After years of dreaming, praying and consulting, the Africa Region Nazarene Youth International Council decided that the time is right for the first ever Africa Region NYC!

Normally we would say "Nazarene Youth Conference," but for us as Africans, it is more than that. It is Nazarene Youth Connection, an event where youth will be connecting across country, racial, social and political boundaries.

Africa Regional Director Filimao Chambo (left) and NYI Africa Regional Coordinator Ronald Miller announce Africa's first NYC at the regional conference in March.

The event will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 14-18 December, 2016. The theme is CHOSEN 2 CHANGE, signifying the following:

1. When we accept the call to follow Jesus Christ, we are called to change to be like him.
2. We are also chosen to change our environment, to add value to our world.
3. The number 2 signifies a call to minister alongside others, to work in partnership with others.

This is a historical event from countries from all the fields on the Africa Region.

Please watch for more details at www.facebook.com/NYIAfrica  or drop a note at nyi@africanazarene.org if you need any other details.

NYI leaders held workshops at the Africa Regional Conference in Johannesburg in March.

Bible Storytelling connects with new church members

By Holly Beech, news@africanazarene.org 

CAMEROON - To memorize a Bible verse, you typically need to repeat it over and over again. But you only have to hear a story once to remember its lesson, said Rev. Cyrille Ebam, the Ministries Coordinator for Cameroon and Gabon.

Ebam is using the Bible Storytelling method to start church groups throughout Cameroon and revive the work of the Nazarene Church there.

Rev. Cyrille Ebam

"(Storytelling) is very much culturally relevant," Ebam said. Oral teaching is a strong tradition throughout Africa.

"We can have educated people, but those educated people can still be oral learners," Ebam said. "I think that's the case in most African countries."

The Bible Storytelling method is also effective because it's easy to use and easy to replicate, he said. 

"I start a group basically with two people. Sometimes just with one person," Ebam said. "Then you tell the story - one story, a good Bible story - to the person. And you say, 'This is what I want us to be doing. Do you have a friend who can join us the next time that we meet?'"

There are about a dozen of these groups in two of Cameroon's 10 regions. Ebam's goal is to see the groups spread to all 10 regions.  

"Jesus was talking to people who knew the context, so words like Pharisee and Sadducee were not explained in the New Testament," Ebam said. "So sometimes I have to explain so the people will understand."

At the trainings, the stories and discussions are recorded and sent via Bluetooth to all the participants at the end of the session, Ebam said. Each participant returns home with 12 stories and discussions, enough resources to use for the next three months.  

"Each BibleStoryTelling group is unique, so these resources are to be used as guidelines," he said. 

As much as possible, the groups don't use written materials during group. Rather, the teaching is all based on the oral repetition of Bible stories in the language of that community.

People gather for a Bible Storytelling group in Cameroon. Photo courtesy Rev. Cyrille Ebam.

"Many groups are in Pidgin English," Ebam said. "This needs to be told in the heart language of the people."

The groups commonly use stories such as the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son, Zacchaeus the tax collector, the 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus, and Jesus turning water into wine. The stories all lead up to Jesus' death and resurrection.

"It's the Word of God. Our duty is to present it in a way that people will get it and understand. And we pray that maybe it will make sense to them and they will apply it," Ebam said. "It works very well."

A woman told Rev. Ebam that after housing a Bible Storytelling group for three months, her husband's life was changed. He went from being unwilling to work and support the family, she said, to having a change of heart and becoming someone she could depend on. She said her husband began to take God more seriously. He now drinks less alcohol and is calm about things that used to set off his temper.  

"Information brings transformation," Ebam said, "because this (storytelling method) is really brought in our context."  

Residents and businesses in Sierra Leone are experiencing temporary lockdowns as part of the government's Zero Ebola Campaign, an effort to stop the spread of the disease. 

Residents were required to stay home from the morning of 27th March to the evening of 29th March, although Christians were allowed to attend Palm Sunday services at church.  

Lockdowns, which include a temporary ban on countrywide trade and activities at bars, restaurants and beaches, will continue on the first three Saturdays in April from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The campaign also includes efforts to educate the public about how Ebola spreads and how to prevent transmission. 

Workers such as health care providers, security agents and journalists will be allowed to move about during the lockdowns, as well as arriving and departing passengers at the Lungi Airport.

As of late March, Sierra Leone had seen a total of about 11,840 Ebola cases, resulting in approximately 3,747 deaths, according to the World Health Organization. In total, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia have seen an estimated 24,872 cases of Ebola and 10,311 deaths.

Nazarene churches in Sierra Leone and Liberia have also launched a campaign in the efforts against Ebola and the stigma it often creates. Learn more about the  "21 and Free" campaign here.   

Nazarene churches in Sierra Leone have been using tap buckets to encourage hand washing and help prevent the spread of Ebola. (Photo courtesy Rev. Vidal Cole)

Information and photos from Amy Crofford, assistant to the Africa Regional Education Coordinator

NTC Principal Catherine Lebese

SOUTH FIELD - The Nazarene Theological College in Johannesburg celebrated the achievements of 41 students at a graduation ceremony on the 14th of March. 

Seven students earned a bachelor's degree in theology, 31 students earned diplomas in theology, and three students earned a certificate in ministry.  

Family members and friends celebrated the accomplishments with joyful dancing in the aisles, cheers and applause.

"It is inspiring to see how God continues to bless NTC under the strong leadership of its principal, Rev. Cathy Lebese," Africa Regional Education Coordinator Dr. Greg Crofford said. "We look forward to good reports of what God will do through the ministry of these 41 graduates who love Jesus and his Church."

NTC students perform at the school's graduation.

Rev. Mashangu Maluleka, the field strategy coordinator for the South Field and an NTC facilitator, delivered the graduation address.  

Preaching from Matt. 9:35, Rev. Maluleka reminded the audience that 12 ordinary disciples were the bridge between the King and the crowd. We must preach the Good News, he said, and give freely what we have received.

NTC is the International Board of Education approved school for the Africa South Field. It has 18 teaching centers and offers an accredited bachelor's in theology by extension to the region as a whole.

"NTC exists to be a channel of change between God's Kingdom and a hurting word," said Rev. Matt Marshall, academic dean and acting chaplain.

Note: Principal Catherine Lebese was recently featured in Engage magazine. Read the story here.