November 2014 - Issue 2

In This Issue

Now, I have a light

Pouring down Blessings

Clean, Inside and Out

Senegal Celebration!

Prayer

Requests found with the articles.

An Example - Rev. Vidal Cole

I would be remiss to not share about our JESUS Film leaders in Sierra Leone who gathered, showed and led many to the Lord in the midst of this terrible outbreak, seizing the opportunity to offer Hope in what some call a hopeless situation. I am moved to tears at their steadfastness in sharing the Gospel message where illness and even death could strike. Their dedication is an example for us all and a fulfillment of what we are called to do, to lay down our lives for our brothers for the cause of Christ. Well done good and faithful servants, may the Lord keep you in His embrace!

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Equipped to Touch the Heart - by Rev. Tim Eby

After the meetings and assembly (article below), we entered directly into three days of training in Orality. Rene Mbongo from Partners International led our group through 10 bridges to connecting with our neighbors through narrative story telling.

Each zone was given the task to develop 3 new preaching points this year and equipped with the knowledge of how to cross the barriers of culture and religion to tou

ch the hearts of non-believers. It was a great time of discussion and training, and we believe it will bear new fruit this year in Senegal as we continue the task of spreading the glad message of holiness all across this land.

Pray for the leaders of Senegal that we will not give up, but continue the call of God on our lives to reach the lost. Many across this country still need to hear the good news and we pray that God will help us reach our goals and further build the kingdom of God for His glory.

Now, I have a light - by Dr Gregory Crofford, Regional Education Coordinator

Manzini, Swaziland was the joyous setting for the 5th graduation of Southern Africa Nazarene University (SANU) Founded in October 2010 as the merger of three longstanding Nazarene training institutions, SANU awarded Bachelor's degrees, diplomas, and certificates to 245 graduates of the Faculties of Health Sciences, Education, and Theology, the largest number of graduates class to-date.

Dr Copp, Dr Nhlengethwa and Simon Khoza

Dr Dan Copp, Commissioner of Education and Global Clergy Development Director for the Church of the Nazarene, was the keynote speaker. Drawing on the Apostle Paul's words in Philippians 1:3-6, he encouraged graduates to maintain a spirit of unity by living life together, reminding them that God's not done yet. Copp observed: "I celebrate with SANU this great 2014 graduating class. It it exciting to think of all God has in-store for them and through them in the days ahead."

The University choir led the large gathering in rousing renditions of "Holiness Unto the Lord" and "Higher Ground." Guests of honor included Dr Filimao Chambo, Director of the Africa Region (Church of the Nazarene), Dr Phineas Magagula, Minister of Education, and Mrs Sibongile Ndlela Simelane, Minister of Health.

Simon Khoza was among the graduates from the Faculty of Theology. When asked what impact his education at SANU had made upon his life and ministry, he explained: "SANU has opened my mind academically. Now, I have a light; I know how to preach the right message to people, and I know how to do things the right way as far as the Gospel is concerned."

Please pray for Vice-Chancellor Dr Winnie Nhlengethwa as she leads administration, faculty and students at Southern Africa Nazarene University. They are an important partner with the Church of the Nazarene in making Christlike disciples who are having a positive influence in communities and nations across the continent and beyond.

Pouring Down Blessings - by Amy Crofford

Prof Marangu and Dr Zanner

Ominous clouds could not dampen the spirit of the 17th Commencement at Africa Nazarene University. The preceding days had heightened the anticipation.

Wednesday, a special chapel service featured both alumni and founders celebrating the twentieth year since the charter had been granted. Alumni Edwin Wanyonyi ('98) emceed the chapel. Vice Chancellor Leah Marangu speaking for herself and her husband, Prof. John Marangu, related stories from the early days of the university. Founders Dr. Richard Zanner and Dr Ted Esselsytn marveled at how the university has surpassed the early visions for it and predicted an even brighter future. Professor Ratemo Michieka, the guest speaker, spoke of ANU's integrity in all of its dealings with the higher education commissioning boards in Kenya and the general high regard in which it is held nationally. After chapel, founders and leaders planted trees.

Thursday, 21 young people were inducted into the Eta chapter of Phi Delta Lambda, the

Drs Esselstyn, Lambert and Crofford

Nazarene honor Society. Dr. Ted Esselstyn (ENC '65), the longest standing member of the society present, challenged the students to have a perspective that sees the needs across the nation and to make a difference. Africa Regional Education Coordinator Dr Greg Crofford (ENC '85) clarified the meaning of Phi - Love of Wisdom, Delta - Righteousness, and Lambda - Service. ANU Lecturer Rev. Gift Mtukwa (ANU '05) led in the reception of new members and Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Rod Reed (Olivet '84) led the swearing in.

Prof Leah Marangu

A graduation dinner at the Westin Hotel provided testimonies from graduates about the profound value of their experience at ANU personally and professionally.

On graduation day, 1149 students hustled in robes to their assigned places and the age-old ceremony of investing degrees began with Deputy Vice Chancellor Prof. Rod Reed, entering the graduation field carrying the mace. General Superintendent Dr Eugenio Duarte gave the invocation.
Several speakers expressed their appreciation for the university. Graduate Dickson Muli thanked Professor Marangu for her personal interest in his academic career and added, "I graduate with a second-class degree, but a first

Prof Rod Reed

-class education." He has been accepted into Harvard for further studies.

Dr Richard Zanner, the commencement speaker, noted, "This is a treasure you will only appreciate once you rub shoulders with the world."

An honorary degree was awarded to Dr A. B. C. Orjiako. The benediction was pronounced by Dr Verne Ward III.

The clouds held their rain, but heaven poured down blessings on the ANU class of 2014.

Please pray for the graduates who now set out to transform the world and for ANU.

Clean, Inside and Out - by Thérèse Ravelomanantsoa

From September 29 - October 5, 380 street kids in Madagascar had the opportunity to attend camp. The camp is not an annual event, but when the Madagascar Street Kids Center is able to have a camp, it is always a highlight of the year for the children.

Taken in 3-day shifts of 92 children per shift, divided by age and gender, the staff worked tirelessly the entire week to provide games, three meals a day plus snacks and, most importantly, Bible lessons and teachings that are pertinent to their everyday lives.

This year's camp theme was MADIO, or to be clean, both inside and out. The children all come from very dirty home situations, physically speaking, so the theme had a dual purpose of teaching positive hygiene habits as well as clean heart habits.

Matthew 5:8 was their main memory verse for the week, and Proverbs 6:16-19, Mark 7:21, and 1 Corinthians 6:17-20 were used as further illustration. Children were challenged to learn these verses, and were given the opportunity to make their lives clean through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. In years past, many children have committed their lives to Christ at the camp and some of those children are even pastors on the district today.

Throughout their stay at the camp, the children were on various teams, competing in memory work as well as the athletics. Each winning team was rewarded with a gift of brand new t-shirts that they proudly wore. The prizes at the camp are always articles of clothing as this is often one of the greatest needs for these kids.

Dona

With the smaller children that came, there was a little girl named Dona, who is new at the Center. Dona is an orphan, which is a little unusual for our street kids. Most of our street kids have at least one parent they live with who cares for the. Dona, however, has lost both of her parents. During the camp, Dona showed great improvement as she was given individual love and attention and was also fed 3 meals a day, bathed and just loved. When Dona arrived at the camp, her hair was orange, a sign of malnutrition. Even after her few short days at the camp and receiving regular food and care, the orange in her hair had started to change back to its natural, dark color.

Although the camp does not happen every year, we are thankful that it was able to happen this year and that all 380 children were able to attend. We know that God is working in the hearts and lives of the children to make them clean. Please pray for Dona, the other children, and the work in Madagascar.

Senegal Celebration! - by Rev. Tim Eby

What a joyful celebration we had in October at the Senegal District Center Celebration in Dakar, Senegal. Churches from across the district gathered for three days of conventions and the annual district assembly. The weekend began on Friday night with a youth service as young people from all three zones participated in the event. On Saturday morning the Sunday School and Discipleship meetings was led by Monica Carr as she encouraged the participants in focusing on how to make disciples.

The assembly theme was "Making disciples who celebrate Holiness throughout Senegal." The

crowd celebrated in worship in several of the major languages of Senegal: French, Wolof, Balanta and Sereer. Rev. Dany Gomis echoed the words of Paul that some preach for miracles, others for knowledge, but we preach Christ crucified which is the power of God. As the assembly came to an end, we all went upstairs to our new fellowship area and cut the ribbon to mark the official opening of the building. The new construction has a fellowship area with stage for mini-concerts, a studio for recording with two recording bays, an upstairs dormitories and guest rooms able to sleep 14 with showers and toilets and a storage area. The second level pastor's apartment and final roof terrace with worship center is still to be completed.

In the afternoon, we completed our training with a session on Nazarene Missions International as Michelle Eby shared about giving, Cecille Diedhiou shared about prayer, and I shared about education and raising up disciples with a heart for missions. We were privileged to have Adam Baker, a local WEC missionary who challenged us that the heart of missions is based in expressing the love of God in tangible ways. He shared about his street kids ministry and sang several inspirational songs that have been released on his new album.

Sunday morning was a great celebration service as Rev. Antero Fontes opened the Word and concluded the weekend with a call to discipleship for the coming year. Our desire to see Senegal change is based in faithful disciples of Christ living out the holiness lifestyle in both word and deed. We pray that as our delegates go back to their places of service that these days of revival and training will impact their communities.

Send a note to aro@africanazarene.org to join the Africa Prayer Partners

and receive prayer requests from the region by e-mail.

If you are on the Africa Region and have a prayer request, send it to the same address.

Amy Crofford, editor