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)

Update from AE founder Michael Cassidy

African Enterprise founder Michael Cassidy

Our Very Dear Friends in Lots of Places,

This is Michael coming to you rather hurriedly on September 2^nd just before I go away for 12 days to Johannesburg, Pretoria, and then Cape Town, and finally having four days in Namaquland in the North Western Cape with Carol looking at the beautiful profusion of flowers which come out every year in that scenic wonderland in that part of our country.

We return to Pietermaritzburg on September 12^th and I do covet your prayers as I go into hospital on Tuesday, September 14^th for prostate surgery.  Thankfully I do not have a cancer problem in this regard but the doctor has recommended running repairs which will keep me in hospital for three or four days, after which I must lie low and take it fairly easy with no travel by plane or any extended distance by car for three weeks.  So that is a little bit of an item on my horizon and I would obviously covet your prayers that all should go well and satisfactorily. 

Now for some other bits and pieces of news about upcoming things and some of what we have been up to in the weeks since I last wrote.  So perhaps let’s run the clock back to early July when my last letter went out.

1. NEW WINE CONFERENCE - SLIGO, IRELAND

Thank you so much for those of you who remembered me/us in prayer as we went into that wonderful event.  We were picked up at Dublin Airport by Mrs Susan Philips who was on our AE Ireland Board and we had the first night in her home with her family in County Wicklow.  Her husband Tim died some months ago and this has been very devastating for her.  But she is full of grace and truth, courage, and the love of God. 

We then went up to Dublin and stayed with David and Joy Ebbs, David being a Dublin businessman and another member of the AE Ireland Board.  They had an AE meeting that night (Saturday, July 10^th) and it was wonderful to find friends and supporters there who love our work, pray for us, and give towards the ministry.  David and Joy then took us out to Sligo in Western Ireland and stayed for the whole week in the conference.  They are such stars.  At assorted free moments they also took us around to see some of the lovely scenery in that part of the world.  In the conference itself I did a series of five major lectures on Prayer and this was an enormous privilege and a humbling opportunity.

There was a sense of the Lord blessing the ministry and I was so very thankful for the sense of joy and delight with which I was able to minister the Word.  Many seemed to have been touched and came for prayer at the end of the different messages, as happened after each of the presentations in the conference.  People, even in the church, have such needs and it is really wonderful when prayer ministry opportunities are seized so that people can be encouraged, prayed for and experience the Lord’s rich touch upon their lives.  We saw that again and again and again.  So thank you again so very much for your prayers.  I feel the Lord really did answer.

2. BRIEF VISIT TO USA

We then shot across the pond to have a week with our daughter Cathy, son-in-law Jonathan, and their two bouncing bundles of fun, Andrew and Cameron.  It was precious indeed to reconnect to our USA family again and be blessed by them.  We also made connection to numbers of AE friends in that area, as well as the Maclellan Foundation, and then Cathy drove me the four and a half or five hour distance to Asheville and Montreat to have a very special time with Billy Graham.  This was moving indeed and the great veteran evangelist, even at 92, remains so full of the love of Christ and a passion for the Gospel.  I have attached a couple of photographs which I think are quite special and much to be treasured.  It was a joy to share some Scripture with him and pray and reminisce and even laugh about old times.

Old friends Billy Graham & Michael Cassidy catch up.

After saying our fond farewells to the dear man, we went over to the Billy Graham Training Centre at The Cove in Asheville and met there with Scott Holmquist, the Director of the Centre, and also spent some minutes with Wil Graham, Billy Graham’s grandson.  Interesting that several of his grandsons are rising stars in evangelism already.  And of course his son Franklin is now President of the Billy Association and has a vast ministry around the world both in evangelism and in compassionate actions through Samaritan’s Purse.  His daughter, Ann is a great preacher and author as well.  What a family!  It was interesting comparing notes with Scott about The Cove Training Centre and the developing AE Leadership Training Centre.  Interestingly enough both The Cove and the AE Centre were designed by the same landscape architect, Professor Carl Johnson formerly Professor of Architecture at Ann Arbour University in Michigan. 

On the way back from the States we stopped in UK for two days to visit my sister Olave Snelling, who is Chairperson of AEUK and her husband John.  It was a special joy also to have dinner with Philip Green, a very senior British businessman, who has a terrific heart for the Lord and the Gospel and for Africa. 

3. BACK IN SOUTH AFRICA

Once back in South Africa we were quickly into the swing of things.  I had a glorious opportunity on Saturday, August 7^th of ministering to 1 500 university students who are part of Campus Harvest Ministries of the His People/Every Nation denomination.  I have rarely been in the middle of such pulsating spiritual energy and Gospel vitality as in that conference.  I felt hugely grateful to the Lord for giving me liberty of utterance and proclamation along with favour from those students as I encountered there.  Beautiful hearts and open minds and souls.  I take very great comfort and consolation for South Africa when I think of young people like that being released into our society which at all sorts of levels has exceedingly problematic components at work.  We need to be praying for South Africa, dear friends.  But pray especially for these Christian young people who have the future in their hands.

The following week we had the honour and privilege of Malcolm and Bertha Graham visiting us and it was such a special joy to host a celebratory dinner for them on Thursday, August 12^th to give thanks for their 36 years of ministry to AE.  This has been, as I have said before, a contribution probably without precedent in the whole ministry.  We owe them just so much.  Please keep them in your prayers as they move now into retirement, but with Malcolm also helping out in assorted ways as he can in terms of AEUSA.  In that regard we are celebrating the ongoing progress in that office through our new Director Chris Doyle.  Please hold him in your prayers as well.

I also praise the Lord for another teaching and ministry experience in yet another New Wine Conference in Pretoria, although this is not the same ministry as the one in Ireland.  But it emerges out of a Leadership Institute established by a brilliant rising star in South Africa by the name of Segun Olanipekun.  He is a Nigerian who has felt called to South Africa and he has a great emerging ministry based in Pretoria.

I was privileged to give two major addresses in this conference on the subject of South African Family Life.  The first focused into How Did We Get Here?, in the sense of what have been the factors that have led us in South Africa into the situation we are now in where families are in such crisis?  In the second lecture I was able to address what I feel needs to be taught and emphasized in the churches if we are to re-establish South African family life in new strength and stability.  I believe that if anyone wants to have CD copies of these messages, as indeed also of the ones in Ireland on Prayer, then just write back to us and make enquiry.

We have also been greatly blessed with the four day visit of Rev Norman Hamilton, the new Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, and his wife Evelyn and daughter Julie.  They stayed with Carol and me for four days and we were able to connect them to numbers of leaders in this area.  Rev Hamilton is exploring the lessons we learnt in South Africa in bringing together both the personal and socio-political dimensions of the Gospel.  This was a joyous privilege for us to share with this powerful and influential man of God and his family.  Pray for Norman as he gives strong leadership not only in the Presbyterian Church of Ireland, with some 475 churches under him, but in the wider Christian scene as well.

4. BARNABAS GROUPS

At the end of last year after Carol and I had our December 18^th episode on the road when the Grim Reaper could have taken us away, we have felt a challenge to rework some of our priorities.  This has led me to cut back on executive and fundraising responsibilities and also to focus more into the encouraging of younger leaders in South Africa.  Barnabas you will remember in the New Testament carried that name because he was “the Son of Encouragement.”  I have accordingly selected some 70 younger leaders from around South Africa in five or six different cities and am beginning a process of meeting with these groups for the purpose of mutual encouragement in the Gospel, the things of the Lord, our own personal growth, and how we respond to the challenges of South Africa at this time.  The first of these is today, Thursday, September 2^nd in Johannesburg, and then the next in Cape Town on Saturday, 4^th.  The other four groups in different parts of the country will be meeting, Lord willing, in November.  I so covet and would profoundly cherish your prayers for this new venture which I am hoping will really be a blessing to many of these younger leaders, and I know they will for sure bless me. 

I have also had the privilege of meeting with a dozen or so Methodist ministers for similar encouragement here in Pietermaritzburg and as the Lord enables me to try and be a blessing to some of these pastors and clergy, so I will deepen in my sense of gratitude to the Lord for this privilege.

5. JUBA MISSION

Beloved friends, please, please, please uphold our upcoming Juba Mission to the Lord in prayer.  This is set to run from the 18^th September through to 26^th September.  Our brother Songe Chibambo, the AE Pan African Missions Director, plus John Shikuku, Leader of our Team in Kenya, have been majoring on the setup, with wonderfully able input from Darien and Vanessa Khlentzos.  Our setup crew is there now and Songe flies in a day or so, much in need of prayer for strength as he is just coming out of the Nelspruit Mission as well.  Juba, Southern Sudan has suffered profoundly, as much in many ways as any other major crisis area of the world.  The church has been battered and bruised by different types of persecution and the need is really great for a breakthrough there.  May our team be anointed with power from on High and may all possible blessings and anointing rest upon Stephen Lungu, our International Team Leader and CEO, as he leads that mission and is the main preacher. 

6. INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP BOARD (IPB)

This is another area of particular need for prayer.  It begins on Friday, October 8^th and runs through to Thursday, October 14^th.  This is a very, very important time for our whole Partnership as many major decisions are being made relating to the future.  A venture of strategic planning and deep discussion has been called the Project Generational Change and we will be looking at the findings arising out of the initial work, all of which is designed to move AE as satisfactorily as possible into the future.  Please uphold all of us in prayer through those days.  We have probably hardly ever had an IPB of greater importance, particularly as there is to be some major restructuring taking place in the governance and organizational procedures of the ministry. 

7. LAUSANNE III – the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation

Right after our IPB several of us move on to Cape Town where the Lausanne Congress gets underway on Saturday, October 16^th and runs through to Monday, October 25^th. 

Please pray especially for the Chairman of the Congress, Rev Doug Birdsall, and also for Blair Carlson, the Executive Director along with his ever increasing staff in Cape Town as the countdown begins.

As of this moment there are 4 100 registered participants from 180 nations, along with probably some others to be added.  Most are pastors, scholars, missionaries, evangelists, government officials, business people, journalists, medical personnel and who knows what else.  The Cape Town 2010 participants represent virtually every stream of global Christianity and are united in their commitment to the cause of world evangelization.  In addition to the formal participants the Congress will be joined by nearly 700 people who will serve as staff, stewards, media, special guests and observers. 

The Programme Team, under the leadership of Programme Director Grace Mathews (Delhi) and Chairman Ramez Atallah (Cairo), met recently in Austria and report that all plenary speakers have submitted their Advance Papers for participants to read and respond to online to the Lausanne Global Conversation.  To learn more about all the Congress preparations including reading the Advance Papers, if you would be so inclined or interested, please go to www.lausanne.org/prepare. 

One very exciting thing to mention of the Congress is that there are at this stage 385 sites and 74 countries who have registered to host Cape Town GlobalLink events.  This means that people all over the world can plug in on the Congress and participate in it at various levels.  The Congress organizers are very encouraged to know that tens of thousands of Christians are participating in the Congress through these global links.

The book of Ephesians will provide the Biblical foundation and theological framework for the Congress.  All participants, and anyone else obviously, who would like to are encouraged to read this great missionary epistle between now and the start of the Congress.  If you wish to, you can enrich your own study by joining the Lausanne global conversation on Ephesians and this is how you would access it.  Go to the website link which is registered as:  http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/home/ephesians-study. 

Something else.

There may be some of you out there receiving this communication who are not familiar with the Lausanne Covenant and by going to the Congress website you could read it.  This Covenant (www.lausanne.org/covenant) is widely considered to be among the most significant mission documents the church has produced in the last 200 years.  At Cape Town 2010, a new document will be issued, The Cape Town Commitment.  This document will build on the work of the Lausanne Covenant with a fresh articulation of evangelical affirmations and mission priorities.

It is hoped that The Cape Town Commitment will stand in the line of the Lausanne Covenant (1974) and the Manila Manifesto (1989).  John Stott was the chief architect of both earlier documents and Chris Wright, Director of the Langham Partnership International (John Stott Ministries) is chief architect of The Cape Town Commitment.  Doug Birdsall, our Executive Chair, has said:  “This is a critical moment for the global church, with pressures from outside and dissension within.  We trust The Cape Town Commitment will be a clarion call for unity around the primary truths of the Gospel.” 

If there are any of you out there who would like to hook up to the Congress by a satellite global link, please make your enquiries as to the procedures through the websites etc I have given you.

8. CONCLUSION

Well, dear friends scattered around in many places, that’s it for now.  These are quite big weeks for us as a ministry and for the church worldwide with the Lausanne Congress hoving into view.  It is so great to think of many of you hooking into all of this and standing with us. 

I close with a blessing that Billy Graham often used to use:  “Now may the Lord bless you real good!”

Carol joins me in sending you all our love and greetings and gratitude for your prayers.

Warmly in the love of Christ,

Michael