ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS IN AFRICA STRATEGIC REVIEW : THE NAIROBI PROCESS



ASSOCIATION OF EVANGELICALS IN AFRICA STRATEGIC REVIEW SESSION:


THE NAIROBI PROCESS HELD ON 27TH OCTOBER 2007 AT CORAT AFRICA


Nairobi


CORAT AFRICA


May the peace of God be with you all.  I am happy to join you here in Nairobi, Kenya after another successful meeting in Kampala, Uganda which was very encouraging as we shared with several experienced pastors.


At this moment, the Christians in Eritrea are passing through a very difficult time and require your intercession.  As I speak the Chairman of Christian Evangelicals in Eritrea has been in incarceration for the last four years and there are about 20 to 30 pastors in prison and several other faithfuls.  Their crime is service to Jesus Christ.


In the recent past, things have moved from bad to worse but it is our prayer and hope that God will prevail.  The persecutions in Eritrea have presented an opportunity for evangelism as it has enabled us to foster unity and seek God’s strength.  We call upon all African churches to pray and intercede for the Christians in Eritrea.  I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me to share with you our experiences as Christians back home.  Receive regards from the Christians in Eritrea.

 

 A short speech by Brother Aaron from Eritrea.  The participants joined hands in prayers for the brethrens in Eritrea following


2.0 Workshop Preliminaries

Rev. Dr.Mrs. Judy Mbugua the AEA Team Leader and PACWA Continental Coordinator called the meeting to order and welcomed participants to the AEA workshop.  She asked a volunteer to offer the opening prayer and requested the participants to introduce themselves by name and association to AEA.


Following the self introductions, the Rev. called upon the participants to actively participate in the forum and delivered a short and well thought out devotion from Psalm 37.  This was preceded by a hymn, Old Rugged Cross which was joyfully but not melodiously sang.


In the brief devotion, the Reverend reminded the participants not to fret in situations of difficulty or uncertainty as is likely to be the case now as the country (Kenya) approaches the elections.  This is founded in the biblical teaching that assures us that “the battle belongs to the Lord” she said referring to Chronicles 20.  She strongly urged the participants that these two verses should constitute the guiding principles for all the participants as they consolidate their efforts to build AEA.


Trusting in the Lord and not fretting she said delivered victory in the hands of David against the gigantic Goliath.  She demonstrated what trust implies in a short narrative:


While in a flight to an overseas destination, the plane experienced disturbing turbulence and all the passengers on board panicked as they were asked by the crew to fasten their belts save for one young little one.  The young girl fastened her belt and comfortably resumed her slumber despite the panic and turbulence.   Amazed by the courage of the child, one of the crew members asked the girl why she resumed sleep despite the panic and turbulence.  The girl responded that she did not fret because the father was the pilot. 

 

As a rejoinder to the narrative, the Rev. urged the men and women of God to “trust and leave all to the Lord”.  She emphasized the need to commit AEA to the Lord and trusting Him for the good of the great association.  The participants were reminded to be patient in the walk with God.  Acknowledging that a good spiritual message conveys seven main lessons, she quickly summarised the lessons as follows:

 That we should not fret – a lesson repeated 66 times in the bible. 

 That we should trust in the Lord and do good.

 That we should delight ourselves in the Lord, and He will give us the desires of our hearts.

 That we should commit our way to the Lord and trust Him for the future of AEA.

 That we should be patient or still before the Lord, and wait to see him act. Let us do our part, and place the rest in the hands of the Lord.

 That we should not resign to anger, and turn from wrath.

 That we should not fret, for this leads to evil.


Having concluded the devotion, the Reverend invited Steve Mugabi, the Executive Secretary of the Relief and Development Commission to steer the meeting to the next level.  As a coordinator of the AEA strategic review process, Mugabi expressed unreserved appreciation to CORAT Africa for both the dedication and competency in assisting church affiliated organizations to grow in the region.  It is for this reason he said, that the AEA board in realization of the need for a strategic review after 40 years commissioned a strategic review exercise and engaged CORAT Africa.


He welcomed the representatives of AEA members to the meeting.  The membership ranged from churches, commissions to associate members among others.  He also updated the participants on the success of the Ugandan training which dealt with issues such as AEA ownership and membership.




As the day approached the end, the facilitator asked the participants to quickly identify what makes evangelicals unique.  The following are sampled responses:

i. The rich heritage that has made evangelicals faithful to the scriptures as they have never debated or questioned the authority of the scriptures.

ii. The great resilience of the evangelicals as demonstrated by the fact that the AEA has survived for forty years despite the turbulence.  This was perceived as perhaps an indication that God has a purpose that AEA is to fulfil.

iii. The big congregation that is widely spread out but with limited resources compared to other religious outfits.

iv. That the evangelicals have raised great men and women of God with a voice in the nation and the continent.

v. That AEA has moulded global leaders through the evangelical institutions that it runs.


The evangelicals noted the facilitator, have an extreme opportunity to balance between the spiritual and the material aspects due to their wonderful blend.  The facilitator finally asked the participants to focus on the future and identify the emerging opportunities for AEA as outlined below:

 That there is a growing understanding in the DRC among the warring parties that the church should pursue to restore peace in that country.

 That AEA should extend focus from theological education to higher education owing to the demand for the latter in the region.  It was also felt that there is need to introduce more doctoral programmes at NEGST.

 That the church should respond to the physical needs of the constituents for instance in provision of social services such as education, health and other poverty eradication initiatives.  In pursuit of this, the church should engage in partnership with multilateral organizations to engage in social action guided by clear value system.

 That the church should support global campaigns for instance the MDGs, the global fight against HIV/AIDs and Malaria among others.

 Empowering women to stand up and occupy important positions in society.


The facilitator finally reminded the participants to give glory to God in all that they do before handing over the Coordinator of the Strategic review exercise, Mr. Steve Mugabi for the closing remark.


Mr. Mugabi expressed great appreciation to CORAT for facilitating the strategic review exercise and for accepting to be part of it.  Reflecting on Isaiah 1:1-7 he noted that the word “come” is the most recurring and for that reason the board of AEA invited all the members to come and support this important process.  May the Lord support all of us in the battle that we are fighting.


He explained to the participants that there are timelines that have been set for the process and it is hoped that it will be concluded in good time.  This he said was simply the beginning and it is hoped that the members will regularly renew their synergy.  May God grant you all safe journey mercies. 


The meeting ended with a short worship chorus and prayer from one of the participants.

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