heard of his protection over leaders under persecution, his provision and deliverance for leaders who have suffered great loss, and his anointing on leaders who have felt God's presence and real miracles in their lives.
Rev. Sam Lama from the Liberia Central district testified "I am going home with His Glory and overflow to ignite the fire in my district, starting this Sunday at the women's conference where more than 500 have gathered at their Empowerment and Prayer Center which is under construction."
As our meetings closed, Rev. Daniel Gomis was called forward and asked to sit in the chair at the center of our circle. One arm was held high by Rev. Daniel Johnson representing the anglophone countries, and the other arm held high by Rev. Moise Toumoudagou representing the francophone countries. As Moses arms were held high in battle in the Old Testament, we vowed to hold up our leaders hands to experience the same kind of victory in West Africa.
We prayed for God's anointing, blessing, and wisdom on Pastor Dany as our new leader for the field and have left these meetings with one heart, one mission, and one vision for the kingdom building in West Africa. We praise God for the growing maturity of the church in West Africa and believe that the future is bright. May God's glory continue to shine in the lives of our leaders and we pray for holiness revival in every church in West Africa.
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| HELP! I am working on a printed Out of Africa booklet for General Convention. What are some stories you'd include?
You can access the archives here. Thanks for your ideas and suggestions,
Amy Crofford, Out of Africa editor
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