July 2014 - Issue 2

In This Issue

Growth and Development in the Ugenya Zone (part 2)

Prayer requests and praises

The participants from Mchinji, Malawi at the Men's Retreat who will be organizing on in their area. May the Holy Spirit be in every aspect of the retreat.

The nine who put on the men's uniform. May we also be ready to proclaim the Good New to those who are lost in darkness.

The continued growth and development of the districts on the Africa region.

Praise God for the church to have received the legalization papers in Guinea-Bissau. May the church advance.

Praise God for his Word and answered prayer.

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Men's Retreat in Zambia - by William Banda

The first-ever Men's Retreat in the Eastern Zone on the Zambia South District was held on 4th - 7th July 2014 under the theme "Serious Business with God." The venue was Chipata about
560 km from the Capital, Lusaka. Pastor Francis Banda, the Eastern Zone Coordinator and Mr. Alex Mukamba, the Zone Men's Chairman organized the event.

The topics covered included: "New Life in Christ," "Life of Prayer," "The Role of a Husband and Father," and "The Benefits of Tithes and Offerings." Benjamin Tembo and I facilitated the retreat.

On the last day, we witnessed nine men

putting on the men's uniform signifying their readiness to go and proclaim the Good News to the men who are lost in darkness.

The participants came from the various parts of the Eastern Province of Zambia. We had also participants from Mchinji, Malawi who are planning to organize Men's Retreat soon.

Nazarene Men's Retreat is an event that brings men together for meaningful fellowship, prayer, teaching, worship and fun.

The First to Obey - Mario Martinez

It is a joy for us to share with you that the Church of the Nazarene, after completing all the requirements required by the Government of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, now has the corresponding legalization with the following designation: Igreja do Nazareno em Guinea-Bissau.

Praying for the legalization process

There were many struggles during the year, but thanks to God and your prayers today we can legally operate in the
country. "When you can do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine, by the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. " Ephesians 3:20, 21 (NIV).

The process of legalizing the Church of the Nazarene in Guinea-Bissau began a year ago now, under the wise leadership of our Africa West Field Director Dany Gomis. We had a small meeting in a hotel. Brother Iemina Tchuda, a member of the Church of the Nazarene who we met in Cape Verde had accompanied us to Guinea. The plan was for him to stay 10 days, but Go

d placed a burden in his heart to preach to this people. He brought his wife and son. Rev. Daniel Gomis had come to help us settle down and start the document for legalization of the Church. The lawyer who would help us was also there with Irma and me.

What difference does it make to have the documents? As Christians, we should be the first to obey the law. Furthermore, the government of Guinea-Bissau considers it in many tax exemptions and customs tax and other benefits. We can also have legal relationships with other government institutions, NGOs and other agencies.

Please pray for the full establishment in doctrine and life of holiness, in the aspects of self-support, self-propagation and empowerment of the national leadership of the church in this country. It forms the basis to establish our church today and greatly determines her future in this country.

Growth and Development in the Ugenya Zone (part 2) - by Katie Reed

Editor's note: The Ugenya Zone is on Kenya's Lake Victoria district. Find Part 1: How can we grow and develop in compassion and holiness and How can we grow and develop in effective children's ministry here.

How can we grow and develop... in our stewardship of what God has entrusted us with?

The first story I used to teach the orality/storying methods was Matthew 25, the Parable of the Talents. Through the discussion, we were challenged to ask ourselves "Can God trust us with what He has given us?" Dennis Odhiambo Okoth, Ugenya Zone Children's Ministry Coordinator and the man behind the success of this event, followed this devotional up with a spiritual gifts analysis to help us know more specifically what God has entrusted us with. The results of good stewardship can have a vast impact on many.

How can we grow and develop... at the district level?

Church leaders

District Superintendent Rev. Peter Okinyo opened up the event with a very fitting, foundational devotional. He stressed the importance of unity, reminding us of how much we need each other. As a church we have a goal, vision, and mission but we must selflessly offer what God has entrusted us with and serve collectively to pursue the good of others in order to accomplish our purpose. DS Rev. Okinyo challenged us to not simply go back to our churches and try to do it on our own. This event was such an clear way to see the importance of coming together to learn more so that we can then go back to share that with others who can share it with others.

Beatrice Obara, one of the four Children's Ministry Zone Coordinators present, agreed, saying "I will use the training to help other teachers to bring the children close and to train them on the Word of God. It has opened my mind." Dennis agreed, "This training will make me expand on the number of children and congregations we have in the church." That is how the flame will be spread.

DS Rev. Okinyo summed up his message and said "When our minds come together, ideas come together, and we will do much bigger things when we are one." Morris Miayi, NCM Coordinator for the Lake Victoria District, passionately asserted, "If what we are learning now, we can implement it in Ugenya Zone, we can change the district."

In the words of the host pastor, Rev. Oketch, "If it wasn't for God, this event would not have been a success."

We prayed.

God answered.

The Power of Prayer - by G.W. Phiri

The Phiri family rejoices in the coming back of a lost brother. On 26th June,2014 Enock Phiri, my brother, was traveling from his work place Inyathi to his rural home in Filabusi, when he stopped in Bulawayo, and waited to board the bus. He communicated with brothers in town by cellphone and it was assumed he had gotten on the bus to go home, yet he got lost within the city of Bulawayo and ended up in the urban agricultural area known as Upper Rangemore.

Two days after realizing that something had happened to Enock, who had not arrived in Filabusi together with workmates, the family went into devotional prayers appealing to God to intervene. God answered the prayer by delivering Enock, who met youth from Pumula South Church of Nazarene in Bulawayo who were seeking firewood in the farm on Saturday, the fifth of July. My brother was found after 10 days wandering in the bush, without food and sleeping in the cold without blankets.
When the hand of the Lord is present, great things happen.

The Phiri family - Enock in grey suit

The connection of the lost man and the youth of the church pastored by a brother to the lost man is a miracle not to be forgotten in the history of the church of the Nazarene Pumula South. When the Gospel was preached to them, a great number of Jews believed and were saved (Acts 11:19-21). This is an expression of God's blessing. This happening has preached the Gospel of the power of prayer in the name of the Lord

"Word of Advice"

In many cases, the missing element in prayer is confidence. But why do people lack confidence in prayer? Because they don't know the will of God concerning their prayer request. God's will is simply another way of describing what God wants to have happen. It is what He desires for your life as outlined in His Word. If you don't know God's will for your life, you will tolerate the life you have when it could be so much better.

In prayer, do not depend on a person. Many people these days trust prophets and rely on them to get God's blessing. There are only two places to go to discover what God wants for your life - the Bible and His presence. When we pray, our prayers must line up with His Word. The only prayer that God will hear and answer is a prayer that is based on what He has said in His Word. If you pray according to the Word of God, then you are praying the will of God. We can only have confidence in our prayers when we know that what we're praying for is something that God desires to bring to pass.

Amy Crofford, Out of Africa editor