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Prayer requests and praises
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 Human trafficking emphasis on Freedom Sunday, March 9. We thank God for the maturity of districts who see the vision for the lost in other areas and want to be a part of God's plan to reach them. Pray as Clergy Development seminars are developed and used around the region that we may ground our faith in the truth of God's Word. Thank God for the joy found in serving Him. Prat for our leaders - local, district, field, region and global.
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Explore the Africa Region
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Alabaster? Absolutely! - by DS Solomon Ndlovu
| Even though my church is in a building program and there is much left to be done, we will take an Alabaster offering. Why? Alabaster is important. 
Several years ago, my district, RSA Eastern, was helped by Alabaster funds. With that help six churches were built. We are now maturing as a district and do not plan to ask for Alabaster help again. When a church on our district needs a building, we assign a few larger churches to help them get the structure built. So if we give in this way, why should we give to the Alabaster offering? Alabaster is important.
 We want to care for our fellow Nazarenes on districts that are where we were even a few years ago. We want to enable new works in new countries that do not have a giving support base yet. We want to give back in gratefulness for the help we received. Alabaster? Absolutely!
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| Celebrating in Grand Style - by Stephen C. Tarpeh | Beginning with the Nazarene Mission International annual convention, the Monrovia District Church of the Nazarene celebrated its 19th District Assembly at the Pipeline Church of the Nazarene (a suburb of Monrovia) from January 10-13. The program was dominated by women and youth. Both old and young folks sweat out their joy as they sang hymns and songs and danced in the traditional Nazarene styles on dusty pavement for half an hour and finally marched on to a well-tiled floor of the church that hosted the three-day program. 
Mother Elizabeth Johnson, the NMI President and guest preacher of the day delivered a beautiful sermon, "Our Help Comes from the Lord" based on Psalm 121. She emphasized that faithful Christians must seek their help only from the Almighty God through Jesus Christ because:
- He is the able Provider
- He is the able Defender/Protector and
- He is the able Sustainer, the Rock of Ages
On Saturday, following a brief devotion, the business session began. Rev. Daniel K. Johnson, Assistant Field Strategy Coordinator for Anglophone countries on the Africa West Field, oversaw the meeting. He conducted the affairs well with the assistance of the district leadership including the District Superintendent Elijah N. Klay and myself, the acting district secretary. When the traditional Nazarene greetings were exchanged, five minutes of silence were observed for the home going of two pastors on the district, 2012/2013:
1. The late Rev. Alexander Johnson, former pastor of the Outreach Ministries and
2. The late Pastor Harris Toe, former pastor of the New Jerusalem.
 Reports from pastors and other leaders across the district including the District Superintendent were received. The Superintendent reported that with the help of the JESUS film Project, Monrovia District has added to its roll a new church in Zorward located on the outskirts of Monrovia. A motorcycle was then donated to the leadership of the newly established work to help facilitate transportation. The session then was closed with ten pastors renewing their licenses.
On Sunday, at 10:00 precisely, a divine worship began with nearly 2,000 attendants in the pew. The momentum of jubilation fainted not from start to finish as both English and dialect choirs from the local churches seemingly were in a competition that kept the entire congregation on their feet, dancing almost all day long.
 The theme of the assembly was: "Fight on for the Faith." From Jude, Rev. Daniel K. Johnson delivered a revival holiness message in which he emphasized the core values and Articles of Faith of the Church of the Nazarene. He also reminded the congregation of Christian stewardship and fellowship. The service came to an end with the celebration of the Lord's Supper and a mini fundraising rally to further empower the Nazarene Theological Institute - Liberia most especially, Monrovia District. The sum of L$2,085.00 was realized.
Editor's note: Stephen Tarpeh pastors the Christian Life Church of the Nazarene (Gardnersville, Monrovia ) and is the National Education Coordinator for Nazarene Theological Institute-Liberia
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Clergy Development Seminars Available
|  Dr. Greg Crofford, regional coordinator for education and clergy development, led a day of clergy development on the RSA Eastern District. The event was hosted by the DS Solomon Ndlovu at the Thulamahashe Church of the Nazarene. Close to 200 pastors and leaders listened well as they swirled bits of cloth to cool themselves.
The morning session, "Confronting the Darkness: The Practice of Deliverance in the Church of the Nazarene" dealt with beliefs about and practices concerning demons. Crofford cautioned, "There is no need for 200 people to shout at the top of their voices for 30 minutes when the whisper of Jesus' name in faith is enough to make demons flee." In small groups people shared their own experiences. Three shared their stories with the whole group.
During a delicious lunc h of chicken, pap, and local vegetables, lively discussions continued. Participants enjoyed seeing others from around the district and their camaraderie was evident.
The afternoon session, "Divine Healing and the Church of the Nazarene" continued the momentum. "God cares about our whole being, and so we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, dig wells, come to the rescue of women who are the victims of gender-based violence, and so much more. It is this concern for the whole person that undergirds our view of divine healing." Participants shared their experiences in small grou ps about when God had and had not answered a prayer for healing. The session closed with a healing service. More than forty came forward for healing either for themselves or another. Dr. Crofford, the district superintendent and other elders anointed with oil and prayed for them as the other participants sang song after song in perfect harmony. No one left until all who wanted had been anointed and prayed with.
The power points for these seminars can be found here. You can use them as a resource to do a local, zone or district seminar. If you would like to have Dr. Crofford come to do a clergy development seminar on these or other topics, contact him: rec@africanazarene.org
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| Becoming an Alternate Society | The Gauteng District of South Africa is entering its 20th year as the country enters its 20th year of democratic rule. District Superintendent Les Phillips remarked, "Let us remind ourselves that the reason for the formation of the Gauteng District was a belief that we are one church with one faith and one purpose. The church is the light of the world and the salt of the earth. We must become the alternate society that will demonstrate that the love of Christ will transcend race, color and creed." 
Friday evening, the opening service of the assembly was held at Cornerstone Church. After the worship time which included the local worship team, a visiting ensemble, a work team from Germany and a worship dance team, three pastors shared. Pastor Timothy Mogorosi reminded that where God is, there is a way. Pastor Patrick Thomas testified that the power of prayer is still viable. Pastor Caleb Smith enthusiastically proclaimed, "We will go and meet the needs of people, loving people. This holiness church is something that works. We're going to do this thing together!"
 | | Pastor Caleb Smith |
Then, the district superintendent spoke of the master gardener who has many varieties of plants in His garden. There are fast-growing plants and slow-growing plants. It is because of our differences that we have so much to share. He challenged, "Fruit does not come by default. It comes by design."
 | Gautang DS Les Phillips
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Saturday morning, the assembly officially opened at the Good News Convention Centre. The jurisdictional general superintendent, Dr Duarte, was warmly welcomed back to the region and district. He urged the district to discern what God is doing and follow Him so that we can partner with Him. He said that the "ends of the earth" are not where they used to be; your neighbor may need Christ.
As the meeting continued, one could see that this district is vibrant and desires transformational, not just cosmetic, change.
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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rch of the Nazarene