Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers-November 2011

	Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers November 2011
MOZAMBIQUE CELEBRATES FOUR YEARS OF GROWTH Church leaders from across Mozambique gathered at the Bible College in Xai Xai October 27 - 30 for their quadrennial national conference. It was both a time of celebrating the unprecedented growth of the past four years as well as a time of gaining new vision as the church turned its attention to Tete Province (the only province in the country without a Wesleyan presence) and to regions beyond its borders. In his report, National Superintendent, Rev. Graca Nhathelo (in the photo to the right) reported that the church had grown from 4,950 members in 2003, to 10,632 members in 2007, to 15,084 members in 2010. In the past four years 49 new pastors were ordained to help meet the needs of the growing church. Click here to see a slideshow of the national conference. ORAI LEHMAN GIVES HIS FINAL REPORT TO THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE Rev. Orai D. Lehman is a third-generation missionary whose grandfather is responsible for the founding of the work in Mozambique. His grandfather and father focused on evangelistic ministry to Mozambican mine workers who were working in South Africa gold mines and made regular visits to Mozambique to visit the churches started by the miners when they returned home. Following missionary service in Swaziland, Orai and Linda were sent to South Africa to continue the work among the Mozambican miners. This ministry gave vital support to the Wesleyan Church in Mozambique during the 19-year civil war which ravaged the country. In 1994 a peace accord was signed, and Orai and Linda responded to an invitation from church leaders to come assist them in theological education for pastors. The Bible College in Xai Xai, which the Lehmans helped establish, has now graduated over 100 workers for the harvest in it's first decade of operation. Anticipating their retirement from missionary service at the end of 2013, Orai presented his final report to the Mozambique National Conference. Delegates responded with deep appreciation and love for the Lehmans and their years of effective service to the Mozambique church. As an expression of appreciation the Nampula District presented the Lehmans with a map of Africa constructed from sea shells (see photo above). MOZAMBICAN MISSIONARY VISION EXPANDS The vision of the Mozambique church in the past decade has been to see the Wesleyan Church established in every province of their nation. To that end they have commissioned four recent Bible College graduates to serve as "internal" missionaries who have traveled to new areas, learned a new language, and proceeded to oversee the planting of new churches. (In the photo on the left Rev. Nhathelo introduces their missionaries to the conference - from the left: Pastor Zito Alfoi, serving in Niassa Province; Rev. Alberto Adamuge, serving in Cabo Delgado Province; and Rev. Abel Nove and Rev. Alberto Chicana, serving in Nampula Province.) With just one province to go in their vision, the church's vision is expanding to reach to places beyond the borders of Mozambique. This year two new congregations have been started just north of the border in Tanzania. Possibilities are opening as well in the neighboring country of Malawi. In order to give direction to this growing vision, the national conference elected Rev. Mohammed Said to serve as its first National Director of Missions. KANYAMA GOSPEL CRUSADE PRODUCES FRUIT This past month the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia sponsored a Gospel Crusade in the Kanyama township on the edge of the capital city of Lusaka. National Superintendent, Dr. Alfred Kalembo reported as follows: Over 100 people who made decisions to accept Christ as their Savior during our Crusade effort. I mobilized three Pilgrim Wesleyan Churches for the crusade that are on the western side of the great north road in Lusaka. They are: Kanyama, Kanyama East, and John Laing. As you can see from the photo, we could not have everybody sit in church at Kanyama Church last Sunday. We had more than 30 outside who had no where to sit in church. The other churches (Kanyama East and John Laing) reported an increase in attendance last Sunday. Please join us in thanking God for the new believers and pray that we will faithfully disciple them to spiritual maturity. PRAISE POINTS Praise God for the continued growth of the Mozambique church and for their increasing vision for regions beyond. Praise God for lives transformed in Zambia in the recent Gospel Crusade. We have received notice from the South African authorities that our residence permit has been approved. Thank God for this answer to prayer. Thank God for the faithful prayer and financial supporters whose faithfulness enables our missionaries to serve across Africa. PRAYER REQUESTS Please pray for God's wisdom and strength for Rev. Graca Nhathelo and the newly elected officers and board members as they assume their responsibilities. Pray for the Lord's unmistakable presence at the Ghana District Conference to held in Accra, November 25-27. Pray that God will increase their vision to reach the lost throughout their country and beyond. Please pray for God's help as we teach new pastors in Ghana, November 15-24. Brenda will be teaching New Testament Survey and Bob will be teaching Basic Beliefs. The Wesleyan Church in Nigeria has planned for an evangelistic outreach November 20-27. Pray for God's protection for them as they seek to proclaim the gospel in an increasingly violent and hostile environment. Dr. Alfred Kalembo, Rev. Sitali Kakungu, and Rev. Fred Cromer travel to Uganda at the end of this month to conduct pastoral training seminars and to guide this young church in its development. Pray that their visit will be productive and effective. SUPPORT REPORT We continue to marvel at the way God provides the support we need to enable us to serve here in Africa. Faith promise commitments are still less than targeted, but the actual support coming in is adequate to meet our needs. Thank you to all of you who continue to be faithful and generous in your support. Donations or monthly commitments can be made online here. FORWARD TO A FRIEND You can help us by forwarding "Bits & Bytes" to friends who will be interested in the work of Global Partners in Africa. Just click on the link below. Friends who receive the email will also be given an opportunity to sign up to receive it in the future. Forward this message to a friend
PRINTABLE VERSION An easy to print version of this email can be found here. Thank you for sharing a print version with others. Bob & Brenda Bagley rbagley112@gmail.com www.gpafrica.org

Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers-June 2011

	Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers June 2011
THEY DID WHAT THEY COULD On the edge of the small village of Kunsho in northern Sierra Leone stands a silent testimony to the dedication of the first Wesleyan missionaries to serve in Africa. It is a cemetery with ten graves of missionaries and their children who lives were given in the early effort to reach Sierra Leone with the gospel. During the war years in Sierra Leone the grave site became overgrown and neglected. However, recently the Sierra Leonean church gave direction to its restoration as a continuing memorial to the price paid so the church could be planted in Sierra Leonean soil. On May 22, 2011 members of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone gathered at Kunsho to remember the sacrifice of the early missionary pioneer and to rededicate the cemetery. In his comments at the dedication service, National Superintendent Rev. Usman Fornah stated: Indeed, these people are true friends for us Sierra Leoneans. They have done their part in the ministry - the rest we have to do. Friends, let us continue to demonstrate greater sacrifice and commitment than this so that people will come to know the Lord and be saved from eternal death. These pioneer missionaries certainly "did their best" (Mark 14:8) and gave their best without realizing the return on the investment of their lives. Today the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone is a powerful church with some 190 churches, more than 115 schools, 4 clinics, a Bible College, a 96 bed hospital and more than 30,000 members. The sacrifices they made were the seeds that have grown into a flourishing church making an impact on the lives of thousands. VISIT TO SIERRA LEONE Bob spent the last two weeks of May in Sierra Leone visiting our work there and participating in a number of events. For most of the trip he was accompanied by Dr. H. C. Wilson, General Director of Global Partners. High points during his visit included the following: One day was spent in an inter-faith consultation with key Muslim and Christian leaders hosted by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. Their aim is to address public health issues (in this case malaria) through religious leaders in their communities. (Rev. Usman Fornah, National Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church, is a key leader in the Inter Religious Council, which co-sponsored the consultation with the TBFF.) Director of Health Ministries, Brimah Samura, gave a tour of the facilities of Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital during which Bob was also able to spend time with our missionaries there, Drs. Tom & Karen Asher and nurse Bethany Morse. Located in a remote area of the country, KWH is making a very positive impact on the area in the name of Christ. Visits were made to both Gbendembu Wesleyan Bible School and The Evangelical College of Theology. The facilities at both institutions are showing the ravages of the war but are working hard at restoring the institutions. Rev. Maurice Bangura, Principal of GWBS, and Rev. Abu Conteh, Principal of TECT, are highly competent and dedicated leaders giving solid leadership to these institutions. A number of visits were made to secondary and primary schools operated by the church. Adequacy of facilities varied considerably from place to place but the schools are providing a much need ministry in their communities. Many churches were also visited. A significant amount of construction was underway to accommodate the growing church. Dr. Wilson and Bob were privileged to attend the Sunday worship service at Rogbane Wesleyan Church in Makeni. On Saturday May 21st they participated in the rededication of the national church headquarters in Makeni. During the war the property was damaged significantly and the headquarters was moved to Freetown to escape rebel activity. However, Makeni is geographically more central to our work in Sierra Leone church so the church undertook a restoration project to reestablish the headquarters in Makeni. The President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, a Wesleyan church member, was scheduled to bring the dedicatory address, but due to national responsibilities was unable to be present and was represented instead by Hon. Alimamy P. Koroma, Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure. The dedication of the historic missionary cemetery at Kunsho took place on Sunday afternoon, May 22nd. The Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation included a lengthy report on the cemetery and headquarters dedications in both their radio and TV news broadcasts. The TV report included a sizeable section of Bob's remarks at the headquarters dedication. We enjoyed a brief visit with President Koroma's mother at her home in Makeni. Mrs. Koroma is known throughout the church as a true saint and prayer warrior. We participated in a day long seminar for District Superintendents and pastors from the Freetown District focusing on the subject of "Maintaining Ministerial Integrity." Bob's assigned topic was "Maintaining Ministerial Integrity in the Home." Dr. Wilson and Bob were honored at a farewell dinner in Freetown and were presented with Sierra Leonean garb that proclaimed them as being honorary paramount chiefs. (They are pictured here with Rev. Usman Fornah, National Superintendent.) A slideshow made of photos Bob took during his visit can be seen by clicking on the following link: Sierra Leone slideshow SIERRA LEONE IMPRESSIONS Being Bob's first visit to Sierra Leone, he developed a number of lasting impressions of the country and our church there. The country is working hard to reverse the ravages caused by the civil war that ended just nine years go. Flags were flying all over the country and it was evident that things had been spruced up for the recent celebration of their 50th anniversary of independence from colonial rule. Public works projects were underway both in the capital of Freetown as well as up country in what appears to still be an overwhelming task of rebuilding infrastructure. Private enterprise and investment was also evident, particularly in the mining sector. A spirit of optimism seemed clear despite the fact that many still live in poverty and need. Muslims make up over 60% of the population, but Islam & Christianity seem to coexist without the tensions experienced in many other African countries. There is good reason to be righteously proud of the Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone. The church is blessed with a strong corps of capable, dynamic, and hard-working national and district leaders. The health ministries and educational ministries of the church are making an important contribution to the welfare of the nation. Aggressive evangelistic and church planting efforts are underway under the direction of the National Director of Evangelism, Rev. Warren Fornah. Extensive church construction and restoration projects are ongoing across the country. The impact of World Hope International and World Hope Canada was seen frequently be in in the form of community wells, school buildings, or the new free enterprise zone. Wesleyans, raised in the church and educated in our institutions, are having a powerful influence for good throughout society, from the President's office throughout all levels of government, educational and health sectors, and business sectors. The Wesleyan Church of Sierra Leone is a vivid example of what it means for the church to be salt and light within society (Matt. 5:13-16). AFRICA AREA PRAYER CALENDAR A prayer calendar with requests for every day for July - September, 2011 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. PRAISE POINTS Praise God for a very positive visit to Sierra Leone and for the evidence of God's blessing on the church there. Praise God that Szmaras have secured residence permits for Mozambique. Efforts to secure our permits have gone smoothly and promises are that they will be issued within a couple of weeks. Thank God for reports that the Liberian church has recently planted the first Wesleyan church in Ganta, Nimba Province. Rejoice with Jim & Karen Pickett that their support has been raised and they have received clearance to return to the field. They expect to travel back to Mozambique in July. PRAYER REQUESTS Pray for stability and peace in African countries suffering unrest following contested elections - Uganda, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Sudan. Please pray for Rev. Bill Niemack, District Superintendent of Transkei District, South Africa and Dr. Abraham Katwebe, National Superintendent of the Congo, both of whom are facing serious health issues. Pray for God's help as the Wesleyan Church of Liberia tries to retrieve or repurchase church land in Virginia, Todee, and Sinoe that have been under dispute. Please pray that our residence permits are issued as promised. Please pray that God will give us wisdom and discernment as we work daily with national leaders and missionaries about critical issues affecting the work of the church and Global Partners across Africa. SUPPORT REPORT Thank you so much to all of you who continue faithfully to stand behind us financially. Your faithfulness and generosity is amazing! Donations or monthly commitments can be made online here.

Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers-February 2011

	Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers February 2011
MISSION WORK IN CAMEROON - A THIRD GENERATION FIELD The Wesleyan Church of Cameroon is a third generation mission field. That is, the work was pioneered by the Wesleyan Church of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which in turn had been established by the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia, which had been a mission field of Global Partners from North America. In essence that makes the Cameroon work a great grandchild of Global Partners. The work began when Rev. Jacques Kasweshi resigned as National Superintendent in the DRC in 2003. He was granted a TOOL scholarship to complete his doctorate at a seminary in Cameroon. Once there he started to make friends and to write home to the DRC about the opportunities. In 2004 the church in the DRC commissioned Rev David Kajila, their Assistant National Superintendent, to go as a missionary to start the Cameroon church. David and Cecile Kajila, with their 5 children, arrived in Yaoundé in May 2005. They commenced a house church which quickly grew to overflowing. In 2007 a suitable church building was leased. Earlier this month Assistant Area Director Fred Cromer visited the work in Cameroon and reported that the rented facilities were filled to capacity, a number of lay leaders were being trained, and that the young congregation has a vision to plant a daughter church in the near future. As you pray for the Wesleyan Church of Cameroon, please pray for the following concerns: Cecile Kajila has been suffering from severe back pains. Please pray that God will provide healing. Pray for God's provision of larger facilities where the church can meet. Pray for direction and open doors as the church lays the ground work for a daughter congregation. Several former Muslims are part of this young church and face persecution from their families. Ask God to protect them and help them to be a consistent witness to the families. SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE VIA SKYPE February 13th we attended and spoke at the Sunday morning worship service at Cascades Wesleyan Church in Jackson, MI. However, we did so without leaving the warmth of South Africa. The church set up a Skype link with us enabling us to watch and listen to the service on our computer and then to appear on the screen at the front of the church to give a report on what God is doing in Africa. What amazing opportunities technology offers! UPCOMING EVENTS Feb. 27 - March 11 -- Leadership Matters Course, Kampala, Uganda March 12-15 -- Uganda field visit April 7-10 -- Africa Area Missionary Retreat, Mlilwane, Swaziland April 21-24 -- 20th Anniversary celebration, Wesleyan Standard Church of Ghana April 25-27 -- Ghana field visit May 2-20 -- Church Administration course, Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College, Swaziland May 22-26 -- Sierra Leone field visit PRAISE POINTS Praise God for twenty-four new students who have enrolled at Xai Xai Bible College in Mozambique this year raising the total enrollment to fifty-four. Praise God that Zach & Lyndy Szmara (Mozambique) and Bethany Morse (Sierra Leone) are getting close to reaching their support targets, enabling them to be deployed to the field in the near future. Praise God for the safe arrival of a work team from Eau Claire, WI, presently in Swaziland working on construction of a new dining facility. PRAYER REQUESTS Dorcas Croft and Carol Cromer have been suffering from e-coli infections even while they carry on with their regular responsibilities and host a work team at EWBC, Swaziland. Pray for strength and a full recovery. Mike & Cindy Helvie at PWBC, Zambia have been hit with malaria again. Pray for their recovery and protection from further infections. Pray for Selinda Ingalls and Jesse Van Horn as they return to North America from Zambia and begin preparing for a new term of service. Please pray for the missionaries and national staff at Zimba Mission Hospital, Zambia as they plan and prepare for an extended period in the near future when all the missionary staff will be away in North America for home ministries. Pray for Bob, Jerry Manwaring, and Lucas Hamirie as they attend the Leadership Matters Course in Kampala, Uganda, and for Bob and Jerry as they visit our work in Uganda after the course. FORWARD TO A FRIEND You can help us by forwarding "Bits & Bytes" to friends who will be interested in the work of Global Partners in Africa. Just click on the link below. Friends who receive the email will also be given an opportunity to sign up to receive it in the future. Forward this message to a friend FINANCIAL SUPPORT We remain very grateful to each of our financial partners whose faithful giving enables us to serve here in Africa. Thanks so much! Donations or monthly commitments can be made online here.
PRINTABLE VERSION An easy to print version of this email can be found here. Thank you for sharing a print version with others. Bob & Brenda Bagley - rbagley112@gmail.com

Global Partners...January 2011 Prayer Calendar

“It is the Bible that gives us the mandate, the message, the model,and the power we need for world evangelization. So let’s seek to repossess it by diligent study and meditation. Let’s heed its summons, grasp its message, follow its directions, and trustits power. Let’s lift up our voices and make it known.” –John R. W. Strott (p. 26)*

*Used with permission from the William Carey Library and taken from Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. A Reader. 3d ed. Edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne. Pasadena, California: William Carey Library, November 2004.

Download January's Calendar as a PDF

PLEASE NOTE
There will be times when we will not use the last names of our missionaries or nationals, or we will not use names of people or cities at all. This is to help ensure safety in this age of technology.

1Pray for God, the source of hope, to completely fill our missionaries with joy and peace. (Romans 15:13)

2Pray for Butch and Tricia Alexander, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

3As a result of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, GP’s rebuilding Haiti phase continues. Pray for these efforts.

4Pray for Greg and Heidi Edmonds, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

5Pray that every Wesleyan in North America would be involved in Great Commission ministry this year.

6Pray for Rodney and Michelle Geiszler, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

7Pray for the two new Koi people believers who accepted Jesus as their Savior last November.

8Pray for Carl and Maya Gilles, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

9Pray for renewed evangelistic efforts taking place in Zimbabwe. At least 72 people came to Jesus last November.

10Pray for Berry and Beth Gould, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

11Pray for God to financially provide for our missionaries. Pray for them to be able to rest in His promises.

12Pray for Justine Iskat, missionary to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

13Pray that both the weekly English classes in Japan and monthly events would be used to sow seeds of God's love in hearts.

14Pray for Cory and Kris Thede, missionaries to Haiti, Caribe Atlantic area.

15Pray that a book written by an Albanian Christian & given out by our mission team would help bring Albanians to Jesus.

16Pray for Dennis and Gwen Jackson, missionaries to Europe. Dennis is also the GP Europe area director.

17Pray for unity to exist among our missionaries and other Christian workers as they work together for God and His kingdom.

18Pray for Matt and Caryl Aukerman, missionaries to Albania, Europe area.

19Pray for a new Wesleyan church in Mexico that is located in an area with increased drug violence.

20Pray for Ken and Dawn Bishop, missionaries to Albania, Europe area.

21Pray for the more than 400 Guatemalan children who opened their hearts to Jesus during November’s VBS.

22Pray for Kevin and Michelle DeRossett, missionaries to Albania, Europe area.

23Pray that students on Wesleyan college and university campuses would heed God’s call to join in the harvest.

24Pray for Katie Hawkins, missionary to Albania, Europe area.

25Pray for our missionaries to give all their concerns & anxieties to the Lord and be encouraged in His loving care.

26Pray for Nichole Schara, missionary to Albania, Europe area.

27As GP JESUS film teams boldly go forth proclaiming the gospel, pray for the Spirit to prepare people to hear & receive truth.

28Pray for Allan Stevens, missionary to Albania, Europe area.

29Praise God for our growing ministry team in Bosnia. Pray for our team as they look to expand ministry to two cities in the next year.

30Pray for our missionaries to Bosnia, Europe area. (For security purposes we cannot give their names.)

31Pray for wisdom and guidance as church leaders & pastors throughout the Caribe Atlantic area face many challenges.