General Conference Highlights
We
returned to the States just in time to attend General Conference in
Lexington, KY early this month. Highlights for us included the
following:
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It was exciting
to connect with a large number of our supporters as well as people and
churches who partner with the work in the Africa Area. It was also a
thrill to reconnect with missionary colleagues from days gone by -
including sharing a meal with Jim & Roxy Lo and Marc & Di
LaPointe.
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The
African Area's official representatives were Dr. Usman Fornah (Sierra
Leone), Rev. David Kajila (Cameroon), and Rev. Filipe Macaringue
(Mozambique). Also present were Frances Fornah (Sierra Leoen), Brimah
Samurah (Sierra Leone), and Rev. Joe Ocran (Ghana). It was great to have
an extra chance to interact face-to-face again with these effective
leaders.
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During
the Sunday morning service we enjoyed participating in the parade of
flags - featuring the flags of 93 nations where the Wesleyan Church has
a presence. (Brenda carried the Swaziland flag, while Bob carried the
Zimbabwe flag.)
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An offering was taken during that service to provide funding for a fresh
new thrust with the Jesus Film around the world. Africa will benefit
with new teams in Congo (DRC), Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and South
Africa.
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Also during the morning service we had the opportunity of serving communion with Dr. Fornah. What a privilege to serve together!
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General
Conference marked the retirement of Dr. H.C. Wilson from his role as
General Director of Global Partners. We were privileged to share in a
special farewell for him the night before conference began together with
other leaders from GP as well as a number of especially invited
guests.
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Dr.
Dennis Jackson, former European Area Director for GP, was elected to
take over leadership from Dr. Wilson. The Area Directors had a chance
for a breakfast meeting with him the last day of conference as well as
participated in meeting with the broader GP leadership that afternoon.
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A
personal highlight for us was the Tuesday morning service which
featured Native American Ministries. Particularly meaningful was the
public apology on behalf of the denomination by Dr. Jerry Pence to Rev.
Jerry Yellowhawk for the racist attitudes and ways of the past.
The Wesleyan Church of Nigeria Begins Construction
The
young church in Nigeria has just begun construction on the first
Wesleyan Church in that country. Property has been purchased on the
outskirts of Lagos and plans drawn for a three-story multi-purpose
building which will house the church on the bottom floor and a school on
the upper levels. Local church members are providing most of the labor,
calling on professional services only when necessary. Rev. Andrew
Bondo, a Wesleyan missionary from Liberia to Nigeria is giving direction
to the project. 
African Leaders Pass Away
The
Africa Area is mourning the loss of two faithful leaders of the African
church. Please pray for their families and the flock they leave behind.
Rev. Dr. Abraham Katwebe, National Superintendent of the
Wesleyan Church of the Congo (DRC), passed away from cancer this past
month. Jerry Manwaring tried to attend the funeral to represent the
African Area, but was unable to secure a visa with short notice.
Rev.
Bill Niemack, District Superintendent of the Transkei District (South
Africa) also passed away from cancer this past month. Bob represented
the African Area at the funeral and was honored to bring the funeral
sermon.
Itinerary
We will be traveling around North America until mid-July. Our schedule for this time follows:
June 17 - Trinity Wesleyan, Greenville, OH
June 18-22 - Missionary Training Institute, Marion, IN
June 24 - Greensburg Wesleyan Church, Greensburg, IN
June 27 - International Partnership for Ghana, Brockville, ON
July 1 - Woods Harbour Wesleyan, Woods Harbour, NS
July 6-15 - Beulah Camp, Browns Flat, NB
July 22 - Emmanuel Wesleyan, Roanoke, VA
Support Report
GP's
financial year ends on August 31st, giving us two and a half months
left. As of today, we are only $154 behind in donations from where we
should at this point in time. Please help us pray that giving will
remain strong during the summer months which historically often show a
lag.
Thank you so much to those who give faithfully,
sacrificially, and generously to our support! We deeply appreciate
you continuing to stand behind us.
Online donations or monthly commitments can be made online by clicking here.
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Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for His watching over the African representatives as they traveled to General Conference.
2. Praise God for the godly example and heritage left behind by Dr. Katwebe and Rev. Niemack.
3. Praise God for financial provision for new Jesus Film teams.
4. We thank God for the opportunity to visit with Brenda's
parents and with our daughters, Tracy & Mary Beth, this past week.
Prayer Requests
1. Ask for God's help as we share in services what God has been doing in and through the church across the African Area.
2. Pray that God will help us to connect well as we help
with the training of new missionaries at the Missionary Training
Institute.
3. Pray for God's help in meetings with churches and
individuals who are involved in significant ways to partner with the
African church and their ministries.
4. Ask God to protect and provide for the Nigerian church as they continue to work on building construction.
5. Pray for the church in Congo (DRC) and Transkei District (South Africa) as they adjust to new leadership.
6. Pray for God to strengthen Dr. Dennis Jackson as he
adjusts to his new role as Executive Director of Global Partners.
Africa Area Prayer Calendar
A prayer calendar with requests for every day for July - August, 2012 is now available by clicking the following link: Africa Area Prayer Calendar. Feel free to share it with others who are interested in praying for God's work in Africa.
Lauren Gross,
GoNet missionary to Zambia, recently put together prayer maps with
photos of African leaders and GP missionaries to use as you pray. You
can access them by clicking on the following links: Missionary Prayer Map, and African Leaders Prayer Map.
Bagley Backers on FaceBook
For the most up-to-date news and prayer requests visit the Bagley Backers group on Facebook. |
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