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Prayer requests and praises
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Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your local church, zone, district and region. Praise God for the churches that carry on the mission of Christ despite trying circumstances. Pray for our chaplains - business, military, hospital, police, fire and in all other areas. They touch people who are in difficult situations daily. Pray for programs that are not new, but have a history of making a difference. May they have a renewed vision and purpose. Pray for the families of several African leaders who have died recently. Read more here. 
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Explore the Africa Region
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Extraordinary Prayer Request: Every Nazarene Local Church experiencing a real movement of the Holy Spirit -
by Don Gardner
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Tears sprang into his eyes and ran down his cheeks as the retired pastor asked, "Why don't we see the Holy Spirit moving today, as we saw Him so long ago?"
I believe and scripture reveals that God wants to bless His church and His people with a fresh fire and a fresh movement of the Holy Spirit. I also believe few are ready to make the kinds of self-sacrifice that it will take for this to happen.
 My greatest burden for the church is to see God's people overcome with His Holy Spirit. If pastors, DSs, laymen and leaders could humble themselves, pray, and seek His face, turn from their wicked ways, I believe we would see an incredible outpouring of the Holy Spirit that would sweep into a movement that would not only change us, but would change the world. God promised it. It is time to pray!
"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 To read the 10 Extraordinary Prayer Requests, click here. |
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Only the building was destroyed - The Church remains - by Jill Fothergill
| Last November, with the first rains of the rainy season, the church building in Kafubu, a small village outside Lubumbashi, was destroyed. Since then, they have been meeting under a large mango tree. Despite their setback, this church has remained faithful and continued on as the church, without a building. 
We were fortunate to see the large piece of property they are using as a farm. They are growing cabbage, corn, tomatoes, zucchini and a few green leafy vegetables eaten by many in Congo. This is great for the village, not only in supplying food for themselves, but also to sell and use as income.
This church has also begun a literacy program for women. Many women have not had the opportunity to go to school. In fact, here in Lubumbashi, school is not free. You must pay to attend school. The ladies in the church were very excited to show what they had been learning. Using the chalkboard, each woman took a turn writing a new word she had learned to write, as well as her name. It's beautiful to see their confidence and excitement. 
We were privileged to help with the feeding program they have for kids. We filled up bowls with fufu, fish and linga linga (a green leaf vegetable).
God is so good! They have begun to build a new church, with their own means and hope to begin building a school soon; giving every child the opportunity to be educated. Bonne Samaritan Church of the Nazarene, in Kafubu is carrying out the mission of the church.
"You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect purity. The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct each other with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3:12-17
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| Profile of a military chaplain: Veronica Mnyanda | FUNDISWA VERONICA MNYANDA serves as a chaplain with the South African Defence Force. She is single and lives with her son and two teenage grandsons.
Share about your decision to follow Christ.
I gave my life to Jesus at the age of 24, which was the 6th of April 1986, during the Sunday morning church service. I cannot recall what the message was about because my mind used to be far away even though my body would be in the church. The only words I heard the pastor say were, 'SIYAHAMBA THINA SIYA EZULWINI UZOSALA WENA NGOBA UTHANDA ISONO.' This means, 'We are going to heaven leaving you behind, because you love sin.' It seemed as if I was sleeping and woke up, I questioned myself, 'What is sin that I would not go to heaven because of it? That was the day I made a decision and gave my life to Jesus, I was truly born again, as I am still enjoying that blessing even today, I experienced something that I never experienced before, and my heart was overflowing with unspeakable joy. I love my Lord wholeheartedly as He saved and sanctified me. Before sanctification, which is regarded as the second work of grace, I was struggling a lot with my spiritual life, until I received this baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Share about your childhood.
I grew up in a Christian home, the whole family attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church for many years until my late beloved mother; Nowandile Phildah Mnyanda joined the Church of the Nazarene in 1982. She played a very important role in my life, in fact to all her children. She used to quote
1 Peter 1:3-5.
It was not very long after I gave my life to Jesus at the First Church of the Nazarene Zone 11 Mdantsane East London that I sensed God's call in July 1986. I began my theological studies in January 1987 at Africa Nazarene Theological College Port Elizabeth. I did three years there, and my final year at Nazarene Theological College (NTC) when the four Nazarene colleges in South Africa merged together. I graduated in 1990.
How did you become a chaplain?
After graduation, I started pastoring. While I was still in Kimberley, something started to bother me every time and everywhere I saw soldiers in uniform; they were like a sheep without a shepherd. The pain and the passion to preach to them grew in my heart, but I did not know the 'how' part.
I applied to the South African National Defence Force in 2002, but I was only appointed as a regular military chaplain in February 2006. I was placed in Bloemfontein at 1 South African Battalion. It was a training and deploying unit, hence I deployed with my soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2008. Since, I have been transferred to different units gaining more experience.
What does a military chaplain do?
 As a military chaplain, my job and ministry is to preach the gospel to the soldiers during the scheduled church services. I also have opportunities for personal soul winning during counseling sessions. Another opportunity is when soldiers are sick in hospitals and at homes where I can introduce them to Christ.
So, briefly, chaplains preach, counsel as needed and lead presentations and discussions about certain topics that have to do with value-based living - how soldiers can behave and conduct themselves respectfully. As a chaplain, I do hospital visits and home visits. Even when the soldiers are deployed internally and externally, I need to visit their families. Before the soldiers are deployed or attending long courses, the chaplain must conduct the resilience program, for both soldiers and their families, to prepare them as they will be separated for a longer period. The chaplain also has opportunity to deploy with the soldiers, hence I also deployed in Mussina (internal deployment) along the border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The next Out of Africa will have stories from Veronica's work as a chaplain and what she asks of you.
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| An Extra-ordinary Year- by Audrey Mhlongo, Extravaganza Coordinator | What a blessing for women, men, pastors, district superintendents, Africa South Field and Regional Staff to grace the Nazarene Women Extravaganza with full attendance and words of encouragement from August 8th to 11th at Good News Convention Centre. A total of 1188 members registered. A nice and extra-ordinary surprise was the feature of five women from Zimbabwe who heard of the Extravaganza and took a giant step to make history by being the first members from our neighboring field (Africa Central Field) to attend.
This was indeed a "different year" for the Extravaganza with various innovative activities that lifted all participating members to higher spiritual realm. A talent session revealed that there is indeed great potential in the Church of the Nazarene when members praised God with poems, speeches and songs from their recorded albums. Evangelist Grace Masilela challenged members in a historic Holy Communion on Friday evening to re-live the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus and his disciples. Rev Samantha Chambo, had an opportunity to gather the women Pastors in a Women Clergy meeting.
What a blessing to see members dancing to the Lord as they flocked to the front with their offerings to Him! Since it was a competition, the Extravaganza members were surprised by the South Eastern District, one of the smallest districts in Africa South Field, who obtained position one.From the free-will offerings, the Extravaganza Council donated a large amount to the Nazarene Theological College. Field Strategy Coordinator Collin Elliott showed his support by declaring that the Africa South Field would match the offering. The Principal of NTC was moved by this offer and indicated that this money will be used to tile the college library.
The guest speaker, Pastor Jackie Joseph from KwaZulu Natal District was used mightily of God in the conference theme: Holy, Living Sacrifice. She reminded members that since God gave us the Word, we can face all challenges. She challenged members to let God transform their lives to be holy in speech, in dress, in conduct, keeping their bodies pure as the temple of the living God.She reiterated that we have one Father, but it is ironical that His Word that has power to transform lives seems to have no effect in our lives. Pastor Joseph challenged all members to live according to God's word. She was a blessing to all members!
The Nazarene Women Extravaganza will continue to be an annual event to minister to members and encourage them to be steadfast in faith, lifting up the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen!
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Transforming the world one child at a time - by Carol Mosiany
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In late August, Africa Nazarene University hosted high school beneficiaries of Education For All  Children at the main campus in Ongata Rongai. EFAC is a non-governmental organization that sponsors and mentors high achievers from primary school for their post-primary education. The primary school alumni are drawn from the different parts of Kenya from humble backgrounds.
The 163 teenage scholars came for a holiday workshop that proceeded the September 2013 school term. ANU hosts the EFAC Secretariat and also provides mentoring support through its students and staff who also double up as facilitators. In addition to the scholars, EFAC has a team of 45 high school graduates, two of whom joined Africa Nazarene University during the September 2013 trimester.
The university community welcomed the students for the 4-day seminar where they experienced great warmth and hospitality. ANU demonstrated its value of community by providing mentoring and leadership guidance. Vice Chancellor, Prof. Leah Marangu officially opened the workshop and in her keynote address emphasized the essence of servant leadership to the youth.
The forum covered various topics which included careers, reproductive health, entrepreneurship, goal setting, peer pressure and relationships. The keynote speakers included professionals who imparted their knowledge and skills to the ready-to-learn teenagers. The speakers included FARGO Courier Founder -Gai Cullen and ANU alumna and entrepreneur - Ms. Lucy Macharia among other ANU staff. The ANU/EFAC student mentors served as ushers and engaged the teenagers in extra-curricular activities. The students gained knowledge and competencies to add to their lives. They benefited from learning the ANU values of character and competence. 'What begins here, transforms the world.'
--Ms. Mosiany, administrative assistant - marketing department, ANU
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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rch of the Nazarene