September 22, 2011
By Dr. Randall (Randy) and Deanna Harrison, serving at West Africa Alliance Theological Seminary (FATEAC), Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The following is an adapted excerpt from the Harrison’s recent update.
Every one of our precious FATEAC students has a story. We wish you could get to know them all. Since that’s not possible, we’d like to share one couple’s story to give you a better idea of the exceptional men and women training here to minister throughout French-speaking Africa.
The Best Laid Plans . . .
Around 20 years ago a young Burkinabe boy was enrolled in a school for the followers of his country’s majority religion. The boy’s father had high hopes that his son, Fabé, would eventually become a great leader for their faith. But God had other plans.
A strong-willed uncle had more down-to-earth ideas for the promising young student; he transferred him to another school that offered a more general education. Fabé continued his studies and grew up a devout follower of his family’s faith.
Because of his excellent understanding of the French language and his community’s ethnic Dzuundo (a dialect of the Mande language), Fabé was later hired by a team of Mennonite missionaries who were translating the Bible into Dzuundo. He ended up studying the Bible for a living.
New Life
Between innumerable hours spent in the Word, the testimony of his Mennonite colleagues, and the drawing of the Holy Spirit, Fabé found the Lord and his life was changed forever. He entered the ministry and began serving the Lord with zeal and humility. And he married a lovely young woman, Rebecca—daughter of the first known evangelical believer among the Sicite people in Burkina Faso’s Kenedougou province.
Fabé and Rebecca left their native Burkina to attend FATEAC in Côte d’Ivoire. They showed up with their small family, a little shy and overwhelmed. Fabé worked hard in the master’s program, and Rebecca entered the Women’s Academy.
A head taller than most of his classmates, Fabé became known for his humble service to others. I remember the first time I (Deanna) had Rebecca in class. She wasn’t confident in her reading and writing skills. But by her senior year she was a leader on campus and chosen to be class president of the Women’s Academy.
At the close of this academic year, Fabé defended his master’s thesis. (This is an in-depth research project culminating four years of studying on a theological, biblical, pastoral, or translation subject.) Thesis defense is done in public, before a jury, with invited friends, professors, fellow students, family members and pastors present. Denomination leaders often show up.
Senior Year and a Civil War
Some students invite their (African-style) church choirs. It’s quite the experience. (We should also mention that this has been a particularly challenging year for the seniors because they had to write their master’s theses during a civil war!) Defenses can last more than four hours.
Fabé did a study on the word “covenant” in the Old Testament and its meaning for his ethnic group in Burkina Faso to suggest guidelines for translating this important biblical concept into his native language.
It’s so amazing to witness what comes up in biblical studies in Africa. For example, when you’ve heard teaching on the concept of “covenant”, have you ever been given an example of two families drinking their co-mingled blood to seal a covenant!? Fabé shared this scenario to illustrate his ethnic group’s understanding of that word. He got through his thesis defense with flying colors.
Now he and Rebecca are back in Burkina, continuing in Bible translation and church ministry. We miss them.
We could go on and on, sharing stories about other students. But we’ll just ask you to pray for all of them. While you’re at it, pray for us as we teach and learn from these brothers and sisters in the Lord. God is doing great things in Africa, and we are grateful to be a part of it.
One More Thing You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so you partner with Alliance workers, like the Harrisons, to spread the good news in regions of the world where many people are desperate for the good news, including French-speaking West Africa.
Simpson University staff and students are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of David Yang, a recent Simpson graduate who was found shot to death in his vehicle September 22 at 3:20 a.m. in Chico, California. David had been working the night shift at his job and was on his way home for a dinner break. He was 26.
David graduated in 2011 with a degree in pastoral studies and served as an admission counselor at Simpson. Recently married, David had been pastoring in a Hmong Alliance church while working part time. His wife, Sarah, also is a Simpson graduate. “David was a man of great joy-constantly smiling no matter where he was,” says Matt Kluttz, director for University Relations.
“He was a young man who exuded the love of Christ in his life,” University President Dr. Larry McKinney adds. “May God grant ‘a peace that passes all understanding’ to family and friends during this very difficult time. Our hearts and prayers are with the Yangs as we trust the Lord’s sovereignty together.”
Please pray for David’s wife, Sarah; David’s family; and the greater Hmong community as they mourn the loss of this dear brother.
For more information, contact Matt Kluttz at mkluttz@simpsonu.edu.
September 19, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – In spite of challenging financial times, The Alliance Development Fund (ADF) realized strong enough returns on the investments of capital and reserve funds to send rebate checks totaling $300,000 to churches with ADF loans. The Board of Directors suggested the rebate while taking measures to keep ADF’s finances strong for investors and future church projects and demonstrating ADF’s deep desire to serve the churches of The Christian and Missionary Alliance.
ADF’s mission is to exalt Christ as a supporting ministry of The Christian and Missionary Alliance by providing funding for churches and other real estate projects through Kingdom investments from Alliance family members and friends, as well as related services.
CONTACT:
Rob Pease, Vice President for Operations/Investment Services
The Alliance Development Fund, Inc.
Toll Free: 888.878.3060
peaser@adf-inc.com
# # #
September 16, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from an update by Jane and Harry Landaw, serving as church-planting team coordinators in the tsunami-stricken area of Japan.
Recently, God used a “chance” encounter to accomplish a remarkable opportunity to show the love of Jesus to business owners and residents of Ishinomaki, a seaside city along the northeastern coast of Japan that was hit hard by the tsunami.
A few weeks ago in the Tokyo area, Mr. Doi, a non-Christian businessman, had been walking by the CRASH (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support, and Hope) Japan headquarters. He stopped by to see what the organization was doing to help out with relief and recovery efforts. Mr. Doi learned that CRASH had a large supply of rice cookers in storage but had run out of opportunities to distribute them. Because of his business contacts in Ishinomaki, Mr. Doi knew of shop owners near the train station who had lost all their kitchen goods in the disaster. He negotiated an opportunity for CRASH Japan to distribute this stock of new rice cookers to anyone who needed one.
When we arrived with the truckload of rice cookers, about 80 people were standing there, waiting to receive a new cooker. TV crews were also on the scene filming the entire event. We formed a “bucket brigade” with the local businesspeople and carried the heavy boxes into the little shop. We all crowded into the store where the local business leader explained what CRASH Japan was and that we had come to help them with this need. Along with the rice cookers, they allowed us to pass out tracts and an advertisement for a church that is located on the opposite side of the train station.
Many of the shop owners said, “Oh yes, we know about that church.” (You might have seen some youtube videos of this church and its food ministry after the tsunami.) We were able to distribute 150 rice cookers. Praise God! Everyone was so pleased and expressed genuine appreciation to us. In the process of distributing the rice cookers, we also had special opportunities to listen to individuals as they shared their stories, and we encouraged them and let them know that we cared deeply about their situation.
Later, we drove over to the church and helped the local pastor set up for a “Snow Cone Festival.” It was very hot, so we set up a large tent in front of the church, along with some benches, and made snow cones (“kakigori” in Japanese) for those who were passing by. Between 50 and 80 people stopped by to take a break from the scorching heat and enjoy the refreshing shaved ice with flavored toppings. Many people said, “This is the first kakigori I’ve had all summer. We have been so busy just trying to make it through the difficulties.” Along with the other Japanese volunteers, we had many opportunities to sit and listen to these special people tell their stories and to encourage them.
Among those who shared was a mother with two boys who had been at the beach on the day of the tsunami. They had tried to drive away but couldn’t get away fast enough, so they jumped out of the car and ran up a mountain, where they found safety. Then, they stayed in an evacuation center with 2,000 others for 10 days. The mother said that the little boys thought it was fun because it was like camping. What a precious family. (The father was not with them, though, and we wondered if he had survived.)
Then there was the woman who wept and wept, saying, “Would it have been better if I had died with everyone else? Was it better that I lived?” She kept going over those two questions. We told her that God had a plan for her and that her family needs her. Another woman’s husband made it through the tsunami, but because of an illness, he died at the end of July.
We pray for a mighty moving of the Holy Spirit, as so many are very open to Jesus. Also, we pray that many will return to ongoing outreach ministries at the church.
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like the Landaws, to share the light of Christ with those who are desperate for hope.
Learn More
Read another story by Harry Landaw about relief efforts in the tsunami-affected area.
September 15, 2011
The following is an adapted excerpt from a prayer update by Todd and Debbie Adams, Alliance field workers in Indonesia.
This past Sunday we attended a church service where Todd was asked to speak and lead communion. In January 2009, while this Body of believers was gathered together, a group from a breakaway movement came and started to burn the building down around the people inside. Some young men came in and starting hitting anyone who was around. It was with this same group that we gathered on Sunday.
Prior to our arrival, a church member had been warned that we were not allowed to come. We heard this news at the service while a woman gave her testimony. I bent over and translated to my daughter Jordan what was going on. She then said to me, “Mom, I had a vision this morning in my room: I was sitting here at this church when angry men came and started beating the church people. There was much screaming and chaos, but as I prayed, God’s Spirit came upon the church, and everything was still.”
We praise God that He indeed protected us from harm, and we had a sweet service together despite the threats during the week. There was peace and freedom as we reflected on what it meant for the Lamb of God to come and to take away the sins of the world. We enjoyed communion together, and the work was not thwarted. Someone was praying . . .
Our daughter Emily’s roommate attended the annual beach trip at the International school. She came away from this experience saying, “Something is different with the students here in this school.” After talking to the Bible school teacher, she realized that what is different in the lives of the students is Jesus. She invited Him to come into her heart. Someone was praying . . .
We are waiting on the Lord for His leading in ministry, and doors are opening. The days seem so full, and we ask you to pray that the times ahead will be Spirit-led. We ask that somebody would pray . . .
This morning Todd read the following words by Walter Wink in a devotional: “History belongs to the intercessors-those who believe and pray the future into being.” As we seek His face in prayer, things are happening. God bless you as you intercede.
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries online. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers, like Todd and Debbie, who are bringing the reconciling message of Christ to people who are desperate for His peace.
By an Alliance international worker in Kosovo
“I have been a believer for 18 years and have served in the church most of that time,” says Beki*, a young pastor’s wife whose ministry has impacted hundreds of people in Kosovo. “This is the first time I have had the opportunity to receive training for the things that I do.” Beki is a passionate, gifted, and effective leader. She not only leads the women’s ministry in her church but also serves on the national women’s commission. As my teammate and I heard her words, we were struck anew with the urgency to offer her, and women like her, the opportunity to receive training in a way that is accessible to them.
Equipping Women to Lead
The women of Kosovo are caught between two worlds. Society around them is modernizing at an alarming rate; they are bombarded with western media and its ideas of feminism. Yet they are bound to the traditions of women as sole caretakers of the home and children. Women in the church have embraced their freedom to be involved in work, ministry and leadership, but they do not want to forsake their familial obligations.
Training Kosovar women for ministry requires a program that takes into consideration the unique challenges that women face, balancing responsibilities in and out of the home. A resident program is not an option and an intensive approach would only lead to discouragement and drop out.
In August of 2010 the women of the Alliance Kosovo team launched the first Women to Women Leadership Training (WWLT) site in Prishtina, the capital city. Beki was among the first group of women trained as a facilitator for the WWLT courses that are designed with the unique challenges of women in mind. Immediately, Beki implemented the skills of her recent training as a facilitator on the national women’s commission, resulting in the most effective women’s event the commission has hosted to date.
A Spiritual Journey
For Beki the desire for her people to experience the light of Jesus is the impetus that led her to the Alliance leadership program. Raised in a home of the country’s traditional religion, Beki practiced the rituals and obligations as a child under the tutelage of her father and grandfather, who are respected leaders of their faith.
“Actually, the fact that I had to pray in [the religious language] was an obstacle for me,” says Beki, “as were other doctrinal issues. When I asked questions, I was told, ‘Thus says God, and you should do it, because you are indebted to him.’ Dissatisfied with the reply, I lived with doubt.”
When Beki was 16, she and her brother took a summer job in the State vineyards, where they met some boys noted for their bad reputation. One day, the boys began to sing about Jesus. “I was stunned!” Beki says. “I turned to them and said, ‘Do you know what you are singing? You are not allowed to sing about Jesus!’ They told me that they believed in Jesus as their Savior and Lord and invited me to their church.”
Surprised by the boys’ assurance of salvation, Beki’s interest was sparked to understand more about their faith. “I went to the church service, and for the first time, I heard a sermon about God the Father’s love for His children,” she says.
Beki began reading the New Testament with curiosity and a critical eye, looking for mistruths or contradictions. “At the same time, my brother also read the New Testament, and we discussed the Scriptures,” she recalls. “What we found was Jesus’ love for us. We returned to the church, and after the service, the pastor called for whoever wanted to accept Jesus as the Lord of their life. My brother stood up immediately, and I followed, asking the pastor to lead me in the prayer of salvation.”
So joyful was she about her newfound faith, Beki immediately began to tell family and friends about Jesus. She was met with cynicism and warnings; many criticized her. “The boys of the neighborhood called me Mary and spat on me, but I blessed them. They even began to think I was drugged because I did not respond with anger. After a time, my sisters and brothers accepted Jesus into their lives. My friends began to return to me, and my teachers’ respect for me returned. I thanked God for the time of persecution, because it was a time when I was assured that I am in the truth and that God is alive, working in me. My grief, anger, and desire for revenge were replaced with peace, love, and compassion for others.”
Lighting the Way
Beki’s husband realized the value of her training and agreed to take the responsibility of the home for a week, so that Beki could accompany Alliance international workers to a training event in Switzerland in Spring 2011. I am continually touched by Beki’s enthusiasm and gratefulness. She is a woman gifted by God, and with this training, her gifts will continue to multiply as she serves the women of Kosovo.
*Name changed
What You Can Do
Pray for the Lord’s empowerment for Alliance workers who are involved in training and equipping nationals for leadership.
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers to share the Light of Life with those walking in darkness, desperate for hope.
Learn More
Training believers to be leaders in their countries is essential to building strong national churches. Learn about the C&MA’s role in equipping national believers who are called to lead.
Read about a joint effort between Alliance workers and national believers to reach Kosovo with the light of Jesus.
September 1, 2011
By Diane Rorabaugh, serving in Russia
“Sharing love with those who have needs is the reason we do this ministry . . .” says Diane, who assists an outreach in southern Russia that supports impoverished families, orphans, and developmentally challenged people. The following is an adapted excerpt from her recent ministry update.
This summer I enjoyed a lovely trip to Maikop, a small city in southern Russia that is near the Caucusus Mountains, not far from the Black Sea. While there, I visited with Phariza’s family, probably the first family I met in Maikop when I began participating in this ministry long ago.
Phariza is a beautiful, tiny 20-something young woman who has cerebral palsy. She can’t speak but is still holding on to life. Many in the world would call her useless, but she has a spark in her eyes that captured my heart the first day I met her. I confess that she’s my favorite.
Sometimes
When we had dinner with the family recently, the best part of the evening was when Phariza’s mom, Irina, held her daughter on her lap and snuggled with her. Phariza had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on her face, and the love between the two was evident.
Sometimes we share God’s love in this ministry by giving food, medicine, clothing, or sending a child to camp. Sometimes we do so through listening to stories, empathizing with pain, or telling about the God who loves more than anyone can imagine. Sometimes, the best way to share love is to hold a hand or give a hug.
By sharing in this ministry through your prayers and through your gifts, you are helping to shine God’s light in the darkness—thank you!
What You Can Do
Give to Alliance Great Commission Ministries. In doing so, you partner with Alliance workers to share the Light of Life with those walking in darkness, desperate for hope.
Learn More
Read another article about Diane’s ministry to “the least of these.”
Check out Diane’s blog. (Note: clicking on this link will take you off of the C&MA Web site.)
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