dispatch: summer 2013

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People at theheart of mission:

individuals serving God through Mission Africa

www.missionafrica.org.uk

SUMMER 2013

Dispatch

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People at theheart of mission

We are able to do so because we have many people behind us, who, convinced of the truth of the Gospel, suppor t us through prayer and giving; and we are

able to do so because God has called cer tain

people to serve him overseas. It’s on these individuals that we focus in this edition - the people who have been called to go with the Gospel.

At a time when focus in the

western church is often slipping away

from the sending of long term missionaries, we see the tremendous need for long term workers. Undeniably, shor t term mission can be considerably valuable - and we have a thriving shor t term programme.

However, in terms of impact, nothing can compare to someone taking time to settle into a new culture, learning the local language, understanding the people and earning their trust. For over 125 years, Mission

Africa has been sending people out to do just this, and the fruit of this approach has been seen in thriving church life in Nigeria and Burkina Faso today.

I am struck by the unfor tunate trend that the number of people in the west who are volunteering for missionary service has been steadily diminishing, whilst the need for long term missionary personnel in Africa is growing.

Each and every time I go to Africa, our par tner churches point out the urgent need for personnel. If anyone imagines that the need for missionaries has ended, they must think again.

Within Mission Africa we have a need to send personnel to the Francophone countries where we work, and we are encouraging our suppor ters to make this need a matter of daily prayer. There is an open door of oppor tunity to make Christ known in French-speaking Africa, but the workers are too few.

People are at the very heart of Mission Africa. We are not a mission that is focussed on bricks and mortar

projects. Rather, we exist to bring the saving love of Jesus Christ to the people of Africa.

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In Nigeria, we have a need for someone to spearhead our Fulani evangelistic ministry, not to mention the long-standing need for medical personnel at Holley Hospital.

I hope that reading the prof iles of our current missionaries will be an encouragement to you. Pray that God will speak into the hear ts and minds of more people and lead them into our work, so that we can better meet the needs of Africa. You can be our ambassadors - make these needs widely known for us. And, dare I say it, perhaps give some thought as to whether or not YOU might be the answer to our prayers, because it might be you that God is calling!

In Christ,

Rev. Dr Paul Bailie,Chief Executive Email:

[email protected]

For more info: http://www.missionafrica.org.uk/contact-us

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Paul grew up near Glenwherry, Co Antrim, in a Christian home. Although he gave his life to Christ when he was young, it wasn’t until he began studying Geography at the University of Ulster that he became more conf ident in his faith. His interest in mission in Africa grew after volunteering for teams to Kenya and Tanzania. He became involved in the ministry of Mission Africa on a spor ts team to Nigeria in 2009. It was through this that he f irst met Lesley Ann. Paul studied par t time at Belfast Bible College, and worked for several years as a service engineer and warehouse manager, based in Ballymena.

Lesley Ann, from Kilkeel, Co Down, gave her live to Christ in her childhood, having grown up in a Christian home, with good teaching and guidance. Following a Mission Africa Step Team in 2004, Lesley Ann was clearly called by God to return to Nigeria for a GAP year placement, which, in the end, lasted two years. She then returned to Northern Ireland to study, and in 2010 graduated from Queen’s University, Belfast, as a Children’s Nurse. During

Africa is familiar territory for the McAuleys. They took part in several short term mission trips to Nigeria, before going

to serve there full time.

her years of study Lesley Ann made several shor t visits to Nigeria, including a nursing placement in a hospital in the city of Jos. After graduation, Lesley Ann practiced as a Staff Nurse in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Paul and Lesley Ann were married in May 2011, and with a joint desire to serve God in Africa were accepted by Mission Africa for long term service in Nigeria.

Paul and Lesley Ann’s ministry is based at Holley Memorial Hospital in the village of Ochadamu in Kogi State. Paul assists with the practical needs of the hospital and is involved in the maintenance of the buildings and medical equipment.

Lesley Ann uses her nursing skills to care for the health needs of children admitted to the hospital. She also strives to pray and share with patients about their spiritual needs. Through her work on the wards Lesley Ann aims to promote an improved standard of care and infection control. She occasionally runs staff training sessions, and in the future may

Paul & Lesley AnnMcAuley

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teach nursing students in the School of Nursing.

Outside of the hospital, both Paul and Lesley Ann work alongside others in the community to help share God’s love and compassion with children and young people. They run a children’s club on Sunday afternoons and a youth programme one afternoon a week.

There are also oppor tunities to help with practical and medical related tasks with the ADVANCE and Circle of Hope projects in nearby Ogugu; they give suppor t to many people, including vulnerable children, orphans and those living with HIV/AIDS.

Email:[email protected]@missionafrica.org.uk

For more info: http://missionafrica.org.uk/missionaries/28

As their roles continue to develop, Paul hopes to branch out into a prison ministry in the Idah region. Lesley Ann is also making plans to fur ther develop the work among sick children within the local community, par ticularly targeting those suffering from malnutrition.

Paul & Lesley Ann are currently back in the UK after the bir th of their f irst child, Joshua, in April 2013.

Paul & Lesley Ann are currently back in the UK after the bir th of their f irst child, Joshua, in April

2013. While in Nigeria, they minister in nursing care &

maintenance at Holley Hospital in Ochadamu

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CampbellHamilton

With past experience in lecturing in Nigeria and in Christian bookselling, Campbell helps with the ACTS literature

ministry and represents Mission Africa in churches and at mission events.

Both Campbell and his wife, Sally Ann, can testify to God’s faithfulness over the years. In good times and hard they have known the ongoing love and care of Jesus.

Campbell has been married to Sally Ann since 1991; they have two grown up children, Nathaniel and Caitlin.

Campbell came to faith in Christ at a small Gospel Hall in Belfast. He grew spiritually through the work of UCCF and IFES Ireland during his days as a student. In the mid 1980s he felt God calling him to Bible teaching. He has also spent several years working in the Christian book trade in Belfast.

Sally Ann gave her life to Christ at a young age. She spent time in her late teens with London City Mission, before going to Belfast Bible College, where she met Campbell.

From 1997, Campbell, Sally Ann, Nathaniel and Caitlin spent almost seven years at Samuel Bill Theological College (SBTC) in Nigeria, where Campbell

lectured and for two years fulf illed the role of Provost of the College. It was during this time that the William Leach Memorial Library was built at SBTC through the kind provision of Mission Africa suppor ters.

Since then Campbell and Sally Ann have settled back in Belfast, where they continue to serve God in a variety of ways.

Campbell’s time is divided between the work of Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) and Mission Africa.

With ACTS, his experience in theological education and Christian bookselling helps him in the work of ordering literature from a range of publishers, while his many years of preaching and deputation have equipped him for the role of informing churches and other groups about Mission Africa and its ministries.

Campbell also enjoys a number of teaching oppor tunities in local Bible Colleges. His passion is to help people understand the Bible and to see that mission

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Email:[email protected]


is at the very hear t of God’s revelation of Himself to the world.

Sally Ann is par t time administrator at her church.

Campbell works with Africa Christian Textbooks

(ACTS), one of Mission Africa’s par tners. As a gifted

speaker, he represents Mission Africa at church

and mission events.

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Charles & RuthBeattie

Involved in peace building in the city of Jos, Charles and Ruth are encouraged by seeing Christians displaying God’s

love to their Muslim neighbours.

provide for their families. Ruth felt that such a programme could be a useful tool in the peace making process by bringing women from both sides of the community together. BRiCC also made it compulsory for trainees to undergo classes on peace education.

At present they run two courses - one on catering, the other on home-made natural cosmetics.

“The idea behind the skills programme is to bring Christian and Muslim women together to form relationships while also meeting their practical needs,” explained Ruth.

“But ultimately our aim at BRiCC is to reach out to people with the love of Christ, by trying to live as peace makers in a place which has been damaged by hatred and violence.”

One of the highlights of Ruth’s work over the last year has been to witness the growing friendships between Muslim and Christian women who have been par t of the training programmes. One Christian woman who recently completed

When Ruth returned to Jos in January 2012 after an extended time in the UK, she wanted to get involved in peace building in Nigeria. She had initially been thinking about training small groups of women in peace making. However, it became clear that this approach wouldn’t be the best way to engage women in the process. From talking to local women, Ruth realised that a commitment to peace wasn’t the issue. What they needed was a safe place to live it out - somewhere where they could restore and build relationships with each other. And that is where the idea for Building Relationships in the City Centre (BRiCC) came from.

Ruth realised that many of the women in the community had suffered in one way or another because of the 2010 crisis in Jos - when violent clashes broke out between Christians and Muslims. Some women were widowed, while others lost homes and businesses.

The women in the area were crying out for skills development programmes in order to help

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the cosmetics course, confessed how she had once hated Muslims. However, after attending BRiCC, her hear t was changed - one of the Muslim women she trained with is now her best friend.

BRiCC has opened up many oppor tunities to share the love of Christ with Muslim men and women.

“Many of them have been asking questions about Jesus, about our faith, and some of them have asked why we love them so much. We hope and pray that many may come to know Christ personally, the Prince of Peace,” said Ruth.

Recently, one of the women who was put in charge of the training programmes, and who Ruth had been working with for almost a year, shared that before BRiCC had come along, her life had been desperate and that she had lost hope in the meaning of life.

She told Ruth that her husband had been very well off. They both came from wealthy backgrounds and had owned many proper ties. However, her husband had lost all his wealth through a number of broken business contracts. She had then opened up a couple of hairdressing salons to try and earn a living, but with the crisis in Jos she had lost most of her business. She said that at that point, both she and her husband had lost all hope. Despite that, she prayed that God would use her to bring

peace to the community. But she said she didn’t know what to do or where to star t. Then last year, BRiCC opened up premises just a few metres away from her salon. She was one of the f irst women to get involved in BRiCC. She said that it was the answer to her prayers - and that it has given her hope for the future.

It is amazing to think that this woman’s prayer could have been the reason BRiCC is situated where it is - practically on her doorstep.



Ruth and Charles live in Jos and lecture at

JETS Theological Seminary. They are also involved in a pioneering peace and reconciliation project

between Christians and Muslims.

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Billy & LindaAbwa

The Abwas head up several compassionate ministries in Nigeria - working with people affected by HIV/AIDS, and

providing care for hundreds of struggling village children.

are trained to incorporate HIV relevant and Biblically based lifestyle teaching into their church activities. Local HIV coordinators have been trained, and 15 church teams are now reaching their communities with HIV prevention advice and care, and child protection education across Nigeria.

At the Donegore Centre in Ogugu, ADVANCE provides an intensive grass-roots education and social care programme, including the Circle of Hope project for sponsored orphans and vulnerable children. Information and educational materials are a vital par t in suppor ting and resourcing par ticipants and volunteers. By providing attractive and readable materials ADVANCE can reach many people with the message of hope. Billy manages this aspect of the work and is currently working on the ADVANCE website, magazine and posters. The Abwas would like to see ADVANCE’s successful Donegore Centre in Ogugu used as a model for other areas where the level of HIV

Billy and Linda helped establish the joint HIV/AIDS programme for Mission Africa and the United Evangelical Church in Nigeria (UEC)between 2005-2007. The project is now known as ADVANCE Action Against AIDS, and the Abwas continue to direct and manage it. Their responsibilities range from administration, to hands on HIV prevention education and care.

The Abwas are currently working with the leadership of the UEC church to establish the church’s role in the par tnership. One of their hopes for the future of ADVANCE is that it will be fully incorporated into the national church. It is impor tant that the church embraces the programme not just from the ground up, but from the top down.

Billy and Linda believe that ADVANCE’s HIV prevention and care, orphan suppor t, child protection, counselling and pover ty reduction activities are a vital par t of the church’s witness to Nigerians who face many challenges everyday.

ADVANCE impacts people on several levels: church leaders

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infection is high. There are two possible sites: Jahi, a suburb of Abuja, and Kenyahu, a village in the Bassa region which has experienced considerable local conf lict.

The Jahi programme is their current focus - the church that the Abwas go to in Abuja is hoping to plant a church in that area. And Linda is already involved in visiting HIV positive families in Jahi, and is impacting them with on-going Christian counselling and suppor t. One client has entered the pover ty reduction project, and, through contact with ADVANCE, has given her life to Christ.

The ADVANCE ministry is now well established and continues to grow. But there are still challenges ahead, as Linda explains:

“It is our prayer that the church will see the potential and par tner with us fully, and that Mission Africa will send more people in order to take the work into more areas.”

Billy and Linda are based in Abuja, Nigeria.

They head up ADVANCE - an HIV/AIDS prevention and care programme. They also manage the Circle of Hope project, helping to suppor t

orphaned children.



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Pamela & MusaGaiya

Pamela recently celebrated ten years of living and ministering in Nigeria. During that time she has worked

mainly with Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS).

“ACTS is impacting lives!” explained Pamela.

“Just last week someone emailed and said ‘I cannot thank God enough for your ministry’.”

Musa is an Associate of Mission Africa. As a lecturer in Church History at the University of Jos he has a busy timetable with both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This term he is teaching on the Early Church, the Crusades, and f inalising the curriculum for the Religion, Conf lict and Peace course in his depar tment. He has par ticipated in a number of international research collaborations.

Together, Musa and Pamela are grateful to God for giving them good health and spiritual strength. As a family they thank God for their children, Samuel, Luther, Calvin and Gracie.

Musa and Pamela’s prayer is that the Lord will continue to give them a hear t for himself and the work in which they are involved.

After making a commitment to follow Jesus at an early age, Pamela joined Mission Africa in 1993, working as a PA in the Belfast headquar ters. She took par t in the f irst Mission Africa STEP team to Nigeria in 1995. She returned to Nigeria in 2003 with a long term commitment in sight and began working with ACTS in Jos.

ACTS has played a signif icant role in Pamela’s ministry in Nigeria. Star ting as their Administrative Secretary she

went on to help in the Publishing Depar tment.

Now most of her time is spent

editing and formatting manuscripts, mostly from African authors. She is also involved

in revising and updating the

ACTS catalogue.

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While studying African Linguistics at university in the Netherlands, Ana never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would one day end up working as a missionary in Burkina Faso. She grew up in a quiet Dutch farming village, and although her parents were Christians she didn’t come to know God herself until her f inal year at university.

“It was during a sermon on John 1:14 that the Lord opened my hear t and made me understand

that grace is a free gift, abundantly available

for all,” recalled Ana.

After her studies, Ana moved to the UK to work for the NHS as a clinical risk

coordinator. She was

enjoying a good

She thought she had everything all planned out. But her life changed direction when God spoke to her. Today, Ana works

with a local church in rural Burkina Faso.

salary and f inancial freedom. All that changed, though, when a representative from Mission Africa spoke at her church.

“I didn’t like it very much, as it just didn’t coincide with the plans I had in mind for the immediate future,” she confessed.

But God continued to speak to Ana, and she eventually went to French–speaking Burkina Faso with Mission Africa in 2008.

Ana lives in the rural village of Legmoin, where most people come from the Dagara tribe. She works with local believers in an already well established church. Her ministry focuses on training, mentoring and discipleship, mainly among women. She is involved in teaching women, organising youth clubs and Sunday Schools and conducting shor t Bible studies in the surrounding villages. Recently, some local girls asked her to help them study the Bible together.

Ana’s vision is to develop training material and Christian literature for the church and local Dagara believers.

BURKINAFASO

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Ana van Brakel



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Gail & GodwinEkanem

With God’s hand clearly directing their paths, Gail and Godwin now help college students in Nigeria understand

the Bible in an African context.

(SBTC). It was there that she met Godwin, and two years later they married.

Godwin comes from southern Nigeria. In the very same year that Gail became a Christian, Godwin, too, gave his life to Christ at a Scripture Union camp.

Years later his call to ministry became clear when he had the same dream night after night.

“In this dream I was preaching to a mixed congregation of people from different nations, both black and white,” he remembered.

Godwin eventually completed a degree at SBTC. And after a brief time managing an ACTS bookshop on the college campus, he and Gail moved from SBTC and took up positions as lecturers at the Peter Achimugu College of Theology (PACT) in 2001.

Today, Godwin is also Dean of Student Affairs - a pastoral role caring for the spiritual and practical needs of students. He takes responsibility for ensuring that water is available on the

Gail comes from Co. Wexford in Ireland, where she was a primary school teacher for many years. In 1989 she became disillusioned with her life and, after reading a book called Approaching Easter, experienced God in a new way.

“I realised how much God loved me. I knew he was real as he had answered the cry of my hear t,” she recalled.

She continued teaching with a new sense of vibrancy, and soon began to want to serve God more fully. Gail took a career break to study at Belfast Bible College for a year. But one year became two, and then four. In the end she graduated with a MTh, but wasn’t sure what the next step would be.

“Despite applying for many positions, nothing opened up. God has his ways of getting us where he wants us,” she confessed.

And so, after talking to a former Mission Africa missionary plans star ted moving towards working in Africa. In 1999 Gail left for Nigeria to teach at Samuel Bill Theological College

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Gail and Godwin are based at PACT

theological college in Ankpa, Nigeria, where they have both been lecturing

since 2001. Godwin is Dean of Student Affairs. Gail is

studying for a PhD.

college compound, which is not as easy as it might sound. Godwin and Gail live and work among the PACT college community made up of staff, their families, and approximately sixty students.

As well as teaching, Gail is pursuing a PhD. Godwin still has a hand in ACTS, and tries to encourage Ubong Solomon, the branch manager at Uyo in Akwa Ibom State - Godwin’s home state. Gail and Godwin’s biggest impact is in the classroom, as they interact with their students.

“It is a joy and privilege to work with those who have an inf luence in their own communities,” they explained.

“We trust that we are helping them to better understand God’s word, to be able to handle it accurately, and to encourage them also to live lives that attract others to the Saviour.”

From time to time the Ekanems have seen evidence that some of the things they teach are being taken on board, and they are

hearing more balanced sermons as a result.

Gail hopes that her book on 12 women in the Bible will soon be in print; she would like to devote more time to writing after completing her PhD.

“We both hope to continue to be able to make a difference through our teaching and preaching ministries, wherever God places us. We also hope to impact lives in practical ways as God guides us,” they said.

Email:[email protected] [email protected]


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SamanthaSeed

Samantha plays an important role in the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS), which runs teaching and training

programmes for tens of thousands teenagers in Nigeria.

“Some families have told us that after going to a seminar we organised their relationships have changed for the better. Their children are opening up to them, and they are enjoying their marriage more.”

God’s plan is being fulf illed; married couples are remaining faithful to each other; teenagers are avoiding risky sexual behaviour; and the risk of HIV transmission is declining.

FCS also creates and publishes training material, and Samantha has been involved in developing some of this, aimed specif ically at children and university students. These resources can have a big inf luence on the lives of children and young people, enabling them to study at home on their own or be taught by their parents. The materials are also useful in situations where students are isolated and cannot attend a programme. It is often the case that Muslim students read these materials.

Samantha has also been involved in some research into the attitudes of young people and on the needs of orphans and vulnerable children.

Samantha has been working in the AIDS and Family Life Development Depar tment at the Fellowship of Christian Students headquar ters in Jos since 2010.

She is involved in organising and facilitating the training of pastors, school teachers, youth workers, and student leaders in a variety of subjects, which include HIV/AIDS awareness, life skills, working with orphans and vulnerable children, facilitation skills, project management and family life development. It is hoped that the training provided, in par ticular the HIV/AIDS awareness and Lifeskills programmes, will help empower young people to live healthy lives which please God.

The training has a huge impact - par ticipants learn new skills which they can apply to their own life and that of their family.

“We have had many stories from young people who, after attending one of our programmes, have made a commitment to stop their risky behaviour and live as God has called them to,” explained Samantha.

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Samantha plans to continue helping to develop the recently launched women’s ministry in FCS. She also hopes to assist with a suppor t network for school girls, providing a place where they feel they are accepted.

Since 2010 Samantha has been

working in the AIDS and Family Life Development

Depar tment at FCS in Jos. She is involved in research

and helps to facilitate training on HIV and AIDS awareness.



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Ruth & DonaldGarvie

Donald and Ruth are Mission Africa’s newest recruits. They hope to be involved in theological education in Nigeria, and

are currently seeking people to partner with them.

education in Nigeria. They plan to serve at the Peter Achimugu College of Theology (PACT) in Ankpa, Kogi State. PACT is a college of the United Evangelical Church, helping to equip pastors at various stages in their training.

Donald hopes to look after the college library and teach some theological courses. As well as home schooling the children and managing family life, Ruth plans to explore oppor tunities for Bible teaching and ministry among women and children.

After meeting at university, Donald and Ruth were married in 2002. They moved to Bangor in Northern Ireland in 2007. Since then, Donald has worked in the library at Union Theological College in Belfast. Ruth has been busy looking after their three children – Samuel (2008), Beth (2010) and Matthew (2012).

For several years, Donald has had a desire to serve the global church in some way, but did not know what role he might have. However, the oppor tunity of working in a theological college has convinced him of the great

Donald was born in Glasgow, but spent most of his childhood living in the Scottish Highlands. He grew up in a Christian family and trusted in Jesus at an early age. Scripture Union camps played a big par t in his Christian growth, both as a camper and then as a leader. Donald went on to study at the University of Aberdeen, and after graduating in 2001, he spent a year studying at the Highland Theological College. Back in Aberdeen, he continued theological studies and completed a diploma in librarianship.

Ruth was born in Belfast and grew up in a home where the Bible was believed. Her father’s call to ministry in County Tyrone challenged her own faith and how it should be lived out. Ruth’s time at Aberdeen University and a year working with UCCF gave her oppor tunities to study the Bible with those seeking to know God better. Ruth under took a PGCE in Primary Education and taught in the nor th east of Scotland for three years.

Donald and Ruth hope to be involved in Mission Africa’s strategic ministry of theological

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potential of good theological education. The signif icance of this work in strengthening the church and transforming communities in Nigeria, has challenged him to serve in this way.

Ruth’s love for learning encouraged her to delve deeper into God’s word for the answers to life’s big questions. God used this to increase her understanding of his mission to the world. Shor t term mission trips and meeting with missionaries challenged her ideas of those ‘sent’ overseas. The ordinariness of their lives helped her realise that mission is something all Christians are par t of, whether going or sending. Ruth’s career choices were made with mission in mind, though not feeling drawn to one par ticular people group or country.

Over the past few years, God has increased Donald and Ruth’s desire to be of use - putting their skills into action. They feel cer tain that this specif ic invitation to suppor t Nigerian ministry students with Mission Africa is par t of God’s unfolding plan for their lives.

Donald hopes to look after the PACT college library and teach some

theology courses. Ruth plans to explore oppor tunities for

ministry among women and children.



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Richard & LauraMorrison

Employing their skills in engineering and AIDS/HIV awareness, Richard and Laura are making an impact on the

small rural village of Ogugu, Nigeria.

- computerising records and introducing new assessment criteria.

Since arriving in Nigeria in 2012, Richard has also been involved in a building project in Ogugu. He drew up plans for a Skills Acquisition Centre which will provide training in tailoring, computers and catering. Together with staff member, Victor, Richard has been managing the building project, which is now at the roof ing stage.

Richard has also been taking oppor tunities to preach in the local churches and to speak at various conferences.

Laura has been teaching a Lifeskills programme in some of the local secondary schools.The programme aims to equip and empower young people to make informed decisions for themselves about how they live. It includes topics such as peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and love, lust and relationships. All of them are taught in the knowledge that each person is unique and created in the image of a loving and powerful God.

Richard and Laura are currently working with ADVANCE Action Against AIDS, and are based at the Donegore Centre in Ogugu, about six hours drive from the Nigerian capital, Abuja.

Richard co-ordinates the Circle of Hope (COH) child sponsorship programme, which provides educational, nutritional, health and spiritual suppor t for around 170 orphans and vulnerable children.

Each week, Richard leads Bible studies for the COH children in three of the local primary schools. On Saturdays, he organises activities for both junior and senior children; the programme includes singing, learning verses from the Bible, quizzes, Bible stories and games.

There are many responsibilities involved in managing the COH project - ensuring that school fees and medical bills are paid, as well as arranging and distributing rice and beans to families four times a year.

Richard is seeking to improve the procedures and organisation of the programme

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Laura has also been getting involved in the Donegore Centre HIV suppor t group, helping those in the local community who are HIV positive. During the monthly sessions she delivers health talks and leads Bible studies. Laura has also had the oppor tunity to co-facilitate two day training events in some of the surrounding villages. It is a great oppor tunity to get HIV prevention messages out there.

The Single Sisters Fellowship was an oppor tunity that presented itself at the beginning of the year, and has given Laura the chance to meet young women in the church and help lead them in studying the Bible. The girls are an encouragement and are willing to learn.

Richard and Laura will be returning to the UK later this year to have a baby. They plan to go back to Ogugu in the spring of 2014.



The Morrisons live in

the village of Ogugu. Richard helps run the

Circle of Hope sponsorship project for orphans, and is involved in building a new skills centre for the

community. Laura delivers HIV/AIDS awareness

training.

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Hallur & ShinoMortensen

The Mortensens spent two years in Nigeria - Hallur was a lecturer at PACT theological college, while Shino was

involved in the local church. They are currently on a year’s study leave.

with Mission Africa in the area of theological education. They were convinced that the training of local pastors and leaders was impor tant for the growth and health of the church in Nigeria. In their time with Mission Africa the Mortensens have been living in Ankpa in Kogi State. Hallur has been teaching at the Peter Achimugu College of Theology (PACT), mostly in the area of Biblical Studies. Many of the students who come to the college have years of experience in leading a church, but have not had the oppor tunity to study the Bible more formally.

“We believe that this is a very strategic ministry because it can impact, not only the current students, but also their churches,” suggested Hallur.

“This not only gives us a great oppor tunity but also a great responsibility. The only way to have a sure foundation and to stand against false teaching is to have Biblical training, and we hope that our service along with others will contribute to this end.”

Hallur comes from the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic. Before joining Mission African he was studying theology in Scotland, f irst at International Christian College (ICC), and then at St Andrews and Edinburgh. It was during this time that he heard about Mission Africa. Prior to studying in Scotland, Hallur had been working with Operation Mobilisation (OM) in London. Shino is from the Kanagawa area of Japan, and was also able to study at ICC for three years. Prior to this, she served on the OM missionary ship, the MV Doulos, for two years. Shino was a nurse in Japan before joining OM.

The Mortensens have two girls, Kano (3) and Nana (1). They have lived in Africa for most of their lives and have adapted well to life there. They have enjoyed the freedom of being able to play in the sand and chase chickens around the yard. In their f inal year in Glasgow Shino and Hallur had to make a decision about their future. God convinced them to work

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Meanwhile, God opened the door for Shino to be involved in their local church. She star ted teaching a group of around 30 young teenagers in Sunday School, and encouraged them to build up their personal relationship with Jesus. It has been a good challenge for her to accept the cultural differences and come closer to the young people. As an additional aspect to their ministry, the Mortensens have been agents of Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS) and were able to set up a small bookshop in their house. They consider this to be an important ministry, because many of the students do not ever have the chance to lay their hands on good theological books that will help them in their future ministry.

The Mortensens also put a lot of effor t in improving the PACT library, and are grateful for the many generous donations they received. They believe that the books that they were able to purchase will be very well used. Hallur and Shino are currently on Home Assignment in Japan. They have been given study leave for one year, during which time they will be heading to Durham, England, where Hallur will complete the f irst year of a PhD in the New Testament.

Hallur and Shino have been living in Nigeria

since 2010. Hallur was a lecturer at PACT theological college. Shino was involved in

the local church. They are currently on study leave

for a year.



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Dawn & FraserJackson

The Jacksons arrived in Nigeria a year ago, and already they have been busily involved in peace making efforts in Jos, and helping to modernise the library at TCNN theological college.

friendship as people are brought together.

Dawn’s role at present is to help keep things going and be an encouragement and listening ear to the Nigerians who will eventually take the lead. In a city riven by conf lict it is most encouraging to see the hope BRiCC has brought.

Dawn is also getting involved in promoting creative thinking to teachers, being the off icial letter writer and regularly attending poetry events.

As well as working with BRiCC, learning Hausa and attending to the family, Dawn works on publications for Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS). There is a great need for Christian books which address issues that are relevant to the church in Nigeria.

Fraser is gradually getting to grips with the library at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), and is attempting to make progress in a number of different ways. At the most basic level, there is a need to introduce better organisation to the book and

Dawn is involved in Building Relationships in the City Centre (BRiCC), bringing Christians and Muslims together, and responding to the needs of both communities.

“What’s great about BRiCC is that all the programmes, which include education, women’s skills training, health, spor t and the ar ts, are all suggested by the communities,” said Dawn.

“Missionaries try to stick to a facilitating role, not insisting that ‘we know what you need’, and attempt to show the love of Christ by actions and attitudes. Some of the Muslims say that they like coming to BRiCC because of the peace they experience there.”

BRiCC is impacting lives in practical ways by helping children and adults with their maths, English and computing; women are taught new ways to earn a living; and two men have been given jobs driving the BRiCC kekes (three wheeled taxis). But most impor tantly is the effect BRICC has on the attitudes of Christians to Muslims and vice versa. Fear and hostility are being replaced by

NIGERIA

EQUIPPING

25

journal stock held in the library.In addition, there is a pressing need to develop the stock, and begin to purchase new books and up-to-date journals.

Beyond the print-based work, Fraser is also looking at ways of digitising the library. This includes subscribing to online theological journals, identifying the most cost-effective way of bringing internet access to the library, installing a computer network, and creating training materials for staff and students.

Fraser is also enjoying various oppor tunities to educate students and others in the potential of using digital tools to assist theological study.

“Every day we thank God that he has given us the privilege of serving him in Nigeria,” confessed Fraser and Dawn.

“We truly feel that we are where he wants us to be and doing the things he wants us to do. Life here is frustrating at times but fulf illing as we try to follow where he leads.”

Fraser and Dawn are using their exper tise to serve the church in

Nigeria. Dawn is involved in peace and reconciliation in Jos. Fraser is one of the

librarians at TCNN theological college.



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Roy & JaneJones

After spending eight years in Chad working in medical mission and evangelism, Roy and Jane are back in the UK.

They now hope to visit the country regularly to continue supporting the work in which they were involved.

The nurses are trained both in medical care and evangelism.

The f irst is in the capital, N’Djaména, and is very busy. It is currently operating from a rented mud-brick building. Land has been purchased nearby, but funds are needed to construct a new dispensary.

The second is in a town populated mostly by Muslims, and is strategically placed to reach out to both the sedentary population and visiting nomads. The senior nurse is enthusiastic to seize this oppor tunity. There is also a primary school run by local Christians in the dispensary compound, which is proving very popular with local parents from all backgrounds. The classrooms are in a dilapidated mud-building and in adjoining thatched-walled rooms.

Over the past two years Roy and Jane have been heavily involved with a Korean NGO, Good Neighbors, working in Chad. They hope to continue community health training with representatives from the villages they are helping, and also teaching the staff at Kaliwa

Jane and Roy recently returned to the UK after ministering in Chad for eight years. They have mixed feelings - on the one hand they are sad to leave behind many friends, and are disappointed that they have not been able to continue longer with cer tain projects. But on the other hand, they believe that the time is right for them to return to the UK.

The Jones are glad of the oppor tunity to see more of their family and to have a greater involvement in Gillingham Baptist Church. At present they are still seeking God as to what the principal focus of their ministry should be. Roy hopes to spend time in creative writing and continuing a theological correspondence course.

Roy and Jane’s expectation is that they would be able to visit Chad once or twice a year for about a month each time. This would give them the oppor tunity to encourage their par tners in the medical dispensaries with which they have been involved. Two of these are church clinics and are in great need of new buildings.

UKCHAD

MEDICAL

27

where Good Neighbors has been suppor ting the dispensary.

The Jones are also keen to suppor t a believer who runs a learning centre in N’Djaména. He has been operating this on a shoestring, so they would like to help him improve the classrooms, library and computer suite, and will be encouraging suppor ters to contribute f inancially to these projects.

Finally, and very impor tantly, Roy and Jane plan to continue to pray and publicise Chad, in the hope that God will raise up more people to minister in the country with Mission Africa.

Roy and Jane are back in the UK

after spending 8 years in Chad involved in medical work and evangelism. In the future they hope to

make regular visits to the country to encourage and suppor t believers

there.



28

LynseyBell

Lynsey has a heart for children with special educational needs. She uses her skills in speech therapy to help kids who

feel isolated as they struggle to be understood.

“Thank God that the children at Open Doors have been given hope and an oppor tunity to get specialist help and suppor t. For a few of the children though, Open Doors is the only place where they can go. When they return home, sadly, they are locked up in their rooms until the next school day, and some are even sedated,” she said.

Lynsey has been asked to help with a suppor t group for parents of children with Cerebral Palsy, and plans to begin another group for Autism sufferers - something she is passionate about.

She hopes to use Christian author, Max Lucado’s book, You Are Special because I Made You and I Don’t Make Mistakes, with both the children and parents.

Two days a week, Lynsey works at the Gyero Care Centre, with Emmanuel, a teenage boy who was rescued in 2010 from living wild in the jungle. He had no human interaction for 13 years, and it is quite likely that he was raised by monkeys. Emmanuel is not able to speak and is constantly learning how to interact with humans.

Lynsey works with Uncle Jim at the Open Doors Special Education Centre in Jos, helping children who have speech and language diff iculties. Most of the children she works with have been diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, Downs Syndrome or Autism.

“Following their progress and witnessing even the smallest achievement brings such joy! We thank God for these moments!” beamed Lynsey.

When Lynsey recently returned to Nigeria, she was asked to help four children suffering from severe Cerebral Palsy. She takes these children for sensory therapy. Each of them has very little or no control over their muscles, but they all respond in their own way to a cer tain sense or sound.

Lynsey also tries to work with the children’s parents to suppor t and encourage them. There are many misconceptions in Africa about people with disabilities, especially Autism, which is often mistaken as possession by evil spirits. Many people with disabilities end up on the streets or in care homes.

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29

Lynsey has just begun using a communication method with him which was f irst designed for mute Autistic children. Emmanuel may not ever be able to speak, but God protected him for many years in the jungle.

“It’s clear that God has a big plan for this precious boy and I always pray that someday, God will loosen his tongue so that he can tell his own story!” insisted Lynsey.

Lynsey’s vision for the future is to begin an outreach to raise awareness about Autism, and help people understand it from a Christian perspective.

Lynsey has been living in Jos since

2011. She has a hear t for children with special

educational needs, and works par t time at both the Open Doors Special Educational

Centre and the Gyero Care Centre.



30

JeremyNash

Before returing to the UK in 2010, the Nashes were succesful church planters among the Daraga people in the rural south

of Burkina Faso.

“The need is huge and we are reaching only a very small percentage of children. I would like to see this grow in the years to come.”

While in Africa, Jeremy continues to run a Poor Fund to help with people’s practical needs. He is able to assist nearly 50 children with their school fees, all of whom have either been orphaned or are disadvantaged; they would otherwise not be able to get an education.

The Fund also helps local churches, through subsidising student fees at Bible Schools and aiding building projects.

When Jeremy is back in the UK, he represents Mission Africa at various mission events. He par ticularly likes Soul Survivor and Momentum, and any student events.

“Young people have their lives before them and sometimes haven’t even considered missionary work as an option,” explained Jeremy.

“It’s the most amazing and fulf illing vocation anyone could have and I think it’s incredibly

Jeremy and his wife, Rachel, have served with Mission Africa since 1996. After spending their f irst year of marriage in language preparation in Paris, they moved to Burkina Faso, and the mainly French speaking town of Legmoin.

Over the years they helped establish many new churches among the Dagara people. They were involved in preaching, evangelising and training church leaders in rural villages, often using the Jesus f ilm as an effective tool.

“People were open to the Gospel and many of them came to the Lord. A dozen or more churches were established,” recalled Jeremy.

“Now I still go back to Burkina Faso two or three times a year to continue reaching school children using Bible correspondence courses. This gets ordinary Christians active in sharing their faith through marking the courses and running Bible clubs. It’s an effective way to reach children with the Good News,” he continued.

UKBURKINA

FASO

EVANGELISM

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Jeremy Nash is Mission Africa’s

England Region Mobiliser. He regularly travels to

Burkina Faso to distribute Bible courses in schools and engage in village

evangelism, showing the Jesus f ilm.



sad that many people who God has called to missionary work never get to serve him.”

“It is easy to be fearful, or put other things f irst, such as career, marriage or home. Too many get side-tracked and forget Jesus’s words: ‘Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.’ (Luke 9:24)”

“I hope to bring that challenge, remind people of the truth and help them to step out in obedience to God’s call on their lives to experience for themselves ‘his good, pleasing and perfect will’.”

32

Though now based in Belfast, Sid continues to serve several key Mission Africa ministries. His desire is to strengthen the church through theological education, and book distribution and publishing, as well as equipping others in the task of reaching those still unreached, such as the nomadic Fulani people.

Sid looks back with praise to God for his faithfulness over the years. Growing up in strong Christian home, he gave his life to Christ at an early age. After studies at Queen’s University, Belfast, Sid continued preparations for ministry at Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia.

From 1978 Sid served as a pastor with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. God also used Sid and Jean to star t the pro–life movement, LIFE (NI).

In 1987, responding to God’s call, Sid and Jean went to Nigeria with their three young children. Sid taught f irst in Samuel Bill Theological College (SBTC) and then at the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN),

Sid and his wife, Jean, served the Lord in Nigeria for 23 years and were involved in theological education, as well as

ground-breaking ministries in literature and AIDS awareness training.

becoming Deputy Provost in 1991. He was awarded his doctorate in missions six years later. Hundreds of his former students are now in churches, schools, and Bible colleges across Nigeria. Sid endeavours to keep in touch with them, offering advice so that they will continue to be equipped for the challenges of ministry in Africa today.

Sid is one of the founders of a strategic ministry known as Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS), supplying relevant and affordable evangelical Christian books to church leaders in Africa. With an emphasis on theological books, ACTS has twelve book shops in key seminaries or cities across Nigeria and Kenya.

Increasingly ACTS is involved in giving a voice to African authors through in-house publications, as well co-publishing with other African publishers and Langham Literature through the Hippo Books imprint.

In his role as Director of ACTS, Sid regularly travels to Nigeria and Kenya to

Sid Garland

UK NIGERIA

EQUIPPING

33

train and encourage leaders there. He helped star t the Theological Education in Africa (TEA) Conference in Jos with the purpose of training and equipping theological educators across Nigeria and beyond. He continues to be par t of the TEA Committee. Sid is also involved in the Mission Africa Friends of Fulani Committee, as well as the ACTS UK Committee.

Sid serves as Director of Africa

Christian Textbooks (ACTS) - providing quality theological resources for pastors and students. He

travels regularly to Nigeria to encourage church

leaders there.



34

Mission AfricaCouncil

Eleanor IngramChairwoman of the Council. Eleanor is a retired secondary school teacher, and taught at Ochaja Girls School in Nigeria with Mission Africa in the 1980s.

Leslie FleckRetired from the Physics Depar tment at Queen’s University in Belfast.

Simon HamiltonEngaged in full time ministry at Moira Presbyterian Church.

Caroline BustardA pharmacist, Caroline is a member of Friends of Ochadamu, and visits Holley Hospital regularly.

Rev. Stephen CarsonA retired Presbyterian minister, Stephen is now Pastoral Assistant in High Kirk, Ballymena.

Gloria KearneyA former Mission Africa missionary to Nigeria, Gloria is a retired school teacher.

Dr Simon JohnsonA gastro-intestinal consultant at the City Hospital in Belfast.

Maxwell BlairA retired bank manager, Maxwell is honorary Treasurer of Mission Africa.

Naomi GowanA solicitor in Belfast, Naomi is originally from Co Fermanagh.

Dr Charles McKibbenA retired GP. Charlie served as a medical missionary with Mission Africa in Nigeria.

Trevor McIlroyA Human Resources manager in the NHS, Trevor is a church elder.

35

Office & Supportstaff

Darren VaughanCommunicationsDarren looks after publications, media and the website for Mission Africa. He’s a former radio journalist with the BBC and spent nine years working in youth and children’s ministry in Spain.

Ian McCammonUK ProjectsA former National Director of Interserve Ireland, Ian is a qualif ied accountant. He spent f ive years in Bolivia with Latin Link working in discipleship and teaching.

Robbie ToopScotland MobiliserRobbie grew up in Thailand. He’s a former National Director of WEC in New Zealand, and spent 18 years with WEC, mostly in Scotland.

Rev. Dr Jim CampbellChaplainA retired Presbyterian minister, Jim provides pastoral care and suppor t for Mission Africa missionaries and staff. He’s a former missionary to Malawi.

Rev. Dr. Paul BailieChief ExecutivePaul is a Presbyterian Minister and theology lecturer, and spent f ive years in Kenya teaching at the Presbyterian College of East Africa. Paul has overall responsibility for the mission’s activities and daily running in the UK and Africa.

Naomi SpenceAdmin/BookingsNaomi grew up in a family with a hear t for overseas mission and spent her early childhood in a rural village in Thailand.

Jonny BeggsRecruitment/PersonnelJonny has organised hundreds of trips to Africa since joining Mission Africa in 2005, facilitating people to serve God in many different ways.

Julie McConnellFinanceJulie studied Applied Maths at university and has an MSc. Her role is to maintain the Mission’s f inancial records and manage transactions in the UK and Africa.

36

www.missionafrica.org.uk

Contact us:Chief Executive:Rev. Dr Paul [email protected]

Head Office:14 Glencregagh Court, BelfastBT6 0PA02890 [email protected]

England Mobiliser:Jeremy Nash46 Hunt Road, ChristchurchBH23 3BW01202 [email protected]

Mission Africa (The Qua Iboe Fellowship) is deemed to be a Charity by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Recognised as a Charity by HMRC: No XN45493.Registered in Company House, Belfast as a Company Limited by

Guarantee, R611.

Scotland Mobiliser:Robbie [email protected]

dispatch: summer 2013

Documents

people of africa

ministry of mission

heart of mission africa

needs of africa

number of people

shor t term mission

tremendous need

urgent need