INTRODUCTION
Over 20 years ago, two men who made a deep mark on my life, Stephen Bradley and
Dudley Foord sent me to Namibia
in Ondangwa after such a long time, it’s a great joy and privilege.
As always I read before I come on these visits, especially books on missions.
1. FAITH UNDER FIRE:
This is a book written by Peter Hammond on the work in the Sudan
“one of the great tragedies in Africa is the Sudan Africa ,
more than half the land once under cultivation has reverted to scrub and there are
now 5 million peasants … into refugee camps. Millions have been slaughtered in the
Islamic Jihad or have succumbed to starvation and disease. BUT …despite the
relentless persecution, the Churches in southern Sudan
growth. Thirty years ago only 5% of Sudan
identify themselves as Christians. In the south 85% of the population attends
Christian services…” The huge challenge he says “there are no training facilities for
church leaders in the south, due to the unstable war situation. Most congregations
are without trained pastors and are being led by evangelists who often struggle to
read and write.”
The challenge to bring teachers to Africa is overwhelming, the need is massive.
2. GLOBAL WARNING: This amazing book plays on the title “global warming”
which everyone is talking about and rather focuses on global warning urging
us to take the great commission seriously. Listen to this amazing quote from
the book:
“the need of the day is for the Church to rediscover – not deny – the truth of
eternal punishment. What zeal in evangelism would surely follow.”
“So today with the Church. The evangelization of the world is possible** in this
generation. However in order to keep the goal within reach convictions have to be
maintained. That God has provided only one way of salvation is the plain teaching of
the Word of God. The real question is not – is this true? Rather the real question is
whether or not we allow this powerful truth to take dominion of our heart, mind and
imagination. Remember, someone’s eternal destiny depends on our response.”
3
So now as the Bishop to Africa I head up to Namibia
all our Churches, leading a huge confirmation service on the Sunday and
encouraging the men particularly.
Patrick Johnstone in his book
“Operation World” speaks on Namibia
and says the following:
i. Namibia
percentage of Christians for
any country in Africa . The early
labours of German and Finnish
Lutheran and then Anglican
missionaries gave birth to large
denominations. The influence of
liberal and then black theology
eroded that spiritual heritage, and true discipleship and holy living are now in
short supply. During the strife preceding independence the Church became
deeply divided between those who supported armed struggle and those who
did not. Pray for a unity, based on Scripture and bathed in the Spirit, that
will bring reconciliation and revival.
ii. The evangelical witness has been strengthened in recent years through
new missionary thrusts by the NGK, AEF/AIM, YWAM, Baptists and
Pentecostals to areas and peoples only superficially touched by the gospel.
Charismatic fellowships – both independent and within many denominations
have brought new life and fervour.
iii. Leadership training. The major seminary in the country has been much
influenced by black and liberation theology to the spiritual impoverishment
of students going into the ministry. The result accelerated nominalization of
the churches, lowering of moral standards for leaders and followers, and
reliance on occultism rather than the Lord. The two evangelical seminaries in
in Windhoek
4
iv. Christian radio programmes on the national network have had a remarkable
impact counteracting liberal theology, restoring evangelicalism to mainline
churches, and opening up resistant peoples such as the Herero to biblical
teaching. Most of the 60 hours of religious programming every week has
been evangelical in content, but since 1991 this has been reduced with
mainline churches taking control of content.
v. Pressing social issues must be addressed by Christians; the government has
not the resources for adequate answers to:
a. Full rehabilitation of combatants and returned exiles from the
independence conflict. Widespread economic stagnation and
unemployment hinder this. Deep emotional scars and sin need to be
faced. The San provided the South African army with some of the
best bush fighters in the war, but their lot since independence has
been one of tragic neglect and marginalization.
b. Ovamboland, where nearly half the population lives. It is on the
virtually no paid employment in the area. Unrest continues. There was
revival in the area a generation ago.
c. African Independent Churches are strong among the Herero,
Basters, Damara and Nama, bringing compromise with the ancestor
worship and witchcraft of their forebears and hostility to the gospel.
Pray for the tactful ministry of the NGK, AIM and AEF missionaries
and Namibian Christians by means of teaching, radio and help
ministries which are bringing many leaders to a living faith in Christ.
d. Young people clamour for education, but the education system
suffered damage and decline in war. Pray for the spreading work of
SU in secondary schools and for an effective discipling and teaching
ministry that will shape tomorrow’s leaders.
e. Missionaries in both older and newer missions need sensitivity and understanding as they minister within the new context of independence.
5I try to keep a diary on my travels so here goes and I hope you enjoy it.
MY DIARY _
THURSDAY 20 MAY
I had to get up at to leave by in order to drive down to Pinetown
and fetch Chico
from where I flew to Johannesburg Windhoek
where I was able to get a taxi which took me to another airport, Eros from where I
caught a 3rd flight on to Ondangwa, arriving at – a really long trip right up
to the northern boundaries of Namibia
Denis Nandi who was with me all those years ago met me at the little airport. He is
retired now and we had an amazing time catching up on all the church matters.
Sadly some of the men have now passed on.
sprung up since I was last there. Here I will be staying with David
and Alison Greef, missionaries sent out from C.M.S. in Australia
who very kindly will put me up. They are the most amazing family.
Enjoyed supper and headed for bed and some sleep.
FRIDAY 21 MAY
Had a great sleep and woke up to enjoy my daily reading from McCheyne in
Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah and 2 Peter. As always I follow it up from Oswald
Chambers who wrote
“Jesus taught that a disciple has to make his relationship to God the dominating
concentration of his life, and to be carefully careless about everything else in
comparison to that ….Jesus is saying that the great care of the life is to put the
relationship to God first and everything else second.”
6
Before breakfast read from Hammond on the Sudan
“the lessons to us today are clear. It is essential that we give priority to literacy
training, Bible teaching and leadership training. We need to build healthy self
supporting, self governing and self propagating churches. We need to teach and
practice decentralization and the priesthood of all believers.”
Now on our way to visit some of our C.E.S.A. churches together with Denis Nandi,
David Greef, Trish Hanekom and some of the leaders.
I. INDANGUEO (St. John’s
There was a church building in fairly good condition under the leadership of
Pastor Albino. They average ± 20 women, 12 men and Trish said a lot of
children.
II. OHANGWENA (St. Paul
Again a building in good condition under Pastor Jeremias. Altogether there
were about 20 adults and 20 children with the children singing two lovely
songs for the Bishop.
III. OMUGWELUME (St. Luke’s)
tragic condition, literally falling apart. After
speaking to them and answering questions we went
to a new site which they have bought and discussed
the possibility of putting up a new structure at
some stage.
It was humbling visiting these churches; they went out of their way to meet the
Bishop and made you feel like a king when all I am trying to do is serve them. After
six hours returned home to a lovely supper and then back to my little home.
Finished reading ‘FAITH UNDER FIRE” and again was so very challenged to the
huge task facing us in Africa . Listen to Hammond
“obstacles abound. Frustrations, disappointments and discouragements are
occupational hazards and part of our job descriptions. Missionaries need endurance –
a willingness and capacity to suffer hardships, discomfort, ** and more. Sacrificial
service is more eloquent than many sermons.”
7
SATURDAY 22 MAY
Woke up early to do my Bible readings in Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah and started 1
John, Oswald Chambers had this to say this morning:
“He allows things for His own purpose. The things we are going through are either
making us sweeter, better, nobler men and women, or … they are making us more
captious and fault finding, more insistent upon our own way. The things that happen
either make us friends, or they make us saints, it depends entirely upon the
relationship we are in to God.”
Before breakfast started a new book “2000 YEARS OF CHRIST’S POWER”.
This is part 3 of a series on Church History and deals with the Renaissance and the
Reformation.
“Luther is of medium size, his body thin, and so
worn out by burdens of responsibility and study,
that you can almost count all his bones.”
After breakfast went to visit our Church in a very remote area called
ONAMAMBILI. The building was in fact the old pump house now converted into a
church and is in fair shape, but really out in the rural areas. Along the route in our
4x4 we went and found a lady from the Church who had 2 massive pumpkins for us.
From there on to the main Church, CHRIST CHURCH
by the late Bishop Peter Kalangula. We spent 4 hours with the leaders and spoke
from Acts 2 which they found helpful. Got the names and addresses of the leaders
so will send them a newsletter on a regular basis.
8
On our way home had an excellent meeting with the Bishop of Namibia, BISHOP
NATHANAEL NAKWATUMBA. It was conducted in a very friendly manner and I
hope will create good relationships with the C.P.S.A.
After supper read from my book and listen again to Martin Luther, one of the most
well known of his sayings:
“unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Scriptures, or by clear reason, I am
bound by the Scriptures I have quoted and my conscience is captive to the Word of
God …”
SUNDAY 23 MAY
Read from Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah and 1 John to such great effect, how the Word
continues to nourish and bless our souls. Oswald Chambers then said
“Jesus sums up commonsense carefulness in a disciple as infidelity. He always
presents the point until we learn to make Him our first consideration. Whenever we
put other things first, there is confusion. No great word of Jesus to His disciples is
abandon.”
Today all our Churches in Namibia
confirmation service and to see the Bishop …. So here goes!!! While on our way we
picked up 16 people which we crammed into our 4x4. In order to get to some of
them we literally drove through fields of mielies … it was great fun and headed for
Ondangwa. The Church was absolutely packed, ±300 people with 100 coming to be
confirmed. The service seemed to go well and they went home so happy. It
overwhelmed me to see how happy these people were to see the bishop … they feel
looked after again.
From there we were invited to Peter Kalangula’s home where his daughter gave us
the most amazing lunch. She is a lovely woman and loved seeing us all at the family
home.
Returned home 9 hours later by so very fulfilled to be in Africa preaching the
precious Word of God. Had a great shower and read from my book till I could stay
awake no longer.
9
MONDAY 24 MAY
Up early to do my Bible readings and Oswald Chambers then Denis Nandi picked me
up in ONGWEDUVA and so kindly took me to the airport at ONDANGWA from
where I will catch a flight to Windhoek
I had such a laugh … the pilot had to go and
then bring the plane back again so that we
could then take off. This surely would only
happen in Africa !
In Windhoek
me to the seminary. I spent 2 hours with him and the principal Rev. Josh Hooker in
what was a fantastic time, linking up for the future! Their facilities are amazing
BUT sadly they have only 27 students in residence, but a huge number in distance
learning.
Took a taxi to the airport and flew to Johannesburg Durban
I drove up to Pietermaritzburg arriving 15 hours later.
CT STUDD
“some wish to live within the sound of
church or chapel bell, I’d rather run a
rescue shop within a metre of hell.”
10
To return to these people after 20 years was an
amazing experience, one I will not forget quickly but here are some thoughts to
share with you.
1) BISHOP TO AFRICA :
This has been an enormous blessing to me. My trips this year into Zambia
the Democratic Republic of Congo were life changing experiences. Now to revisit
me a great love for the people of Africa and I would love to spend my remaining
years serving this continent. I made amazing contacts for the future which is so
exciting.
Patrick Johnstone – “we are living in the time of the largest gathering of people
into the Kingdom of God
of Protestant missionary sending and support agencies over the past 2 centuries; this
has become a world wide phenomenon of great significance.”
2) CHURCHES IN NAMIBIA
Since the death of Bishop Kalangula our Churches up here have felt abandoned and
forsaken, so for me to come as the bishop was massive. The congregations of ±300
with 100 confirmations was an indication of the feeling of the people, they now are
very encouraged. I promised to visit them once every 6 months. But sadly the
ministers are now all very old and there is a desperate need for new men to come in.
Another huge bonus was my meeting with the Anglican Bishop of Namibia
Nathanael Nakatumba. We spoke for about 1 ½ hours and I hope a new friendship
will arise between our Churches which will further the Kingdom in the days ahead.
BUT …. ½ the population of Namibia
position.
3) TRAINING AND KMBC
This is without a doubt the number one issue. In November and together with
David Greef I would love to run a “Pastor’s Conference” and spend time training
a new group of preachers as well as encouraging our older men. Because my
meeting with Bishop Nakatumba went so well, David Greef has suggested we
invite the Anglican Church to join us as well. In addition most of our people have
not high academic standards which means K.M.B.C. again can play such a critical
role in training leaders for the future. K.M.B.C. with its emphases can play a
very important part in training Pastors for Africa ; I am more persuaded of that
than ever before. Together at this conference, we also need to spend time with
all our leaders and address the structures, because at the moment it is in chaos.
Denis Nandi needs successors to take up the reigns for a new era.
4) RESOURSES
Again one is so stirred to see how meager the resources are which our ministers
work with. Our little fund “Books for Africa ” can play such a wonderful role in
supplying evangelical commentaries for our men. They desperately need
resources. I hope to send all our men a newsletter once a month which may help
a little as well.
5) NAMIBIA
I spent 2 hours with the principal JOSH HOOKER and the dean of distance
learning WILLEN DEN HAROG. It was a brilliant time of building relationships
which will aid the work greatly in the future. They were very keen to work with
me in organizing the pastor’s conference in Ondangwa in November where I will
invite the Anglican Church to join us. These are exciting times. Also we
discussed K.M.B.C. and the small part it can play in preparing students for
N.E.T.S. No one addresses the poor, the financially disadvantaged, so many only
focus on the academic and financial qualifications … I long for K.M.B.C. to plug
that gap and continue to send trained pastors into Africa , trained with the
Word of God.
So I return from another trip into Africa so very blessed, fulfilled and praying
that the Lord may open many doors for ministry in the future. I want to serve
Andrew Murray close for us:
“it is one thing for a minister to be an advocate and supporter of missions: it is
another and very different thing for him to understand that missions are the chief end
of the church, and therefore the chief end for which his congregation exists. It is only
when this truth masters him in its spiritual power that he will be able to give the
subject of missions its true place within his ministry.”
NEMU YAMBEKE
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