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November  2014 - Issue 1
In This Issue
Through that Love - Prayer at the Regional Office
Swaziland South's new District Superintendent
Swaziland District Assemblies
Sewing for God
To God be the glory in the West Congo District
Prayer
Continue to pray for the areas affected by Ebola. Pray for the presidents and leaders of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. (click here for a a list of the leaders and a prayer and Bible focus.)

Pray for wisdom and grace for the local pastors who are dealing with civil unrest, poverty, disease and other causes of suffering,

Pray for district, field, regional and global leadership.

Pray for education and training that transforms lives.

Pray for the Church in Swaziland that its future be as long and as blessed as its past.

Praise God for the Sunday School teachers who unfailingly demonstrate the love of God weekly to their students.

Pray for Kinshasa and the other mega-cities in Africa.

Ebola - Praise and Prayer
The Sonkpah orphans have been declared Ebola free and released from quarantine. Praise God together with us!
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Rev. Dany Gomis, Field Strategy Coordinator for Africa West asks for a bold prayer of faith. Please pray that the fear of Ebola will be erased from the minds of children and others before Christmas so that we can all say, "Truly this is a gift from God."
Explore the Africa Region
Come to the website:www.africanazarene.org
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   @NazAfrica


Chunullrch of the Nazarene - Africa Region
Le Coin Nazaréen
Noticias Nazarenas

Through that Love - Prayer at the Regional Office
Praying for the economy
On October  22, the Africa Regional Office closed for a special time of prayer and fasting for those affected by the Ebola virus. The monthly theme for regional office devotions was unity and certainly this day provided the opportunity to stand together for an important cause.

The day began with corporate praise and prayer. Regional Director Filimao Chambo gave a short devotional from Matthew 22:34-40. He stated we are to have a wholehearted love for God. "Through that love, we hear the call to love others. Through that love, we respect each other. Through that love, we know that a person's dignity comes from God and not anything we do ourselves. Through that love, we join together."

Africa West Field Strategy Coordinator Dany Gomis shared with us via Skype. After giving a short update, he shared words of hope and promise from  Isaiah 60:1-3. Shireen Elliott then prayed for him and his field.

Praying for the children
Later, everyone took part in a prayer walk around the regional office. The ministry coordinators and others set up stations with information about how Ebola was affecting people in various ways. A holy hush fell on the office as people prayed and read the Bible individually and in small groups. (Click here for a prayer guideline developed by JESUS Film coordinator, Theola Phiri. The Ebola Prayer Walk resources are on the right-hand side at the bottom of the page.)

After praying at all the stations, the office personnel regrouped for a time of sharing. Central Africa Field Coordinator Stéphane Tibi read Gavin Fothergill's recent blog (read it in Engage magazine, here) as an encouragement. Once again the gathering joined in prayer - some sitting, others kneeling or prostrate on the floor.

Rev. Peet Voges led in a time of communion. Dr. Chambo concluded the time thanking God praying, "You don't just give us hope, You come to BE our hope."
Swaziland South's new District Superintendent
 My name is Sipho Sikhumbuzo Ncongwane. I was born in 1967, from an informal relationship, in one of the Pigg's Peak Town locations, in the Northern Hhohho Region of Swaziland. My father had traditionally wedded, which meant that, when he dated my mum, he had already had a wife and children. This brought lots of troubles to both mum, dad, and me as well.

When I was born, I had no formal home, but was moved from place to place.  My mother could not stay with me. I was told that, I left her when I was a year and few months. She finally found me when I was 10 years old.  I could not recognize her; I did not know her.

In 1978, I was taken to a Nazarene Primary School in the Northern Hhohho of Swaziland, where I stayed with a family, whose elderly woman was a Nazarene pastor of the Jutshwa Church of the Nazarene. I did grade 2 and 3 at Luhlangotsini Primary School, which was a community school. I did grade 4 to 7 primary education in Pigg's Peak Nazarene Primary School, where I got saved in a school revival, which was conducted by Rev. Juliet Ndzimandze (a Nazarene school evangelist), around June 1984.

When I accepted Christ, things changed. God took over my life and provided for my needs. The teachers in the Nazarene primary, including the Head Teacher, gave me support through job opportunities, food, clothes and school fees. The principal of the school got a scholarship from a non-governmental organization for me. The Head Teacher MR MICHAEL DLAMINI decided he would be my guardian parent so I stayed with his family even after I finished my form five.

I was involved in many Christian activities. When I was in high school, I became a member of a school Christian choir. We presented music most chapel services. I fell in love with gospel music, such that I began to sing solos. I also began to enjoy the time of testimony that we had in services. The other students noticed something different in me every time I sang or testified. More opportunities were opened for me to present short sermons.

In 1991, I decided to join the Church of the Nazarene for three reasons:
1.    I was born spiritually there.
2.    I liked the Sunday School classes because we were taught with love.
3.    Above all, the members of the Pigg's Peak Church of the Nazarene would always say, "Remember you belong to us, come and be part of us. We love you."

At revival services later that year, the late Rev. Mnisi of Steki, baptized me. My calling was confirmed by members of the Church. In 1994, I went to the Siteki Bible College.  

I have pastored three churches and I was ordained as an elder on January 8, 2002, in Pigg's Peak Church of the Nazarene.

I married Gabie Olivia Dlamini on September 4, 1999. We have four sons.

We strongly believe that the Lord who called us into his work, and who has been faithful in His promises over the years will sustain us in this assignment.
Swaziland District Assemblies
Swaziland North District Superintendent Rev. Philemon D. Dalamini cited a Swazi proverb: "The best time to train a child is at the child's tender age. A highlight on the district this year was the junior camp. Men's and Wonen's ministries took offerings to see that the camp would happen. A member of the district donated meat. This teamwork on behalf of the children bodes well for the future. 

He also noted that the giving on the district had been strong allowing timely bill paying and the construction of shelters for two congregations.

Swaziland Central District Superintendent Rev. Cariot Shongwe noted that there were 262 new members on the district added by profession of faith. He thanked his district for working for God wholeheartedly.
 
Three pastors were ordained by Jurisdictional General Superintendent Eugenio Duarte by the laying on of hands.

Swaziland East District Superintendent T.T. Dlamini introduced six new pastors to the district assembly. Five of them are women.  He praised God for the 1689 conversions reported this year and 367 new members added by profession of faith.

He noted that giving had been strong and encouraged mature churches to adopt a retired pastor and buy groceries to help out.
Sewing for God - Rev. Chishibanji Célestin
The picture (left) shows our beloved sisters who worked very hard to finish their training. Blessed be the name of the Lord our God.

It is our joy to see that the seven ladies graduated and got their sewing machines. I was given a shirt that they made to show that they know what they have learned (below). It was also a time for celebration by taking some soda and bread. Praise the Lord our God.

I addressed them by a sermon from 2 Timothy 2:1-2, "You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." I encouraged them to be strong and teach others as they were taught That is, making disciples as they were made disciples through the training they got. 

Pastor Esperance, who is the District Ladies' Ministry President gave glory to God to see that our beloved sisters have learned something that will be beneficial to the family and church. She concluded by encouraging the other ladies to come and be trained reading from Colossians 3:23-24 -  "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

The next session will start in January. Thank you for your prayers and your involvement in the ministry this side of the world. God's peace and blessings upon you.
To God be the glory in the West Congo District - by Pastor Dieumerci NZOLA
The Institut Théologique Nazaréen (ITN) in Kinshasa (DRC) held its second graduation on October 7, 2014. We are so grateful for what the LORD has done for us here.

We had the first graduation in 2006. It has been 8 years, but the Lord has allowed us to make this long journey with these students who persevered with their studies. Today is the fruit. The graduation was held during the 16th District Assembly of the West Congo District in the Central Africa Field led by Field Strategy Coordinator Stéphane Tibi.

The four graduates after meeting with the Ministerial Credentials Board were recommended to be candidates for the next Ordination which will be on the beginning of the year 2015. I would like to bring out Hosea 4:6, by putting the importance of education in the life of a minister.

Let's all say to God be the glory

Editor's note - Kinshasa is the third largest urban area in Africa after Cairo, Egypt and Lagos, Nigeria. It is second only to Paris, France as the largest francophone urban area in the world. Read more about this African metropolis, here. Christian leaders are needed in Kinshasa and we are happy to play a role in developing them.

Please, let me know which stories touched your heart.
Amy Crofford, editor