On Saturday morning we did two presentations at the Anaheim District "Power UP"--a kind of fall focusing rally for pastors, NMI and NYI directors. Heard a powerful message from Gene Tanner, lead pastor at Valparaiso, Indiana Church of the Nazarene. He does podcasts of his sermons and on the basis of the one we heard, we'd really encourage you to check him out (put "Valparaiso Nazarene Church" in iTunes).
On Sunday, we presented in two services at (one of our favorite church names to pronounce)
"Rancho Cucamonga Highland Avenue"--about an hour east of LA. The church is attracting a wide range of people, had a strong worship band, has a very successful pre-school and does a restored car rally every year that has become a community-wide event.Sunday evening, we spoke to a district-wide missionary service at the Long Beach church. The planning team had decorated the tables with African artifacts, had Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the PA, and prepared refreshments. Many veterans of African Work and Witness trips were in attendance. It was a wonderful time of inspiration and celebration.
Monday was a family day. Nan went out with Nathan and Andrew and Mark went out to breakfast with Ben and then on a "photo shoot" of craftsman-style houses east of Hollywood and then to a coffee shop where the picture at left was taken. For lunch we all went down to Koreatown for some Korean barbecue--yum!Thanks to Karen Benlein, Anaheim NMI President; Pastor John Watkin at Highland Avenue; Pastor Jerry Cordell at Long Beach; and sll of the other wonderful people who helped with logistics, gave words of encouragement, shared their OWN "Africonnections" and otherwise helped to strengthen the bonds between the American church and the African church.
1 comment:
Hi There Nancy and Mark:
This is a random e-mail from an unknown person. My name is Julene Tegerstrand. I live in Korea and teach at Korea Nazarene University. I teach English Conversation and I'm an associate pastor of our Korean Nazarene Univeristy International English Church. Karen Jones is with us this semester with a few business students from your old home NNU. I went to NTS and it looks like you are enjoying time at my old home—NTS. I found your blog randomly when I was looking for “news” about Korea Nazarene University on the NCM website. Sounds like you both are on a wild journey!
I was in Uganda and Rwanda this past May with Amahoro Africa—www.amahoro-africa.org. The Amahoro organization is very loosely connected to the “Emerging conversation” but has taken on a more global and African tone. Brian McLaren has been a consultant with Amahoro. The leader is a Burundian man, Claude Nikondeha. The conversation in May was about Post-colonial Arfrica and partnership. The westerners who attended (40) with the people of different African countries (140) were there as listeners and learners. We went to be transformed instead of going to “transform”. It was a posture of great learning for many of us who come from Western backgrounds.
My time with Amahoro has really helped clarify “where I see myself going”. I’m now seriously looking at doing PhD work relating theological anthropology to the practice of reconciliation. Someday I’d love to teach within an intentional international learning community outside of the western context. I’m thinking of a more intentional and communal study abroad experience and one which also creates space for the non-westerner to have a cross-cultural experience while living in community with “others”. Dream on!
I’ve been asked to get involved in the process of creating an “educational tool” with Amahoro. Basically now we are working on creating a weeklong “Biblical Theology” course that will be taught at different churches and seminaries. There are three components to this “tool”. They are “theology”, “context” and “praxis”. The subject matter will be the basic Biblical narrative—Creation, Crisis, Calling, Conversation, Christ, Church and Consummation. Dr. Kenzo who used to be up in Canada with the Canadian College University partnership (he was with the other school related to this) is helping in this process.
May 20-28, 2008 there will be another gathering. This time it will be in Kigali, Rwanda. The subject matter of the gathering will be “reconciliation”. As you make the move to Africa you might find people are interested in making the trip to Rwanda. Amahoro is working to gather people from international corners of the world. They are working to get a variety of denominations and independent church leaders there too. I hope to be there. I think it will be a great networking time for African leaders. Last May has proved to be just that for many people.
Dr. Keith Schwanz at NTS and Tim Keel (Jacobs Well Church) in KC know about Amahoro and might be good people to talk to regarding both Africa and Amahoro. Well, this is probably more than you ever expected from a complete stranger. When I saw you had a blog, I couldn't resist. ; )
Peace in Him,
Julene Tegerstrand
www.tegergirl.blogspot.com
Post a Comment