SOMA works for the transformation of individuals and churches and the healing ofcommunities and their lands through the renewing power of the Holy Spirit. This isthrough intercession and sending and receiving short-term mission teams across theAnglican Communion.

2014 No. 3

PO Box 69MerriottTA18 9AP, UKCHARITY NO. 279759

T: +44 (0)1460 279737 E: info@somauk.org W: www.somauk.org

@somauk

/SOMAUK 1

‘I will be a miracle’THE team which headed to Nakuru in Kenya

this summer witnessed a rarity in thehistory of SOMA missions – the programmewent almost as initially planned.

Team leader Patrick could scarcely believeit. “This is unusual for a SOMA mission,” headmitted.

Patrick has plenty of experience leadingSOMA teams and, as chair of the charity’strustees, has heard numerous reports of howmission programmes need to be adapted or,more usually, rewritten once ministry has begun.

“Overall, I have not delivered such acomprehensive body of teaching to a group of African pastors ever before,” he said. “They were extremely hungry for what wasoffered, and there was an encouragingbalance of older and younger clergy, with deepBible knowledge and a clear desire toprogress in their ministry.”

One delegate vowed “not to wait again fora miracle, but to be a miracle to someone”.

Feedback was enthusiastic. The delegatesdeclared: “It was a new beginning for my life inmy ministry.” “The conference has made a

‘Now the localteam can carry on’

IT won’t be the first time the Lord has beenpraised for modern communications, but a

return mission to DR Congo would have beenseverely challenging without these.

“Thank God for email and text!” declaredteam leader Don, following the mission.

In addition to the visa issues which alwayscomplicate access to DRC, the delegates’workbooks and worship books had to betranslated, printed and transported for twoseparate programmes. Some manuals wereprinted in the UK and taken to Kampala; somewere translated into Kenyan Kiswahili inNairobi, then into Congolese Kiswahilielsewhere, then finally printed in Kampala.

Team member Helen coordinated dailyupdates to and from the intercessors;however, while some of her text messagesfailed to arrive, others were received 40 times.Don remained upbeat. “We are so grateful forGod-given technology, and for those whomade use of it, which spread the word tohundreds of people on a daily basis,” he said.

“For those who have no personalexperience of this, please understand what agreat encouragement it is to get a text with averse, a word, a picture or a dream fromsomeone who is praying. They may not know

Delegates and SOMA Team members work together ona community project at Nakuru police station

difference in my life and in the way I servethe Lord.” “We were very delighted, learnt alot, need more.”

Bishop Joseph agreed. “My clergy reallybenefited a lot. Thank you for involving giftedfacilitators who were fully prepared andequipped for this seminar,” he said. “I havebeen receiving encouraging reports fromparishes that the clergy have startedpractising and imparting the knowledge theyhave acquired to the Christians.”

The conference days were long, startingat 9am and closing around 9.30pm, with sixsessions including workshops, teaching anddiscussion groups, and concluding with anevening celebration featuring worship, a talkand fruitful times of ministry. The finalcelebration was a Communion service,during which 90 delegates were anointedwith oil.

Towards the end of the conference, team member Jo was delighted to report:“Today the Spirit moved beautifully as wewere reminded to be silent, pay attention, to listen, so that we can hear God speak (Job 33v4-end).

“Three times God gave three differentpeople this word: ‘Be still and know that I am God’.

continued on page 3

Mama Irene, wife of Bishop William, and delegatespraying together in Bunia.

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On the frontline – at homePRAYER and intercession have a vital role in SOMA’s mission and

ministry…Many people, when asked, would describe prayer as quiet time, an

opportunity for peaceful reflection and thoughtful communication withGod.

SOMA intercessors would be the first to agree, but for them itdoesn’t end there. Their prayer, when teams are on mission, can takeon the qualities of a white-knuckle ride. “It was like an adventure,” said Peter of his experience during a mission to Boga in DR Congo.His fellow intercessors agreed, with “dramatic”, “exciting” and“thrilling” among their descriptions.

There are certainly comparisons to be made with the toughestphysical challenges. The terms “warfare” and “battle” are frequentlydeployed to build an understanding of situations encountered indioceses wherever SOMA is called and, once the team arrive, they andthe intercessors at home are on the frontline.

Team members and delegates know they face long days on amission, rising at dawn to pray and prepare, the evenings windingdown late with reflection, further preparation and prayer. Intercessorsmaintain prayer cover throughout, interspersed with bouts ofcommunication with the team through the coordinators, and reacting tobreaking news by interceding and sharing back to the team what theyhave from the Lord in scriptures, words, pictures and dreams.

Personal intercessor coordinator Tim found he was constantly onthe alert for a team member in Butare, Rwanda, earlier this year. “24/7 SMS-texts came in from UK and Rwanda,” he said. “It was aconstant checking of communications and sending messages to andfro. Required stamina on my part and brought some exhaustion!”

The rewards were indisputable, though. “I saw folk increase inconfidence in hearing from the Lord when their words from scriptureand messages were confirmed by the team and delegates in Butare.This confirmation was crucial to folk, knowing that they had truly heardfrom God.”

A unique modelThe SOMA model for intercession during mission requires a series

of hubs. Each team member recruits a team of personal intercessors, with one appointed the coordinator; this person liaises directly withSOMA’s central intercessor coordinator, who also is the hub connectingthe mission team with the 100-plus SOMA intercessors’ network. On the outer circle are the personal intercessors’ own personalintercessors, praying protection for them and their families. All pray for a month or so before and after.

The layers of prayer and the two-way flow of requests from theteam, and of words, scriptures and pictures from the intercessors arecrucial in providing protection, direction, correction and encouragementfor everyone involved – delegates, intercessors and team.

A team member said: “We felt so supported by our intercessorswhen we were out on mission. Never underestimate the importance of

your input and protective power in the spiritual battle that rages, oftenunseen but occasionally felt, around us.”

Butare intercessor Sue reported a “sense of joining in with somethingmuch bigger than ourselves which others had given sacrificially to be apart of and which, as a result, was a great encouragement; joiningtogether to pray and to hear what others received from God; Bible verseswere pasted up for all to see and share.”

Anna, though at home, most enjoyed “travelling with the teamthrough their anxieties, requests for prayer, praise, descriptions of thejourneys etc”. She was challenged by praying for the Rwanda missionas the team came face to face with victims and aggressors, for theirown reactions, for their need for compassion.

Vital supportOn the other side of the world, in Australia, Fran kept prayer watch

throughout the night for the team in Boga, thanks to the time difference.“I enjoyed being able to support my sister, particularly when we live sofar apart and my prayers were operating whilst the team was sleeping,”she said.

She was astounded to witness how rapidly prayers were answered:“I got quite a thrill when I went online and found news only put thereminutes beforehand.”

Another intercessor found herself gripped by the dramatic events inBoga last November and was delighted to be invited to join the sameteam member’s personal intercessors for the May mission. “I lovedfollowing the developing story, particularly as it built on such a dramaticprevious mission,” she said.

“This mission highlighted how crucial prayer is, how intercessorsare as important as those who travel on mission.”

Peter said: “It was like an adventure, being there in that place of vastneed with the team, thinking of them day by day, and praying for God’sblessing to come to the delegates, and for His grace to transform them.”

The rewards for intercessors live on, the majority reporting an ever-deepening relationship with the Lord. “Prayer and feedbackmotivate further prayer, praise and thanksgiving,” said Martin after theButare mission.

Following the Boga mission, Hannah said: “I felt that God wassaying to me that He wanted me to be talking to Him all the time, notjust about missions but about all aspects of my life. Having attemptedto do this ever since, I feel that God has strengthened my faith throughthis closer link.”

The last word goes to intercessor Miriam: “Overall this was anexciting experience. It was a reminder that we are in it as a group whichis part of the same body, regardless of the different roles.

“I think the whole process called for a lot of patience and trust,therefore strengthened my faith in the Lord who answers prayer. It alsotaught me how we are one body, regardless of where or who we are.

“It was also a great encouragement that we were able to be part ofthe mission, even though we were at not physically at the frontline.”

“It was like an adventure, being there in that place of vast need with the team, thinking of them day by day, andpraying for God’s blessing to come to the delegates, and for His grace to transform them.”

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“As Keith started to speak heavy rainbegan to pour down and did not stop till hefinished speaking, a sign of God’s blessingboth on the land and on the conference – an outpouring.

“As we waited quietly on the Lord, a wordwas given about ‘new birth coming afterbarrenness’; an interpretation was receivedand all were mightily blessed as the Spiritmoved across the delegates – a little taste ofPentecost – God is good!”

The youngest team member was Natalie,fresh from final-year school exams and eagerto befriend the young delegates. She spoke ata youth event in the cathedral.

“It’s been a great week getting to knowthe clergy and seeing God move powerfully in them and us as a team,” she said. “Godspoke so clearly through many people and ithas been such an encouragement having theintercessors praying and also seeing suchfreedom in people. God confirmed a word forme in six different ways which was very cooland uplifting.

“We all love the worship; people walk upor spontaneously start singing and everyonejoins in. It’s amazing that, even though inSwahili and I can’t understand the words, I can totally sense God’s Spirit in the room.Everyone raises their hands and claps: sodifferent to English worship!

“Altogether it’s been an excellent week,and uplifting to see how much the clergy gotout of it. I shall miss this lovely place.Hopefully, I will come back again some time…Asante sana.”

Team: Leader Revd Canon Patrick Whitworth,Vicky Mansell, Natalie Nash, Tom Peryer, Revd Keith Powell, Joanna Skinner, UK;intercessors’ coordinator Kate Brankin; Bishop Joseph Muchai.

‘I will be a miracle’‘Thank youfor obeying God to come’THREE days sounds barely adequate for

bishops and their wives, with responsibilityfor an entire diocese, to rest, relax and openthemselves to the Holy Spirit, their spouse andone another. In the event, as one bishop said:“I’ve been renewed and am ready for theministry I’ve been called to.”

The multinational SOMA team whichgathered to minister at the Uganda House ofBishops’ and Wives’ retreat travelled toKampala to pray together before embarking on such ministry. They comprised a Nigerianarchbishop and his wife, two Texans andSOMA UK National Director StephenDinsmore, who declared: “We gelled well – no mean feat!”

The team wanted to enable the delegatesto soften their hearts, unbind their wounds andopen themselves, with their spouse, to the HolySpirit, all in the presence of their colleagues.In the context of worship, scripture, prayer andfellowship, the delegates held themselves in astate of open repentance throughout the retreat.

In addition, the wives talked and prayedtogether, developing fellowship, with thearchbishop’s wife taking a welcome lead.

Towards the close, in a moving moment, thebishops reaffirmed their episcopal ordinationvows and, of great spiritual significance, theirvow of allegiance to the archbishop.

“The concern that 72 hours would proveinsufficient proved quite unfounded,” saidStephen.

“The position of bishops’ wives isparticularly challenging as there are hugeexpectations on them, considerable pressuresand little preparation or training when theystart the role – a role which they may neitherhave sought nor chosen.”

The SOMA intercessors were asked to pray that each delegate would focus on their spouse and marriage and not be distracted, also that

there would be transparency and that delegateswould be able to share some of theirchallenges and frailties.

After the retreat, team member Glen toldintercessors: “Please let everyone know theHoly Spirit was amazing today. It was aprivilege to be with these men and women andto be sustained by your prayers.

“At the time of ministry, Stephen expectedto give a talk but, as the worship continuedpreparing them for ministry, the Holy Spiritdescended and we decided to move straightinto ministering to the bishops and their wives.We had a sense that we were to pray for eachindividually to experience the love of God. We prayed for everyone there.

“After that time of ministry, I went to theprayer room with the intercessors and they toldme that they felt that they should pray for eachbishop and their wife, which was the same timewe discerned to pray for all. God is so cool!

“We ended by breaking legacies of thepast, and all the bishops, with their wives aswitnesses, rededicated themselves to theircalling as bishops with a charge to them byArchbishop Kwashi, and ended with all of thempledging and submitting to the leadership ofArchbishop Stanley. Alleluia!”

Bishops and wives reflected: “I have beentransformed, I have forgiveness in my heart, I will take that back”; “I’ve been renewed andam ready for the ministry I’ve been called todo”. “We were blessed.”

Archbishop Stanley told SOMA: “We thankyou for obeying God to come.”

Time for worship during the UgandaHouse of Bishops' and Wives' retreat

Mission in the marketplace, Nakuru

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Team: Archbishop Ben Kwashi, SOMAInternational chair, and Mrs Gloria Kwashi, Nigeria; Stephen Dinsmore, SOMA UK National Director;Glen Petta, SOMA US National Director, andJanina Walker, US; Kate Brankin, intercessors’ coordinator in UK; Archbishop Stanley Ntagali, Uganda.

Joyous worship duringthe Uganda House ofBishops’ and Wives’retreat

PO Box 69, Merriott, TA18 9AP, UK T: +44 (0)1460 279737 E: info@somauk.org W: www.somauk.org

CHARITY NO. 279759

@somauk

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SOMA UKUK Registered Charity No. 279759. UK National Director: Revd Stephen Dinsmore

Finance Administrator: Mr Steve Fincher; Administrator: Mrs Zena Durrant; Patron: Rt Revd Graham Cray

sharing is published by SOMA UK4

‘Now the local team can carry on’ continued from page 1

how relevant it is, but we on the missioncertainly do.”

The first stage of this return mission was inBunia, where witchcraft and public, scandalousimmorality among leaders in the church wererevealed and addressed when SOMA waslast there. The leadership of the diocese isnow far more united, enhanced by theappointment of new archdeacons, andrelationships have improved at all levels of theclergy. Bishop William has since said that Godhas brought people together and many haveexperienced “the touch of His hand”.

The theme of the 30-delegate Buniaconference was Pastoral Counselling, a much-needed ministry in this land of multipletraumas and few trained counsellors. Topicsincluded Healing and Wholeness; Giving Hope;and Establishing a Counselling Team. The small group made it easier for delegates to open up, and they received ministry.

Don said: “The other people we wereconcerned to meet to pray with included thosewith whom the team had had someinvolvement when we were there previously.Unfortunately, not all of them were around

INVITE To invite a SOMA team, email stephen.dinsmore@somauk.orgPRAY Find today’s live prayer nuggeton our website home page; find our fullDaily Prayer Diary via the button there;or receive a “new each morning” prayerrequest from SOMA via Twitter orFacebook. It is upon intercession thatSOMA’s ministry and mission isfounded. SOMA intercessors aresupported by regular, extensive PrayerBriefings and with live, two-way emailswhen teams are on mission. Read moreon our website: click on ‘Prayer andIntercession’; or contact Kate Brankinat intercession@somauk.orgGIVE We really value financial gifts. To resource SOMA’s ministry, go to ourwebsite: click on ‘Get Involved’ then‘Support Us’, or click on the ‘Donate’button at the top of any web page;alternatively, call the office on 01460 279737 or emailsteve.fincher@somauk.orgPARTNER A SOMA Parish MissionPartnership builds a live, activerelationship between your parish andSOMA, inspiring your congregations for Holy Spirit ministry and mission athome as well as abroad. Partnersreceive: Sharing newsletters, ‘Update’with news and information, a SOMA

speaker about once a year; andencouragement to participate ineverything from SOMA missions to ourintercessors’ network. For their part,our partners encourage prayer forSOMA; regularly communicate ournews to their congregations;encourage individuals to get involved inTeams, as intercessors and supporters;and seek to support SOMA financially,when they can. Visit our website – click on ‘Get Involved’ then ‘ParishMission Partners’ – emailstephen.dinsmore@somauk.org or call 01460 279737.

TEAM For an ‘application to beconsidered for a SOMA Team’, simplycontact SOMA via email, Facebook,Twitter, phone or post. Read more onour website: click on ‘Join a Team’. We look forward to hearing from you!

FUTURE MISSIONS include:

South Sudan Rejaf & WondurubaUganda Kinkiizi IDR Congo Nord KivuKenya Maseno South YouthTanzania RoryaUganda East Rwenzori Sierra Leone FreetownSouth Sudan Kajo-KejiDR Congo Kasai

GET INVOLVED

during the time of our visit. It is clear that ifthey have a real intention of renouncing whatthey have been involved with, they are goingto need long-term ministry. We continue topray for these folk.”

The conference concluded with a re-commissioning, each delegate receiving a certificate.

The team used a similar format for thesubsequent parallel conference in Boga,entitled Making God’s Kingdom Visible, inwhich a highlight was team member Hellen’sfrank teaching on relationships, tacklingnecessary but intimate topics in an amusingand unforgettable way, leading to questionssuch as: “What do we do if our husbandconstantly refuses?”

After Communion on the final morning, the delegates received certificates and were re-commissioned by the bishop. As manypeople had been affected by spiritual warfare,including witchcraft, or trapped by unforgivensin, the team invited people to bring to theoffertory pieces of paper representing theissues they wanted to pass to the Lord. Many responded, and the congregation

Women delegates at Bunia

SOMA UKCONFERENCE 12-14 May 2015Join SOMA intercessors, team members, ParishMission Partners, supporters and staff as wegather for fellowship, to pray, worship, share,learn, reflect, be refreshed by the Spirit andmeet others involved with the vision, missionand ministry of SOMA.

Guests include intercessor Pauline Shepherdand worship leader Julie Dunn, with time to hearteam members and intercessors share theirexperience and insight from recent missions.

Venue: High Leigh Conference Centre,Hoddesdon, Herts, EN11 8SG.

We start with lunch at 1pm on Tuesday 12 May and conclude after lunch on Thursday14 May. Accommodation is in en-suite roomswith full board, cost £158 per head.

For full details and a booking form, call the SOMA office on 01460 279737, email zena.durrant@somauk.org or go towww.somauk.org and click on UK Conference.

gathered outside to pray and witness the papersbeing burned after the service.

A meeting to review the situation at CitéChurch in Bunia agreed that it is better to have asmaller church which is spiritually fit, than a largerone with serious compromises.

Team member Helen said: “It was extremelyencouraging to hear of great improvements in CitéChurch since last November’s mission when manynegative issues were confronted, and to see thebishop leading with great courage and authority;but it was also disappointing to find some keypersonnel hadn’t followed through on theircommitment to change.

“At the end of the mission, Bishop Williamalso echoed what we would always hope, that‘SOMA can’t keep coming back; it’s time for thelocal team to carry on’. I felt that was a mostencouraging outcome after three missions.”

Team: Leader Revd Don Brewin, Helen Doery, UK:Revd Canon John Awodi, Revd Canon Dr JohnMagumba, Revd Canon Hellen Oneka, and RevdCanon Captain Fanuel Onzima CA, Uganda;intercessor coordinators Helen and RichardSalmon; Bishop William Bahemuka.