APRIL 2016
AFRICAN HARVEST FEATURING: 13% Church growth in Gondar, Ethiopia A policeman turns to Christ in Kenya Kumasi Mission Movement - October ‘16 A community in Ghana is shown God’s Love
INTO HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES PREACHING TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE
A NOTE FROM STEPHEN MBOGO AE's CEO/ITL - Nairobi, Kenya “... And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14: 23 As we enter this season of joyful remembrance of the Resurrection following Easter, we also remember with joy what God spoke to Michael Cassidy over 50 years ago. Reaching the major cities of Africa with the Gospel has been the heartbeat of AE from the beginning and we are still marching to that beat. Stratified Evangelism remains a key aspect of our missions whereby we take Christ to where people are: market places, schools, hospitals, street corners, etc. Like the verse above says, “Go out into the highways and hedges and compel people to come in…”. During AE missions, like the ones you’ll read about in this newsletter, thousands of outreaches are held simultaneously across the city which make it easier for local churches to follow up with those in their community who respond to the Gospel message. As our sights move North and West to reach parts of Africa that are the most unreached, Stratified Evangelism is our greatest asset. Holding large boisterous meetings in Northern and Western Africa can cause complications but when neighbour speaks to neighbour in a “Jesus Movement” that is sparked across the city, we know that God will be glorified. This October, we will be holding our largest mission in Kumasi, Ghana which will see hundreds of local evangelists trained and equipped to preach the Gospel in their city. The preparation process for this mission is already ongoing with the local churches in Kumasi. The mission will take place over 10 days in October, 2016. During that time, the city will be saturated with the Gospel from top to bottom including local politicians, military and police, universities all the way to the streets. Please join us in this Jesus Movement into Northern and Western Africa. It’s only together that we’ll succeed - Together We Can! In Christ,
Cover Photo: AE Kenya’s Social Action Team visits families in slums where toilets and other important resources have been donated.
GONDAR MISSION eza *(false name used), a woman from Gondar in Ethiopia, was given a new roof for Christmas. “As you can see, I am a poor person,” she said. “For me, the rainy season is the hardest time of the year. My roof is pierced and torn. “But now the corrugated iron sheets have been changed with new ones and I give thanks to God for this wonderful kind work! Now I am not afraid of the rains.” Beza is one of many in Gondar whose house was reconstructed as part of African Enterprise’s Ethiopia mission in December. AE staff also visited a local prison and met with female inmates, leaving them with sanitary materials which are in short supply inside the jail. Some of the women had children with them. “We gave a short introduction about why we do this as a Christmas present to them, in remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the gift of God to us all,” said Mel Mesfin, Team Leader of AE Ethiopia. “We also gave a little advice on how to be a peaceful person living and working in society.” Gondar is one of the largest cities in Ethiopia and has a population of over 300,000. About 1% of this population is Protestant; most others are part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. In partnership with local evangelical churches African Enterprise has been planning their Gondar mission for over a year. Their goal? To see church attendance grow by 10% in the city. At the beginning of December, 2015, AE launched their mission with a meeting for 50 couples focusing on the sanctity of family life and marriage. Many of these couples were involved in church leadership. “One of the primary challenges of the church in the 21st century is to do with family life,” said one of the participants. “Satan has waged a war to corrupt and disgrace the biblical meaning of marriage and to destabilize family, leading to family disintegration
B
R E M E M B E R T O V I S I T U S
N - ETHIOPIA
O N L I N E -
myself. I heard the Gospel preached and I said, ‘this was what my soul was searching for’.” Ashenafi gave his life to Christ. “Now I am a different person. My questions are answered. “We as leaders and ministers of the church “When I go back home after graduation, I want to tell in Gondar are grateful to AE for focusing on to my family about this new found life in Christ Jesus. I such a relevant and timely topic. A strong family am so sorry that I wasted so many years of my life without means a strong church, and a strong reputation Christ. I want to compensate it by talking about Jesus to for the church.” as many people as I can!” From there the mission sprang into its proclamation Praise God for each new believer that has found new phase and crowds gathered to hear the Gospel. life in Christ through the work of AE Ethiopia! Thank YOU The response was more than anticipated, with an for your support of AE’s missions – your faithfulness overflowing crowds on ensure that the Gospel keeps YEAR-LONG EFFORTS AND PLANNING HAS moving through the cities of Sunday at the end of the week. RESULTED IN A 13% GROWTH OF THE Africa. “It is uncommon to get souls converted in big CHURCH IN GONDAR. meetings such as the one we had in the mission,” said Mel Mesfin. “Often, after hearing the Gospel preached it takes long gestation I AM SO SORRY THAT and contemplation period before the people come to the Lord.” I WASTED SO MANY However, 258 new souls came to Christ during the YEARS OF MY LIFE mission. AE’s yearlong efforts and planning resulted in a 13% growth of the church in Gondar. WITHOUT CHRIST. I One of those new souls is Ashenafi Shiferaw, a 5th year textile engineering student at Bahir Dar WANT TO COMPENSATE University. He was recently baptized. IT BY TALKING ABOUT “I am the kind of person who is full of questions; I had an unsettled mind and often could not sleep JESUS TO AS MANY because of it. I became so restless that I even thought PEOPLE AS I CAN!” of committing suicide. One day I went to a church by
“
“
W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M
and divorce.” He said that AE’s seminar could not have come at a better time.
W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M O N L I N E U S V I S I T T O
Kemboi found Christ during the Eldoret mission in Kenya emboi’s father had three wives, and with two
Jesus, Kemboi stepped forward. His chaplain was overjoyed. struggled to find stability in his family. “Whenever “I was surprised to see Kemboi – who had been something good was done in my life the rest would driving us all through the workshops of the mission – say that I was the favourite,” Kemboi said. that he cried, he was crying!” the chaplain said. “The As soon as he was able, Kemboi left home. “I tears were falling and he came forward with others who bought some land, built a house and transferred from surrendered their lives to Christ! Our visitors prayed home because we had so many issues.” He said. “I for Kemboi, and he prayed too and he received the just wanted peace.” Lord Jesus.” After many attempts, Kemboi was successfully Kemboi’s life was changed because of that mission. recruited into the police force. He was not a Christian “Before I went there my heart was so heavy,” he but one day he was assigned to be a driver for the said. “I thank God because after the prayer I was police chaplain of his division for a 10-day mission. relieved. I remember I even shed tears because I Little did he know this mission, AE’s mission to Eldoret reflected on what my life had been before.” ,Kenya, would He has started BEFORE I WENT THERE MY HEART WAS SO HEAVY... change his life. going to the police On his third day chapel on Sunday of driving he drove the police chaplain and some AE for church services. “I remember before, during the workers to visit an old man in a village called Golomani. weekends, I would go out and have fun with other The man was in his 80s and his wife had recently died. officers; we would dance, we would go to clubs. But But he told them he didn’t feel alone; he had Jesus. I thank God that so far, those are forgotten things in Kemboi was touched by this man’s testimony. “It my life.” made me think. I really didn’t know what my life was Kemboi is grateful for the AE missionaries and all about but this man was rich. He knew Jesus, and workers that brought him to Christ. he was left with Jesus when his wife died.” “Without them I would not know Jesus,” Kemboi Kemboi continued working as a driver for the rest said. “Also, our chaplain, my boss, has been there for of the AE mission. He even helped hand out tracts and me. Whenever I miss church – because sometimes fliers at some of the crusades, all the while watching I am assigned a duty on a Sunday and I must go – and pondering. On the second last day of the mission, and when I miss church he comes he asks me, ‘What he made a decision. “I thought to myself that, this happened? Where were you?’” being the last day, maybe I won’t have a chance Kemboi knows that now his life will be different, just tomorrow.” like the old man he met. That day the AE Mission held a service for the police “That old man, what he valued most was Jesus. officers of Eldoret. At the end of this service, when the Now I know that with Jesus, I’ll always be rich.” preacher asked if anyone wanted to give their life to
K brothers and seven half-brothers, Kemboi
“
“
R E M E M B E R
POLICEMAN TURNS TO CHRIST
Search AE International on YouTube and find a brief video of Kemboi’s testimony! Share it with your friends and at your church!
R E M E M B E R T O O N L I N E W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M
“
“
U S
Ghana Team Leader who lives in Kumasi has partnered is the second largest city in Ghana and is seventeen churches within the local districts which constantly growing. Located in Central Ghana, are under his influence as mission partners. They are Kumasi is seen as a gateway to the north of the ready to learn and grow with AE during this journey. country which is largely Muslim. Many people have Several pastors for neighbouring countries like Togo, come to Kumasi from the northern areas looking for Nigeria and Burkina Faso will participate as well in a better life. This presents us with a huge opportunity order to learn how to create mission movements like to reach people who would have previously been out this one in their own countries. of reach. Kumasi needs to hear the Gospel and we This mission will also engage political, traditional are confident that now and religious leaders, and is the time. will reach out the media, THIS MISSION IS A MOVEMENT. IT’S A CALL encouraging all to unite in AE’s vision is to TO THE GHANAIAN CHURCH TO WAKE UP AND peace. With Presidential share the Gospel in the northern and western ENGAGE THEIR NATION. IT’S A CALL FOR THE and Parliamentary elections portions of Africa where very coming in early November, LOST TO COME HOME. few know the mercy of God. Ghana is simmering. What The Kumasi City Movement better time for the church is one step forward in that vision. As we mobilise the to bring a Gospel of peace to the people? Targeting churches in Kumasi toward mission we will be able to society’s policy-makers will have deep impact, reach northern Ghana together, hand in hand. especially in an election year where their actions could Early in 2015, the Deputy Director of The Lausanne mean the difference between chaos and calm. Kumasi Movement – Nana Yaw Offei Awuku – visited Kumasi in particular has a history of volatility and is prone to and was struck by the quality of evangelists already conflict during elections; may God use this mission to there. He implored AE Ghana to draw on the city’s instil and spread peace instead of violence. local missionaries who have a passion for the Gospel. This mission is a movement. It’s a call to the Since then, AE has accepted the challenge and Ghanaian Church to wake up and engage their nation. initiated the mission. Approximately 500 men and It’s a call for the lost to come home. Join the Kumasi women will be trained in stratified evangelism and Mission Movement – help us spread the Gospel of local churches across the city are being mobilised to peace through Ghana! join the mission. AE is awakening mission-mindedness within Kumasi Churches, teaching them a simple yet Visit www.africanenterprise.com cost effective way to spread the Gospel. Large local to find out how to get involved! churches from several denominations are already involved, and Bishop Samuel Osei Asante, former AE
V I S I T
W ith a population of over 2 million people, Kumasi
U S V I S I T T O R E M E M B E R
T he Greater Accra (Ga) East Municipal is known
With such an encouraging start, the mission for its extensive commerce, for its prostitution week was equally successful and though the team and for its crime. It has a population of 259 668 experienced some challenges (including illness of people and in January, 2016, AE Ghana reached out the main local coordinator!) they were able to reach to the city with the hope Jesus Christ. 7,792 people. Out of that number, 1,816 committed In the months leading up to the mission, the their lives to God – 49.7% (903) of those were committee was hard at work. first time commitments. Part of that included running an evangelism One of those people was Mary; at the time of the training for local Christians and a seminar for pastors. mission, she was considering giving up her life until Both were a huge success: she chanced upon an AE 180 church leaders meeting and one of AE’s 7,792 PEOPLE WERE REACHED WITH attended the seminar counsellors led her to Jesus. THE GOSPEL AND 1,816 COMMITTED THEIR and 308 men and When Mary heard that He LIVES TO GOD. 49.7% OF THOSE WERE women from all parts of loved her enough to give up FIRST TIME COMMITMENTS. society attended the training His life for her, she accepted to learn about stratified Christ as her Savior. evangelism. Paulina, a civil servant for the Ghanaian Over half of the people who responded to the government, said that she now feels equipped Gospel during the mission week were youth. In one to reach out to her colleagues in the Immigration of the thirty private schools that were visited, Rev. Department because of the training she received Dr. George Nkrumah, a Psychotherapist, was able to from African Enterprise. help a girl who had intended to commit suicide. He Sampson Mantey, Evangelism Director for a local spoke with her and then arranged to meet with her Presbyterian Church, commended African Enterprise parents, to help them know how to love and support for their willingness to partner with the churches their daughter. Please join us in lifting that entire family of Ga East in evangelizing the city. Many from his up in prayer! congregation attended the training and, according As well as feeding people’s souls by bringing to him, they were all inundated with fresh knowledge the Gospel, AE took the opportunity to nourish their to do evangelism. bodies: on Saturday, January 30th over 300 people,
“
“
O N L I N E
-
W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M
GHANA: GA EAST MISSION
T O V I S I T U S
“
“
R E M E M B E R O N L I N E W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M
many of them Muslims, were assisted at a medical Several church partners and leaders that worked mission for one of the communities, Otinibi. The with AE during the mission have begun organizing medical staff dealt with illnesses, dispensed medicine additional trainings in stratified evangelism, as well and gave food to any children that came. There was as follow-up meetings in Ga East. They have all overwhelming need and the team worked hard to expressed eagerness to keep partnering with AE and attend to as many people as they could – unfortunately, be part of the upcoming mission to Kumasi. close to 100 people had to be turned away. The Gospel has taken hold of people’s hearts. The entire community however, was grateful to Rev. Emmanuel Amponsah, one of the mission God and to African Enterprise for this demonstration volunteers, shared his experience saying, “I must of love. Everyone heard the Gospel and saw it in be grateful to God for this year’s citywide mission action that day – they were all given tracts for more at Madina /Adenta in the Accra Metropolis. It information. Ramatu Zakari, has been one of the most a Muslim woman from remarkable missions that I THE GOSPEL HAS TAKEN HOLD Otinibi, was amazed to have ever seen.” OF PEOPLE’S HEARTS. be given medicine free of Staff member, Susana charge! May this be the first step in her journey to Aggrey said, “The program was well organised faith in Jesus. and well structured. Content-wise it was rich At the end of the mission week the work of and has been an eye-opener for me personally.” the Gospel has continued to spread as a result of She was eager to see more work done with the the mission; the local church has been inspired and youth in Ghana. is determined to keep the fire going. For example, Finally, Elliott Annang said, “African Enterprise Priscilla Naa Aklerh, a member of the Redeemed mission has really given me a different perspective Baptist Church, was so encouraged by the success towards missions. In fact, I have admired all the of the mission that she decided to use stratified various strategies and approaches adopted to share evangelism in a small community about 150 km or preach Christ to the various segments in the away from Ga East. Another local Christian, Joel society. My desire for evangelism has been whipped Okai Ntow, has decided to do something similar up. There is no better time than this. God bless AE and AE has helped him obtain Bibles and Gospel for granting me this opportunity to be a part of the tracts for this. whole mission work!”
O N L I N E U S V I S I T T O R E M E M B E R
The AE Rwanda Transformation Group model is based on two very important principles: • Every person has tremendous, God-given potential which can be realised if they are given the right opportunity and environment. Some have been marginalised because of social or economic status and have been labeled ‘beyond help’. Transformation Groups help these people to discover their potential step by step and helps them realize that they are worthy citizens who can achieve much in life. •
Often, individuals in difficult circumstances like these are voiceless, powerless and vulnerable. By bringing them together into a community, they gain tremendous strength and support which can help them to take control of their situation to better themselves.
A WATER - SELLER TRANSFORMED
“
TRANSFORMATION GROUPS - RWANDA
A year after joining her group, Angelique is a new woman ngelique is a Rwandan water-seller. She lives in a with a flourishing business. She has worked out how much dusty village more than an hour’s drive from Kigali, and money she can use each month before payment is due, and each month she would stand in the middle of town, selling has put some of that into short term loans to community precious water to the people. But she could never record how members. Recently, Angelique took out a large loan of 50,000 much water she had given to her customers, and how much Rwandan Francs from the group (about $70; a large sum in a money she had made. When the Water Board called for their country where the average worker earns about 450 RwF an payment each month, all her money would be gone. Nothing hour). With the money she built and stocked a small shop that was left for food or living. sells basic, everyday items to the customers that come to buy Then she heard of something called a Transformation from her water point. With the profit, she has bought and sold Group. Angelique was skeptical but she knew some women products for her shop, now who had joined the group WE ALL HELP EACH OTHER. pays an assistant and even and decided to watch them took a literacy and numeracy carefully. Something about WE ARE CONVINCED THAT UNITY training course to improve them seemed different. IS OUR STRENGTH. her business savvy! Angelique has Angelique decided to give it a try: become a reputable business woman she joined a Transformation Group and in the community and among the women in her group. within a month, had a new way of thinking. She had never But she didn’t stop there. She has now become a leader before understood the concept of saving, “I used to think it and governs 10 Transformation Groups. She also voluntarily was just for rich people and I used to be afraid of loans,” she teaches literacy and numeracy to other women in the said. Now she realizes that she can actually make a profit in community. She has bought a plot of land on the main road her business! “I had a complete change of mindset,” she said. and is building a house with a shop-front. She is still devoted “I was transformed.” to her own Transformation Group and the women. Angelique’s group is just one of 9,500 Transformation “I would never take my money and leave this group,” she Groups in Rwanda. These groups encourage autonomy, says. “If even a few of us were to take out our money, the teach responsibility, and provide opportunity for innovation group might collapse and that’s the last thing I would want. and entrepreneurship. But more than that, they are about We all help each other. We are convinced that unity is our friendship and community. AE Rwanda is part of making these strength.” groups happen and reaches out to those in the community that need them, bringing the Gospel in the form of deeds.
A
“
W W W . A F R I C A N E N T E R P R I S E . C O M
WHAT'S A TRANSFORMATION GROUP?
Above: Angelique in her shop which she was able to build with the help of AE Rwanda’s Transformation Groups