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)