One in Christ Only 30 Million the Word from Nigeria
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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 Kenya... 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, Nairobi. 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 Anglican Communion 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.