Volume 45 Monthly Emphasis for March - Church of the Nazarene ...

Volume 45
07 March 2011
Monthly Emphasis for March:
Holiness Revivalism – Confession and Repentance, The Alter
Theme Verse: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do
not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your
salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).
Focus: The Alter and Personal Reflection and Renewal of Regional, Field, District Leaders,
Pastors, and Laity
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General Board Gives Unanimous Approval to Superintendents’ Financial Proposals
--NCN News, 04 March 2011
The 88th Session of the General Board took place from 24-28 February 2011.
During its meetings, the Board of General Superintendents (BGS), proposed a work plan to address the financial situation
at the Global Ministry Center (GMC) and the Global Mission regional offices, The Church of the Nazarene experiended
a $7 million (US) decrease in giving to the World Evangelism Fund (WEF) since 2008, while achieving a record
membership of two million worldwide.
The BGS three-phase work plan proposed received unanimous approval in an executive session on 26 February following
a presentation by the BGS chair, J K Warrick, on behalf of the entire Board of General Superintendents, and takes
effect immediately.
Phase One deals directly with the anticipated WEF shortfall for the current year (fiscal year 2011). The goal of successfully
dealing with this situation at the GMC has been met with the shortfall being covered through internal financial
sources and WEF PLUS.
Phase Two will be a $3.0 million (US) reduction in the WEF operational budget base for fiscal year 2012, which begins
01 October 2011.
Phase Three is a more strategic piece, although it is no less urgent than phases one and two. Its primary goal is to
rethink the GMC and regional offices.
To get started, a task force has been appointed by the BGS to study the future role of Sunday School and Discipleship
Ministries International (SDMI), Nazarene Missions International (NMI), Nazarene Youth International (NYI), International
Board of Education (IBOE), Clergy Development, and Stewardship Ministries.
The final report of the task force is to be submitted to the Board of General Superintendents by 15 September 2011.
The General Board also approved a single leader concept for the International Board of Education and Clergy Development.
The IBOE commissioner, E LeBron Fairbanks, will retire effective 30 September 2011.
“These are difficult decisions,” said Warrick. “They were reached following considerable consultation with the Senior
Leadership Team, the Global Mission Team, and the regional directors and were confirmed in subsequent conversations
with the Executive Committee of the General Board. The Spirit of God was in our midst as the General Board took
on this responsibility. They exhibited great care for the people of the GMC and the Church of the Nazarene’s mission of
making Christlike disciples in the nations.”
The Board of General Superintendents is making available three major documents from the General Board Session.
These are the “Future of the GMC”, a BGS letter to the GMC staff announcing the work plan, and the General Board
Report, “Our Mission Connexion”. “Our Mission Connexion,” the annual “state of the church” report, was presented by
General Superintendent Eugénio R Duarte on Sunday, 27 February 2011.

Dr Richard and Valerie Zanner Bid Farewell
to Africa
Dr Richard Zanner, Regional Director Emeritus
Eleven years following his retirement as Regional Director
for Africa, Dr Richard Zanner gave a final devotional for the
Africa Regional Office staff on 23 February 2011. Zanner
expressed his joy to have seen the Africa Region reach the
half a million mark in membership and reiterated a saying
he used over the years, ‘We must be five stars in a three
star world’.
His text was from Psalms 77 with emphasis on verses 1,
5-6, 11-15 where the psalmist cries out to God and then
thinks about the miracles of God. Zanner stated how some
will ask ‘why are you digging around in the past, isn’t it better
to talk about today?’ He referred to the words of Jesus
in Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God...
do not worry about tomorrow...” as often misunderstood. It
is saying that no one can tell the future. For God, there is
no past, present or future. There is always the ‘now’, which
becomes the past even as it is spoken. We are given the
possibility to remember past days to see our errors and
mistakes and also the grace, power, and miracles of God.
In the words of the hymn writer, “When upon life’s billows
you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking
all is lost, count your many blessings name them one by
one”. It is good for us to reflect, individually and collectively.
In 1980, Dr Zanner and his wife Valerie, followed the call of
the church in which they saw the call of God to come back
to Africa as a pilot project to open the first regional office for
the Church of the Nazarene. The first office was one room
at the district office with one manual typewriter. The church
had existed for 70 years and had almost 200 missionaries
in the countries of Cape Verde, Swaziland, Mozambique,
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia with 32,000
members. There was not missionary training on how to begin.
The Africa of 1980 was completely different from today with
colonialism, legislated apartheid, and he needed people to
help him understand the culture. He looked for people who
would do this and also be a part of a team and were willing
to put in the time necessary not just doing a job. Zanner
said, “We were on a mission with the goal to follow God and
love people. We would seek out the individual and dream
about the numbers. There should be a difference between
working for the Church of the Nazarene and another company
such as Vodacom. We are a holiness church. We
need to be self motivated and charged to do the work of
God.
Dr Zanner then expressed his concern that as we grow and
expand we may possibly find ourselves in shallow waters
missing depth. In church history, we see great beginnings
that fade out first in the area of inner values and then in
numbers. He challenged the staff to “Stay true to God and
loyal to the church of God, loyal to God and His Word, to
the principles of financial integrity, moral responsibility, doctrinal
purity – stick to the essentials, and you can go a long
way. As we ponder former days and years gone by, let us
consider our calling and our privilege to serve”. Matthew
25:40 says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers of mine, you did for me”.
Zanner closed with these words, “As I think of the former
days and the miracles of God, I am most humbled and most
blessed.”
Dr Filimao Chambo, Regional Director for Africa, said, “Africa
Region is blessed to have had the Godly and visionary
leadership of Dr Zanner and the prayer support of his wife,
Valerie, who is a real prayer warrior. Their lives have been a
model of integrity and devotion to God and His church. This
devotion and commitment continued beyond retirement
through service on boards of trust and at any time and in
any way called upon to give counsel and serve the church.
We believe that their passion to wins souls to Christ and
build His church have created the strong framework upon
which the church in Africa has grown to over half a million
members. We commit to carry on God’s work in Africa and
to build a church that has deep roots in the Lord Jesus
Christ through evangelism, discipleship and education with
tactical plans to reach our goals and carry out our mission
to make Christlike disciples in Africa”.
After more than 30 ‘beautiful’ years, Richard and Valerie
Zanner bid a sad yet fond farewell to Africa on 01 March
2011, and returned to their home in Frankfurt, Germany.
The Zanner’s may be reached by email to rzanner@aol.
com. They will be greatly missed.
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General Superintendents Give Accounting
on Special WEF Plus Offering
--NCN News, 25 February 2011
In 2010 the Board of General Superintendents launched the
WEF PLUS/Challenge 2010 initiative, asking the church for
$6 million (US) to keep the momentum in making Christlike
disciples in the nations and offset reductions in giving to
World Evangelism Fund.
As of 31 January 2011, WEF PLUS has raised $1.2 million
(US) throughout the Church of the Nazarene, and funds
continue to be submitted to the General Treasurer’s Office.
General Superintendent J K Warrick, chairman of the
Board, said, “While the goal of $6 million (US) will not be
met, it must be noted that without the WEF PLUS funds that
we have received, the Global Ministry Center financial situation
would be much more difficult to manage. “The general
superintendents are thankful for the prayers and financial
support of Nazarenes globally in this effort,” Warrick emphasized.
Appreciation was also expressed by Louie Bustle, Global
Mission director, on behalf of the missionaries and mission
personnel. Bustle stated, “We are so grateful for your support
through the World Evangelism Fund and WEF PLUS.
The mission of reaching lost people could not go on without
this sacrificial giving.”
“We are eternally grateful for your partnership in the gospel
through WEF PLUS for missions. With exemplary passion
through World Evangelism Fund and mission specials,
leaders of Nazarene Missions International (NMI) make it
possible to share the gospel of Jesus Christ around the
world,” added Daniel Ketchum, general director of NMI.
The WEF PLUS/Challenge 2010 Offering will remain open
indefinitely. According to General Treasurer Marilyn Mc-
Cool, WEF PLUS gifts are still being received and welcomed.
“Those who feel led by God to give may do so
through online giving at web.nazarene.org/wefplus. This
donor site will remain open to receive gifts as God continues
to bless His people,” she noted.
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Nazarenes Can Make a Different
Through Education
Rev Simon Pierre Rwaramba,
Rwanda Northeast District Superintendent
The Nazarene Technical School, ETENI, was create in
1999 by the local church in Gisenyi, Rwanda, and Pastor
Simon Pierre Rwaramba. This school is managed by the
Rwanda Northeast District under the leadership of Floribert
Hategekiman. The administration team of the school works
in collaboration with the District’s Board of Education for
this school. The church has appointed the school chaplain
who is in charge of spiritual activities at the school including
worship and discipleship. Each year the school has a total
of 440-460 students, which is the capacity of the school,
with learners from all corners of Rwanda as well as from
the city of Goma in the DRC.
The message of holiness and Holy lives is an important tool
that contributes to the discipline of the students. Parents
always want their children to come to this school because
many parents testify to the changed lives of their children
while they were in this school. The school is accredited by
the Rwandan Government as a private Nazarene school,
and gives diplomas to students after they pass a national
examination.
In 2004, the school was declared first finalist, and from then
the success rate has grown. In the last seven years, 572
learners out of 603 (94%) have received their diplomas
and are serving the nation and their communities. ETENI is
ranked among the top fifteen technical schools across the
country, and in second position of all private engineering
and architectural schools in the country. This is a tremendous
achievement for both the school and the Church of
the Nazarene in Rwanda.
Dr Filimao Chambo, Regional Director for Africa, commented,
“We are rejoicing with you and praise God also for the
commitment of leaders and teachers in the field of education”.
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Beacon Hill Press Releases eBooks to
Mark 100th Anniversary
--NCN News, 18 February 2011
In honour of its 100-year anniversary, Beacon Hill Press
has released 100 classic titles in eBook format.
Centennial Classics: 100 eBooks for 100 Years includes
titles released as early as 1912. The classics
include authors such as H Orton Wiley, Mildred Bangs
Wynkoop, W T Purkheiser, and H Ray Dunning. The
complete list of books can be found at www.nph.com/
go/100eBooks.
“The Centennial Classics eBook launch will begin with
100 titles,” NPH Editorial Director Bonnie Perry said,
“but that is only the beginning. We will continue to add
more titles to this classic list so that our great heritage
of holiness literature is widely available. These titles
will enrich our quickly growing list of more contemporary
eBook offerings.”
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Transformed When Seeing JESUS
--JFHP Prayer and Praise, 23 February 2011
“I sell coal at the market,” said Mandiri in Benin. “I am a
mother of six children and a widow for five months. I spent
my life without hope. I did what seemed right. I used fetishes
and visited witches. I was seeking power and money.
After watching the JESUS Film, I was transformed. I have
repented. I gave my heart and life to Jesus. I am involved
in evangelism at the market. I talk with other women, vendors,
and customers. Each day the Lord continues to bless
my family and my spiritual life. My goal is to ensure that all
market vendors give their lives to the Lord.”
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One of 1st Pastors in the Church of the
Nazarene in South Africa Goes Home
Mrs Wendy Siebbeles
Stafford Finnemore, 96, passed away on 19 February 2011,
in Garsfontein, Pretoria, South Africa.
Shortly after Dr Charles Strickland came to Arica in 1948 to
start the South African District, Rev Finnemore and Rev J
McLachlan became the first two pastors to join the Nazarene
denomination. The Three Rivers church in Vereeniging,
where Finnemore was pastoring when he became a
Nazarene, became a Church of the Nazarene at that time.
Finnemore became part of a select group known as “Pioneer”
ministers, a group of pastors who planted Nazarene
churches in various parts of Southern Africa. Besides starting
many preaching points, Finnemore is perhaps best remembered
in the Church of the Nazarene for the churches
he planted in KwaZulu Natal; Durban Morningside, and Pietermaritzburg.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Yvonne, who passed
away in 2004. He is survived by his children Merle von der
Meden, Frank and Praline, and Ellen and Rickard Sher,
together with seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
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Praise Reports:
Rev Danilo and Marie Carvalho: Danilo Carvalho received
his one-year visa for Angola visa and has received
notification that the extension to his South Africa visa has
been approved and ready for him to collect. Thank you to
all those who have been in prayer for the Carvalho’s over
the last 11 months. Maria has received her South Africa vis.
Pray that she will also be given a one-year visa for Angola.
The Carvalho’s are missionaries serving in Angola.
David and Lisa Johnson: The Johnsons have moved
from Madagascar to begin their new assignment on the
Horn of Africa Field. They will be based in Nairobi, Kenya.
The Johnson’s learned that their work permits are ready
and they can now have their personal belongings shipped
from Madagascar to their new home. Thank you to all that
have been praying for this prayer request.
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Prayer Requests
Please pray for:
Roger Otto: Roger Otto is scheduled for hip replacement
surgery on 07 March 2011. He is 76 and in good health
otherwise. Please pray that the surgery will go well and that
he will recover quickly. Roger is the brother of Fred Otto,
Regional Finance Coordinator for the Africa Region.
Tougida Hayes: Tougida has been suffering from severe
stomach pain and has been diagnosed with a hernia. The
doctors have determined that her condition can be treated
with medication and surgery is not required. Tougida urgently
needs our prayers for God’s healing touch on her
body. Please pray that God will strengthen her and bring
about her speedy and full recovery. Pray that God will calm
her spirit and give her peace. Tougida is the accounts manager
in the Financial Services Department at Africa Regional
Office.
David and Lisa Johnson: The Johnsons have moved
from Madagascar to their new base in Nairobi, Kenya, and
have begun their new assignment on the Horn of Africa
Field. Please pray for them as they learn about their new
work. Also pray that their daughter, Amanda, will continue
to make friends and that she will adjust well to her new
school in Nairobi, Kenya.
Rev Kilongo Masimango: The district superintendent recently
met with the family members in the DRC, and they
have not heard any more news from or about Rev Masimango,
who has been missing since 30 June 2010. Rev
Kilongo Masimango served as the JESUS Film Coordinator
for the French Equatorial Field, coordinator of the Goma
JESUS Film Team, and pastor of the Birere Church of the
Nazarene in Goma, DRC. Please pray for his wife and children
and other family members as well as the members of
his church and ministry teams during this time.
Sudan Training and Assemblies: As the people of Sudan
await the final steps for South Sudan to become an independent
nation, tensions remain high in parts of the oil-rich
area which straddles the north and south. There have been
some incidents of fighting in Malakal in Upper Nile state
and in Jonglei, the south’s most populated state. Church
leaders in Sudan request prayer for the church as leadership
training and district assemblies are scheduled for 18
and 22 March on the South and Southeast Districts.
Angola Schools: The Church of the Nazarene in Angola is
building school buildings that are greatly needed following
a civil war from 1975-2002 which disrupted the education of
thousands of school age children. The government, which
encouraged churches and missions to hold classes in
church buildings after the war now requires proper school
buildings to provide education. Four schools are being built
by local Angolan Nazarene churches. Pray for these efforts
and for God to supply all that is needed to complete the
building projects. See complete article in the 07 February
edition of Out of Africa news.
Dr Filimao Chambo, as he leads the Africa Region, his
wife Rev Samantha, and their children Tsakani and Emanuel.
Pray that God will use him and Samantha in all areas
of ministry.
Dr David Graves, General Superintendent in jurisdiction
for Africa, and his wife Sharon.
Prayer Requests – continued
Africa Region: Please pray for the political stability in several
African countries.
Egypt: The following are specific ways you can pray for the
people in Egypt:
• For peace in the streets of Cairo, Alexandria, and throughout
Egypt. (Isaiah 26:12)
• For the Lord to be present with Christians in Egypt, encouraging
them with His perfect love. (Joshua 1:9, I John
4:18; Psalm 91:11)
• For the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to have
godly wisdom and discernment in guiding the nation forward.
(Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 28:2)
• For future leaders who will rule with integrity and a servant’s
heart. (Daniel 2:21-22)
Tunisia: Pray for the tens of thousands of displaced refugees
from Egypt who have crossed the border seeking
safely and sustenance in this neighbouring country.
Cote d’Ivoire: Please pray for peace in the country of Cote
d’Ivoire.
Libya: Please pray for peace in this country.
Workers for the Harvest: Luke 10:2 says, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
There is a great need for people to hear and respond to
God’s call to missions and ministry. Pray with NMI that the
Lord will supply workers for the harvest.
The Ministry and Safety of General Superintendents:
Dr Jerry Porter
Dr Jesse Middendorf
Dr J K Warrick
Dr Eugénio Duarte
Dr David Graves
Dr Stan Toler
The Way of Holiness Radio Programme: Pray for a new
radio/podcast programme that began in January called The
Way of Holiness. The Board of General Superintendents
has partnered with World Mission Broadcast to produce the
new program that will spread God’s message of hope and
holiness. To learn more, visit http://www.isaiah358.com/.
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From the Word
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor
things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
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OUT OF AFRICA
Regional Newsletter
Church of the Nazarene
Editor: Linda Braaten
PO Box 44, Florida 1710, SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 11 472 3615
Fax: +27 11 672 7614
E-mail: news@africa-region.org.za
Web: www.africanazarene.org
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