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Prayer requests and praises
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We praise God for:Annie Lamle Mills, born on May 11, to District Superintendent Rev. Frank and Hanna Mills in Ghana, West Africa. She joins three big brothers. Rev. Mills wrote, "The Lord heard our prayers and gave us a baby girl." We request prayer for:North Kivu District Superintendent Balibanga wrote, "Many of our members have run away from their houses and are sleeping in some of our schools and others in the church building in Goma. Two primary schools, Bora Primary and Nazarene Primary school are full of displaced people from Nyiragongo, Muja, Mutaho. and Kibati. The situation in Goma is catastrophic."
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Explore the Africa Region
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10 Extraordinary Prayer Requests:
Every Nazarene an extraordinary pray-er - by Jonas Sitoe
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Some years ago, we were traveling to other cities and provinces helping churches and opening new preaching points. In one journey, we helped two families who needed a lift to the next city. We took the opportunity to evangelize them; however, they did not accept Christ as Savior. They said that they were of another faith, and we had to respect it. We continued praying and singing; suddenly their  three children shouted and said there was an angel in the corridor of the bus. We were all amazed and knew that Christ was in our midst. We persisted in prayer. At our arrival, the families, with tears, asked us to pray for them because they decided to surrender their lives to Christ Jesus. Prayer brings miracles. It has power to revive dry bones. The supernatural of God becomes real in life of those who do not believe in Christ Jesus; their lives are transformed for the Spirit of God invades their hearts and convinces them that they need a Savior.
May God water with his dew our life of prayer. To review the 10 Extraordinary Prayer Requests, click here |
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A biblical approach to taking communion - by Rev. Marquita Mosher
| Nazarenes believe that Communion is important. Though the Manual states that it should be served at least once a quarter (413.9), I believe that Communion is meant to be, should be served more often. While teaching a worship and celebration class at Nazarene Theological College of East Africa about the need to serve communion more often; a question came from the students about how to serve it when they didn't have the shiny plates and little cups. We looked at biblical references (Mt. 26:17-30, Mk 14:12-26, Lk 22:7-38) where Jesus served the Last Supper or the Passover Meal. The conclusion was that the little cups and shiny plates are not biblical, but elements of western tradition.
We talked about using one cup and one plate for the elements of the Eucharist. More questions were asked. Isn't that Roman Catholic? How could we do it? Where would we find the things to serve?
These students had me looking on the internet, in their local markets, in recipe books and the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene for a method that would be easy and not expensive for them to use.
 | A simple communion table
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In many African countries you can find the small winnowing baskets that could be used to serve the bread. For the juice you can find wooden chalices sold in many of the marketplaces or a glass chalice at a local grocery. For the elements you can use any local flat bread like chapati or roti that are similar to flour tortillas. These could be made crisp by browning in a pan over heat. Since yeast is a sign of sin, these local flat breads could be used instead of common bread. There are many local red colored powdered juice drinks that could be used for the juice. Malawi has a wine colored drink called Cherry Plum that would be an excellent choice. There are also many brands of real grape juice in long life boxes that are available throughout many areas of Africa. This manner of serving the Eucharist is much simpler and would take little time in preparing and setting out before the church service begins.
Let us consider the importance partaking of the Lord's Supper and allow our fellow believers to partake in a manner that is actually closer to the biblical way that our Lord Jesus used. In this way, each church with a district licensed minister would be able to serve communion more often and help their members to celebrate the living Word.
For a chapati recipe and more information about taking communion, click here.
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The real sacrifice -- by Rev. Joseph Tiendrebeogo
| Editor's note: The following is an update on this story from the JFHP Prayer & Praise newsletter --
"I am a farmer," said 33 year-old Imran in Burkina Faso. "I sacrificed animals for my health, my prosperity, my family, and everything else in my life. But tonight when I saw the JESUS Film, I understood the sacrifice of animals did nothing for me. The real sacrifice was Jesus Christ authorized by God Himself. I gave my life to Christ. Pray for me because I want my parents to know this peace in Jesus that I know. Thank you."
The JESUS Film was shown in Polla Village, which is located about 380 km from the capital of Burkina Faso. A young man of thirty-three years, for whom life seemed hopeless at first sight, traveled nearly 20 km to attend the screening. His name is Imran Yery. He belongs to the Gans, a tribe of northwestern Burkina Faso. This community shares two international borders: Ghana and
Imran Yery grows millet and maize for family survival, but he also grows cotton commercially. His success was envied by his peers. The only recourse he had was the sacrifice of animals. Because each entity of life required a special sacrifice, it became extremely expensive. By accepting Jesus Christ as his savior, the young farmer was freed from the spending that ruined his family.
During a pastoral visit in this region February 22, 2013, the pastor of the place, Youle Maturin, took me to visit the family of Imran Yery. What I saw was quite surprising. His wife and their child along with his father and mother had become his church. He now bears the name Jean Yery. He spoke of his intention to follow the courses of the Institut Théologique Nazaréen to serve his brothers who are still in the world of animal sacrifices.
Your prayers were effective because he asked that his parents be saved like him, and God granted this prayer. Please, continue to pray for his entire family.
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We praise the Lord - by Rev. Jillian Fothergill
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 | Baptism class
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The Holy Spirit is at work among the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This past week a beautiful baptism service was held in Lubumbashi where Rev. Celestin Chishibanji, district superintendent of the South East DRC District and Rev. Gavin Fothergill, missionary to the Africa Middle Field baptized 29 people. Sixteen people were from Bridge Church where Rev. Chishibanji pastors, six people were from La Main de l'Éternel with Pastor Mike Kalenga and seven people were from Pastor Robert Mbolela's Trinity Church. Many Nazarenes gathered together to praise the Lord and bear witness as these men, women, and children professed their faith in Jesus Christ and committed to follow Him for the rest of their lives.
Also present at the baptism service was the Point Loma Nazarene University LoveWorks team who will have served in Lubumbashi for a total of three weeks. Four of those who were baptized from Bridge Church came to the Lord through the team's ministry. Their ministry has consisted of working with Child Development Centers, preaching, singing, doing light construction projects, and sharing their testimony. They have made an impact on the church and will continue to do so long after they leave.
We praise the Lord for his direction and work among the South East District in the DRC. The Lord is calling people to serve Him and share His love with others. Through Child Development Centers, community outreach and JESUS Film showings people are hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness. We praise the Lord for using pastors and lay men and women in the Church of the Nazarene as His hands and feet. We praise the Lord for His calling on all of our lives to proclaim that we have been born again and that we will go and share His love with those around us.
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Forging partnerships that transform - by James E. Copple
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Rev. Sam Oketch, NCM coordinator for Kenya and the Horn of Africa has forged a strong and community-altering partnership with Pastor Samuel Ekai of Lodwar, Kenya. Over the decades, assistance to communities has moved from compassion to aid, from aid to development, from development to sustainability and now from sustainability to resiliency. Responding to severe drought and famine in Turkana, Rev. Sam Oketch organized, in collaboration with Pastor Sam Ekai, a food distribution initiative that would feed 700 families and build a bridge between the church and the community. The resources for the food distribution came from denominational contributions responding to the famine crisis in Kenya.
 | Two Sams
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Working with the Pastor, Rev. Oketch planned, coached, and identified skills in the congregation and pastor that would lead to the purchase of 50 acres of land, the installation of a solar water system, and a sustainable agriculture project. Pastor Sam Ekai had communication skills. He knew the strengths and assets of this impoverished community. These two men would not give up until there was a project in place that would be sustainable and built on the strengths and assets of the people of Lodwar.
The community generated over $8,000 (USD) to help purchase the land that would guarantee them food for the long-term and build a foundation for independence. Throughout the process, Rev. Oketch stood with Rev. Ekai to guide and coach Pastor Sam on the partnerships and organizations in the community that would help sustain this project. These efforts are transforming the community.
Regardless of how challenging or impoverished a community may be there are assets and strengths within the individual and the community that become the foundation for progress. Rev. Oketch begins his work with that knowledge and understanding. You work with what you have. You listen, mentor, teach, and design a plan anchored in the strengths of the community. This is not dependency, this is not aid; this is a partnership built on mutual respect and on the resilient character of the individuals that make up the church and the community. Both Rev. Oketch and Pastor Ekai are stronger servants of the Lord for their collaboration. They learned from each other; they encouraged each other; they were Paul and Barnabas for each other. As a result, people will be fed and a church has become a beacon in the county of Turkana. Editor's note: Jim is an SAI consultant to NCM Kenya |
| Come visit the Africa Regional booth at General Assembly and Convention. We would love to share more about what is happening across this great region.
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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