The Newsletter of SOMAS USA • Volume 25h • Issue aring2 • July 2009 The Word From Nigeria: Across the Waters II

It’s not often that the church in America some called others in their respective learns firsthand what God is doing around deaneries to offer a preaching night the world. Reports abound about how the there as well. So, what started out as One in Christ church is growing at such rapid rates in planned visits to four parishes turned out other countries…how people are willing to be actual visits to nine. This certainly We thoroughly enjoyed to sacrifice everything for the sake of maximized the number of people that our visit with Bishops Christ. The Evangelism Committee of were able to hear the Word that the guests Tunde and Olusegun. Their the Diocese of Southwest Florida wanted brought. witness to the work of to challenge the people in the diocese to Holy Spirit in Nigeria was step out in faith and share the Good News The bishops brought with them a hunger captivating and spiritually with others. Having done this three years for the Lord and encouragement to grow enriching. Our time with ago, the Committee once again contacted the church by sharing our faith. Most of these two wonderful men their friends at SOMA to set up another all the love of Christ radiated through of God blessed many “Mission to the USA.” them and their ministry. This mission and demonstrated our was not about politics in the church—the interconnectedness as the Bishop Tunde Adeleye of Calabar Diocese issues that divide our church (although Body of Christ. Although and Bishop Olusegun Adeyemi of Kwara very real, and very much needing our we are separated by many Diocese came for four weeks during Lent prayers). This mission was about Jesus thousands of miles, we are for a preaching mission called Across the Christ and Him only. It was a mission of one in Christ. Waters II. The Rev. Charles Mann, rector evangelism and introducing Christ to a of Church of the Nativity, Sarasota, and hurting world. And the feedback has been The Rev. Doug Scharf Chair of the Evangelism Committee for wonderful. People were truly touched Holy Innocents’ Church the Diocese coordinated the mission. by the bishops’ ministry. The Diocese Valrico, FL of Southwest Florida was pleased and The original plan was for four parishes to honored to be able to open a door and Only 30 Million host the bishops for one week each, but make this happen.

Near the end of our Bible study a member of the class asked, “How many Anglicans are in your Province?” The response was, “Only 30 million. There is so much more to do.” What a powerful lesson in Evangelism those few words were for us.

The Rev. Edward R. Rich St. Catherine’s Church Temple Terrace, FL

The Rt. Rev. Tunde Adeleye, the Rev. Charles Mann, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Olusegun Adeyemi (l. to r.) A New Archbishop And a New for the Anglican Archbishop for the Church of ... Province de L’Eglise Anglicane du Congo The Rt. Rev. Dr. Eliud Wabukala (Bungoma Diocese) is the new The Rt. Rev. Henri Isingoma (Boga Archbishop of Kenya. Diocese) is the new Archbishop of Congo.

The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bill Atwood and Edwina Retiring Archbishop Fidele Diropka Thomas were privileged to have a special invited a SOMA team to hold a retreat for task during the election process. They the House of Bishops of the Congo during joined three of the wives of the four the 24 hours preceding the election. It candidates who were under consideration was a tremendous gift to the church and for Archbishop in the vestry of All Saints’ a great honor that the Rt. Rev. Benjamin Kitgum intercessors Cathedral, . The four hours Nzimbi, retiring Archbishop of Kenya, passed with much fervent prayer that was joined the Rt. Rev. Dr. Bill Atwood and interspersed by tea, laughter, uplifting Edwina Thomas in teaching, listening Prayer fellowship, and music from Bishop Bill’s and preparing the House for the election. computer. They began by asking forgiveness: in Conference in summary, they represented various groups the Diocese of The pealing of cathedral bells announced of Anglicans who have contributed to that the Archbishop had been chosen. the isolation and abandonment of the Kitgum, Uganda Bishop Eliud Wabukala, born in 1951, Anglican Church in Congo. The gracious has served as the bishop of Bungoma response was genuine forgiveness. Diocese since 1996. He is known as a The SOMA team members plan to The people of the Anglican Diocese deeply humble pastor who follows the be intentional in establishing deeper of Kitgum have suffered from years Holy Spirit and a man of prayer who relationships and service to this small arm of kidnapping, killing, rape and has a passion for training and discipling of the body of Christ. pillaging by the cult, the Lord’s pastors. Bishop Wabukala is sought out Resistance Army. At the moment, for his wisdom—from fellow bishops, The retreat ended with a Concert of Prayer the war has moved elsewhere, but from the Church (he was chairman of the and a time when each bishop was affirmed its effects have left deep wounds in National Council of Churches of Kenya) by his brother bishops. There was much human souls. and the Kenyan government (he served hugging and rejoicing—they were ready on the anti-corruption commission). to choose a new Archbishop. In May, as a gift of hope and Kenya will be blessed by the leadership encouragement, All Saint’s of this godly man. After a peaceful and joyful election Cathedral, Kampala, sent funds by secret ballot, the newly-elected and four intercessors to conduct Archbishop, Isingoma, noted that the way a conference for about thirty forward would be centered on faith in intercessors. Edwina Thomas was God’s Word joined with work. Please join invited to visit, teach, preach and in praying for abundant blessing on his pray with leaders who are seeking new leadership. to overcome many challenges.

Team members Paulson Tumutegyereize, Emmanuel Oguti, Bernard Ngoboka and Baron Hole are young men whose lives revolve around prayer and ministry in the Kingdom. Besides teaching on intercession, they held a meeting for youth, preached and generally modeled life in the Kingdom. And they will return! Kenya’s New Archbishop, Archbishop Nzimbi of Kenya (right) greets the The Most Rev. Eliud Wabukala newly elected Archbishop Isingoma A Prophetic Dream Fulfilled: Sharing about Renewing the Flame “Mission to the USA” SOMA’S “Mission to the USA” asks dioceses and parishes in the United States to host short-term missionaries from abroad. They bring a leadership that draws upon the rich spiritual resource of the and possess a faith tested by adversity and a passion for the Gospel. SOMA believes that the church in America can benefit greatly from the fire and commitment of our Anglican partners by offering a radically Pentecost fire falls different approach: bringing “I thank God for this ministry which gates and the team ministered freely in the spiritually mature leaders from the has helped me to renew the flame. I was power of the Holy Spirit! Many came to two-thirds world whose purpose is filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Christ for salvation! All were open to be to give, not to receive. anointed for healing ministry and am baptized in the Holy Spirit! Many received experiencing God’s hand moving in spiritual gifts for ministry. Repentance for my ministry. He is healing His people past sins was the hallmark of one day of physically, emotionally and [mending] ministry. There were renunciations of ties the brokenhearted. With the help of the with the kingdom of darkness and heartfelt Holy Spirit, I want to walk the talk and cries for empowerment to live and minister demonstrate God’s power.” This is the in the Kingdom of Light. The fields were testimony of a priest in the Ugandan white and ready for the harvest. To God be Diocese of Mbale after the SOMA the glory, great things He has done! mission in May. There was a moment when the dream’s Bishop Patrick Gidudu invited a prophecy was realized. In the second week SOMA to lead a three-day clergy of the mission, the team began two days of SOMA USA conference, preach in numerous training the local lay readers/pastors—the National Director Edwina Thomas churches, attend confirmation services men and women on the ground, charged Administrator Carol Updike Missions Coordinator Christine Brown where hundreds were confirmed, and with day-to-day ministry and leadership in Address 5290 Saratoga Lane train local lay leaders. the rural areas. It became apparent that these Woodbridge, VA 22193 Phone 703.878.7667 Fax 703.878.7015 were the true “children of God” seen in the e-mail [email protected] God spoke to the team that 2 Timothy dream. As these faithful brothers and sisters Home Page http://www.somausa.org 1:6 (“I remind you to renew the flame of lifted their hands in submission to God, the the gift of God which is in you through Holy Spirit fell. These precious ones were Board of Directors Chairman The Rt. Rev. John Guernsey the laying on of hands.”) was to be the not just HOLDING torches lit with the fire All Saints’, Woodbridge, VA Chief Financial Officer Kerry Walters mission’s ministry theme. It was tethered of love for God, they WERE the torches All Saints’, Woodbridge, VA to a prophetic dream in which the of passion for Christ in their region! The Board Members SOMA team came upon a field where prophetic dream was fulfilled—Pentecost The Rev. Christopher Culpepper many children were holding lit torches. had fallen in the Mbale Diocese and all Diocesan Mission Vicar, Fort Worth, TX Ron Davis All Saints’, Woodbridge, VA As the two groups joined together, the were touched with “tongues of fire” just as Cynthia Drennan St. James, Newport Beach, CA fire from the torches grew larger and in Acts 2:3! Richard Hines Church of the Apostles, Fairfax, VA more intense. Sparks from the flames Rose-Marie Edwards-Tasker were carried on the wind to all parts Team list: the Rev. Cathie Young, team St. Luke’s, Akron, OH The Rt. Rev. William Love Diocese of Albany of Uganda and the team was given lit leader, and Philip Young, St. James, Dr. Glen Petta St. Andrew’s, Fort Worth, TX The Rev. Dr. Margaret Short torches to carry back to the U.S. Newport Beach, CA; the Rev. Russell St. James, Las Cruces, NM Martin, St.Timothy and Titus, San Diego, Clark Smith Christ Church, Savannah, GA This mission was bathed in His CA; the Rev. Chris Schutte and Beth SOMA International Chairman presence. The prayers of a faithful Weicht, Christ Church Anglican, The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi intercessory team opened the spiritual Phoenix, AZ. Jos Diocese, Plateau State, NIGERIA PUSH (Pray Until Something Happens)

“Come and help us make believers diocese. What an opportunity to witness to out of biological Christians. I want the love of our Lord Jesus and the power them to encounter what it means of the Holy Spirit! Testimony from a to be like Christ.” Bishop Francis Missionary Quashie made this request when he The real highlights, however, occurred asked SOMA to send a team. He during the times of prayer ministry each “My special gift for this mission was was convinced that a SOMA team night. One evening the team journeyed a clear and specific increase in my was just what his diocese needed. into town to the cathedral for worship and intimate relationship with the Holy prayer open to all. Many received a fresh Spirit. His presence and guidance was A diverse group of five from across baptism in the Holy Spirit. Many were present through the entire mission. the U.S. responded to the request to healed. Ministries were renewed. The God remains an incredible father who lead the annual clergy conference in Holy Spirit was very present! cares deeply about mission workers. the Diocese of Koforidua, Ghana. He always provides all necessary The team consisted of a priest “Alice” came forward for prayer. She had resources to meet the challenge.” with 13 years mission experience, previously received eye surgery but her a school teacher, a third year left eye was losing vision and was almost Austin Barber seminarian and two full time home- closed. During the prayers, her eye opened based missionaries. Their ages to match the right eye. Her smile became ranged from 24-72. luminous and she declared, “I can see!” hospitalized for a week with a blood clot That week long conference titled “Joseph” expressed that the he could not in her leg. She could not stand and was “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and turn his neck without severe pain. After in significant pain. The next morning all the Anglican Church” ran for the Holy Spirit touched him, his neck had the swelling and pain were gone. She was the week before Pentecost with full movement and no pain. discharged and sent home. the team members requested to preach the Pentecost sermon in One priest requested prayer for his The Holy Spirit was in complete control. four different churches around the daughter, ”Mary,” who had been As “Ruth” received prayer for back pain, she stated that the pain was increasing. More prayer, more increase in pain. More prayer, but this time in tongues. Instantly the pain was gone and she virtually skipped out of the chancel. Praise to the Lord of Hosts!

At the closing Eucharist, Bishop Quashie urged his clergy to move beyond “maintenance ministry,” to demonstrate hopefulness, to trust the laity to share in the ministry, and to love even those who constantly criticize. He charged everyone to go back to their parishes and light a flame. His closing exhortation was to “PUSH,” (Pray Until Something Happens!)

Team list: Clark Smith, team leader, Christ Church, Savannah, GA; Austin Barber, Christ Our King, New Braunfels, TX; Jody Kirkwood, St. James, Newport Beach, CA; the Rev. Dan Klooster, Gateway Mission Training Center, El Paso, TX; Andrew Petta, Nashotah House, Nashotah, WI. Bishop Quashie Baptizes on Pentecost Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID SOMA USA Orange, VA 5290 Saratoga Lane Permit No. 97 Woodbridge, VA 22193

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Director’s Corner by Edwina Thomas

To do the work of God, to expand His Kingdom, Today, I ask forgiveness for the abuses and both clergy and laity need to be empowered arrogance of unwise and overpowering laity. by the Holy Spirit. Why is it that many of the Sometimes behavior and words do not flow out Anglican leaders in our country are very hesitant of submission to the Body of Christ but come to fully embrace the power of the Holy Spirit? from self and the need to control; therefore, at And why are only a few of our laity making a times, the gifts of the Spirit have been used in a Godly impact in their workplace, schools and rebellious way. The charismatic renewal of years communities? How did we get in this mess? Let’s past was messy and sometimes wounding—sad look back… news indeed. Were you offended? Or have you given offense? I call the body to forgive and be Perhaps our pastors had an experience with forgiven. the Holy Spirit earlier in their life, maybe even before seminary. For many, experiential The gifts of the Spirit are not “antique” gifts that knowledge of the Holy Spirit was a key factor in were good and operative at another time. They the call to ministry. But, many of our seminarians are for today and are integral to His plan! spend years comfortably skirting practical issues such as healing, deliverance, personal The river that flows from the Throne of God is evangelism, prophetic ministry, etc. as they good, full, life-giving, redemptive, and healing. pursue a rigorous academic education. We dare not say that we don’t need to drink from this river: we each need all of the life of God the And lay people who have found release and Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. freedom in the Holy Spirit can, and have, intimidated clergy. Is it any wonder clergy may think it just easier, pastorally, to ignore the person and work of the Holy Spirit?