Book review: Responding to the Call -- by Rev. Dany Gomis
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 This is the story of Jacqueline DjeDje, a wonderful Christian, a great woman of God and an inspiring "grande sœur" (elder sister).
Author Amy Crofford did a great job telling the story of Jacqueline in her own context and culture. This short but beautiful book is the combination of incursions in the Baoulé culture through the wisdom and depth of its proverbs and a message of hope for many women in Africa and around the world who are struggling with their call for ministry and the barriers of their culture.
It is also a message of the simple and pure faith of the first ordained woman of French-speaking Africa in the Church of the Nazarene.
It is an expression of Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
As goes the Baoulé saying: "Someone without children will be remembered for wise words." I pray that the life of Jacqueline DjeDje - a modern-day saint- who knew how to live and how to die, will inspire and raise a new generation of women answering to God's call and bringing transformation in our troubled world.
-- Rev. Dany Gomis, Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator, was a personal friend of Jacqueline.
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| Graduation at the Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique | On Saturday November 30, a crowd gathered to congratulate and support the 2013 graduates of the Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique. Some wore matching clothing to show what a rea of the country they were from and to be easily spotted by the graduate they particularly had come to see. Anticipation rose and cameras came out to capture the moment.
The seminary choir sang "Called unto Holiness" as Rev. Margarida Langa lead the faculty, staff, board members and visiting dignitaries into the chapel. Twelve graduates, six men and six women, wearing red robes followed. Many carried well-worn Bibles.Their faces reflected the individual and corporate journey they were about to complete. Some smiled at those who came for their special day. Others were pensive.
Rev. Langa, the seminary director, welcomed families of the graduates and guests. Special mention was made of missionaries David and Rhoda Restrick, who had returned especially to watch these students they had helped prepare for ministry, graduate. 
Dr. Jonas Sitoe, the academic dean, encouraged the graduates before asking Dr. David Restrick, the former academic dean, to join him in passing out student awards.
Dr. Greg Crofford, the regional coordinator for education and clergy development, gave the graduation address: "The Optimism of Grace." He asked the graduates, "Have you ever dropped a stone in a pool of water? What happens when you do? Where the stone lands in the water, it makes ripples. The larger the stone, the larger are the ripples. Soon, the ripples will spread far out over the water. In the same way, when we let the grace of God transform our lives, when we let the grace of God transform the church, then it can't help put ripple out and change society." (Click here for the whole speech.)
Following the addre ss, graduates joyfully received their diplomas. Paulo Ngano, one of the graduates, gave remarks and then the class sang one last time together.
After the ceremony, the beautiful day encouraged people to linger, hug and laugh as they remembered their journey. Eventually, students went to their dorms and loaded bags of their belongings into cars and trucks and returned to their homes and new ministries.
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| New Director named for the Seminário Nazareno em Moçambique | On November 30, SNM Board President Rev José Moiane announced that Rev. Adolpo Tembe was elected as the next director for the Seminário effective immediately after the graduation of 2013. There will be several months of transition.
Rev. Tembe comes to the position with vast educational experience. He has worked in Mozambican schools for over 30 years. He holds a Bachelor's degree from the Nazarene College of Theology in Swaziland (no
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w the Faculty of Theology for Southern Africa Nazarene University) and an advanced degree in Child Rights, Classroom and School Management from the University of Lund (Sweden).
He has pastored the Patrice Lumumba Church of the Nazarene in Xai-Xai since 2005. He was ordained in 2008.
Africa Regional Education Coordinator Dr. Greg Crofford stated: "We are looking forward to the dynamic leadership that Rev Tembe will bring to theSeminário and are happy to welcome him to the Africa Region education team."
Concerning his election, Rev. Tembe said: "I feel more challenged in my Christian career than before, more accountable to the One I decided to serve. I haven't been elected to receive a reward but to carry on, to work and to do my best so the Seminário can be the means to call many."
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São Tome & Principe District Assembly Approves Their First Four Ordained Pastors
- by Jason Patalano
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São Tome, November 30, 2013 The District Assembly of 2013 of São Tome e Principe was fun (sort of). There was the usual reading of reports, some distractions, historical moments and food. The most important part of the today's assembly was the approval of their first pastors for ordination.  | | Evangelism Report |
As usual, the district leaders and pastors gave their reports. Many of the reports were about how God has been helping in their ministries. One pastor´s church was recently organized. A few pastors now have more members. Of course, not all reports were positive; there were some pastors who lost members. I guess this is one of the reasons I love my denomination, we tend to show transparency, being open about our successes and failures. Paying attention and actually trying to listen to what the speakers were saying was a challenge for me because the church we met in is by the ocean. Normally the background sound of the crashing waves would be soothing but not today. After an hour or so, I lost concentration and started "zoning-out" until something caught my eye. There was a little black and white goat eating the braided flowery decorations on the door. It seemed to be focused on consuming the palm tree leaves and flowers one bite at a time (as they say here "leve-leve" which means "slow down and take things one at a time" or/and "Just take it easy"). Now finally to the moment that four of our pastors have been waiting for over three years: The approval for ordination. I noticed that some pastors were confident ("I know I'll make it,") I also saw one pastor who must have been nervous (he was perspiring quite a bit). It was a suspenseful moment as we waited to hear the names of those presented to the assembly for ordination. All four candidates were approved after the reading of the Board of Credenti  al's recommendations. These will be the STP district's first ordained ministers. The ordination service will be in January. Well here in Africa, or at least this part of Africa, there is no better way to end a meeting/celebration than with food. There was the traditional "pintado" which in English means "painted." This dish is made up of rice and beans cooked together. We had "pintado" with fish called "voador" fish, which in English means "flier" (flying fish) because the fish seems to fly when it 'jumps' out of the water. In the end, this district assembly was like the other asse  mblies that I have been to, except for the intense little goat eating the decorations.
--Jason is a teenage son of missionaries Phil and Martha Patalano. He likes to write and has years of experience with district assemblies. |
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