We're in a bind: at the top of our web page we say we want to connect Africans and Americans, but during this training and deputation time we know many more Americans than Africans. For now, the solution is just to acknowledge that and to make the introductions we can. They're important ones, because the former mission fields are maturing and national leaders are taking their rightful place. There are many examples. Korea is sending out its own missionaries. Brazil is starting its own Nazarene university. The African region and African churches are led by impressive national leaders. We'd like to introduce two of them to you.
The first two of these are the Director of the Africa Region, Eugenio Duarte,
and Mulonda Batubula, pastor of an embattled Nazarene Church in the Congo.
Rev. Duarte faced a challenging dilemma as a young man: the new national government of Cape Verde, his home country, was so impressed by his work as assistant to the former Portuguese governor that they offered him a "full ride" scholarship to an engineering school. It would have been the answer to many young men's prayers, but it was not the answer to Eugenio's. The Lord led him to the Nazarene Seminary in Cape Verde where he prepared for the ministry. After completing his education, Rev. Duarte continued to distinguish himself--first as a Nazarene pastor, then as a Nazarene field director and finally, in this new appointment as director of the Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene.
Rev. Duarte deals with the on-going challenges of a Nazarene leader and pastor, as indicated in the regional priorities: Helping children, youth and adults become disciples; Education and training for clergy and laypeople; Developing new generations of leadership; Establishing the church in new African countries; and Practicing Compassionate Ministry. Each of these is worthy of passionate prayer: eternities are at stake.
Beyond the regional priorities of discipling, educating clergy and laypeople, raising up leaders and churches and practicing compassionate ministry, Rev. Duarte must deal with the unique, heart-wrenching challenges of the African continent. Last year, for example, the Nazarene Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was caught up in what has been called "The Silent War." Eight Nazarene churches and Nazarene 2 schools were destroyed. Four lay Nazarenes and 2 pastors from the South Kivu district were killed and 18 injured. Over 2,600 Nazarenes fled into the bush looking for a place to hide.
Byonga Nazarene Church is located in a village that has been attacked 98 times since the war began eight years ago. Pastor Mulonda Batubula has lost 3
children in that time, one by gunshot and two to malaria as they hid in the bush during some of the worst fighting. A faithful member of the Nazarene church since 1993, Pastor Batubula has been arrested 3 times in recent years. Twice the rebels took him because he refused to send young people from the church to fight, and once the government accused him of consorting with the rebels. The district superintendent said of the pastor, “Pastor Batubula says these people need the message of holiness the most. He would choose to die rather than leave the area. He is preaching holiness as the only hope, and trusting the Lord for a better future here or everlasting life."
We are humbled and challenged by this fierce commitment to the gospel. Our own concerns about our new assignment grow small and unimportant when placed in the context of the challenges and concerns of our world-wide Nazarene brothers and sisters. Imagine how these conditions grieve the heart of God. This context makes it even more impressive that at key times as we were trying to make our decision about coming to ANU, Eugenio Duarte sent us e-mails of encouragement and affirmation. Can you see why, as much as we are braced for the culture shock of our own transition, we would ask you to pray for Rev. Duarte and Pastor Batubula and the work God has called them to do? Thank you for partnering with us, and thank you for helping us begin to make the Africonnection: between North American Nazarenes, and their courageous brothers and sisters in Africa. If you'd like to read more about:
Don't forget, if you want to share your comments with other readers of our blog, you can do so at www.africonnection.org.
The first two of these are the Director of the Africa Region, Eugenio Duarte,
and Mulonda Batubula, pastor of an embattled Nazarene Church in the Congo.Rev. Duarte faced a challenging dilemma as a young man: the new national government of Cape Verde, his home country, was so impressed by his work as assistant to the former Portuguese governor that they offered him a "full ride" scholarship to an engineering school. It would have been the answer to many young men's prayers, but it was not the answer to Eugenio's. The Lord led him to the Nazarene Seminary in Cape Verde where he prepared for the ministry. After completing his education, Rev. Duarte continued to distinguish himself--first as a Nazarene pastor, then as a Nazarene field director and finally, in this new appointment as director of the Africa Region of the Church of the Nazarene.
Rev. Duarte deals with the on-going challenges of a Nazarene leader and pastor, as indicated in the regional priorities: Helping children, youth and adults become disciples; Education and training for clergy and laypeople; Developing new generations of leadership; Establishing the church in new African countries; and Practicing Compassionate Ministry. Each of these is worthy of passionate prayer: eternities are at stake.
Beyond the regional priorities of discipling, educating clergy and laypeople, raising up leaders and churches and practicing compassionate ministry, Rev. Duarte must deal with the unique, heart-wrenching challenges of the African continent. Last year, for example, the Nazarene Church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was caught up in what has been called "The Silent War." Eight Nazarene churches and Nazarene 2 schools were destroyed. Four lay Nazarenes and 2 pastors from the South Kivu district were killed and 18 injured. Over 2,600 Nazarenes fled into the bush looking for a place to hide.
Byonga Nazarene Church is located in a village that has been attacked 98 times since the war began eight years ago. Pastor Mulonda Batubula has lost 3
children in that time, one by gunshot and two to malaria as they hid in the bush during some of the worst fighting. A faithful member of the Nazarene church since 1993, Pastor Batubula has been arrested 3 times in recent years. Twice the rebels took him because he refused to send young people from the church to fight, and once the government accused him of consorting with the rebels. The district superintendent said of the pastor, “Pastor Batubula says these people need the message of holiness the most. He would choose to die rather than leave the area. He is preaching holiness as the only hope, and trusting the Lord for a better future here or everlasting life."We are humbled and challenged by this fierce commitment to the gospel. Our own concerns about our new assignment grow small and unimportant when placed in the context of the challenges and concerns of our world-wide Nazarene brothers and sisters. Imagine how these conditions grieve the heart of God. This context makes it even more impressive that at key times as we were trying to make our decision about coming to ANU, Eugenio Duarte sent us e-mails of encouragement and affirmation. Can you see why, as much as we are braced for the culture shock of our own transition, we would ask you to pray for Rev. Duarte and Pastor Batubula and the work God has called them to do? Thank you for partnering with us, and thank you for helping us begin to make the Africonnection: between North American Nazarenes, and their courageous brothers and sisters in Africa. If you'd like to read more about:
- Rev. Duarte's work, go to--http://www.africanazarene.org/wmafrica/Region/OutOfAfrica/News/tabid/122/Default.aspx
- Pastor Batubula and the Silent War, go to--http://www.ncm.org/news_pr060331.aspx
Don't forget, if you want to share your comments with other readers of our blog, you can do so at www.africonnection.org.
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