Kenya Testimonies. APF News and Prayer October to December Inside: Enabling effective ministry in Africa.

Transcription

1 APF News and Prayer October to December 2016 Inside: In the UK Future Plans Prayer Points Kenya Testimonies Enabling effective ministry in Africa

2 From the CEO It was good to briefly make friends with these men whilst staying at Kapsabet in the Nandi Hills region of Kenya during my visit in July. The venue provided ideal illustrations for teaching based on 2 Timothy 4:6-8 Running the Race and Keeping on Track - both as a disciple and pastor. Kapsabet is home to several of the world-famous Kenyan athletics training camps and the town is full of longdistance runners! We shared our hotel with the Bahrain national team and these three gentlemen are elite Kenyan marathon runners who missed out on Olympic selection. I caught up with them - during their warm down - and they kindly agreed to pose for a photo! This edition of News and Prayer includes testimonies from delegates who attended the recent conferences in Kenya where Revd Dr Kate Coleman and I had the privilege to teach. I hope you will be encouraged by what you read not just about the Kenya visit but all the activity of APF both in UK and Africa. Thank you for helping to make all this possible through your prayers and donations. Thank You Rev David Stedman

3 In the UK Regional Events For all our friends and supporters in the North East and West Midlands Two regional events will be taking place in October: North East Regional Event Stockton-On-Tees Sunday 9th October 9.00am All Saints Preston-On-Tees More traditional service with APF CEO, Revd. Dave Stedman 10.30am All Saints Preston-On-Tees With APF Coordinator, Geoff Holder, speaking about exciting development projects and initiatives 10.30am Stockton Baptist Tabernacle With APF CEO: Revd. Dave Stedman sharing news, progress and stories from African partners West Midlands Regional Event Coventry 10.30am-2pm Saturday 29th October Queens Road Baptist Church. APF Conference including lunch available in QRBC canteen am Sunday 30th October Queens Road Baptist Church. APF s CEO, Revd Dave Stedman, preaching during morning service 10am Sunday 30th October St Bartholomew s Church, Binley. APF Coordinator, Geoff Holder, speaking about Growing Greener conservation agriculture project in Malawi Golf Day 2016 At the time of writing 17 four-ball teams are provisionally booked for the second APF golf day at Canterbury Golf Club on Friday 28th October. Online Commentaries APFs Swahili NT commentary set is gradually being edited and added to the website for easy download and use by African pastors. Scripted Slideshow An easy to use presentation suitable for church services, small groups or fundraising events is now available to download from the website at There, you ll also see copies of Peter Kasamba s vibrant African themed biblical artwork. To order copies, please contact us in the APF office. Several new partnership opportunities with established UK NGOs are being explored, as well as links with the East African UK diaspora and links in the USA Enabling effective ministry in Africa 02

4 In Africa A round up of our work and news throughout Africa. Rwanda Eglise Evangelique de le Bonne Volante has received 600 Kinyarwanda Bibles and a bicycle grant for distribution to church leaders at their annual conference in November. Malawi As part of the Growing Greener conservation agriculture project, five leaders from New Life Christian Church have now qualified as community trainers. They are now putting theory into practice and modelling sustainable farming techniques and sharing the Good News of Jesus in impoverished rural communities. Tanzania Alison & Jonathan Oliver from Whitstable Baptist Church recently returned from a visit to Morogoro Diocese visiting beneficiaries of literature and solar projects. Kenya several training partnership opportunities are being considered following the recent visit to Kapsabet, Kericho, Kirinyaga Diocese and Western region. Uganda plans for a regional conference gathering APF partners from Uganda, west Kenya, Rwanda and NE Tanzania in February are underway. Burundi a grant has been awarded to the Union des Eglises Baptistes du Burundi for the purchase and distribution of bicycles for pastors in Musenyi district. 03

5 Future Plans evitabu evitabu (Vitabu means many books in Swahili) is an innovative and exciting response to supporting rural church leaders access training and theological literature so they are better equipped to support their local communities. evitabu is a solar powered e-tablet pre-loaded full of relevant and culturallyappropriate e-books, courses and training material covering everything from community development to pastoral formation. Distributed through our African partners, it has the potential to impact significant numbers of church leaders and their communities. The project is still in the planning stage, but combines APF s pioneering heritage with 21st century technology. Please pray for funding to be found and for potential project partners to capture the vision so evitabu can be turned into a reality that equips Christian leaders and their communities for longterm transformative ministry. Contact ceo@africanpastors.org for more information. Daily Bread As part of our commitment to help enable pastors and their families to generate a sustainable income, the women s group at Atirir Bible School in Uganda will hopefully be equipped with a solar oven capable of baking more than 200 loaves of bread per day. Daily Bread will create employment for up to 100 women and bread will be sold at local markets, shops, hotels and restaurants and will increase household income and enable ministry through ABS to become self-sustaining. Solar baking also reduces deforestation and fossil fuel emissions; is healthier than cooking in smoky conditions and saves time gathering firewood or preparing charcoal. If you would like to support this project why not bake some cakes for sale at church or craft fairs over the coming months? Or perhaps you could hold a mini- Great British Bake Off competition to raise awareness of the Daily Bread initiative in your community? Contact ceo@africanpastors.org for more information about the project or ideas on how to host a simple fundraising event. Enabling effective ministry in Africa 04

6 Kenya Testimonies Psalm 37:25 says I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. This verse is a significant challenge when serving Christian leaders in East Africa. The overwhelming majority of rural pastors all over East Africa are living in impoverished conditions, seeking to serve God and provide for their family without access to training, resources or financial support from their congregation. Church members expect the pastor to be able to help them so leaders are often squeezed from both ends no reliable income and a community that expects them to be in a position to provide financial support. This can lead to family tensions and even family breakdown, a lack of credibility in the community and hardship. Supporting discussions between church leaders, congregations and communities about stewardship, shared responsibility for one another and the mission of the church is, therefore, a key priority alongside income generation initiatives that enable pastors to sustain their ministry, support their families and effectively serve their communities. For example, Revd Shadrach Koma, Chairman of the AIC North Rift Pastors Fellowship, a network of 11 AIC regions, writes: you coming to Kenya was a great blessing. APF is an answered prayer to many struggling pastors. It is our prayer that if APF will assist in training pastors in stewardship this would add value in their ministry. It will increase their self-esteem thus serving God wholeheartedly. It is demoralizing to see a pastor serving in a deplorable situation yet he tells people he serving a mighty King of kings who owns everything It has been agreed the APF will provide keynote speakers at the AIC North Rift Pastors Conference in September Other key leaders have also written to express gratitude for the ministry and visit to Kenya: 05

7 In an old and noisy bishop s Landrover, he didn t mind the rough and dusty earth roads for close to four hours. Traversing the farms of peasant farmers David, visited three of the ten newly planted churches and a school. Bishop Joseph at the Hope Springs diocesan water project. Rev. David Stedman was our guest in Kirinyaga Diocese. His desire to understand our mission catapulted him to the slopes of Mt. Kenya. Apart from visiting the cathedral and fellowship with church elders in the mud-walled Gakindu Church, taking a walk at the Holy land (Kenya), chatting with kids at St. Thomas Primary School, praying with patients at Mt. Kenya Church hospital, David also did a seminar on Christian Character with Heads of Departments. The handful of excited Christians had walked long distances were at hand to welcome him. I wondered about the state of his heart as we, guided by one of the area ministers, drove across a river in order to connect to the road to take him back to Nairobi. At the end of the visit, David was red in dust and with a cough. I felt sorry for him, yet he was joyful in the experience. Bishop Joseph with Diocese of Kirinyaga, Heads of Department With South Ngariama church planters The journey to South Ngariama, the vast and remote Diocesan Missionary Area with 10 churches under three ministers must have been a duel for David. Definitely, David s visit is the beginning of a long process of discernment as we pray for God s guidance on how African Pastors Fellowship can partner with us in strengthening the church in Kenya for mission. Bishop Joseph Kibuckwa Enabling effective ministry in Africa 06

8 CRBC Dance The conference was a big success. The pastors were encouraged through the teachings by Dave and Dr. Kate. This conference for pastors was the first in our region. I have received a lot of positive feedbacks on the success of the conference. Majority are requesting for similar conference once or twice every year. We also appreciate APF for financial support Revd Simon Laboso, Moderator, Central Rift Baptist Convention Bishop Edward in foreground Since we registered this ministry, we have never had any partner and so all pastors and church leaders who attended the meeting are excited. This has made them feel wanted. They are so happy to partner with APF and join other pastors internationally in fellowship. They are looking forward for a stronger relationship. Pastors are yearning for training, interaction and fellowship that will change their lifestyle in Christ Bishop Edward Amwayi, Overseer, Grace Calvary Christian Ministry Revd Simon Laboso 07

9 Abraham and Leah thanks for coming to visit us at Kapsabet. Thank you so, so much. We will always remember and cherish the fellowship we had, the seminars we had at AIC Boma and AIC Kapsabet Station - the Pastors Conference, etc. Thank you for your prayers, encouragements and words of advice. Thank you again for bringing Kate with you, she was a great blessing to all of us. Rev Abraham Koech, AIC Boma Daniel is crouched front right in brown suit The response we ve received from participants at the conference indicate it was life transforming and a great awakening for them. There is agreement that with us one day wasn t enough please come and teach us on the Great Commandment and the Great Commission so we can build self-sustaining, selfmultiplying churches Pastor Daniel Odour Gwara, Renewal Fellowship Ministry The only instrument in the South Ngariama church plants! Enabling effective ministry in Africa 08

10 October Prayer Points 1. Michelle Anderson, Financial Coordinator, managing day to day record keeping and reporting, future planning and new staff pension regulations 2. Dave Stedman taking the Harvest Service at Beltinge Baptist Church and presenting the Growing Greener project 3. Geoff Holder balancing his UK Coordinator role with family and church commitments, whilst studying an MSc in Sustainable Development 4. APF Regional Partner, Walubo Jude who will be travelling to UK from Uganda this week to represent APF at schools and churches during October (subject to a successful visa application) 5. Our African Patrons: Rt. Rev. Godfrey Sehaba, Bishop of Morogoro (Tanzania), and Rev Dr Michael Okwakol, President of the All-Africa Baptist Fellowship (Uganda) 6. Our UK Patrons: Rt. Rev. Christopher Cocksworth, Bishop of Coventry and Rev David Kerrigan, General Secretary, BMS World Mission 7. UK based agencies with whom we are developing closer links: Afrinspire, Bible Society, Next Leadership, Operation Agri, Operation Mobilisation Special Projects, School Connect, Solar Links and Tearfund 8. Successful funding applications for evitabu e-training initiative (see page 4) and new partnerships growing out of this project 9. Dave and Geoff speaking at All Saints Preston-On-Tees and Stockton Tabernacle today 10. Successful funding applications for evitabu and Daily Bread solar bakery project submitted earlier this year 11. For the new online version of our Swahili NT commentary set to be well used and for funding to enable a reprint 12. For the on-going relationship with Yeomans Marketing providing advice on major donor, corporate funding, social media and a legacy campaign 13. We give thanks for new donors and prayer partners as we seek to consolidate and establish a firm foundation of funding to develop the work 14. John Martin (Chair) and John Chambers (Treasurer) during this season of transition for APF 15. The trustees collectively ensuring good governance with the right balance of visionary faith and pioneering pragmatism 09

11 Please Pray 16. Over the next few days we will be praying for APF partners in Kenya 17. Rt Rev Joseph Kibukwa, Bishop of Kirinyaga, his diocesan team and plans for APF to provide keynote speakers at future diocesan conferences 18. Diocese of Kirinyaga church planting, sports, educational and healthcare projects 19. Rev Simon Laboso, Moderator of the Central Rift Baptist Convention and the pastors served by Dave and Kate s visit in July, for clarity regarding future opportunities 20. Rev Shadrach Koma, Chairman of the AIC North Rift Pastors Fellowship and the possibility of APF providing keynote speakers at their annual conference in The students, faculty, board and alumni of Kapsabet AIC Bible School as they discern the way forward for the college 22. Rev David Kereto, Founder of Covenant Church International a network of more than 300 churches and Maasai Evangelistic Association. David will be visiting the UK in November and hopes to visit APF s office during his trip 23. Dave Stedman preaching at Herne Bay Baptist Church this morning 24. Rev Abraham Koech in his new role as Lecturer in Theology at Great Lakes University, combining this with local church ministry at AIC Boma (Kapsabet). Abraham s wife Leah, establishing a tailoring business in Kapsabet town 25. Mission of Hope, where Edith Wamalwa serves as PA to the directors 26. Bishop Edward Amwayi (Grace Calvary Christian Ministry) and Pastor Daniel Odour (Renewal Fellowship Ministry) seeking to establish closer collaboration as a result of APF s visit and introduction in July 27. Pastor Silas Ouma and his wife Christine, establishing a church plant, primary school and feeding centre in Nakuru 28. APF Golf Day taking place today at Canterbury Golf Club 29. West Midlands Regional Event at Queens Road Baptist Church, Coventry, today 30. Dave and Geoff speaking at churches in the West Midlands region this morning 31. For expansion of APF support into East African UK diaspora communities and potential links with churches and agencies in USA and elsewhere Enabling effective ministry in Africa 10

12 November Prayer Points 1. For Christian leaders who contact us from places beyond the current scope of APF such as Pastor Jacob Nyok displaced from his home in Jongei State to an IDP camp outside Juba, Southern Sudan 2. For the successful appointment of Regional Partners (coordinators and trainers) in Africa so as to develop and multiply the work of APF 3. Trustees meeting taking place today where the 2017 budget will be approved 4. Recruitment of additional Trustees to complement the existing board and bring time, energy, contacts and key skills to our governance and ministry 5. Individuals and agencies with which partnerships have already been agreed and for the review process that will take place during November: Rev Charles Munyamahoro (Free Methodist Church, Rwanda), Walubo Jude (UCE, Uganda), FACT, Uganda and Atirir Bible School, Uganda 6. Dave Stedman leading the service at Hawkinge Baptist Church this morning 7. Over the next few days we will be praying for some of our Tanzanian friends and partners 8. Pastor Heavenlight Luoga, Deeper Life Ministry, who has a heart for serving and equipping pastors and their dependents in Karagwe region and beyond 9. Cassia, Heavenlight s wife, with a heart for under-privileged and often traumatised women in DRC 10. Rev Canon Absalom Vyakende and Rev Obadiah Eustace at Kagera Theological College 11. Emmanuel Mhina who works for Morogoro Diocese overseeing their solar and literature ministries independently and in partnership with APF 12. Rev Amos Nkini, Director of Education for the Lutheran Diocese of Mohshi and still having a vision to provide basic IT training to help pastors access online training and resources 13. Bishop Francis Ntiruka (retired), Pastor Yona and Reheema Mwanza, with their respective ministries to students in and around Dodoma region 14. Other emerging partners in Tanzania: Father Asheri Ndahani (Tanga Diocese) and Pastor Anthony Apollo (Karagwe) 15. The need for a reprint of Agano Jipya (III volume NT commentary set) which is in high demand by many rural pastors in Tanzania. The only thing hindering this is the lack of finance. 16. For the wife of APF Patron, Bishop Godfrey Sehaba, who has kidney disease and needs long-term and costly medication in Dar es Salaam 17. The work of Soma Biblia, publishing and distributing literature throughout Tanzania 11

13 Please Pray 18. For wisdom as APF seeks to respond with wisdom and compassion to the many pastoral needs we meet and requests received 19. For more collaborative working and better communication between UK agencies and local churches with an interest in East Africa so as to deliver strategic and sustainable solutions to some of the needs we encounter 20. The ongoing Let There Be Light campaign to provide solar technology in various forms to Christian community leaders to improve living conditions, save money and enable evening study 21. Plans to produce short videos to promote the work of APF online and for use in church services, also the use of online resources for communication and training purposes in Africa 22. Dave and Geoff seeking to make strategic links and connections, formal and informal, with other UK agencies with similar goals and values to APF 23. Recruitment of Regional Advocates and Local Fundraisers in UK to help raise the profile of APF and support the ministry 24. Dave Stedman attending Spurgeon s College Council today 23. Over the next few days we will be praying for friends and partners in Uganda 24. Rev Peter Mugabe (General Secretary, BUU) and his team delivering pastor training in Western Region and West Nile Region with funds provided by APF and Beatrice Laing Trust 25. Gifted personnel with a heart for reaching the unreached such as Elebu Moses and the team from Atirir Bible School who move from Teso Region to South Sudan for ministry 26. Rev Paul Kyalimpa who s agricultural and theological teaching is widely used 27. Dave Stedman teaching at Canterbury Baptist Church School of Mission and Ministry this evening 28. Rev Alfred Wonyaka in his employment with Inter-Religious Council of Uganda and voluntary work with North Mbale Diocese and Bulambuli Initiative for Sustainable Rural Development (BIRD) 29. The partnership between Soroti Rangers RFC, Tag Rugby Trust, Canterbury RFC and School Connect to develop rugby in north and east Uganda whilst educating young people in sexual health 30. Walubo Jude s extensive ministry to children and youth through schools, diocesan links and NGOs, his political aspirations and for new development opportunities as he steps aside from day to day involvement in UCE Enabling effective ministry in Africa 12

14 December Prayer Points 1. Dave Stedman delivering a lecture at University of Kent today 2. We continue to pray for friends and partners in Uganda: Barefoot Power (providers of solar technology), Kenneth Akampurira and the Uganda Christian Lawyers Fraternity 3. Pastor Esomu Francis, Principal of Atirir Bible School, occasional lecturer at Jinja Seminary and keen to pursue God s call to wider teaching ministry perhaps in partnership with APF 4. Plans and funding for Dave Stedman s January/February trip to Rwanda, Burundi, NW Tanzania and Uganda. Rev Gregory Marlam, Rev John Steer and Rev Neal Stanton plan to accompany Dave for parts of this trip 5. Over the next few days we will be praying for some of our friends and partners in Burundi 6. Above all we pray for peace and an end to hostility within Burundi and the return to their homes of more than 1 million people displaced and living in refugee camps in DRC, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda 7. Rev Pierre Celestin studying for an MA at Uganda Christian University but also ministering to his people in refugee camps in SW Uganda 8. Established friends in Burundi such as Rev Yves Ndayikunda (Ceprodilic) and Rev Felibien Ndintore (Bujambura Diocese) 9. Rev Silas Ntukamazina, General Secretary of Union des Eglises Baptistes du Burundi. Please pray for rural pastors who received bicycles as a result of the APF grant earlier this year 10. Baptist Union of Denmark mission worker, Rasmus Hylleberg. Rasmus had to move his family from Bujumbura to Kigali because of security but travels frequently by road to pursue the very well-established partnership between BUD and Union des Eglises Baptistes du Burundi. 11. Partnership opportunities for APF, Baptist Union of Denmark and Eglises Baptistes du Burundi to deliver rural training for pastors and wives 12. Continued guidance as to APF future ministry in DRC. This is likely to be restricted to major towns in the east where access and security is easier and partners in neighbouring countries have existing links (e.g. Heavenlight Luoga, Charles Munyamahoro and Emmanuel Gatera) 13. In the meantime we continue to stand alongside long-standing contacts such as Rev Stephane Makata (Katanga Diocese) and Rev Bertin Mwanya (President of the Congo Pastors Fellowship) 14. As APF personnel travel, listen and learn from our African partners may lessons learned be communicated to the UK church for the benefit of all and in growing fellowship 15. For plans to regularly bring African pastors to UK to bless and encourage the UK church 13

15 Please Pray 16. Over the next few days we will be praying for friends and partners in Rwanda 17. Give thanks for the obvious economic growth in parts of Rwanda, especially in and around Kigali 18. Rev Charles Muyamahoro, who recently completed an MA at Uganda Christian University and who oversees the Gakenke and Rulindo Free Methodist and Baptist Pastors Fellowship, in addition to pastoring a large Kigali parish 19. Bishop Samuel Kayinamura, overseeing the Free Methodist Church in Rwanda 20. Rev Canon Emmanuel Kayijuka, General Secretary, and Francois Xavier Twahirwa, Financial Director, at The Bible Society of Rwanda and their help supplying Kinyarwanda Bibles and Study Bibles this year 21. Ezechias Ntirengaya, Director of Children, Youth and Family, at Scripture Union who has distributed APF Safari Books through his networks 22. Bishop Nathan Amooti (Cyangugu Diocese) and his vision to develop a regional training college for preparing clergy 23. Rev Dr Antoine Rutayisre, Principal of Kigali Anglican Theological College and for the excellent facility to be well used and accessible to Anglican clergy and ecumenically as a potential venue for conferences 24. Rev Gato Corneil, General Secretary, and the impressive team at the national secretariat of Association of Evangelical Baptist Churches of Rwanda (AEBR). 25. For the possibility of APF partnering with AEBR and Baptist Mission of Canada to make even better use of the theological resource centre beneath the secretariat offices as well as opportunities to travel with Gato to visit AEBR churches and projects in For Pastor Matugoma Japhet, the founder of Eglise Evangelique de le Bonne Volonte a small denomination of 11 churches. For churches and pastors that received bicycles respectively through APF grants earlier this year 27. For the 600 Kinyarwanda Bibles provided to Eglise Evangelique de le Bonne Volonte in partnership with OM Special Projects to be well used and strengthen individual faith and church growth 28. We also remember and give thanks for Pastor Lloyd Chizenka, overseeing New Life Church a network of 290 churches in Shire Valley, Malawi/Mozambique 29. The impact of the Growing Greener project in the communities served by those trained by Foundations for Farming in partnership with APF earlier this year 30. For much improved food security despite the challenge of climate change in Shire Valley as a result of Growing Greener 31. Dave Stedman preparing to speak at Canterbury Baptist Church on New Years Day Enabling effective ministry in Africa 14

16 The vision of APF is to empower Christian leaders and enable effective ministry that brings community transformation through the local church. Giving to APF If you would like to donate to APF, please visit where you can make a one-off gift or set up a regular donation. Alternatively, post a cheque to our address or use one of the services below: Give as you Live Text APFG30 to to make a mobile donation (Donate 1 to cover the print and postage costs for News and Prayer) African Pastors Fellowship Station House, Station Approach, Adisham, Canterbury CT3 3JE Tel ceo@africanpastors.org or admin@africanpastors.org UK Registered Charity Number Designed by ElevenBlack.