Field Report: Pastor Samuel Sebuliba teaching in Burundi churches

It is delightful to me how the church in Africa still speaks with apostolic joy. Even the introductory words of Pastor Samuel’s letter is soaked and dripping with grace.

Hello friends and partners. Grace and Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ. I hope this note finds you blessed and encouraged in the Lord no matter what is surrounding you. I also bring you greetings from Burundi. I was there last week ministering in several churches and fellowships. I was excited to be a part of the new thing that God is doing in the country despite its past. As I traveled through the various parts of the country I was glad to hear the sound of DRUMS and not guns. Surely God is doing a new thing.

Many of you don’t yet know Pastor Samuel but this man of God is networking throughout Africa to share the Gospel, tend to peoples needs, house and cloth orphans and train up people for ministry – each according to their gifts and calling.  When I think about the once and future church here in America, I have hope that we can learn from and be inspired but such dedication, devotion, and delivery of God’s graces.  - read more of Samuel’s most recent letter:

One thing that greatly encouraged me was this Monday evening worship celebration service where all pastors and the people come together. The unity is so strong and together they are reaching Burundi with the gospel. I was honored to minister there twice and encourage the church. Later in the week I was invited to speak at an Anglican church. I was told the rebels often used this church as a base. I was glad to minister the message of grace to them. Having had a works mentality growing up in church I understood how difficult it must have been for them to accept the good news. But we had such a great meeting on Thursday that I was invited back to preach in the main Sunday service.

Burundi is a country going forward but there is still a lot to be done. In May 2010 they will be holding a major election. Please pray that God will help the people choose wisely. Political leadership has been a challenge in Africa and continues to be but there is hope.
Please pray that the church will continue to match on in unity and reach as many with the good news.  Here is the link for the pictures.

My next trip will be to Arusha Tanzania for a huge gospel crusade.Please pray that will come to Jesus in that meeting. Your support and donations are helping us take the gospel around the nations. We begin raising our church structure this month. Our target is to raise $5,000 and so far we have a firm assurance of $1,500. Please help us our target.  I am also asking for your prayers for my family.  Our 2nd baby is due anytime in February. Please keep my wife Alice in your prayers. You can stand with us financially as a family by helping us pay our monthly bills. Rent is $200 and other utilities cover $60. When you make the donations please include a small note saying “For family”. Thank you All donations can be made via our website or directly through paypal.

We appreciate you and pls dont hesitate to let us know how we can pray for you.

God bless you,
Pastor Sam

The New How

The New How is HOT off the press from O’Reilly, written by Nilofer Merchant, an Episcopalian and fellow member at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church. Months ago she told me it was due out at the beginning of the year and I was blessed today to get a copy during the coffee hour.

This book is amazing! I strongly recommend you buy a copy and begin reading it together with your vestry, board, staff or friends.

While written for business, we know well that the church as an organization depends upon collaboration and divine inspiration. Along with the book by Patrick Keifert, We Are Here Now, Community written by Peter Block and The World Cafe I perceive that The New How may help many churches identify where they are today, the passions and gifts of engaged members and the unique needs in our context of ministry.

Maximizing the power of OrgSync and Social Media

While implementing OrgSync in your church or organization, do not neglect the use of the discussion forum and polling tools. These are designed to help you open up dialog and learning. Too often we try to manage biblical knowledge and the life of the church from the top down. Many argue that you can’t lead people beyond where you yourself have gone. We would argue that this maxim is most useful when applied to philosophies of ministry not the knowledge of God. OR is there anyone who has complete understanding of God? Did not Jesus say not to look down on the children (Mt. 18:10)? We are called to be disciples, learners, student of Jesus. He is the head of the church, the author of our salvation and the Lord of creation.

The root of collaboration is in the value of persons. This value matures when we respect and appreciate the virtues, strengths, experiences and wisdom of others. As your church devotes itself to prayer -listening to the Holy Spirit- and engages in the use of OrgSync’s discussion boards and polling we hope that you will find new energy, unleash creativity and cultivate stronger bonds of love among you.

If you would like to get in touch with Nilofer to engage her in working with your church, organization or Diocese, I’d be happy to introduce you to her. Simply send me a message, email or call.

KindleJoy – Online Prayer Community

After nearly two years of dialog and prayer with Robert Yang, the creator of KindleJoy we are glad to welcome this revolutionary ministry and online prayer community into our family of ministries at WIA.

Robert and I met at a conference called Church 2.0 that was facilitated by Greg Atkinson. From the beginning I knew there was something special about Robert. We connected. We both attend mainline churches. We are both passionate about prayer recognizing that despite ourselves, our abilities and ability to foul things up, God is in control and able to work through anyone and redeem any situation.

KindleJoy is an online prayer resource for individuals and groups. It can function as your prayer journal or as the central communication center for the Prayer Chain or Intercessory team at your church, small group or ministry.

Over the years serving on the pastoral staff of churches and ministries I’ve been a part prayer chains and prayed with people in my office and around town. At one church we received prayer cards at every service – usually 100-200 cards each week. Our Intercessory Prayer Team met in the chapel after every service and prayed over the members concerns, prayers and requests. On Monday morning the prayer cards were divided up and provided to each of the pastoral staff so that we could take an hour to pray for the congregation before the staff meeting. – It was a great system. It kept us all connected with the hearts of our members.

KindleJoy is much the same except that it allows members to publish their prayers, privately or publicly, to their prayer journal or to a group (such as the church). Additionally, for those who use Twitter and want to broadcast out their prayer concerns (e.g. for the Nation, the hungry, the orphans, the jobless, etc.) they can link their own twitter account and publish the prayer instantly. Now unlike our prayer cards KindleJoy also allows others to “spark a prayer”.  Like lighting a candle it is a visual reminder of encouragement to our friends and the family of Christ that others are in fact praying for them.

In the future you will hear more about the future development of KindleJoy. For now I would invite you to:

1. Join the prayer network.
2. Follow @KindleJoy on Twitter
3. Create a prayer group for your church or ministry (free) and embed the free group widget into your website.

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To support KindleJoy financially please send @kindlejoy a twitter message or contact WIA (a registered nonprofit ministry).

Ministry in Mbuya Uganda Growing

Pastor Samuel writes us this week to share a ministry update, “Its calm here in Uganda after a season of unrest and tribal riots in different parts of our nation that claimed over 20 lives and property destroyed.” He is referring to the land disputes and tragic deaths that broke out in West Africa after the surprising discovery of oil.

Pastor Samuel is leading a remarkable ministry in Mbuya, Uganda that is meeting the needs of families, orphans and men and women. His family is in sincere need of your prayers and your financial support. Not only would it help provide the necesary assistance but it would give him great encouragement.

He writes, “Firstly, we could use your prayers as a nation that we will live beyond our tribal differences and work together to build our nation. Secondly, I believe that it’s only through the gospel that tribal lines are washed away.”

I agree with him, your partnership to our ministry in Uganda will help Samuel continue to support the team of pastors he has trained, help strengthen their ministry and advance the Gospel of peace.

There in Mbuya at New Hope Church, all the tribes of Uganda are represented and remarkably gathering in peace for worship week after week. “We have people from different tribes all coming together to worship Jesus under one roof. Some from Northern Uganda, others from East, South and the West.” shares Samuel in his most recent letter.

Samuel’s family is relying on God to provide for their young family. Please stand with them as their family serves there in Uganda. You can help Samuel and this marvelous ministry as an individual, a family or a church on a monthly basis or a one time gift.

When you make the gift via the church website please indicate “Family”. Their monthly budget is very reasonable:  Rent $250, Food $200, Electricity and Water $30, Internet $40

Your partnership in prayer and financial gifts is helping us make a difference in this community. We look forward to hearing from you, - Samuel

His Saving Grace Outreach Ministries

Another choice is to sponsor a child. Education is key in the development of a nation. Here at New Destiny we believe that every child deserves a right to education and an opportunity to achieve their dreams. You can help us make that possible by sponsoring a child for $30 a month. If you want to sponsor a child, indicate “Sponsor a child” when you give.

Pray Sterling – One Body in Christ

Have seen the most recent article in Loudoun-Times Mirror about Transformation Forum? If not here is a reprint of the article.

Transformation Forum is a ministry of WIA and we celebrate both the launch of the newest prayer team of Transformation Forum and the work of God among you!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 2009

Pray Sterling – Saturday, September 12

Sterling Community Center, 120 Enterprise Street

Bringing unity to our communities through the power of prayer and blessing

All were invited to join local pastors and laymen in praying for Sterling. The kick-off prayer gathering took place at the Sterling Community Center on Saturday from 2:30 PM until 5 PM. The gathering discussed how Pray Sterling can bring elected leaders, public safety personnel, business leaders, pastors, youth and schools, to join us as the Spirit leads.

Four pastors — all from different churches and denominations in Christ – took a stand in Prayer for Sterling this past Saturday. An additional two pastors and one Messianic Rabbi also support Pray Sterling, bringing a total of six pastors and one Messianic Rabbi in full support of the birthing of Pray Sterling. This number is expected to grow.

The call is for all people- government officials at the local level, school board members, principles, teachers, police, emergency services, pastors, ministry leaders, intercessors, business, the arts, faith-based non-profit organizations and all who desire to pray for Sterling – to become involved in community service projects that positively transform and impact our town.

The intent is having weekly meetings at a time and place to be determined. The plan is to communicate this weekly meeting to the entire community. Pray Sterling is seeking pastors and layman that have a vision not only for their churches and congregations, but for the entire community of Sterling with a commitment to working and praying together across denominations. The pastors and market place leaders should consider themselves as elders of the city who meet at the city gate each week to pray for their city.

On September 12, thirteen people met for the first time to initiate Pray Sterling.

• Brenda Baker – Heirs of Abraham Outeach Ministry, Sterling
• Lucie Brackett (accompanied with her husband Bob) – Kehilat Sar Shalom, Sterling
• Minister DR. Bob Franks – Philadelphia Christian Church, Baltimore
• Mark Gunderman – Community Lutheran Church, Sterling
  
• Pastor Cary E. Johnson – New Life Church, Sterling
  
• Pastor Ron Klabunde – Restore Church, Sterling
  
• Carol Mclaughlin – Restore Church, Sterling
  
• Jeff Pittinger – Cornerstone Chapel, Leesburg
  
• Jack Stagman – Purcellville Baptist Church
  
• Reverend Dr. Alvin Thomas – Oak Grove Baptist, Sterling
  
• Joy Trickett – Dranesville Church of the Brethren
  
• Bessie Trickett – Dranesville Church of the Brethren

The Guest Speaker was Reverend Dr. Jack Stagman – President Transformation Forum. Jack also serves as Marketplace Chaplain for the Christian Business Forum and is a missionary to the US from South Africa. He has lived in Purcellville with his family for the past eight years.

Jack told us how his faith in Jesus Christ brought him and his family out of South Africa to the United States, and gave him the vision of changing lives through the transforming of the mind and heart through Jesus Christ.

Reverend Stagman informed Pray Sterling that through the process of transformation we can become agents of positive influence and change through prayer, blessing and community service for the purpose of impacting business, ministry, government, education, media and the arts.

Transformation Forum’s vision is to establish an influential and united partnership with marketplace and church leaders where the central focus is prayer. The objective is to promote change for the spiritual climate through prayer, fasting and transforming the people and institutions of Loudoun County with practical demonstrations of love and acts of compassion. According to Reverend Stagman, Transformation Forum’s definition of Marketplace/Church leaders is “believers who are leaders in business and government who share the vision and mission. These marketplace leaders function as equal partners together with church leaders, working together as one, with a passion to transform and impact society through their spheres of influence.”

We are entering the next phase of what God is using to teach us about His purposes. We have gone from intimacy in the beginning, to separation, the tabernacle, the cross, the Body of Christ, to building churches, to denominations, to Christian organizations, and now to Kingdom. Our focus must be on Him and His Kingdom alone and not our own.

The September 12 Pray Sterling Agenda was as follows: Sounding of the Shofar as a praise offering for Jesus Christ; Opening prayer for Sterling; All attending had the option to speak about any concerns and issues they thought were pertinent to improving the local church networking, public safety and business environment for Sterling.

The group reviewed the DVD Elk River, Minnesota Story regarding the process of successful transformation in that city. Testimony was given by the residents of Elk River noting that a decrease in teenage suicides was 20% after the launching of their Prayer Teams! When prayer becomes a united community commitment in Sterling, we too will see a positive transformation before our eyes because God promises that He delights in giving to His Children, to prosper them, and fulfill their needs and pour out His spirit on our sons and our daughters.

The group was provided a briefing of the current status of transformation efforts in Purcellville, Leesburg and Ashburn.  The group received information about the role of the Transformation Forum nationally. Reverend Stagman provided a comprehensive report about the Transformation Plan which has three components: prayer, community service and Christian Business Forum (CBF).

The immediate focus for Pray Sterling will now be to pray for Sterling and building relationships within the community. The next step will then be to prepare the group to move to another level by including community service which gives impetus to our prayers. The future may provide Pray Sterling the opportunity to host the first business luncheon to launch the Christian Business Forum.

Pray Sterling believes Christian society has yet to comprehend the importance prayer has in releasing the Will of God. We need to educate believers with the fact that one has to pray for change in this world by committing all things to prayer. Jesus Christ always went to pray to the Father for guidance and comfort.

For more information about this exciting event, email Brenda Baker @ heirsofabrahammin@verizon.net or call 540-907-5115.

Believe in the “unity among elders” to start this revival and the gathering will duplicate what was said of the early Church in Acts 4:32: “Now the multitude of those who believed was of one heart and one soul.”

The History and Destiny of America

America – A land whose name and namesake destined it for leadership, faith & freedom. #AFFM http://ow.ly/iQgI

THE HISTORY AND DESTINY OF AMERICA
Amerigo Vespucci the man who name became synonymous with AMERICA, was born in 1454 in Florence. According to the official record “Amerigho” was baptized as an infant a “Christian” (one belonging to, dedicated to or a person who adheres to Christ; disciples and followers of Jesus Christ). He was named after his grandfather, as indicated in the baptism register of his church in Florence: “Amerigho et Matteo di ser Nastagio [his father] di ser Amerigho [his grandfather] Vespucci.”.

Interestingly the name “Amerigo” derives from an old Gothic name, Amalrich. In all its forms found in Europe (Greek “Aimulos,” Latin “Aemelius”) the underlying meaning was that of WORK and LEADERSHIP. Amalrich, which literally meant “work ruler”, “designator of tasks” or “master workman”. Old German forms of the name were Amalrich, Almerich, Emmerich; the Spanish form was Almerigo; in England it was Almerick, or Merica in old families in Yorkshire. It appeared in feminine forms in Amelia and Emily; its masculine forms were Amery, Emeric, and Emery.

A map created in 1507 by Martin Waldseemüller (a map-making cleric) was the first to depict this new continent with the name “America,”. He included on the map data gathered by Vespucci during his voyages of 1501-1502 to the New World. The U.S. Library of Congress recently completed the purchase of the only known extant copy of this map for $10 million, thanks to the generosity of the U.S. Congress, Discovery Channel, Gerald Lenfest, David Koch and several other donors. Vespucci’s first name was Latinized to “Americus” and then feminized to “America.”) The act of naming was apparently Waldseemueller’s alone; there is no evidence that the term was in use at the time, though there have been claims that Cabot popularized the name of America in England for the namesake of a Bristol merchant, Ameryk. Historians today agree that Vespucci, was unaware of Waldseemüller’s project in Lorraine and had nothing to do naming the New World named after himself. Nonetheless, the name AMERICA spread throughout Europe and quickly.

So what then can be said about AMERICA? We should always be a land devoted to science, discovery, faith, freedom, humility, service, work, and leadership.

American Faith and Family Ministries will be conducting a Million Family and Faith March in DC (August 2010) A brief introductory video can be seen here: http://ow.ly/iGpk

Please join us. Follow me on Twitter or search for #AFFM or #MFFM on Twitter to learn more and stay up to date with the latest news, rallies and events.

@gtroxell
Greg Troxell
www.worldwideinterfaith.org
www.millionfamilymarch.org

Sources:
1) http://ow.ly/iQ9K
2) http://ow.ly/iQ9P
3) http://ow.ly/iQaU
4) http://ow.ly/iQbw
5) http://ow.ly/iQei
6) http://ow.ly/iQet
7) http://ow.ly/iGpk

Ministry in Liberia

Pastor Jeremiah J. Nimely, Sr. feels an immense burden and calling by the Lord  “to do the work of the ministry and to take care of orphans and less fortunate”. After a bloody civil war in Liberia which lasted 14 years, much of the country’s infrastructure still lays waste. But there are people like Pastor Jeremiah Nimely who stand out, who raise up others and serve whole heartedly with faith in God and the church community.

Since 2000 they have been able to:

• Planted three congregations in surrounding villages bringing the Gospel and discipleship to about 255 people.
• Support affiliated pastors and their church plants in Liberia and Sierra Leon, a neighboring country in West Africa.
• Train 16 individuals to become pastors and assistants in the growing ministry.
• The ministry also works with orphaned children and street kids and youth. The ministry provides the children with education, vocational training, and a feeding program.
• The prayerful intention is of all these programs is centered on the Gospel and the desire to prepare the children to be God’s future leaders for the church.

A few years back the church at which I served mobilized a team to provide relief to another orphanage and school. It was astonishing that the Nations Capitol City was without power in the downtown corridor until 2006.  Our mission there was a success, helping rebuild the center, encourage the staff and volunteers and open the eyes of our ministry team, congregation and community to the pressing needs of people in other parts of the world. Over the course of three years more than $100,000 was invested there to bring, water, new roof, clothing, medical supplies, library books and school supplies, mold removal and new paint, and finally solar power.

Pastor Nimely’s vision and needs are just as large. Our goal that by the end of 2010 we will have deployed 25 missionaries to bring $1500,000 in financial aid, education, supplies and relief  to the mission.

Pastor Jeremiah intends to develop establish viable local, national and international Christian businesses and sustainable agricultural solutions so that the mission will not always be reliant and asking America for help. In an interview with Jeremiah he said, “the church should not be a beggar” referring to the need to develop a sustainable ministry, people and nation. In Liberia the basic infrastructure was destroyed,  the population and families were killed and torn apart. “The church” says Nimely, “she is supposed to have witness and give hope to those that are outside of the church”.

The ministry also involves an adult literacy educational and several vocational programs. Jeremiah knows that investing in the adults of the community will help raise the potential of Liberia and prevent further dispair to his people. Last year the ministry was able to purchase an acre of land where they want to build a new orphanage home and develop some organic farming plots to provide more of their staple food items. The picture below show some members school and a few members of the church family.

the children & orphans of the school - I.D.T.

Pastor Jeremiah, his wife Pastor Roseline, have three children. Jeremiah, John & Jereline. Their family and the mission would be blessed by your financial support, sponsorship of children, service and partnership with WIA. Pleasse consider what you can do and contact our office in San Jose, Ca.

Greg Troxell
WIA, Overseer

Pastor Jeremiah’s Strong & Inspiring Personal Testimony (his words and prose):

“I came to the Lord when my mother and father die and my brother die also. I had no one to take care of me. I then went in the street because I felt that there was no hope. I did not care what was going to be. I did real inhummuine labour for people..I then worked in a coco plantation for a year, but the labour was more severe, and later I took my little wages and tighten my stomach from food, and made it to the capital city to find another change for living that was another 50 times more severe A lady help me for high school but I was not authorized to eat any meals in that house, because she was sending me to school. So I beared it and used to go in the street after selling for her at midnight…a distance like 5 to 6 miles walk from where I was living…to look for food.. I use to go to the cook shops to wash the cooking pots, and then will eat the rice crust from the pots …Before I get home the doors will be locked and I have to sleep in the street. It was risky, and in all of this I was unconscious and felt like dying and to follow my dad and mom in the grave. “But there was a friend who met me one day, talk to me about Jesus, and invited me to a Christmas night. I really went there because I knew that there will be lot of food …but when I went there I heard Christ preached by the pastor. He preached about how Jesus died for me and was bruise because of my sin and took away all my deeds/sins. He is willing to accept you with what you are and have right now. “I was ashamed to go for an alter call because my heart was to the bread and tea, but with the choir singing, I was moved to the alter by some kind of way that I did not understand, and then, I was led to Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. I was taught through a baptismal class and was baptized by immersion and received the gift of the Holy Spirit. And now I am His one of His disciples who is making disciples for Him. Then I assist pastors for 13 years in church planting and discipling. Now I am pastoring a church that was planted by me and my wife today. What a great change that the Lord has done for me and is using me as one of His blood purchased servant through His death and resurrection. I am alive and not dead, praise God. After more than 14 or 15 years of the bloody civil war in Liberia, I who was suppose to have been dead, the Lord delivered from men’s/rebel’s hell, and I am alive again…Let God take the praise and glory ever and ever.”

Pastor Jeremiah Nimely and his wife Roseline

Ministry Burnout – what should be done?

Chad Estes (@Chad_Estes) has published some telling statistics about the state of ministry leaders’ lives these day. This summary comes from the blog of Alan Fadling* (@alanfadling). The statistics come from from The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc:

* 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.
* 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor’s children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.
* 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.
* 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands and 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.
* 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.
* 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.
* 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.
* 33% confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church .
* 50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last months.
* 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.
* 94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor’s ministry.
* The profession of “Pastor” is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above “car salesman”.
* Over 4,000 churches closed in America last year.
* Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.
* Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month, many without cause.
* Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year, over 1.25 million people.

Questions to Consider and Discuss:
1) How do these stats compare with your experience and perspective?
2) Which of these is stirring you to change your ways?
3) What would you like to do about the situation?

Source Blog: http://alanfadling.com/2009/06/03/ministry-burnout-stats/

Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc

Virtual Presence

Have you heard he old adage, “you are what you eat”? Have you considered that in this digital age of social media with Twitter, Facebook, Linked IN and the like you might soon be hearing…

“You are what you tweet”. A company call Tweetstats will give you a quick picture of your Twitter Cloud (a visual representation of the words you tweet most).

You are what you Tweet

1. What does your cloud say about you?
2. Does your public image represent the real you?
3. Are you satisfied with your twitter cloud?

Spiritual Direction & Discipleship

The assumption for many in the Church and those joining a local church fellowship is that their activity, involvement, devotion, & disciplines will result in holiness-perfection, wisdom, inward peace, and a smooth ride in life.

Sadly many pastors, teachers, believers and especially youth, enter into THE JOURNEY with this reckless expectation.

Questions to ponder:

1. What is the difference between Discipleship, Fellowship & Christian Education?
2. How do these three compliment one another?
3. What do you think and feel about the concept that life is a “journey” through a land that has many and sometimes no evident trail to follow or guide to help you safely forward?

Offer your comments or opinion here.

Take it a step further if you like, contact us and ask about our Coaching or our Intern Program.
Send an email to gtroxell[at]worldwideinterfaith[dot]org