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March 2014 - Issue 2
In This Issue
Africa Regional Conference - 2015
Rev. Cathy Lebese elected Principal of NTC
The Gospel on Horseback
Water of Life in Senegal
God had a purpose
God's not done yet
Prayer requests and praises
 

Pray for the Africa Women Clergy Conference which started March 16.

Pray for the Global Theology Conference III.

Pray for safe travel for all the participants. Pray for the smooth unrolling of the activities and events.

Above all, pray for the Spirit of God to be understood in a new way and a passion to deepen our own faith and share it with others in our world.
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Chunullrch of the Nazarene - Africa Region
Le Coin Nazaréen
Noticias Nazarenas


Luke 3:4-6

"...Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.
 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
 And all people will see God's salvation."
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Rev. Cathy Lebese elected Principal of NTC
On March 13, the  Nazarene Theological College board elected Rev. Cathy Lebese as the new principal effective April 1, 2014. Rev. Lebese follows Rev.  Mashangu Maluleka who is now the Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator.

At a farewell dinner for Maluleka, he reminded Lebese of the story of David who tried on Saul's armor, but found it didn't fit. God wanted David to be himself. He reminded Cathy to be herself; she is God's person for this time.

Lebese is no stranger to NTC. She is the pastor of Africa Trinity Church of the Nazarene which meets on the campus. In addition, she currently serves as the academic dean, a position she has held for the past six years. Prior to that, she served as the registrar for two years.

In 2013, she completed an MA in Biblical Studies from Nazarene Theological College - Manchester. She also holds an MA in Industrial Sociology from the University of the Witwatersrand    (2005). Lebese has taken many opportunities for continuing her education and holds bachelors degrees in Journalism & Media Studies, Industrial Sociology & Industrial Psychology, English, Setswana & Education and Theology & Biblical Studies from various universities in South Africa and abroad.

She knows the following languages: English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Xitsonga, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, Tshivenda, Sesotho and Sepedi.

The announcement of her election was greeted with cheers at the end of the graduation ceremony on Saturday, March 15. She said, "I have not received a promotion, but an opportunity to serve. I will always make myself available for Him to use as He chooses."
The Gospel on Horseback - by Rev. Mashangu Maluleka
From January 13-15, Africa South Field had a District Superintendents' retreat. We had an inspiring time in the Lord and with one another. During the first session I requested each one to introduce themselves and their ministries and any prayer request they had.  

Rev. Lepeli Mpusi, the DS from Lesotho, shared with the house how the Lord was blessing His work. He said the area which is experiencing the fastest growth is the mountains of Mulati. He raised as a prayer item the transport challenge faced by the pastors from the mountains. He told us some of them live so far away from transport that to go to town they need to walk six to eight hours before they can come to a place to connect with transport.

I was challenged by this and asked him if there was anything that we could do to assist. In response he told me that the only mode of transport that could work for that place is a horse. He said if we could help each pastor to have a horse for evangelism it would assist in fast tracking the Great Commission. When I asked how much a horse will cost, he said R3 500.00 each and that we have 5 pastors who are working in the mountains. 

After prayer I had people coming to me privately giving me some money towards assisting the five pastors in Lesotho; confirming what I was sensing in my spirit already. I then openly shared with the group and we agreed to raise money for five horses for Lesotho's mountain pastors. By the end of the retreat we had raised enough money for the horses!

Praise the Lord. The gospel on horseback! Rev. Lepeli Mpusi flew to the mountains and sent me the pictures of the three horses that he was able to find and buy.

--Rev. Maluleka is the Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator
Water of Life in Senegal - by Rev. Tim Eby
After a busy week of working in the village in Senegal, we praise God that our prayers were answered and a new well is now in Ndofane. We were able to drill
Waiting for water.
through about 15 feet of rock and reach over 80 feet deep to find good water. The rig snapped the drive coupling on the third pass through the rock to make the whole bigger, but we were able to replace the broken part with temporary spares on site and finished the well.

Thanks so much to the team from Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho (USA) for your key role in making this happen. The water is still purging and we have had to pull the pump out now 4 times to clean out silt and sand, but hope to have pure fresh water from the deepest well in the village flowing very soon. All the village is excited about the new prospects of having a clean source of water.

Our official inauguration of the well should happen before the end of March. It will truly be a day of celebration. Please pray that all goes well and that the living water that comes to this village will be remembered by all.  We need your prayers and support to continue to overcome barriers, turn over strongholds of the enemy and bring the light of truth to this part of the world.

Thanks for all your prayers. God is faithful!
God had a purpose - by Rev. Marquita Mosher
Dr. Eugenio Duarte led the ordination service at Ufulu Church of the Nazarene Lilongwe, Malawi on March 9. Two of those ordained were husband and wife, Elysee Bayishime and Lucie Nzayisenga.  

They are Rwandan. Both their families experienced grave difficulties during the times of unrest in their home country. Elysee and Lucie come from Christian homes. Both came to a saving knowledge as adults under the influence of godly pastors and friends.

In May 2006, they became engaged, but Elysee fled to Malawi because of insecurity one month after  the engagement. Lucie says, "At this time I could not understand what was happening around me, I could feel a sense of being lost and being in confusion. I started deepening into a prayerful life and fasting. God had a purpose for both of us."

She followed Elysee to Malawi. Later in 2006, they were married and came in contact with the Church of the Nazarene. They joined the Ufulu church. In 2008, they were called to ministry and began their studies at Nazarene Theological College of Central Africa in 2009. Lucie said they were concerned about their ability to do studies in English, but they trusted God for this calling. She relied on Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."

Lucie enjoys ministry with her husband at two churches on the Nathenje Zone on the Central District of Malawi. She is ministering through singing and leading worship, teaching children and sharing the  gospel with lost women. Her call is to teach and preach in French and English countries to encourage women to live a holy life in order that they may build their homes based on the strong foundation of Jesus Christ.

Lucie and her husband, Elysee, are currently pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministry with an educational track through Africa Nazarene University.
God's not done yet
The graduates in black gowns queued outside the auditorium at the Good News Convention Centre as their friends and relatives found seating inside. All ages were represented by the spectators - grandmothers to babes in arms. 

After the opening, Rev. Cheri Kommel and Lloyd Solomons passed out certificates of thanks to those who supported the graduates in their studies. Students received recognition for scholarship.

The valedictorian, Frans Gericke, stated that the students would "remember this as a time of testing, spiritual formation and blessing."  He cited the African proverb: When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him. He prays that the graduating class will walk in the path of their Father and learn to walk like Him.

Educational Commissioner Dr. Dan Copp, gave the graduation address. Sharing from his own life story and Philippians 1, he reminded the students, "We are not meant
Dr. Dan Copp
to do the work of God in isolation, but in community." He also stated that we can have confidence that God's not done yet. He wants to continue to do His transformative work in our lives.

The crowd enthusiastically congratulated with ululation and vuvuvzela  the graduates as they walked across the platform and received their diplomas and degrees
 
The ceremony ended with a final communion for the graduates, the singing of the Doxology and a closing prayer.

The Divine Hope Church of the Nazarene provided lunch for all. 



Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor