january to march 2020 impetus. · address the rise of false prophets. as we begin 2020, wouldn’t...

Enabling effective ministry in Africa www.africanpastors.org

2019 in numbers

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:

Spotlight on Rwanda

A ‘win, win win!’ partnership model

‘Oktoberfest’ training in Uganda

January to March 2020

APF Prayer and Newsletter

Impetus.

During a recent visit to Kenya, I heard that Prophet David Owuor was in Nairobi. David is founder of the ‘Repentance and Holiness Movement’ which has grown exponentially since the early 2000s. He was holding a mass crusade in Uhuru Park and people were flocking from all over the city.

David can be found on YouTube where his video ‘Top 10 Miracles Worldwide’ has tens of thousands of views. He is undeniably charismatic and persuasive; he gets red carpet treatment and wears designer suits. David is also just one example of an explosive but unregulated and unaccountable phenomenon which is influencing a generation. It is shaping ideological belief, Christian hope and material expectation amongst millions of Africans.

Moses Owojaiye, CEO of the Centre for Biblical Christianity in Africa, views the rise of self-proclaimed prophets as perverting what African Christians believe about genuinely biblical prophetic ministry. “While this phenomenon is not peculiar to Africa, this kind of public abuse of the pastoral and prophetic ministry seems to be more obvious here than elsewhere,” he writes. “I do not know of any other ministry that has damaged the image of the church in the African public square today more.”

To a European like myself, the deep spiritual and religious culture in Africa often seems complex and confusing. I have met Muslims who tell me their favourite music is by Hillsong. There are Christian sects that practise polygamy as a prerequisite for leadership. I know well-educated urban ‘millennials’ who believe all pastors are corrupt and use the church to exploit the vulnerable for spurious money-making schemes.

There are many self-professed prophets, apostles and bishops flogging everything from increased sexual potency to ‘holy’ rice. If you Google ‘African pastors’ one of the top auto-completes is ‘African pastors with private jets’. Many of these charismatic, media-savvy celebrities offer a pluralistic mix of gospel language and traditional spirituality.

1 www.africanpastors.org

From the CEO

Thank you for standing with our African partners as they equip the church and address the rise of false prophets. As we begin 2020, wouldn’t it be great for APF to have a treasure chest of funds for growing our partners’ leadership, training and pastoral formation ministries? If you are able, please send a one-off gift or setup a regular donation to support in-service pastor training and academic scholarships.

Thank You. Dave

2www.africanpastors.org

While the rise of celebrity Christianity is a major challenge to orthodox and established African churches, dangerous claims are forcing governments to closely monitor religious activities. Allegations of sexual abuse and swindling people out of money and property often leak out into social media. When self-professed prophets announce they have found cures for HIV/AIDS and prevent patients from seeking medical help, or spray insecticide on congregants to exercise deliverance from evil, it is no wonder that the Rwandan government has issued strict demands on accredited theological education for leaders and health and safety regulations for churches. As other African governments follow suit, the regulatory burden falls on all churches, not just a few dodgy pastors.

As APF partners complain that they are losing members, especially young adults, to this kind of teaching, it is clear that investment in contextualised biblical training and theology in Africa is urgent. Our dedicated partners know the opportunity to tackle the influence of self-professed prophets is now and the future direction of Christian faith on the continent is at stake. That is why they are so desperate to promote the kind of biblical literacy and discipleship that will address the contemporary problems that lead people to false prophets in the first place.

Prayer points

Please pray for:

• An increase of in-service training

and scholarships.

• eVitabu users to engage with

resources for personal growth and as

a leadership training tool.

• Growth of eVitabu across Africa

and the delivery of certified training

courses using the platform.

• Trainers of trainers like Daniel

Gwara (Kenya), Emmanueal Gatera

(Rwanda), Heavenlight Luoga

(Tanzania) and Francis Esomu

(Uganda).

Last year in numbers

30 contextualised in-service training conferences and workshops sponsored.

200eVitabu users, reaching 25,000 churches and influencing at least 250,000 people across 15 African nations.

21academic scholarships, pastoral and travel grants awarded in Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda.

50 bicycles and one motorbike provided in Burundi, Uganda and Malawi.

Let There Be Light solar project expanded from Tanzania to Rwanda.


2019 in numbers

200

50

1000sets of our Swahili New Testament commentary sets Ufafanezi wa Agano Jipya printed and distributed around Tanzania.

Growing Greener impacting over 70 villages in Malawi with agricultural training, better harvests and evangelism.

1650saplings planted in Ugandan Baptist churches as part of the Jubilee Trees initiative.

www.africanpastors.org 4

4 theology colleges and Bible schools receiving regular support in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.

1000local language Bibles committed to projects in Burundi, South Sudan and Uganda.


1Role Model Leadership Academy

Role Model Leadership Academy (RMLA) is delivered by APF partner Next Leadership. This was the second of three sessions and was attended by more than sixty delegates from Uganda and Kenya. RMLA requires delegates to commit to three intensive training weeks spread over a year and involves study by extension and peer mentoring groups between the main conference sessions. Those who graduate will receive a certificate of leadership accredited by Bakke Graduate University, Texas.

Ivy Kabagambe, who manages the New Beginnings Foundation said, “I am excited by the energy and clarity of vision RMLA generates. I always leave feeling spiritually stirred up and on a high!”

During a two-week period in mid- October, APF sponsored three major leadership development conferences in Uganda that together reached around 500 pastors, youth workers, church leaders and entrepreneurs.

by Dave Stedman

‘Oktoberfest’ training in Uganda


2 Jewels in His Crown conference

Jewels in His Crown was the inspiration of Rose Mugabi, Director of Women’s Ministry at Pastors’ Discipleship Network (PDN), who are also based in Kampala. The conference attracted more than 200 women clergy, pastors’ wives and lay leaders from all over Uganda. Inspirational leadership lessons were drawn from biblical texts including the stories about Hagar, Jairus’ daughter and the call of Moses.

“The conference touched many women leaders across our nation,” Rose explained. “It would not have been possible without the support of APF. Every delegate was encouraged to hear the words, ‘God calls you for who you are not in spite of who you are.’ Learning that the issue of leadership is about wisdom and not knowledge was a big take-home for me. We shall continue to shine as Jewels in His Crown because of your partnership.”

3 Training marginalised leaders

Over the last five years, APF has sponsored senior leaders from the Baptist Union of Uganda (BUU) to visit isolated communities, taking basic theology and pastoral training to grassroots pastors in remote regional associations. Last October, over 80 local pastors gathered for four-day pastoral training in Lamwo, a town in the far north of Uganda, near the border with South Sudan. APF also arranged for Bibles in Acholi and other regional languages to be distributed to everyone at the training event.

4 Monitoring and networking

As I was in Uganda during October, I was able to participate in some of the training events, bring greetings, preach and oversee how APF training funding was being used. During my stay I also had productive meetings with the new BUU President, Revd Abel Sseringiya and Ben Mutgeki, Managing Director of PDN.

The Daraja Centre

The main lecture hall of PDN’s

Daraja Centre in Kampala was the

venue for both the Role Model

Leadership Academy and the

Jewels in His Crown conference.

Photo shows Revd Cham Kaur-

Mann from Next Leadership

inspiring delegates at the Jewels

in His Crown conference.

experience

Abel was keen to know more about the BUU’s long-standing partnership with APF and he shared his vision for the Baptist movement in Uganda. Ben and I discussed the possibility of APF sponsoring one of PDN’s field training events later in 2020.

I also spent a day with leaders from House of Transformation (HoT) churches in Entebbe and spoke at an evening celebration for church members. The network of churches, which has congregations in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa as well as in Uganda, is keen to explore further partnership opportunities with APF. Two HoT pastors are already eVitabu users and following our discussions, that number is likely to grow quickly.

Prayer points

Please pray for:

• Revd Alex Sseringiya as he settles

into his new role as BUU President,

managing internal and external

challenges but with a clear vision for

leadership development.

• Revd Peter Mugabi (BUU) and

Mr Ben Mutegeki (PDN) overseeing

and managing busy schedules,

programmes and budgets.

• The final residential week of Next

Leadership’s first RMLA training cycle

at the Daraja Centre in March.

• Successful funding applications to

enable APF to maintain and expand

the training budget in 2020.


BUU President, Revd Abel Sseringiya and BUU General Secretary, Revd Peter Mugabi

In 2018, new government regulation for faith-based organisations came into effect. This was very difficult for Eglise Evangélique de la Bonne Volonté au Rwanda as none in our small church network had sufficient qualifications. We were not even able to pay for one pastor to study theology to degree level.

Then APF intervened, paying for my theological studies at the Rwanda Institute of Evangelical Theology. I have recently completed the first of the three-year course. I have studied church leadership, discipleship, youth ministry and foundational Bible teachings. I am enjoying studying and eVitabu has given me access to many books to support my learning.

Many African churches forget about preparing young people for leadership. During my internship I have gone through different schools in Musanze District, starting youth Bible clubs in ten schools. The children regularly meet at break time, lunchtime and at home as well.

When we were studying Genesis, I enjoyed visiting pastors and talking about Christian attitudes towards creation. As some leaders told me that Christians have no need to protect the environment, I prepared training material for pastors and the community showing how the Bible teaches that we have a responsibility to look after the world God gave us.

Keeping rural churches open by Victor Turikumwe

Spotlight on Rwanda

Victor Turikumwe

Rwanda is a landlocked country in east-central Africa. With breathtaking scenery, it’s known as the land of a thousand hills. Read on to find out about some of APF’s partnerships in this small but densely populated corner of Africa.


Spotlight on Rwanda


Spotlight on Rwanda

APF helped Jane Niyonsaba from Word of Life run training for children and youth leaders in Kamembe, Western Region. Teachers came from 15 different local churches to learn new ways to make the Bible come to life and appeal to the youngest generations.

Children and youth leader training

Rev Emmanuel Gatera from Kamembe heads-up Word of Life church network. Based near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Emmanuel is a highly respected and qualified theology lecturer and APF have been supporting his teaching ministry by funding a bee-keeping project. Selling honey provides a sustainable income for his family and means Emmanuel can focus on teaching. “We got a harvest of 20kg,” he reported recently. “We sold it and got 90,000 Rwandan Francs (about £75).”

Income generation projects

Kigeme Diocese is in the south of Rwanda. The Anglican Bishop Assiel Musabyimana is working with APF to provide solar power for rural pastors. Finding good quality batteries has been a challenge but good progress is being made.

Bringing light

Western Region

Southern Region

Northern Region

www.africanpastors.org

As churches struggle to fulfil government regulations, APF have allocated £15,000 over three years to Wisdom Bible School. WBS was started by Free Methodist pastor Rev Charles Munyamahoro and runs extension learning courses from Gekenke and Rulindo Districts, Northern Region. It gives poorer rural pastors access to vital training so they can keep their churches open. Around 50 leaders from Methodist, Baptist and Anglican churches are currently enrolled at WBS on certificate and diploma courses.

About 10 years ago, the Rwandan government switched the language used for education from French to English. Many older people, however, speak only French and Kinyarwanda which makes accessing education very hard. As part of the WBS curriculum, basic English lessons are offered so no-one misses out.

Wisdom Bible School

Helping Eglise Evangélique de la Bonne Volonté churches stay open by supporting Victor Turikumwe’s degree course. (see page 8)

Keeping rural churches open

Charles (far right) with WBS students

10

Prayer points

Please pray for:

• Word of Life church delivering

training for pastors and youth leaders.

• Victor Turikumwe, studying for a

Theology Degree and preparing to

become Legal Representative of Eglise

Evangélique de la Bonne Volonté.

• Revd Charles Munyamahoro,

pioneering Wisdom Bible School and

delivering certified theology training.

• Bishop Assiel and Kigeme Diocese

continuing to implement Let There Be

Light in remote village parishes.

• Revd Andrew North, APF Trustee,

overseeing activity in Rwanda.

Eastern Region

Kigali

Northern Region

An exciting new three-way partnership is being established between St Barbara’s Church, Earlsdon in Coventry Diocese, APF and St Paul’s Theological College in Kapsabet, Kenya.

After visiting St Paul’s Theological College on a trip to Kenya, some members of St Barbara’s Church were so impressed by the dedication of staff and students that they agreed to make regular donations to help the college develop its vision, improve its infrastructure and make theological education more accessible across western Kenya.

Rather than sending funding directly to St Paul’s, however, St Barbara’s approached APF to help manage international transfers and monitor how funds were being used. Whilst the church and college retain a direct relationship, both know APF are there to provide support and guide the cross-cultural exchange when needed.

With funding starting in the Spring, college staff have already identified the library as a key priority for improvement. A small computer suite is also planned to help students access online resources and supplement the two eVitabu tablets already used by college students.


A ‘win, win, win!’ partnership model

St Paul’s Theology College, Kapsabet

APF made a short visit to Kenya in October and Dave met with the college’s principle, Rev Elizabeth Cheruiyot. Elizabeth has a remarkable testimony. In an environment often hostile to women in Christian leadership she overcame many obstacles to pursue a clear call to ministry. She is also an incredibly busy person, serving the college, local church, diocese and national synod in various capacities.

With travel to and within Africa becoming easier, more and more UK churches are developing their own links with churches and projects in low- and middle-income countries. The three-way partnership being modelled between St Barbara’s, APF and St Paul’s seems a good and sensible one. St Barbara’s can have confidence that with APF’s access, experience and expertise, their generous donations will be well used.

It is a win-win-win opportunity for all parties!

Prayer points

Please pray:

• That the three-way partnership with St

Barbara’s Church, APF and St Paul’s Theological

College should lead to significant and much

needed improvements to the college.

• For Rev Elizabeth Cheriyokot as she oversees

administration, academics and infrastructure

developments at the college.

• For other theological colleges and Bible

schools with which APF has close ties including

Atirir Bible School, Uganda (Baptist); Kapsabet

Bible College, Kenya (AIC) and Wisdom Bible

School, Rwanda (Free Methodist).

• For students currently receiving academic

scholarships to study for degrees including

Tom Opiyo, Simon Laboso and Victor

Turikumwe.


Do you or your local church have a

link or partnership in Africa? Could

this benefit from APF involvement?

Contact [email protected]

and talk to us about our African

link support services.

Dave and Rev Elizabeth Cheruiyot in Kapsabet last year.


Advent evening for APF

Prayer points

Please pray:

• Giving thanks for all APF’s generous

and committed supporters who pray

and give to support effective ministry

in Africa.

• Giving thanks for those who have

included APF in their wills and left a

legacy for the Church in Africa.

• That APF will continue to attract

new supporters and donors so the

charity’s finances are sustainable.

• That the grant and trust funding

applications for APF projects

and initiatives in Africa would be

successful.

In early December, around 35 people including existing APF supporters and many new contacts attended a fun and informative evening at Holy Innocents’ Church in the Kentish village of Adisham, near Canterbury.

The evening was themed on an African Advent and included a craft sale of items made by women’s projects in Kampala and favourite East African foods like Mandazi (a type of light donut), Kabalagala (a Ugandan pancake made with banana) and African style samosas.

The latest eVitabu video, featuring Victor Turikumwe from Rwanda (see page 8), was premiered and a table quiz introduced the wider work of APF.

Around £500 was raised with new regular donors and mailing list contacts signed up.

African Advent evening at Holy Innocents’ Church.

Could you host an APF event in your own area?

Could you host a similar event at your church? It could be at any time of the year and we can provide resources and help with publicity. Please make contact as it would be wonderful to replicate this type of simple fundraising function around the UK.

Shopping online at Amazon? Support APF while you buy.

If you shop online at Amazon, visit AmazonSmile to help support African Pastors Fellowship while you buy. AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon, has the same products, prices and features but every time you buy at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate 0.5% of any applicable purchase to APF. You don’t pay anything extra. So next time you’re online shopping at Amazon, visit smile.amazon.co.uk and choose to support African Pastors Fellowship.

APF Dates

5th January – Dave speaking at Swalecliffe Free Church, Whitstable

12th January – Dave speaking at Beltinge Baptist Church, Herne Bay

26th January – Dave speaking at Grow Church, Ashford

2nd February – Dave speaking at Swalecliffe Free Church, Whitstable

February – Dave in Tanzania and Uganda meeting APF partners

February – APF Trustee Rev Andrew North in Rwanda to meet with partners

23rd February – Dave speaking at Grow Church, Ashford

1st March – Dave speaking at Swalecliffe Free Church, Whitstable

8th March – Dave speaking at All Saints’ Church, Preston-on-Tees

15th March – Dave speaking at New Life Church, Woking

22nd March – Dave speaking at Woodbridge Quay Church, Suffolk

29th March – Dave speaking at Grow Church, Ashford

29th March - 3rd April – APF Projects Coordinator, Geoff Holder, in Thailand for the Eurasia Media and Distribution Consultation (EMDC). EMDC is a global Christian tech conference and Geoff will be networking with other Christian organisations involved in this field.

smile

Find our latest eVitabu video on YouTube

Our latest video follows Victor, a young pastor from Rwanda, as he struggles to navigate a small rural church network through new government regulations. APF’s eVitabu app has become an essential tool that is helping him study and save the church from closure. Watch it on APF’s YouTube channel now.

African Pastors FellowshipStation House, Station Approach, Adisham, Canterbury CT3 3JE

www.africanpastors.org Tel 01227 681186

Email [email protected]

UK Registered Charity Number 282756

African Pastors Fellowship is a member of:

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postage costs. Thank you.

The vision of APF is to enable African Christian leaders, of all denominations, to minister effectively in thriving local churches that serve flourishing communities.

Giving to APF

If you would like to donate to APF, please visit www.africanpastors.org/donate 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

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january to march 2020 impetus. · address the rise of false prophets. as we begin 2020, wouldn’t...

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