[Sonlifeafrica-newsletter] October Report 2003

["Mark Tittley" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This newsletter is long overdue and it is exciting to be able to share with
you all that God is doing in and through the ministry of Sonlife in Africa.

Firstly, let me share about an addition to our staff in Africa. Three weeks
ago a sub-committee was tasked with spending a day in strategic planning and
we were led of God to consider calling a second staff person to work in
Africa - realising that we needed to add capacity to our movement in three
areas: pioneering new work in Africa; developing existing work in Africa and
ensuring organisational growth sustainability.

We have created a position called Ministry Develop and this individual will
in the coming months take over much of the role of training, coaching and
mentoring so I can spend a significant amount of my time in resource raising
for the movement in Africa.

We practised a good African approach to filling the new position and through
much consultation and consensus decision-making are proud to introduce you
to Colin Phelps our new Ministry Developer.

Colin Phelps spent three years with Operation Mobilisation on board the
Doulos ship from 1988 to 1990, was a student at BTC Southern Africa from
1994 to 1997 and has headed up their missions department for the past 6
years. He brings great value to our movement in terms of his missions
thinking, his ability to create systems and policies and his skills as a
teacher, trainer and equipper of trainers. Colin and I spent three years
doing youth ministry together in a local church and have sustained really
close links through the Bible College and over the past year he has
functioned as one of our board members. He will commence with Sonlife Africa
from January 2004.

Secondly, let me bring a brief update of what God is doing across the
continent through the ministry of Sonlife.

South Africa - Some of the recently accredited Sonlife trainers across the
country have been presenting seminars that have been truly well received.
This is an example of our value of multiplication where Edgar Ramsami has
poured his life into key leaders and they are now being released to train,
coach and mentor. The Siyakha schools team has finished their year of
ministry in local schools.

Burkina Faso - The report we have received indicates that Francois Traore is
doing well and has been assigned a new position within the Christian Mission
Alliance that is enabling him to train and mentor more pastors within the
Sonlife movement. The church in Burkina is embracing Sonlife, and at the
same time helping him move ahead in his role as Sonlife country leader.

Zambia - Preparations being made for training which will take place in three
cities (Ndola, Kitwe and Lusaka) during the week of the 12 to the 17th of
December. Pray for Edgar Ramsami as he travels to Zambia to present the
training with David Mulonga.

Ghana - Plans are being made to extend the influence of Sonlife beyond the
two port cities of Tema and Accra. Our country leader, Amos Kevin-Annan is
eagerly anticipating a visit from us in 2004 in order to present the fourth
level of training for the first time in Ghana.

Gabon - Pamphile Toung, the Sonlife country leader recently presented a
Strategy seminar in a small church with 14 people in attendance, including
the pastor. Pamphile has chosen 13 key leaders and is pursuing international
mentoring and coaching with these leaders. The next level of training will
take place in 2004 when we will send a trainer to Gabon to present the
fourth level of training.

Nigeria - Rev. Philip King, the Sonlife country leader, has presented a
Strategy seminar in his home city, Jos, and has requested that we join him
for training in four cities around the country to follow up in training done
earlier this year.

Malawi - The next training seminar will be held in early 2004 and will
involve the presentation of three levels of training simultaneously. Connex
Ijalasi, our country leader, reports that the Strategy manual has now been
translated into Chichewa and they are now working on the Foundation manual.

Thirdly, as we look ahead to 2004, I am personally excited about travelling
with Colin Phelps to each of these countries to present further training and
to deepen relationship with key leaders through coaching and mentoring. Pray
with us that God would unlock the funding that we need to travel in Africa
and fulfil what we believe He has called us to accomplish. We also need to
hear from God as we prioritise countries to start ministering in during
2004. We have invitations to start Sonlife training in Tanzania, Rwanda, and
Kenya - among others.

Edgar Ramsami and I travel to the United States for the first two weeks of
November where we will be attending a Sonlife leadership summit as well as
promoting Sonlife within local churches and meeting with existing and
potential donors and ministry partners.

Thank you for your prayers as we minister together in Africa.

Regards

Mark Tittley
Director, Sonlife Africa