Lausanne World Congress 2010: Michael Cassidy Report, Pt. 3

AE Founder Michael Cassidy welcomes Lausanne to Africa.

While many people addressed this issue I want to share with you basically at this moment from the paper by Dr. Paul Eshleman which you could also look up on the Lausanne website (www.lausanne.org). It was entitled World Evangelisation in the 21st Century. To me it was a very important utterance, so I share some of it with you. May the Lord help you and your home church to embrace, absorb and respond to some of this as the Spirit leads you.

Says Dr. Eshelman:

· “Throughout the world today, pastors, mission leaders and lay people are working towards the day when every person on earth will have access to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There are movements to reach every people group, to finish the task of world evangelization, to complete the Great Commission and to work toward the worship of our God by every people throughout the world. Various researchers, organizations and confessions define these terms differently, but they all revolve around our Lord’s command to ‘make disciples of all nations.’ At the first Lausanne Congress in 1974, Dr. Ralph Winter clarified for us that the scriptural references to nations actually refer to the ‘panta ta ethne’ (Greek) or people groups. He and others began to speak of the idea of missiological ‘closure’ among these people groups. This simply refers to finishing. Their idea was that the irreducible, essential mission task of making disciples in every people group was a completable task. In fact, it was one of the only tasks given to God’s people that have a completable dimension to it.”

· “It is difficult to keep track of the evangelization of every person, since day-by-day hundreds of thousands of children are born. However, the idea of ‘making disciples of every people’ or raising up a church within every people is one possible approximation of what the Great Commission may mean. More and more mission leaders speak not only of evangelism, but the biblical imperative of making disciples and seeing Christ worshipped and obeyed within every people group of the world. As leaders in the Church, we need to know where the command of the Great Commission is not being fulfilled. While being obedient to our individual callings, we can still serve the whole Body of Christ by helping to reach those people groups that have been neglected since the first century. Most important on an individual basis is that it would be said of each of us, as of David, that he ‘served God’s purpose for his own generation’ (Acts 13:36).”

Lausanne World Congress 2010: Michael Cassidy Report, Pt. 2

Addressing closing gathering.

I can’t stand the way time flies, or else maybe time stands still, or just ticks over, and it is we who fly! Anyway, it does feel as if the year is racing to a conclusion and time is constrained as so many little things rush in, some of them apparently urgent, so that they can distract us from the important. In fact the Urgent is an almost perennial enemy of the Important. Even so I try to register Alvin Toffler’s dictum which I have on the front page of my daily diary which says: “You have got to think about Big Things while you are doing small things, so that all the small things go in the Right Direction.”

Anyway, before November slips through my fingers I want you to have my report Number Two on the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation held in Cape Town from October 16th to 24th.

This Congress was, as I said in my last letter, a First Order experience which none of us who attended will ever forget. But part of the problem was that such a Mount Everest volume of material and happenings came at us that it is exceedingly difficult to do more than just pick up the headlines in a report like this and then leave interested people to chase down the details via the internet and via the Congress website which is www.lausanne.org. Or if you are wanting to get the content of the major papers as submitted in advance of the Congress itself, then you can also google ‘Lausanne Cape Town 2010 Papers’, and select ‘Advance Papers/The Lausanne Global Conversation.’ There you will see quite an overwhelming array of material, some of which undoubtedly will capture your attention and be worthy of your study, scrutiny and application. You will see there many of the different subjects treated during the Congress and you can single out those of special interest to you or your church. All the Congress material is also at AE Leadership Training Centre and can be obtained by emailing Marius, Verna or Noeline at: registrar@ae.org.za or phone 033 3477050.

Now let’s get on with this report.

***

Juba For Jesus Mission Follow-up: He Sets The Captives Free

Jaba prison inmate Charles Olili Philip

Below are a couple of testimonies from the Juba mission. Praise the Lord for what He did in these men’s lives, and let’s keep the follow-up process in our prayers.

Tomorrow, 9th November, marks the two month countdown to the 9th January 2011 referendum which will determine the status of Jaba's proposed independence from the north. Intensity is increasing in Sudan, and they desperately need the prayers of the worldwide church at this time.

***

I met Charles and Sadic after interviewing a handful of prisoners who mainly wanted to protest about the conditions in the Juba prison. They had been selected by the prison colonel, who very kindly stood with us in the inexpressibly sweltering sun in the middle of the prison compound, providing some sort of security through his presence. Crowds of white clad prisoners sat tightly pressed against the wall seeking the small ribbons of shade, and watched curiously from around the perimeter.

Understandable though their complaints were, we wanted to hear about the impact of Stephen Lungu and his team who had visited the prison a week earlier. They had returned to the mission base excited, certain that the Lord had worked in many hearts. Through the prison colonel, we asked the on looking prisoners whether any of them wanted to share how they had found the AE “Juba for Jesus Mission.”

There was unsteady confusion as a large crowd prisoners approached, and encircled us completely. It could have been an intimidating experience, but strangely the vibe was more that of a school yard of inquisitive students – something had affected these men. Charles had been first to attract our attention, standing immediately and waving to us, and he stood in front of the others, most of whom were only there to listen.

Charles was 32 years old, and was married with 5 children. He shared that he had been baptised as a young child, and had been taken to church by his father. Despite being a church goer, he had never really understood the gospel or the bible well, and when he eventually joined the military at fourteen years old, he wasn’t interested in hearing from the Lord or reading His word.

Charles had been a driver for the army and during that time, he had started growing and taking drugs. One day he was caught under the influence and in possession of drugs, and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. He had been in prison for 2 years when Stephen Lungu and the young AE Foxfire evangelists visited.

Fellow Jaba inmate Sadic Taban.

Charles was struck by Stephen’s testimony – someone who had been abandoned as a child and who had lived on the streets, and slept under the bridge, and yet God had helped him. Charles reflected upon his own life, and realized that he had sinned, just as others had. But he told us earnestly that “the love of God is there in Jesus Christ, who forgives sin”…, and he had dedicated his life to be a new Christian.

He was genuinely excited as he told us about how this moment had impacted his life. His enthusiasm, in light of another 8 years in prison, was telling. Charles had started to read his bible again and wanted to start a church. He had started sharing with his fellow prisoners that life in Christ is a good life, translating for them from English to Arabic. He also expressed a concern to reach “those outside” (of prison) with the good news about Christ. He knew that if he was in trouble he could call on the Lord who would help him.

His remorse was obvious. Charles said that the he and the prisoners all needed forgiveness because they broke the law, and he freely apologized to the government for contributing to disorder in Sudan.

Charles was accompanied by Sadic, a young man of 26 years. He was also married, and had two young sons. His story was heart wrenching and I was struck by the joy and lack of resentment with which he told it. He had been sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty (possibly unjustly) of murdering a man in a motorbike accident. Although he protested his innocence of the crime which brought him to prison, he openly admitted that he had never gone to church because he preferred to go places which were more consistent with his promiscuous lifestyle.

Sadic explained how he had given his life to Christ after Stephen Lungu’s message, and had been saved from “the way of death”. He now enjoyed reading the bible, and had joined the prison prayer group. He went on to explain that registration for the prayer group had increased significantly after the Juba for Jesus mission event because of the number of men who had been saved during that time.

Charles and Sadic had found freedom despite imprisonment, and new meaning despite seemingly hopeless futures. They were so thankful that African Enterprise had brought the gospel to the prison, and had shared hope in Christ with those who were suffering. They encouraged those supporting the ministry to continue, because they were greatly blessing others. We ended our time with Charles and Sadic in prayer, heads bowed, in the sweltering heat and surrounded by hundreds of imprisoned men who also, we pray, will hear about the grace of God through them.

*** 

Lausanne World Congress 2010: Michael Cassidy Report, Pt. 1

Welcoming the Lausanne delegates to Africa.

Very Dear Praying Friends in South Africa, across Africa, and in the Global Church,

This is the first installment of my report on the recent Lausanne Congress:

I. Overall Summary

Well, the third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation has been, come and gone. Did I say gone? I did, but I don’t really mean that. No, not really gone, but certainly GONE FORTH! Because from 2010 Cape Town people from almost every country in the world have gone forth with new zeal, energy, determination, motivation, and biblical conviction to take the Gospel afresh to every corner of the globe and to be witnesses as per Acts 1:8 in our Jerusalems (i.e. where we immediately are), our Judeas (the areas round about where we reside), our Samarias (the people with whom we normally have no dealings) and to the ends of the earth. And to do it recognizing that it can only be done in the power of the Holy Spirit and in faithfulness to God’s Word.

A closing press release described the Congress as “Perhaps the widest and most diverse gathering of Christians ever held in the history of the Christian Church.” 4,200 delegates (the 250 Chinese delegates never made it) from 198 countries were present. The Congress connected also to 650 global sites in 91 countries. Then there were 100,000 more participants, from 185 countries, visiting the Congress website. So the participation went well beyond those in Cape Town.

We were thankful that in spite of malicious attacks bringing down the Congress website in the first 48 hours, the battle in cyberspace was won by Congress IT boffins who got it all going again.

Incidentally there were also observers there from the Vatican, The World Council of Churches as well as Eastern Orthodox Churches.

The closing press statement also contained the following statements:

“’Our vision and hope was firstly for a ringing affirmation of the uniqueness of Christ and the truth of the biblical gospel; and a clear statement on evangelism and the mission of the church – all rooted in Scripture’, said Lindsay Brown, Lausanne Movement International Director, in his closing address. ‘The evangelical church has rightly put an emphasis on bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to every people group, but we have perhaps been a little weaker in our attempts to apply biblical principles to every area of society, and to public policy: to the media, to business, to government. We need to engage deeply with all human endeavour – and with the ideas which shape it.’ The Congress included an Executive Leadership Forum and a Think Tank for leaders in Government, Business and Academia. ‘There is a groundswell of conviction’, said Mr Brown, ‘that greater concerted effort is needed to apply biblical truth in these arenas.’”

*** ***

City Info Spotlight: Cape Town, South Africa

The location of Cape Town, South Africa.

QUICK FACTS

- Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa (pop. 3.5 million), and the largest in land area.

- Cape Town is the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape, as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where the National Parliament and many government offices are located.

- Cape Town is hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world as officially recognised by Forbes. National Geographic has also listed Cape Town as one of the most iconic cities on the planet and "Places of a Lifetime."

- Cape Town is Africa's most popular tourist destination.

- Cape Town is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, reflecting its role as a major destination for immigrants and expatriates to South Africa.

HISTORY

There is no certainty as to when humans first occupied the area prior to the first visits of Europeans in the 15th century. The earliest known remnants in the region were found at Peers cave in Fish Hoek and date to between 15,000 and 12,000 years ago. Little is known of the history of the region's first residents, since there is no written history from the area before it was first mentioned by Portuguese explorer Bartolomeu Dias in 1486.

Vasco da Gama recorded a sighting of the Cape of Good Hope in 1497, and the area did not have regular contact with Europeans until 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck and other employees of the Dutch East India Company (Dutch: Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie, VOC) were sent to the Cape to establish a way-station for ships travelling to the Dutch East Indies, and the Fort de Goede Hoop (later replaced by the Castle of Good Hope). The city grew slowly during this period, as it was hard to find adequate labour. This labour shortage prompted the city to import slaves from Indonesia and Madagascar. Many of these became ancestors of the first Cape Coloured communities.

Jan van Riebeeck arrives in Table Bay in April 1652.

During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic wars, the Netherlands was repeatedly occupied by France, and Great Britain moved to take control of Dutch colonies. Britain captured Cape Town in 1795, but the Cape was returned to the Netherlands by treaty in 1803. British forces occupied the Cape again in 1806 following the battle of Bloubergstrand. In the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814, Cape Town was permanently ceded to Britain. It became the capital of the newly formed Cape Colony, whose territory expanded very substantially through the 1800s.

The discovery of diamonds in Griqualand West in 1867, and the Witwatersrand Gold Rush in 1886, prompted a flood of immigrants to South Africa. Conflicts between the Boer republics in the interior and the British colonial government resulted in the Second Boer War of 1899-1902, which Britain won. In 1910, Britain established the Union of South Africa, which unified the Cape Colony with the two defeated Boer Republics and the British colony of Natal. Cape Town became the legislative capital of the Union, and later of the Republic of South Africa.

In the 1948 national elections, the National Party won on a platform of apartheid (racial segregation) under the slogan of "swart gevaar". This led to the Group Areas Act, which classified all areas according to race. Formerly multi-racial suburbs of Cape Town were either purged of unlawful residents or demolished. The most infamous example of this in Cape Town was District Six. After it was declared a whites-only region in 1965, all housing there was demolished and over 60,000 residents were forcibly removed. Many of these residents were relocated to the Cape Flats and Lavender Hill. Under apartheid, the Cape was considered a "Coloured labour preference area", to the exclusion of "Bantus", i.e. blacks.

Camps Bay as seen from the ascent to Lion's Head.

Cape Town was home to many leaders of the anti-apartheid movement. On Robben Island, a former penitentiary island 10-kilometres from the city, many famous political prisoners were held for years. In one of the most famous moments marking the end of apartheid, Nelson Mandela made his first public speech in decades on 11 February 1990 from the balcony of Cape Town City Hall hours after being released. His speech heralded the beginning of a new era for the country, and the first democratic election was held four years later, on 27 April 1994.

Nobel Square in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront features statues of South Africa's four Nobel Peace Prize winners - Albert Luthuli, Desmond Tutu, F. W. de Klerk and Nelson Mandela. Since 1994, the city has struggled with problems such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, a surge in violent drug-related crime and more recent xenophobic violence. At the same time, the economy has surged to unprecedented levels due to the boom in the tourism and the real estate industries.

[View the full Wikipedia entry on Cape Town by clicking here.]

Lausanne World Congress 2010: Facts & Figures

• Cape Town 2010 - The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism
• 4,200 delegates from 198 countries
• Daily main plenary meetings, workshops, Bible studies (Ephesians) , worships...all designed to inspire and challenge everyone to our role in evangelism
• Congress verse: II Cor 5:19 "God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself"
• Congress Theme: The Whole Church, Taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole World.
• Take 20 mins. when you can and watch an amazing video on the history of Christianity by clicking here
• Daily issues discussed around tables - Truth/Reconciliation/World Faiths/Priorities/Integrity and Partnership
• You can see full reports on the Congress including a the Cape Town Commitment at: http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010

• Mission Africa Before The Congress
• 21 events in 13 countries
• 890 services in these events
• Over 480,000 attending
• Over 58,000 making commitments to Christ
• A 3 min video report by the Scott Dawson ministry can be viewed by clicking here

• Mission Africa During/After The Congress
• Info booth open for duration of Congress, assisting with many enquiries
• Distributed 3,000 reports/flyers
• Written up in the Lausanne daily newsletter
• National report written in Christianity Today, which you can read at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2010/octoberweb-only/51-11.0.html
• 180 people attended two special lunches to learn about future ministry partnerships modeled after Mission Africa
• Brief report about Mission Africa given to the entire Congress on the Friday Night Plenary Session
• A full page about MA included in the final commemorative Lausanne Cape Town newspaper
• 43 Countries officially submitting requests for Mission Africa type ministry partnerships including 21 African Countries and India / Russia / USA / France / Brazil / Venezuela / Philippines / Singapore / Latvia / Sri Lanka / Mexico / Grenada

[Note: Mission Africa was created for a one-time set of missions leading up to Cape Town 2010, but since then, many have asked if it will continue so that they can participate as a host or international team. Please pray that the Lord will guide the Mission Africa Leadership Team (Michael Cassidy, Blair Carlson, Songe, Eliot and Scott Lenning) on how to take the steps forward if the Lord wants to continue to breathe life into this ministry.]

Lausanne World Congress 2010: AE's Involvement

Doug Birdsall (Executive Chair Capetown 2010) introduces AE reps
Michael Cassidy, Esme Bowers and others.

We have all arrived back safely from the Lausanne Congress in Capetown, though I think most of us are still reeling from the experience. It is very difficult to describe the magnitude and richness of this event, involving such a diverse gathering of Christians leaders from around the world. AE played a key role in many aspects of the Congress, both in presentation and behind the scenes. Below are some basic facts about our involvement in Lausanne Capetown 2010.

African Enterprise’s Involvement in Lausanne:

• Michael Cassidy (Founder of AE) both welcomed delegates to Africa during the Opening Ceremony and made closing remarks at the Closing Ceremony. He was also the Chairman of the Mission Africa Committee.
• Esme Bowers (Chair of AESA Board) is the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Lausanne Movement and presented the final gift to Doug Birdsall, Executive Chair of the Capetown 2010 Committee
• Antoine Rutayisire (Chair of AE Rwanda) gave a presentation at a Plenary session to all delegates on Reconciliation. His comments regarding the situation in South Africa were quoted in a National newspaper (The Sunday Times) after a press conference. His session can be viewed at http://www.lausanne.org/cape-town-2010
• Songe Chibambo (Pan African Missions Director) co-directed “Mission Africa” with Scott Lenning, and presented to both the general gathering of delegates as well as smaller meetings regarding the fruit of Mission Africa
• Miles Giljam (AESA Team Leader) was the Communications Manager for Christian and secular “non-African” media covering the congress, as well as attending sessions as a delegate
• Leonard Kiswangi (DRC Team Leader) and Sindiswa Matyobeni (AESA Broadcast Director) assisted the Lausanne Media team with radio broadcasts and interpretation throughout the congress. Leonard also attended as a delegate.
• Team Leaders Samuel Asante (Ghana), Geoffrey Byarugaba (Uganda), Jean Kalenzi (Rwanda), Grace Masalakulangwa (Tanzania), Mel Mesfin (Ethiopia), Tom Otieno (Kenya), Enoch Phiri (Malawi), as well as staff members Janet Mwendwa (Kenya), Bernard Sachie (Ghana), Barbara Watt (AESA) and Enock Kagya (Tanzania) participated as delegates and a number of them held responsibilities as table leaders.
• AE Board Chairs and members Jennifer Musiime (Uganda), John Reyolds (USA), Zolile Mlisana (AESA), John Senyonyi (Uganda), Frances Mkandiwire (Malawi) participated as delegates. John Senyonyi also facilitated the Africa night for the general gathering as well as the regional gathering for East Africa.
• Thirteen indomitable foxfires and their co-ordinators served as stewards and IT personnel, working extremely hard to ensure delegates knew what to do and where to go! Hloni Letuka (AESA) also served as an assistant on the Mission Africa Booth.
• It was also wonderful to meet up with AE “associates” and friends Anne Coombes (UK), John Beckett (Aust), Stephen Mbogo (Kenya), Monica Chokhotho (Malawi), James Kato (Uganda), as well as many Mission Africa evangelists who we’d partnered with and Christians leaders from Liberia and Sudan whom we have worked with over the past couple of years.

During such a wonderful time of connections and reunions, sympathy started going out to the introverts amongst us – there wasn’t much “quiet time”!!

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

[You can view more photographs from Lausanne by clicking here.]

Lausanne World Congress 2010: Off To A Great Start!

Opening ceremonies get underway with a Scripture reading.

Things are going really well here in Capetown and the contributions of our AE guys are significant and outstanding (if I may comment in true “objective” reporting style!). The over 4000 delegates from almost 200 nations here in Capetown include over 30 AE staff, board members, and Foxfires, as well as numerous other people who have been staff or board members in the past. We are involved in almost every aspect – as speakers, stewards, organisers, media, delegates and Mission Africa representatives. The attached photos only represent a few of those involved as I am still searching for many of the others in this sea of people!

The program is full, intense, varied and multicultural. We have heard many incredible testimonies about the Lord’s work around the world in various ways. He certainly has been VERY busy! We spent some time praying for China, which prevented its 200-strong delegation from attending. Michael C. today described to us that he has just heard one of the most powerfully miraculous testimonies ever from an Iranian believer. We look forward to hearing it tomorrow at an AE gathering. Many of these testimonies are bittersweet as they involve the death of family or loved ones who died for the sake of bringing the gospel to others. These testimonies and the penetrating talks on Ephesians have certainly provided a challenge for those of us who work in nations with relatively open doors to the gospel.

Over 4000 delegates representing almost 200 nations.

It has been fun singing worship in the seven Congress languages, though as Africans or those who have been influenced by Africa, many of us are wishing they would allow more than 15 minutes of singing each session! The pace at which we are pushing through the program, and the challenging topics covered in the evenings has meant that everyone was well and truly ready for the rest day today!

I think it would be fair to say that everyone at the Congress feels very deeply the immense privilege of participating in this gathering. We feel history is in the making! We hope that many of you are able to also participate in some way through the Globalink site, and encourage you to do so if you are able. You’ll see an interesting news release below about the Globalink site which was inoperative for a while—we found out yesterday that it had been maliciously hacked but I understand that it now back up and running!

On a different note, please pray for our prayer coordinator Jean Van Rensburg who is currently in hospital and is quite unwell. She has marshaled pray-ers for AE ministries and personnel around the continent for many years, and we also need to support her in prayer at this time.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Looking Forward to Lausanne

The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation opens in a few days time, in fact next Sunday, October 17th in Cape Town. Roughly 4,500 delegates from some 200 countries will be participating. Interestingly enough, this is the first major World Christian Congress where the majority world of blacks, browns and yellows will be the majority.

Some very intellectually capable and spiritually anointed speakers will be addressing the gathering and there will be a huge amount of interaction amongst everybody with all the plenary talks coming into the vast main auditorium of the International Cape Town Conference Centre to people who will be seated around hundreds of tables holding six to eight people each. Thus after each presentation there will be serious dialogue and interaction between delegates around their tables and findings will be listed and come forth from the participants to be shared with the whole Congress and/or inserted into the records afterwards for world circulation. There will be tremendous worship and many opportunities for extended prayer.

There will be quite a goodly AE representation there from around Africa and Esme Bowers, Chairperson of AE South Africa and Dick Miles, also on our SA Board, have been deeply and extensively involved in the Cape Town Planning/Steering Committee. They have done terrific jobs and we are proud of them. Also, Miles Giljam, recently inducted as the new AE SA Team Leader (more in a moment) is also a key component of the Congress Communication team which will be relaying its message by assorted means around the world. We are very thankful and I know are going to be much blessed into the future by Miles’s extensive gifts in the arena of Christian communications.

As mentioned in my last news cum prayer letter, the Congress will be extended to hundreds of thousands of people around the world via the over 600 Global Link satellites in 93 countries.

- Michael Cassidy
(AE Founder)

Reflections on Mission Africa

AE's Congo Team Leader Leonard Kiswangi preaches during Kikwit mission.

I think, as many of you know, I have been privileged to serve on the Lausanne Executive Board as Chairperson of the Mission Africa venture by which we have sought to bring Congress participants to Africa to join up with other African evangelists, and especially with AE teams, to share the Gospel in many places in the five- or six-month run-up to the Lausanne Congress itself. My colleague Songe Chibambo, our Pan African Missions Director, has been co-director of this venture with Scott Lenning, Setup Director of Scott Dawson Ministries. We are immensely thankful for the blessings the Lord has poured out through the Mission Africa ventures. Some 500,000 people have heard the Gospel in recent months through our project and some 58,000 people have professed first-time commitment to Christ.

One of the specially blessed missions seems to have been the one in Congo with our Team Leader Leonard Kiswangi partnering with French evangelist Emmanuel Maennlein from France. This particular mission was in a city called Kikwit where our team had prepared 45 senior pastors and 125 local evangelists to participate in the outreach. The Mayor of Kikwit welcomed our brothers Emmanuel and Leonard to the Opening Rally with some 7,000 people present and over 1,000 giving their lives to Christ. In all about 31,000 people were reached during this outreach with 3,000 professing commitments. (Do, by the way, please pray for our Congo team. Their financial needs and difficult context are so difficult and such a challenge).

We really praise God for these international partnerships of cross-fertilisation between our teams and overseas evangelists related to the Lausanne Movement and we will be keeping in touch with them and continuing the relationship. In some cases some of our own evangelists will be invited overseas to countries which sent evangelists from their shores. Good cross-fertilisation.

- Michael Cassidy
(AE Founder)

A Gathering of Leaders

African Enterprise leaders from across the continent gather to pray & plan.

Our International Partnership Board meetings have run this last week from Friday 8th and through to Thursday 14th. It has been a joyous and blessed experience to my own mind and soul to see all these different leaders from around the continent coming together, sharing their stories, having fellowship, exhorting one another, encouraging one another and sharing their dreams for the future in their respective countries.

Stephen Lungu and Mike Woodall have also been leading us, along with the assistance of John Reed, a South African organisational consultant, now resident in Australia, and they have been taking us through a whole set of procedures whereby we will be adjusting our international structures and mechanisms of governance to make them much more efficient, streamlined, cost effective and plain efficient. We are so thankful to Steve, Mike and John for this guidance and direction.

We also had a special legacy emphasis morning devotions when John Tooke spoke and presented a copy of his thesis on “MC and the first 50 years of the work” to each overseas Support Board Chairman and each African National Team and Board. It was quite a moving time.

- Michael Cassidy
(AE Founder)

Closing Thoughts from Juba, Sudan

Pastor James Mawut recommitted his life to Christ during the Juba mission.

This will be my last update from Juba Sudan as we leave tomorrow. It has been a very interesting week, as some of us have met up with new believers and others who were impacted by the evangelistic events around the city. Overall, we estimate that between 3-3500 people made commitments to Christ, and we reached more than 100,000 throughout the city, particularly because of the extensive radio evangelism coverage

We visited the prison and the police barracks where events were held. Some interesting individual stories have arisen from these visits, and the overwhelming vibe was that both these communities have been impacted as a whole. At the police station, officers said they noticed a difference directly after the meetings in the cleanliness of the compound, in the number of officers turning up to work drunk, and the lack of fighting and violence. Inmates at the prison said that the atmosphere there had also become more peaceful, and a large number of people had registered to join the existing prayer group. Both the Director of the Police Barracks and Director General of the Prison warmly invited African Enterprise to return again in the future.

Even the hotel where we are staying has changed, and has remained changed since the team left. The staff are smiling more, one who seemed antagonistic to Christianity when we first arrived is now offering to say grace for us when we eat, and it is not as rowdy at night. The co-ordinator of our team of drivers shared that all his drivers have been impacted in some way, and are more open to Jesus or actually became Christians.

The first new believer I interviewed was apparently a pastor called James. Confusingly he insisted that the first time he truly  received Christ was during an event last week. We met up with him in his locality to hear more, and he shared an interesting story with us. He had grown up in a family which practiced witchcraft, and was frequently visited at night by a “crow” which would take him from his bed and fly around with him (a common indicator of witchcraft). He didn’t attend school, but grew up herding cows. 

About four years ago, James became a “pastor.” We are not sure how this happened, or whether it had more to do with money than following a calling of God. He was a pastor in a district outside of Juba, but during the mission said that he was challenged to truly commit to Christ. He said his life has significantly changed now – he wants to follow the narrow way rather than the crooked way. He no longer drinks or smokes, doesn’t go with sex workers as he and his friends used to do, and doesn’t want to use bad words now. He grinned as he said that he now wants to devote his life to working for Jesus Christ who has freed him and saved him.

The Zonal “Discipleship” co-ordinators met again yesterday to discuss follow up arrangements. The Discipleship Chairman himself has a great testimony of how he became a Christian through the ministry of African Enterprise to the University of Juba in 1984, and it is ironic that he should be overseeing the follow up process after this mission!! Each of the co-ordinators has a team of trained counselors in their zones and will be equipped to call and visit those who indicated a decision for Christ – those whose details we actually were able to collect.

They will use the “Balanced Christian Life” booklet which is a six-week course teaching new believers about the basics of being a Christian. They will also use “Growing up in Christ,” which is a series of Bible studies from the book of John. Many of these co-ordinators had already made contact with a number of those who had come to faith during the mission, and shared some exciting testimonies. I hope to meet with a number of these people today, and need your prayers as we have now only one day left.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Final Day

Crowd gathers at the Juba for Jesus Closing Rally.

After another busy and sweltering morning in churches, we headed over to the “Nyokuron Cultural Centre” for the Closing Rally. The heat in the sun was oppressive, and again, attendance was slow initially. However, as the afternoon wore on, people gathered in thick crowds in the small pockets of shade available. The choirs and Foxfire evangelists were again the stars of the show, getting enthusiasts to their feet as they tried to imitate the dance moves. Although the Vice President wasn’t able to attend due to other commitments, the Religious Advisor to the President, and Minister of Roads and Transport attended as special guests, in amongst a number of other politicians. They were clearly very excited to be there – one of them ran up the walkway to the podium, and then down again to his seat!

Both emphasized the need for the church to lead the way in Southern Sudan, and exhorted the church to pray that their leaders be given the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom. Their enthusiasm pushed the program over time, as did frequent power cuts, but the majority of the crowd was committed to seeing the end of the program. Stephen Lungu ended up preaching in the dark, challenging his listeners to examine whether they were only going as far as the church, rather than going all the way to the cross where they would find freedom and forgiveness. Over 100 adults responded to the message, gathering up on the stage where we could actually partially see them!

Hon Julius Moilinga MP, Master of Ceremonies for Closing Rally

At dinner, Peter, the co-ordinator of our team of drivers, shared with us a vision he’d had that day. The vision was of an ambassador arriving in Southern Sudan in a helicopter. The helicopter rescued him and others, and took them to safety. After some thought, he realised that the vision was about the “Juba for Jesus” mission. The ambassador represented the evangelists who were “ambassadors for Christ,” and the helicopter represented the Lord who was lifting the people of Sudan to safety. Peter is a believer, and he sensed the Lord telling him that this mission had a significant role in bringing true peace to the people of Southern Sudan, and knew he had to go along to the Closing Rally, even though he wasn’t feeling well. He was so convinced that he also persuaded friends to come with him, although they were also not feeling well. They all came along, and we saw them dancing in the crowd. Some testified later that their sickness had left them, and although we haven’t had a chance to talk further with them yet, we sense that this event has been instrumental in many of them coming to faith in Christ.

It had been a long day, and I was keen to get this report written before bed. However as I was gathering my thoughts, I heard clapping from the dining room. I wandered back in to find that the indomitable Foxfires had cleared away the centre tables, and were energetically performing a dance to the hotel staff and handful of remaining guests at almost 10pm!

A member of the Foxfires group shares his testimony with hotel staff.

We know that although the hotel staff has observed us “warts and all” over the past few weeks, they have also experienced the love of Christ in us. A number of them softly told me today how much they will miss us when we go, and one who was able joined us at the Closing Rally. One of the Foxfires shared with them how the Lord rescued him after growing up in a broken family and a gangster lifestyle, and invited them to approach us if they wanted to accept the Lord into their lives as well.

Thank you so much again for standing with us this week. We are very aware that our prayer supporters around the world have vitally contributed to this mission.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 7

Although the day started on a very soggy note, we ended on a high! I haven’t had a chance to hear from everyone yet, but I could sense just by the “vibe” at dinner tonight that there was great excitement about what had taken place around the city during the day.

Our day started with drizzling rain continuing until just before lunchtime, and washing out our planned outdoor meetings. However the blue sky appeared in time for a team to return to the police barracks, and we experienced another steamy day. The officers were expecting us, and a number brought their chairs up to the gathering. Many were off duty today, and sat back enjoying the singing and dancing. A Rwandan evangelist then shared from Psalm 27, exhorting the officers that unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen watch in vain. The response to the altar call was small and genuine, and it was a great comfort to see those who had responded the day before sit peacefully, assured of their new life in Christ.

Teams then were dispersed into the city to the evening rally venues for the last time. Some were excited and some were a little dubious. I joined a team which was located in a venue placed across the road from a market. Whilst there were many people across the road, we were concerned that we could not effectively engage their attention from such a distance, and previous meetings had confirmed that this was the case. We attempted to move a little but major adjustments were clearly not going to work in the time we had. However, as the choirs and foxfire evangelists performed, people began to gather.

The growing crowd mainly consisted of rough-looking young men, and similarly rough-looking children, who stopped to listen on their way between the market and the residential area. Our Tanzanian evangelist started preaching on “the lost son,” describing the rebellion of the young son, and the grace of the Father who welcomed him home. As the crowd continued to grow, I was reminded of the time when Jesus told his disciples to throw their net out into the sea again even though they had caught no fish that night.

As the messaged started and I was adjusting settings on my cameras, a young woman approached me and grabbed my arm. Tears were running down her face, and she looked very distressed. She leaned closely in on me, saying “I’m a sinner, I’m a sinner”. I tried to comfort her, encouraging her that we were all sinners, but that God had good news for us, and that she should stay and hear the message. Although she was well dressed, she smelt of alcohol and clearly was deeply burdened by something.

She had a deep scar running across the side of her nose, and I wondered what sorts of experiences she was carrying. She was inconsolable, repeating to me that she was a sinner and she couldn’t stand before God. She admitted that she drank, but something else was obviously troubling her. I wondered whether it had to do with the commercial brothels in the area. She listened with an expression of longing disbelief as I hugged her and explained that Jesus had taken her sin into himself and destroyed it for her so that she could stand clean before God again.

She told me that she wanted to return to the market and collect her things so that she could come back to listen. I urged her to stay for the message, and collect her things later, but she insisted, wandering over the road and into the market. She never returned to the meeting tonight, but I know that the Father God looks for her just as He looked for the lost son in the parable.

The rest of the message was powerfully convicting — the love of God being so starkly displayed in contrast to our scornful rejection of Him. When the crowd was invited by our Ugandan evangelist to respond, only a handful of people were left to stand around the fringes. The rest had formed a tight clump around the evangelist with arms raised, surrendering their lives to Christ who had died for them and brought them new life. People had crossed the road to join the group, the police man who had been listening outside his station came over, and a Muslim man who had been listening from a distance quietly walked up and sat on the keyboardist’s chair. It was humbling and a joy to see how many responded after our sceptism upon arriving at the venue. The Lord had truly touched many lives.

It was dark by the time personal details were collected from those who had responded. Counsellors crowded around the only light which was emanating from the car headlights, as did almost everyone else who was eager to read their new follow up material. A local pastor and facilitator of the gathering excitedly made arrangements with us to collect the response cards early next week, so that he could begin the challenging task of following up those who had responded to the message. The team went home praising the Lord and thanking Him in prayer.

At another venue, the biggest in the city, a crowd had already heard and responded to one team of evangelists when another team arrived on the scene. Those straggling past after the market had closed were joining the gathering, and so a 'tag team' arrangement was organised to reach out to the latecomers. Three more different people preached short messages, interspersed with energetic dances by the foxfire evangelists, and by the end of the evening, almost the whole crowd had responded to the gospel of Christ. It was a grand finale to an exciting week.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 6

Listening to the Gospel message.

Praise the Lord for a fruitful day. One team went to the fire brigade and spoke to the staff there. Although it was a small meeting, they were very warmly received and shared with them how important that they have been rescued by Christ, just as they rescue others from fire.

Another team visited the large prison in Juba, both the men’s and the women’s section. Over 1500 men were seated in the walled compound, under the sweltering sun. A foxfire team and Stephen Lungu ministered, and over ¾ of the audience indicated they wanted to receive Christ! The interpreter, Joshua, a faithful local pastor, said that he noticed in the audience a man who had attended his church, but had recently gone missing. Joshua recognized this man in the seated crowd of prisoners before him and greeted him. He noticed that the man was one of those who raised his hands to receive Christ – at last receiving Jesus through his ministry, even though whilst in prison!!

Two AE women evangelists shared with the women’s section, in the narrow hallway lined with neatly made beds (surprisingly clean for an African prison). Over 30 of the 50 women came forward to receive Christ into their hearts, just as the woman who was bleeding went forward to touch Jesus’ garment in faith so many years ago.

While the Lord was working in the hearts of those in prison, He was also working the hearts of children at a remote primary school — so far out that we were convinced we’d missed a turn off. This school was established recently, and the Headmaster warmly welcomed us, explaining that he considered this to be an important part of the children’s education. A foxfire evangelist shared a powerful testimony of being saved from a rebellious and destructive lifestyle through the witness and love of her Christian school friends and the Foxfire dances and songs had the kids in much laughter.

Keith Cook ministers to primary school children.

Then the children heard from partner evangelist Keith Cook from “On the Go” ministries who has joined the Juba mission as part of the “Mission Africa” initiative in the lead up to the Lausanne Congress. Keith used some students as a visual illustration of being pulled in two by the temptations of sin, and shared how even one sin will separate us from a holy God. He explained how Jesus had died on the cross to take away our sins, so that we can be children of God again. Almost all over the 120 children present raised their hands and joined in the prayer that Jesus would be their Lord and Saviour.

Elsewhere in the city the Lord was also at work in the main police barracks. This was a dusty compound staffed by solemn, partially uniformed police people who would eventually break into bright smiles when you greeted them. Apart from a small group, the officers remained spread around the compound, reclusing on their verandahs, but it was clear that this noisy group of chorusing, dancing Christians was attracting their attention.

The heat was significant and people were feeling a bit sluggish, but all were aware that this was a wonderful opportunity. A Malawian evangelist shared about the importance of law enforcers in protecting the community, and the importance of being empowered by Jesus to do so. Almost all the officers seated before us indicated that they wanted to respond to the Lord in some way (we suspect some were already believers), and the field commander, Emmanuel, thanked us very much for coming to share the Word of God with them. A team will go back again tomorrow, so please pray that many more hearts will turn to the Lord during that time.

Dance group performs at one of the day's rallies.

The evening rallies in seven venues around the city are all running smoothly now, with increasing crowds and hundreds of people responding to the Lord. At one of our smaller venues, over 300 people turned to Christ, and it would be fair to say, without the official numbers yet, that over 1000 people are coming into the Kingdom each day. We all sense a great hunger for the gospel of Jesus here in Juba – beyond what we had expected and even prepared for!

Tomorrow we continue with stratified evangelism, before the Closing Rally on Sunday. We are just so thankful to be involved in what the Lord is doing in this city and pray we would continue to be sensitive to his leading.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 5

The leadership luncheon was very good, although the Vice President had other commitments and was disappointed he couldn’t attend. It was hosted by the Religious Advisor to the President, and was attended by numerous government officials and members of parliament. Through the Religious Advisor, the Vice President exhorted those in attendance to take seriously that this is decision time for their lives, and to appreciate the work which AE has done, which has enhanced the kind of work they are doing in the lead up to the referendum.

Stephen Lungu gave a wonderful and appropriate message from Proverbs: “unless God leads a nation, that nation won’t be successful.” He challenged the audience that as they look forward to the referendum, God must be in it otherwise it will be a flop. A member of parliament also shared a beautiful poem for Southern Sudan and shared that even the current state of freedom of Southern Sudan is as a result of the work of the church. All in all it was really encouraging, and you could sense the presence of the Lord.

- Enoch Phiri & Songe Chibambo

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 4

A moment of prayer on a hot September day.

This was the “hump day” as our partner evangelist Keith Cook calls it. We have struggled through some significant difficulties, made some significant changes, and, praise the Lord, we are travelling quite smoothly now. The only thing which stopped us moving as quickly today was the stifling heat. We had to delay going to some meetings scheduled in outdoor venues because it was simply too hot and people were hiding indoors. Having said that, one of the meetings conducted at midday on a busy street lined with small businesses, still attracted a small group who defied the blaring sun to stand and listen just in front of the preacher.

Another meeting earlier in the morning was conducted in the midst of a goat and cattle-selling area, just outside the bar which was nearby. Roughly 50 young men were sitting around playing dominos and pool whilst drinking. They looked bored and directionless, but invited us to set up and preach. It was hot and a very odd venue in which to set up a sound system but we went ahead.

A man at the goat market responds to the altar call.

A Kenyan preacher shared his testimony of being deceived as a young person, and wasting his young years smoking and drinking. He explained how Satan had come to kill, steal and destroy, but that Jesus had come to give us life. His message was affirmed by our Ugandan evangelist who explained that through Jesus death on the cross, it was possible to be freed from guilt and condemnation, even those who had committed atrocities.

The group listening had looked self-consciously interested, and, particularly because the altar call was taking place in their “watering hole,” I wondered if anyone would have the courage to respond in front of their peers.

Surprisingly even the hardest looking men stood to their feet when invited to give their lives to Jesus and become his child. People appeared from nowhere, doubling the number I had thought were listening. Easily over 60 adults gave their lives to the Lord.  They prayed with raised hands. It was one of the most touching meetings I’ve attended.

More decisions, more lives changed following goat market sermon.

In the evening our Ethiopian evangelist shared about being born again on a popular local FM radio station live talk show. Numerous people, including Muslims, called in to discuss the message and ask questions about the mission. Members of the team will share in other live talk shows on Friday and Saturday, and we’d greatly appreciate prayers for these opportunities.

- Vanessa Khlentzos

(Pan African Communications,

African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 3

DRC team leader preaches to soldiers at military barracks.

Wow, what a day. Despite continued logistical difficulties, many of the teams had very fruitful meetings around the city today.

One team went to a military barracks (getting lost on the way…). The soldiers looked tired and nervous, probably because of the approaching referendum and the toll which years in the bush takes on a person. Our DRC team leader shared passionately about the effects of war on a nation and an individual, and that the military’s main role was to protect its people not exploit them. He boldly challenged them to examine whether they were motivated by the love of God, or anger and a desire to revenge, which would only bring danger. Around 35 of them came forward for prayer, and we have been invited to return again for the next two days. Please pray for the continued fruitfulness of these meetings, and for open doors into other barracks.

In the afternoon a different team went to a very large, colourful, smelly, bustling dirty market which accommodates thousands of people selling various wares. Children were searching through the piles of rubbish surrounding us, and many were excited to see us back again. The choir had already set up and quickly drew a small crowd. They were unperturbed by the number of drunk and mentally disabled people who joined them up the front, dancing wildly. It was clear that the general person in this area really struggled, and responded eagerly when shown love and compassion.

Juba kids playing on rubbish pile.

A Kenyan evangelist spoke about God’s true way for those who are lost – Jesus. The hundreds who had gathered to watch the choir didn’t dissipate as so often happens when the music stops, but listened quietly. When given a chance be “found” again by God through the life and death of Jesus, a huge number swelled forward towards the preacher. I wondered how many times these people had heard the gospel explained so clearly and simply. A handful of counselors struggled to take down the details of those who had responded. Even without this large group of over 100 people, the crowd had grown tremendously because sellers had closed their stores and joined the event.

Our Ethiopian evangelist made the most of this increasing crowd of people, describing how Jesus told Nicodemus he needed to be “born again” by the Spirit, not by the flesh. He described how it is easy to be “religious” and do “Christian” things, but not actually be born again. When invited to come forward, only three brave people stepped forward into the centre. However, their boldness clearly inspired others, who also joined them until another 40 people were standing before the evangelist for prayer.

Mission gathering in Old Customs Market.

Many other very successful meetings took place around the city today, but we continued to have logistical difficulties, particularly with lack of sound systems, and a shortage of counselors. We’d greatly appreciate your continued prayer for these aspects of the mission, and thank God with you for the wonderful way He is touching lives in our midst.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

City Info Spotlight: Juba, Sudan

The location of Juba in Sudan, Africa.

QUICK FACTS

- Juba is a city in Sudan, the regional capital of Southern Sudan and the capital of the Sudanese state of Central Equatoria.

- In 2005 its population was 163,442. Based on analysis of aerial photos, the best estimate of several donors working in Juba estimate the 2006 population at approximately 250,000.

- Juba's elevation is 550 m (1,804 ft).

- Juba is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and is developing very rapidly due to oil money and the Chinese coming for work and development.

HISTORY

In the 19th century, a trading post and a mission named Gondokoro was located in the vicinity of Juba. It was the southernmost outpost of the Turkish garrison, supported by a handful of soldiers, mostly ill due to the malaria and blackwater fever that was dominant in the region. Gondokoro was also the base of the explorer and anti-slavery campaigner Samuel Baker during his expeditions to what is now Southern Sudan and northern Uganda from 1863 to 1865, and from 1871 to 1873.

In 1922, a small number of Greek traders arrived in the area and established Juba on the opposite bank of the White Nile. The Greeks who had excellent relations with the indegenous tribe of Juba (the Bari), built what is known today the Business District. The buildings where today is the Buffalo Commercial Bank, Nile Commercial Bank, Paradise Hotel, the Norwegian Consul's House and so many other, were originally built by the Greeks and were the only permanent structures someone could find until the early '40s.

A cattle traffic jam in the city of Juba, Sudan.

From 1899 to 1956, the Juba was in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan jointly administered by the United Kingdom and Egypt. British hopes to join the southern part of Sudan with Uganda were dashed in 1947 by an agreement in Juba, also known as the Juba Conference, to unify northern and southern Sudan. In 1955, a mutiny of southern soldiers in the city sparked the First Sudanese Civil War, which did not end until 1972. During the Second Sudanese Civil War, Juba was a strategic location that was the focus of much fighting.

In 2005, Juba was handed over to the Sudanese People's Liberation Army. The city serves as the permanent regional capital of Southern Sudan, although the interim capital was Rumbek.

With the advent of peace, the United Nations increased its presence in Juba, whereas many Southern Sudan operations had until that time been managed from Kenya. Under the leadership of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations established a camp known as "OCHA Camp", which served as a base for many United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations.

[View the full Wikipedia entry on Juba by clicking here.]

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 2

Outdoor meeting on dusty day 2 of Juba mission.

It was a typical day one of stratified evangelism: excitement, confusion, anticipation, disappointment, amazement, joy...and, today, lots of dust!! Much happened, and below is a taste of just some of it.

In the morning, six teams scattered throughout the city. Meetings were held in government ministries and departments, a clinic, nursery schools, markets, and secondary schools. Some teams got lost and others couldn’t find their venue. Others received more than they expected—one team was expecting to minister to 300 secondary students, but found 1300 ready to listen. There was great excitement as the Foxfires did their South African dances and after a testimony and strong exhortation to turn away from the destructive things of the world, and turn to Jesus, at least one hundred students boldly raised their hands.

In the afternoon, teams travelled out to their evening rally locations. Set up was running a little late, and one team popped into a nearby school while they waited for the PA to be ready. They came across a group of about 15 children whose work was being marked by their teacher. The teacher gave the evangelists a chance to speak to the kids, two of which indicated they wanted to receive Jesus. The evangelists then found a classroom with about 60 children and nearly all responded to the message. The Headmistress also invited them back to her office, and heard the gospel. She wasn’t ready to make a decision, but invited the team back to the school to minister there again to the students and to her tomorrow!

Local youth raise their hands to indicate a decision for Christ.

As these afternoon rallies commenced, a dark storm loomed in on the city, much like the one which threatened the Opening Rally. It looked sure to wash out the open-air meetings, and lightening was frequent. However it produced a very strong wind rather than rain, whipping the dry dust which covers Juba, and causing what sometimes looked like a dust storm. People watching had to turn away and close their eyes, and those singing, dancing or preaching got grit in their mouth and eyes. It was very unpleasant to be outside, but thankfully many people braved the conditions and remained at the meeting.

One of the venues was in a huge, chaotic, colourful market called the “Old Custom Market.” The gusty wind threw up rubbish which covered the ground and stuck obstinately to those in the audience. However the energetic choir did a great job of drawing the attention of almost 2000 people. One of the first people to respond to the gospel message was a Catholic nun in full dress! Over 200 others also responded and were counseled.

A group of women who've just responded to some very Good News.

The Youth Rally was a little disappointing, being set in what someone described as “the beach in Juba” – just dust and sun. About 150 school kids and passersby gathered and truly enjoyed the Foxfire program, despite the swirling and buffeting dust which swept across the ground. As one of the foxfires preached, a man in military uniform approached, rather menacingly. He smelt of alcohol and was quite disruptive to the message. He was drawn aside, but nonetheless he responded with great tears and emotion after the altar call was made. We are hoping he will return tomorrow as he promised so that we can find out more about his story.

Other teams had a great first morning tag-team preaching in the street and drawing sizeable crowds without a sound system, whilst others found some of their audience sitting in trees just like Zacceaus.

From rough estimates, it seems that over 1000 people came to the Lord today! There is much rejoicing in heaven! Another wonderful blessing was the pastor who popped in at dinner time, and donated US$100 to the mission!

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)

Mission to Juba, Sudan - Day 1

Some of the crowd attending the Juba Mission Opening Rally.

Our day started in churches around Juba, publicising the mission and preaching the Word of God. The evangelists were well received and arrived back just in time to leave for the Opening Rally. The weather was hot, and we were dehydrated before we got there. General attendance was slow, probably because of the heat, but it was well attended by dignitaries and church leaders. The Minister for Gender and Welfare, the Religious Advisor to the President, and even the Vice President himself attended.

At one point a huge storm approached, blowing a gusty (but relievingly cool) wind. Many people ran for cover as large drops of rain splattered the choir which was singing. The prayer team and counselors who were strategically positioned around the ground starting praying urgently – this storm had the potential to literally wipe out the Opening Rally.

The Choir sang more fervently, and everyone realised what was at stake. The singing grew in intensity and people started dancing in the rain… we were not going to give up this God given opportunity. Eventually the storm passed by and we were able to continue in considerably more pleasant cooler conditions.

Bright Stars Choir perform at the Juba Mission Opening Rally.

After some great Sudanese choirs and our own youth “Foxfire” evangelists had performed, the Vice President warmly welcomed us to Juba, thanking the various African nations represented for their care of Sudanese refugees who fled Juba during the war. He emphasized the diversity and freedom of religion in Southern Sudan, and encouraged us to "preach hard!"

Stephen then shared his testimony, and clearly touched people deeply as they heard about his abandonment and suffering as a child, and had them laughing as he described how he tried to duck the preacher’s finger which pointed into the congregation where he was saved.

Stephen Lungu (AE International Team Leader) shares his testimony.

Both speakers set a poignant foundation for main speaker, Keith Cook’s message based on John 14:6 – Jesus is the only way to the Father. He described how God had rescued him from near death experiences, and more than that, how in Christ had completely dealt with our sin so that we can be assured of eternity in heaven with a holy God. The sun had set by this time, but people had stayed to listen to the message. When the listeners were invited to give their lives to Jesus, many hands were raised, and we were surprised by the number of people who trailed over the waiting counselors. 124 people gave their lives to the Lord for the first time.

- Vanessa Khlentzos
(Pan African Communications,
African Enterprise)