Botswana Missions. Ananias Moses 1000 Cherry Road Memphis, TN

Transcription

1 Botswana Missions The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. (Matthew 9:37-38) Ananias Moses 1000 Cherry Road Memphis, TN

2 Introductions: Grace and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord be with you. My name is Ananias Moses. I am from Botswana, Southern Africa. I am seeking for churches to partner with me to do missions/ministry in Botswana. I am currently a full-time student at Harding School of Theology pursuing a Master of Divinity. I hope to graduate in spring 2018 and return to Botswana to do mission work. My prayer and desire is to do full-time ministry. Since finishing high school, I have been involved in ministry: teaching, discipling, and reaching out to the community. I have been a Christian for more than twenty years. Growing up in the church and in the country of Botswana has given me an opportunity to learn the ministry context and culture of the country, which I hope will be beneficial for my future ministry work. Currently, I am a member of Holmes Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN, where I occasionally teach middle school Bible class and participate in the young adult ministry. Please prayerfully consider joining me in this mission of God. Ministry mission: To equip church leaders and churches with the gospel through mentoring, teaching, and preaching. Ministry Context: Christianity and Botswana Traditional Religion are the main religious groups. Religion is acknowledged both in the public and private spheres. Church of Christ: The Church has existed for about forty years. There are thirteen congregations (two newly planted) in the whole country with a total membership of about Most of the congregations are located in the southern part of the country. Many areas in the country have not been evangelized. The church has four local full-time ministers in the whole country. The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

3 One area in the country where the church has a great opportunity to grow is the Okavango region in the northwest of Botswana where I grew up. There are many ministry opportunities such as evangelism and community outreach. At this moment, there are only three congregations in this area; each has less than twenty-five members. These congregations are struggling due to lack of leadership especially with ministers. Most of the men who are in this area do not have the capacity and resources to do ministerial work. In addition, these three congregations cannot afford to support a full-time paid minister. I plan to work with these congregations by visiting them occasionally and empowering the local leaders, although my primary work will be in the southern region of Botswana with the preaching school and surrounding congregations. Northwest Congregations gathered during a Gospel meeting Ministry focus/strategy: The first five years of my ministry will focus on mentoring, teaching/preaching, and community outreach. Teaching: we have a preaching school in Gaborone, Botswana directed by Dennis Malepa a local minister. I worked with Dennis as his assistant teacher for about five years before coming to the United States to study at HST, and will continue to work with him in the future. The school not only trains local ministers and leaders, but also facilitates leadership seminars in Southern Africa. I will be also working with Oodi Church of Christ and other surrounding congregations by providing mentorship, teaching, and preaching. Community Outreach: I am going to work with some NGOs, which serve people with healthrelated issues, particularly HIV/AIDS, in local communities. Before coming to school, I volunteered and served as a coordinator in one of the health committees. My responsibilities included organizing activities, workshops, and working with youth and community leaders. HIV/AIDS is still a major health concern in the country; eighteen percent of the population is infected. The church is the only place where people may find living hope. Benevolence Ministry: Botswana is one of the countries that were highly affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Fifteen percent of children under the age of 18 years are household heads in most rural areas. Most of these children do not go to school because of their household responsibilities and lack of basic necessities. Those who make it to elementary school end up dropping out due of lack of guidance and support. My plan will be to mentor some of these children and help them meet their basic needs as much as possible. This would need teamwork.

4 Education: - Fall 2014-Present, Master of Divinity, Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TN. - August July 2014: Post Graduate Diploma in Education, University of Botswana, Botswana. - August 2009 May 2013: Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Environmental Science; University of Botswana, Botswana. Ministry Experience: Middle school teacher at Holmes Road Church, USA: Fall 2015-present - I teach middle school Bible class - Participate in young adult ministry and occasionally teach class Assistant Teacher at African Center for Theological Studies, Botswana: I was responsible for teaching some classes and administration duties. Minister at Oodi Church of Christ, Botswana: My responsibilities included teaching, preaching, and community outreach. - Currently, I develop curricula for the congregation. Community Capacity Enhancement Facilitator, Oodi-Botswana: I was responsible for coordinating activities and workshops. References: 1. Dennis Malepa, Minister-Broadhurst Church of Christ, Box 352, Gaborone, Botswana. Contacts: denmarol@yahoo.com. Phone: Evertt W. Huffard, PhD, Professor of Leadership and Missions, Harding School of Theology, Memphis, TN. Contacts: ehuffard@harding.edu. Phone: Kealeboga Mogaetsho, Leader-Oodi Church of Christ, Botswana. Contacts: ntebokm@gmail.com, Phone:

5 Endorsement letter for Ananias Moses September 20, 2017 More than a hundred church leaders from four nations of southern Africa attend a men s retreat each year. In 2013, I had an opportunity to be one of the presenters at the retreat and enjoyed visiting with the brothers from Botswana. Among them was a young preacher, Ananias Moses, who had established himself as an excellent student, good preacher, and humble servant of God. We have been blessed to have Ananias on our campus at HST for the past two years. He has blessed us with his insights into the Word and life along with his willingness to work hard and learn. As he completes his final year, he will be searching for a church that would partner with him in his ministry back home. If you are praying for an opportunity to partner with a local church in Africa then I would highly recommend that you consider working with Ananias and the church in Botswana. With the opportunities he has to serve churches locally and regionally, he will be making a difference in the kingdom for decades to come. I could recommend him without any reservation. If you need any further information please contact me at ehuffard@harding.edu. Evertt W. Huffard, PhD Professor of Leadership and Missions Harding School of Theology

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9 Financial needs: One Time Expenses Amount (USD) Comments Flights to Botswana 2,500 One way trip (current estimation) Shipping books 6,000 Automotive 30,000 A car would be needed for visiting congregations in the country and doing evangelism. Total 38, 500 Regular Expense (Summer Amount (USD) Comments 2018-Summer 2023) Housing/apartment rent 600 Food 350 Utilities, phone/internet 400 Savings 300 Giving/Benevolence 400 Medical Insurance 150 Automotive 300 Insurance and maintenance Total: Monthly Annually 2,500 30, 000 Work funds Amount (USD) Comments Students stipend 800 To support students during their ministry training at the preaching school Bibles, books, study materials 100 Total: Monthly Annually ,800 The Church of Christ at White Station is the overseeing church. Donations can be sent to the church addressed and earmarked as follows: Church of Christ at White Station ATT: Botswana Missions 1106 Colonial Road Memphis, TN 38117