Urban Ministry Forum Africa 2019: From Presence to Relevance

“Urbanization in Africa is inevitable. By 2050 more than 1,2 billion people – 55% of the African population – will live in African cities. Currently, 62% of Africa’s urban population live in informal settlements. Will urban Africa explode in numbers and deepen in misery, or is it possible to imagine and accompany flourishing African urban futures?”Centre for Contextual Ministry 2016, Urban Africa 2050: Imagining theological education formation for flourishing African cities, Centre for Contextual Ministry, viewed 21 June 2019, <http://ccmresearch.org.za/research-centre/faith-in-the-city/urban-africa-2050/>. In response to this inevitable future of African cities, the Church of the Nazarene on the Africa Region sought to discern how…

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Kunene named field strategy coordinator for Africa South

This week the Church of the Nazarene’s Africa Region announced the appointment of Musawenkhosi Kunene as the new field strategy coordinator for the Africa South Field. The appointment was made by Global Missions Director, Dr. Verne Ward upon the recommendation of Africa Regional Director Daniel Gomis and in consultation with Jurisdictional General Superintendent, Dr. Carla Sunberg. Kunene currently serves as superintendent of the Eswatini Central District (formerly known as the Swaziland Central District). "Dr. Kunene has a long record of service to God and the Kingdom," Sunberg said. "His wisdom and spirit will be sensed as he brings leadership to the…

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Congregation helps Rwanda church stay open

In 2003, a small Church of the Nazarene in Bisizi, Rwanda, was built out of recycled wood and old roofing. It was all the church could afford, but they needed a place for worship and have been worshipping there ever since. Government officials recently arrived at Bisizi Church of the Nazarene as part of an effort to ensure buildings were meeting new required codes. The church did not pass and the government issued the closure of the building. Josepha, a widowed church pastor, pleaded with the officials, asking what they could do to keep the church open. The officials said the building must meet the…

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Nigeria Southeast–Champion for Missions

The Nigeria Southeast District, Church of the Nazarene, is the first phase three (self-supporting) district on the West Africa field. One advantage of being a phase three district is that delegates can vote at General Assembly (the premier international legislative convention for the Church of the Nazarene.) An exemplary district, Nigeria Southeast stands out as a district big on giving; members share their talents, time and resources, both in the local churches and in missions. Following is an interview with Reverend Okokon Eshiet, District Superintendent of the Nigeria Southeast District. How long has the Nazarene Church been active in your…

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Goats Galore–Breeding Hope for Children in Benin

By Monica Carr Moïse Toumoudagou of Pendjari, Benin, in West Africa was only 7 when his father died. As part of a cultural tradition, his aunt gave him a hen to raise with the help of his mother. In a year, he had about 40 chickens. Many years later, this simple but life-changing gift gave Moïse an idea that he shared with his local church: What if we gave goats to children in need? “We saw that there were a lot challenges in the community,” Moïse recalls. “In many families children didn’t go to school. Education was not sufficient. There…

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Malawi Lowershire District Youth Camp

Each year, the Malawi Lowershire District organizes youth camps and meetings, where all the youth from the churches on the district come together for a time of worshipping the Lord and learning many things that pertain to their daily lives and their life within the church family.  This Year, we had a wonderful camp at Nyamijete Primary School, where members of the Church of the Nazarene meet every Sunday for worship services. As many as 183 youth were in attendance from 5-7 August, 2016. The teaching included the NYI charter by Mrs. Madalitso Kwerakwera, our calling and our core values by Rev.…

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One Year in Guinea-Bissau and Youth Camp

With many blessings the young people of Guinea-Bissau finished their youth camp 2016.  The camp was intended to help young people to make intelligent decisions, by putting God in first place and allowing Him to permeate all areas of their lives, including relationships, studies, business, church service--all areas of their lives. We are thankful for the youth pastors who presented the issues in a clear and challenging way, highlighting the fact that satisfaction will empower them in their daily lives. Christian author, Philip Yancey, says that it seems Jesus prefers the idea of working with "recruits" who may not hold much promise…

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Malawi PALCON

From August 8-12, in the Warm Heart of Africa, Malawi, pastors and leaders gathered for the Malawi PALCON. The conference was attended by district superintendents, pastors and lay leaders from the 5 districts in Malawi. The theme of the conference was, Prepare the Way of the Lord. There were 143 participants for this conference. The invited guests were Rev. and Mrs. Paul Mtambo, Africa Southeast Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. and Mrs . Mashangu Maluleka, Africa South Field Strategy Coordinator, Rev. Gary and Penny Sidle, missionaries to Zambia and Education coordinators for ASEF, evangelist Rev. Larry and  Mrs. Tamhla Leckrone  from USA and Rev. David Allen,…

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Tribute to Dr Samuel Hynd, Swaziland

The popular doctor, Dr. Samuel Hynd, who oversaw the birth of King Mswati III of Swaziland, died peacefully while at his home in Swaziland, in the morning hours of Thursday, 18 August 2016. He was aged 92. Daughter, Elizabeth, said her father had not complained of either sickness or any pain. "On Sunday he was okay, I even took him for a ride and we passed by the church where we found a young woman preaching,'' she said. Elizabeth added on Tuesday, he suddenly stopped taking food and liquids. She said they started to be suspicious that something could be…

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Empowering Women in Liberia

--Monica Carr Visiting the Nazarene Women's Project (NAWOP) in Ganta, Liberia, I was instantly impressed with the diligence of the girls who were busily stirring cornbread batter and who had already baked sumptuous potato bread muffins. They also had bread dough rising in pans ready to bake in the innovative round aluminium oven, heated with coals placed underneath and on top. In partnership with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries, this ministry has been in operation since 2001. Edith N'Boyou, a pastor's wife and the founder of NAWOP, whose slogan is "Empowerment from Productivity", explained that the aim of the project was, "...For the…

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