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Prayer requests and praises
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We praise God for:the safe arrival of attendees at the various sites of the General Conventions and Assembly. the new and renewed relationships made possible by the gatherings.
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A few more photos
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 | Gathering of friends near the ANU kiosk (including Edna Lochner -in the front and Leah Marangu- at the stand)
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 | The Africa Regional area
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Explore the Africa Region
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We're better together -- by Greg Crofford
| Six heads or representatives of o ur Nazarene institutions of higher education in Africa were privileged to attend the International Higher Education Council (IHEC) meeting held in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) June 20-21. The theme of the Conference was "We're better together" and focused on how the 53 schools recognized by the International Board of Education of the Church of the Nazarene can work together to strengthen our connections, our delivery systems, and our future.
 | | Rev. Langa |
The meeting opened with each attendee receiving a pack of cards that included a photo of each of the schools. Participants circulated in the room, finding the institution leader who went with each card, getting acquainted, and having them sign their card. Rev. Margarida Langa, Principal of the Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique, observed: "One more thing I felt as signed their cards for prayer and they signed my cards, was that we are one body and one team united by the love of Jesus. Our unity reminded me that as members of one body we need each other, we need to pray and support each other."
 | Dr. Winnie
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Dr. Winnie Nhlengethwa, Vice Chancellor of Southern Africa Nazarene University, noted that 60% of the heads of the Nazarene higher educational institutions around the world have leaders who have been named within the past four years. She expressed hope that "these new brooms will sweep clean and keep the global educational system connected for the advancement of God's kingdom."
Also attending the meeting from the Africa Region were Rev. Mashangu Maluleka (Nazarene Theological College - South Africa), Rev. Gary Sidle (Nazarene Theological College - Central Africa), Prof. Leah Marangu (Africa Nazarene University) and Dr. Greg Crofford (Nazarene Theological Institute and Regional Education Coordinator).
A highlight of the IHEC meeting was the unveiling of the Wesleyan Holiness Digital Library (WHDL). This website gives open access to a wealth of resources useful in theological education, and includes English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Korean materials.
Closing remarks were offered by Dr. Dan Copp, Education Commissioner for the Church of the Nazarene. Dr. Copp reflected on his own spiritual journey, and how his attendance at one of our Nazarene universities in the United States made a decisive difference in his life. Our time together drew to a close with the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and promises to each other to stay connected. It's a privilege to serve the Lord and the Church of the Nazarene through education, and to be part of a world-wide network of educators committed to making Christlike disciples in the nations.
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General Assembly Convention/ Assembly - Nairobi site -- by Bessie Musimbi
| Miss Kate Mukoko, Mrs. Valentine Kinuthia and I spent many days to prepare as a team, yet we did not know what to expect until the day came. This was the first time for us to participate in the LIVE Global Conventions.
June 18, 2013 was the arrival date for the delegates at Nairobi site. An amazing thing that happened, as I was registering the delegates, was that we had some participants show up who had not followed the right procedure of registration through the regional office. Since it was our first time it was a challenge, but I thank God I talked with Don Bird who was the global convention business strategy coordinator and he helped me figure out on how I could register them on-site.
Initially, our goal was to host 60 delegates from the Africa East Field and neighboring fields. The number that registered through region was 95, but only 62 showed up. In total we had 74 people at the site. We had representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo and Ghana. Twelve attendees were not delegates, but rather facilitators, housekeepers, technicians and security guards.
Hearing from one another of what God is doing in different parts of the world was a great moment of introductions because we connected globally. At first during the live session, people watched quietly as if it were a video. I had to tell them that we are supposed to participate, not just to watch. The world had become so small and we could see what is happening in other parts of it.
I really thank God for all who participated and made this successful including the facilitators from ANU who committed to be with us all that time. Dr. Daryll Stanton, with the NMI delegates, facilitated the NMI workshops and Verna Stanton facilitated the NYI workshop. Rev Fred Amolo Otieno also played an important role guiding the youth delegates with the resolutions and voting. He also facilitated a NYI workshop.
Other facilitators included Gail Andreas and Anthony Chazara who each facilitated an NYI workshop. Rev Oure Gerphas - DS Kenya Central District and Pastor Charles Onyango, Kenya Central NYI president, facilitated the NYI. Rev Kenneth Okoth helped Dr Stanton with NMI. The following facilitated the SDMI workshops: Rev Elijah Kingori - NBCEA Director, Rev Julius Omondi - DS Kenya Western District, Mrs. Evangeline Akoyi -- pastor's wife, Miss Rose Nganga - AEF Children's Ministries Assistant Coordinator, Rev Peter Okinyo - DS Kenya Lake Victoria District and Rev Samuel Oketch - AEF NCM Coordinator. SDMI registered the largest number of delegates. All the workshops went on well and I do hope everybody was blessed.
I hope that if the Nairobi site will also be part of the next General Assembly, we will do a better job than we did. We have learned.
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| Responses from two Nairobi site delegates | From Frank Mills -- DS Ghana North District / NYI Africa West Field:
We were all excited to be part of such an important gathering of our church...It was amazing that 1000s of miles could not stop us from coming together and being part of the whole process.
It was a success. We could hear and speak and contribute live to our brothers and sisters in the other 10 sites around the world. People really spoke freely from their heart and the leaders were very patient with each speaker. We all took part in the whole process including elections of our leaders and we had the opportunity to know all names nominated for the various positions. It was also a reunion and time of making new friends from across Africa. We surely participated more fully than I expected.
The technology was good even though we had a few regular transmission breaks here and there. But our technicians always did their best to find other ways to get us back to the live convention. This is the first such gathering and use of technology and I know it was excellent for the first time. I will give a 100% grade to the whole planning and gathering.
We had to stay up late but it was worth it. Our facilitator did her best to help us keep time and stay awake. The tea and coffee helped me to not feel sleepy. Actually I was excited about the participation so I did not feel like going to bed.
I will just want to say a huge THANK YOU for organizing this site to make it possible for us all to still be in 'Indiana even when we are still at home.' The chair person did an excellent job by giving opportunities to all sites and that was good. I know there will be more improvement in the next four years.
From Charles Onyango (Kenya Central NYI)
The delegates were very excited, not only for having such an event that brought them together, but for being part of the great event in the Church of the Nazarene.
The live transmissions that were to start at 1300 hrs at Indianapolis started at 2000 hrs at the Nairobi site. The delegates did not have a problem with the time differences, since the orientation had been well done.
The Almighty God has future good plans for the Church of the Nazarene. All we have to do is to play our part as we continue serving Him faithfully.
We should start preparing for 2017.
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More about the participation from the region
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 | The attendees in Johannesburg
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Thirty-two attendees also assembled in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Traveling the furthest to Johannesburg was Pastor J oseph Tiendrebeogo from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The Africa region was represented in Indianapolis in the USA with 232 attendees. Our delegate count: General Assembly - 115SDMI - 106 NYI - 75 NMI - 77 We had 59 delegates that attended both GA and conventions.Editor's note: Theola Phiri was the person responsible for travel logistics. Her tireless efforts helped the regional delegates tremendously and her efforts are much appreciated. She also provided the numerical information in this article. Baie dankie! |
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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At the Africa display area, people from around the world signed up to pray for the persecuted church in Africa. 
