[Sonlifeafrica-newsletter] March Ministry Update

["Mark Tittley" <mark@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

(To read the online version with images, visit:
http://www.sonlifeafrica.com/2004n03.htm)

Nigeria, March 2004

In the Sonlife Foundations seminar we teach delegates a very simple
technique to help with studying the Bible.  It consists of asking a series
of questions of the passage being studied.  We're going to use the same
questions to structure the report of Sonlife Africa's trip to Nigeria in
March, 2004.  Mark Tittley and Colin Phelps travelled together for this
trip.

When?
12 - 21 March 2004

Where?
West Africa, Nigeria.  We flew into Lagos on Friday, the 12th and then took
a one hour flight on Saturday to Jos in the center of Nigeria.  We were
there for six days before driving on Friday, for four hours, to Abuja, the
Federal capital.  We then flew back to Lagos on Sunday to depart from
Nigeria.

What?
What did we do?  Our first responsibility was ministry in churches on the
weekend, and then into the training seminars in Jos.  We presented Strategy
(1st level) and Foundations (2nd level) simultaneously on the Monday and
then went into the three day Vision seminar (3rd level) which we taught
together.  This seminar was particularly encouraging as we had some key
pastors who were very excited about Sonlife and what it was doing for them
in their churches.  Vision explores delegates personal lives and ministry
and we had tremendous opportunities to minister to them as they grappled
with the material and examined their lives.

We then travelled to Abuja, trained the Strategy and Foundations seminars
and then ministered in churches on the Sunday before leaving.

Aside from the planned opportunities there were also numerous occasions
where we were able to sit with individuals and encourage and guide them in
terms of ministry and the Christian life.

Who?
On the trip we met many wonderful people and we'd like to introduce you to
just a few:

Rev. Philip and Nancy King - Philip is the Nigerian country leader and did a
great job of setting the trip up for us.  He stands out in Nigeria as
someone whose vision goes beyond merely building a church, and who is able
to bring people together in a country where the church is very splintered.
His wife, Nancy, lectures at the Jos University in mass communication and
they have three children, Hazel(7), Cussan(3) and Das(1).  Nancy attended
the seminars and is part of the Sonlife Nigeria leadership.

Pastor Steve and Joyce Dangana - Steve pastors the Shalom Bible Church in
Jos and attended the Vision Seminar.  A sharp thinker he often amazed us
with his insights.  He is a close friend of Philip's and will be key in
standing alongside him on the Sonlife leadership team in the days that lie
ahead.  His wife, Joyce, works for Foreign Affairs in Abuja and they need
prayer as to their future.  Their two children, Michael and Michelle, were a
source of joy when we spent some time with them at the end of our trip.

Pastor Dunka Gomwalk - Founder of Covenant Word Christian Centre Int'l which
was being launched while we were in Jos.  We were struck by the careful,
seriousness of a young man determined to walk the road set by God for his
ministry.  He is also part of Philip's Sonlife leadership team in Nigeria.

Pastors Fred and Nandir Williams.  This young couple head up Christ Academy,
a church aimed at university students, and Icon Towers, a multi-media
production company.  They had already become aware of the need to shift
their attention from reaching number to building depth and Sonlife really
filled a need in their lives.  They are both a part of the Sonlife Nigeria
leadership team.

Dr. Mike Oye - A fellow guest in the guest house we stayed in Jos.  We spent
a great hour or so with this elder missionary statesman learning from his
vast experience and being blessed by his godly, maturity.  He was a great
encouragement.

Pastor Nath Adebisi- A young pastor who helped arrange the seminars in Abuja
and pastors a small church in a poorer area of Abuja.

Bishop John Praise Daniel - The leader of a large Abuja church that has
branches all around the world.  His church was our venue for our Abuja
training and he allowed us to speak briefly at his church during the Sunday
morning service.

Mr. Johnson - General Manager of Southern Fried Chicken in Abuja who
graciously welcomed us into his home and allowed us the use of his bedroom
during our stay in Abuja.

All these people have a role to play in God's kingdom in Nigeria.  We were
privileged to have them cross our paths.

Why?
There are about 60 million Christians in Nigeria and even though this is
only half of the country's population, it is still easily the biggest in
Africa.  So why did we go to Nigeria?  While there has been tremendous
growth in the church, evangelism has often not been accompanied by the
necessary follow-up and teaching, resulting in large parts of the church
being without much depth.  Sonlife has been welcomed by those who have been
exposed to its strategy as an answer to this challenge.  Our visit was aimed
at continuing to build a disciplemaking movement in Nigeria that will
eventually be totally in the hands of Nigerians.

So What?
So did we make any difference?  Was it all worthwhile?  We believe so.
Certainly in the lives of the 70 delegates who attended the various seminars
there was an impact that will continue.  Many of the delegates were leaders
of churches and ministries and if they are faithful to pass on what they
have learnt then we will have directly impacted many more than 70.  If the
Lord moves and multiplies our efforts, and we believe he will, then the
significance for Nigeria could be enormous.

Thank God for:
- Safe travel
- Good organization
- Each delegate who attended the seminars
- Philip and those who are excited about discipleship and Sonlife in Nigeria

Please pray for:
- Philip and his team as they seek God's direction for the way forward in
Nigeria.
- The delegates who now need to implement what they have learnt.
- An ongoing commitment to building depth in the Nigerian church.
- Confirmation that October is the right time for the next visit.

This report was sent out by Colin Phelps and Mark Tittley.
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