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Prayer requests and praises
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Pray for the ANESA as it addresses the giants of clergy development.  Pray for the conversations and friendships formed at the various gatherings to deepen and become transformational.  Pray for the AJWT as it encourages theological discourse about difficult issues.
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Explore the Africa Region
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The Africa Journal of Wesleyan Theology
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 The peer-reviewed Africa Journal of Wesleyan Theology premiered at the Global Theology Conference III. This journal of pastoral theology targets those serving in the African context and regions of the Global South that have significant cultural convergence with Africa. The AJWT will be published annually. The first issue contains five articles written by Nazarene theologians from Africa. It addresses difficult topics such as the church's response to polygamy and homosexuality, African marriage, Christus Victor and ancestral cults. If you are a Wesleyan theologian living in Africa and would like more information about how to submit an article for future issues of the AJWT, contact Dr. Greg Crofford, editor. To purchase a copy, contact Linda Braaten, editor. |
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Global Theology Conference !!!
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"We all do theology with an accent" - Dr. Kent Brower, NTC- Manchester The Africa Region was blessed to host the third Global Theology Conference of the Church of the Nazarene from March 23-27 at the Good News Conference Centre
 | Dr. Filimao Chambo
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in Johannesburg, South Africa. More than 350 Nazarenes met to have a family conversation about what it means for the Church to conform to the image of Christ. At the opening communion service, speaking from Colossians 1, Regional Director Filimao Chambo reminded that the goal of the conference was to know more about Christ. As a highlight from day one, Dean Blevins wrote, "All of the African scholars noted the presence of real, spiritual evil, and the necessity to address rather than rationalize its presence. The conversation proved stimulating... and challenging... not only in respecting theology done in diverse contexts, but in allowing those ecclesial issues to inform the global church." (More daily highlights from Dr. Blevins can be found at the Discipleship Commons.) Much of the time at the conference was spent in small groups discussing the papers | The "Context" panel had 5 representatives from the Africa region
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. The small groups blended people from many languages, cultures and ministerial backgrounds. They quickly bonded. Africa Regional Education Coordinator Greg Crofford reflects, "Our conversation was broad-ranging and encouraging." The many languages spoken did not pose great difficulty even in the small groups. Kansas City District Superintendent Jeren Rowell said, "Once the conversation starts, it just seems to flow even when you are waiting for translation." The GTC III expanded the reach of the Wesleyan-Holiness Digital Library. Many attenders took the opportunity to be trained as "librarians" by Dr. Scott Stargel. The library has books and other resources in a growing number of languages. Several new resources were added during the
 | French-speaking brothers from
Côte d'Ivoire, Haiti and Benin
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conference, including the complete course of study in French. The closing service was led by the general superintendents. Dr. Duarte, the general in jurisdiction for Africa, preached. Using handcrafted clay cups and plates, the six generals served the congregation communion. Truly, this conference was a family gathering that encouraged new friendships across regions and a continuing discussion of ecclesiology.
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Orange Tee-shirts with a Smile
|  The first sight that greeted most delegates to the Global Theology Conference III was a sign at the airport held by a Nazarene Theological College student sporting a bright orange tee-shirt and a smile. The students welcomed the guests and chatted with them as they waited for the next scheduled transport to the Good News Conference Centre.
Sixteen students would in the upcoming days pour themselves into the logistics of the conference. They worked the registration tables and the sound boards. They set up meeting rooms and laid the tables for meals and tea breaks. They worked in the laundry and did dishes.They ran errands and answered questions. They sang in the opening service and played in the worship team. They mixed and they mingled. They soaked up discussions in the plenary sessions and the evening African caucus. 
Frank Moore wrote in the Holiness Today blog, that they "are the glue that holds us together. They are the silent servants who make the unique difference at this conference. Thank God for their special contribution!"
Kudos to the NTC volunteers - students, faculty and staff. As a "Thank You" to the host institution, an offering was taken to provide for a new thatch roof on the Student Center that houses the chapel and dining hall.
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Cords of Sisterhood
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 | Rev. Samantha Chambo
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Nazarene women clergy from all six fields gathered at the Good News Conference Centre from March 16 -19 for the Africa Nazarene Women Clergy Conference. The conference theme was the Cords of Sisterhood.
The excitement built as vans arrived filled with the 25-woman Mozambique delegation. These ladies sang and preached for nine hours on the bus from Maputo, Mozambique to Pretoria, South Africa. When they paused, the driver urged them to continue.
Rev. Samantha C hambo, who works part-time in Regional Clergy Development and lectures at Nazarene Theological College, and her co-organizers planned a unique schedule including aerobics first thing in the morning. Gift Ntlemo said, "I did not expect to get physical care, relaxation time, good meals and above all the well prepared lessons and the Word of God."
ANU chaplain Lucy Kimani says, "The morning prayer and the devotion time gave a time of spiritual renewal. It does not happen so often for a pastor to be ministered to, but this time being off the pulpit and receiving from other women of God was a blessing for me." She adds, "As we shared during plenary sessions I was encouraged to know that we as women have a great potential in changing the world. We face challenges, but we have the strength to overcome them."
The ladies made and exchanged friendship bracelets. They will pray for the person who se bracelet they received. LoReal Higgins adds, "I will treasure the friendships that were birthed there." The women preached, prayed and praised God together. They were inspired by services, workshops and time around the table. Rose Chipasu, "The conference exceeded my expectations, by showing that I'm not the only person facing challenges in the ministry." Already women clergy are planning to gather on the district and field levels on a more regular basis. May the cords of sisterhood never be broken.
"A triple braided cord in not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12b
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ANESA and the Giants
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 | | The Association of Nazarene Education Systems in Africa |
The ANESA met at the Good News Convention Centre on March 22. The meeting of all educational stakeholders including the regional office education team, educational providers, Regional Director Filimao Chambo and field strategy coordinators worked together to access strengths and weaknesses in the current functioning of the educational institutions on each field.  | Linda Braaten
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A heartfelt farewell was said to Linda Braaten, administrative manager for education. Although she is not ready for retirement yet, she will be on her last home assignment before the ANESA meets again. Her work with the previous three regional education coordinators has given continuity to the work. Her passion for excellence as evidenced by the smooth running of the GTCIII and other projects has been inspirational.
Clergy Development Director Dan Copp made a presentation about the Wesleyan Holiness Digital Library. Dr Daryll Stanton and Gift Mtukwa introduced the Preacher's Magazine and encouraged ANESA members to contribute sermons so the voice of Africa would be heard. (For a sermon by Africa's JGS Eugenio Duarte, click here.) Rev. Peet Voges presented the new concept of using the wooma.net radio storage capacity for education. Both notes and a recording of the course materials can be downloaded quickly. Already Christian Theology 2 in French as recorded by Greg Crofford is available on the NE & CD tab of the website.
Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator Dany Gomis and Africa East Field Strategy Coordinator Don Gardner presented concerning the giants of clergy development for Africa. ITN/NTI co-director Balibanga Katambu and Southern Africa Nazarene University Vice Chancellor Dr. Winnie Nhlengethwa gave formal responses. These were followed by a lively discussion. Some of the giants listed were a weakness in biblical literacy, Africa traditional religions, Islam, Pentecostalism, urbanization, and loss of youth. The ANESA will strategize how to confront these giants throughout the upcoming year.
The meeting concluded with a concert of prayer led by Rev. Samantha Chambo.
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Amy Crofford,Out of Africa editor
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rch of the Nazarene