JULY 2015

FEATURING:ZIMBABWE: Harare Pan-African Leadership InitiativeSliently Preaching - A testimony from the slums of NairobiLetter from CEO, Stephen Mbogo

EVANGELISM

AFRICANHARVEST

SHARING JESUS FROM ONE GENERATION TO ANOTHER

THE POWER OF

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CONTENTS from the CEO

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

3 Harare Pan African Leadership Mission - September 2015

4 The Power of Evangelism

5 Eldoret, Kenya - City Wide Mission

6 Decades of Faithfulness - Kenya

7 Melting Hearts in South Africa

8 Silently Preaching - Kenya

9 Final Word from Stephen Mbogo

COVER PHOTO: Malawi Foxfires minister during the Kakuma Mission in Malawi.

Editor: Krista Burns / Rachel BellDesign & Layout: Krista Burns

African Enterprise AFRICAN HARVEST is published four times a year for distribution to friends and supporters of the African Enterprise ministry.

Addressees have the right to have their name and address removed from the mailing list and to request that the source from which the name and address was obtained be identified, and to ask that their name not be given to any other organisation.

Dear Friend,

As I reflect on the last quarter in African Enterprise I am struck by God’s faithfulness to His purposes. I’ve been struck by the big-ness of God in spite of our small-ness.

In this issue of African Harvest you’ll read stories about small people who did small things for God, yet the result was big; bigger than anyone could have imagined.

One man preaching in obedience to God sparks revival in a nation that was gripped by a murderous dictator. Another group are faithful to God in reaching out to an African town and planting a church. But God in His bigness uses that obedience to create a platform for the Gospel which lasts for decades and changes the entire community. God is big even in our smallness.

African Enterprise has been preaching the Gospel in small ways for over 50 years, yet in every instance God has come and made our small efforts big. He sustains our work, He opens hearts, He brings thousands to the knowledge of His love, He causes generations upon generations to know Him because a few were faithful in sharing His love.

Remember that it is in your small-ness that God operates in His big-ness. It’s in obedience, in giving, in prayer. That’s when God does big things. Be encouraged as you read this newsletter that God is doing big things in Africa and it’s because of our small-ness.

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imbabwe has often been in the world’s spotlight for all the wrong reasons. A place once described as “the bread basket of

Africa”, it has had more than its share of political and economic turmoil which have left the country struggling through years of poverty, corruption and high unemployment.

Corruption in the public and private sector often has found its source in the top leadership of the nation. Selfish leadership is the root of bad governance and leaders who are more interested in their own welfare at the expense of a nation cannot be united. Over the last few decades corruption and an acceptance of low standards of governance have embedded themselves in the moral fabric of Zimbabwean society.

On September 19th, African Enterprise will challenge national leaders with the truth of the Gospel, which can transform hearts and change

lives throughout the city. During our nine-day mission we will address the abuse of power which is prevalent in the country and pursue reconciliation, peace and healing among the top leaders so that this weakened and divided nation can become united and strong again from the top

down.

Zimbabwe needs good governance and

godly leadership. Join us as we come along side the leaders of Zimbabwe and

challenge them to lead their nation in a better way, a godly way. Pray with us for these leaders and ask God to soften their hearts to the truth of His Word. Partner with us and see how your giving will change this nation for generations to come.

Zimbabwe is hurting and broken. Together WE CAN make lasting change in the nations of Africa. Join us on the journey by praying for the Zimbabwean people and groups listed below as we share the love of God with them.

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Harare

• His Excellency, The President of Zimbabwe

• The Clergy: Bishops and Heads of Denominations

• Political Leaders• Judiciary Members• Parliamentarians

HARAREPAN-AFRICAN LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE20

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...WE WILL ADDRESS THE ABUSE OF POWER WHICH IS PREVALENT AND PURSUE

RECONCILIATION, PEACE AND HEALING AMONG THE TOP LEADERS

• Law Enforcement (Including Security, Police and Military)

• Non Governmental Organisations• Senior Civil Service Officers

and Diplomats• Captains of Industry and Business

Sector Leaders

INVITED LEADERS• Leading Medical Practitioners• Leading Law Practitioners• Leading Educators• Leaders of the Media• Student Leaders• Women Leaders

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little girl sat watching her mother working in the kitchen. ‘Mummy,’ she said, ‘what does God do all day long?’ For a moment her mother was stumped, then she said, ‘Darling, I’ll tell you what God does all day:

He spends his whole day mending broken things.’”

This was Bishop Festo Kivengere’s favourite story and he it told to fear-filled Ugandans during the time of Idi Amin’s reign of terror in Uganda.

In the 1970’s Idi Amin’s regime had a death grip on that nation – there was abuse, political repression, ethnic violence, killings and persecution. Between 100, 000 and 500, 000 people died in Amin’s 8-year rule and during that time, despite the dangers, Bishop Festo preached the simple message of God’s love and saving grace.

Sometimes called the ‘Billy Graham of Africa’ Bishop Festo is the original founder of AE Uganda and a true hero of the faith. When speaking openly about Jesus was like digging your own grave, Festo preached the Gospel and saw revivals spark all over the Kigezi region of Uganda.

It wasn’t long before Idi Amin’s regime took notice and placed Bishop Festo on the State’s kill list along with several other Christian evangelists. Festo was forced to flee the country when his colleague, Archbishop Janani Luwum, was mysteriously killed. A year later, Festo published a book called ‘I love Idi Amin’ about the power of forgiveness and the need to love those who persecute you. It was a controversial book, but Festo remained faithful to the message of the Gospel even when other church leaders were too hurt to forgive.

“The Holy Spirit showed me that I was getting hard in my spirit,” he says in the book, “and that my

hardness and bitterness toward those who were persecuting us could only bring spiritual loss … So I had to ask for forgiveness from the Lord, and for grace to love President Amin.”

This message is still relevant today, 26 years after Bishop Festo’s death.

Today 84% of Ugandans claim to be Christian but many of them lack a real faith and use the title of Christianity to gain social status and wealth. Deep divides still exist along ethnic and tribal lines and there is widespread corruption in the government which trickles its way into every sector of society.

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Bishop Festo’s daughter attended the event as testament to her Father’s life-long ministry.

The Power of Evangelism - Bishop Festo’s Legacy

Bishop Festo Kivengere shares the Gospel in Uganda in the 1970’s

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THIS MESSAGE IS STILL RELEVANT TODAY, 26 YEARS AFTER BISHOP FESTO’S DEATH.

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little girl sat watching her mother working in the kitchen. ‘Mummy,’ she said, ‘what does God do all day long?’ For a moment her mother was stumped, then she said, ‘Darling, I’ll tell you what God does all day:

He spends his whole day mending broken things.’”

This was Bishop Festo Kivengere’s favourite story and he it told to fear-filled Ugandans during the time of Idi Amin’s reign of terror in Uganda.

However, the life of Bishop Festo and the testimony he lived as Founder and first national team leader of AE Uganda, are still carried in the hearts of AE supporters and staff today. In May 2015, The AE Uganda team travelled to Kigezi, Bishop Festo’s home, and together with local churches, they reached out to the community to remind them of Bishop Festo’s message. They came and asked a simple question: What would Bishop Festo say to Ugandans today? The answer is simple; he would say the same thing he did during all his decades of ministry: God is our Father who loves us deeply and sent his Son to mend our brokenness and restore us to Himself.

The population of Kigezi was moved by AE’s visit – people came forward to accept Christ for the first time and many more rededicated their lives to God. The churches in Kigezi were refreshed and reunited as they remembered the simplicity of the message that Bishop Festo preached. Some of those who had accepted

Christ during Festo’s ministry came to the outreach and said that because of his work for the Gospel all those years ago, they have raised their families in the knowledge of God.

Generations have been saved because of one man’s passion for the Gospel! And because of the simple message he brought: that God spends His whole day mending broken things, and if you’ll let Him, He’ll mend you too.

n July 9th over 1000 volunteers on fire for God will flood into the city of Eldoret, Kenya.

Throughout the week, hundreds of outreaches will take place and the Gospel will be preached down every street and in every market. On July 9th, Eldoret will be changed. YOU CAN be a part of that change.

In the last five years Eldoret has boomed. People have moved from the surrounding rural areas into the city pursuing better opportunities. Many of them have found the gutters or the brothels instead of the life they hoped for. Many of them have no hope. Many of them have never heard the Gospel. Fears of violence and terrorism are an everyday reality as people ask, “Where is God in all these things?”. This is the biggest mission in recent AE history and we know that

there is no better time or place for the Gospel to be preached.

For over 50 years, African Enterprise has been reaching the major cities of Africa. We are passionate about preaching the gospel

and empowering local churches to engage with their communities to effect

lasting change. The church is ready and

trained, the plans are in place and the countdown in on to July 9th.

Join with us in this mission as we seek to bring hope to the lost and hurting of Eldoret. Join with us in prayer for the city, our missionary volunteers and the Gospel outreaches. Give toward the mission and see how your sacrificial giving can bring great harvest in the nation of Kenya.

MANY HAVE FOUND THE GUTTERS OR THE BROTHELS INSTEAD OF THE

LIFE THEY HOPED FOR. “

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Bishop Festo Kivengere’s BookI Love Idi Amin

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visit and to join local evangelists in reaching out to and encouraging the people of Embu. Many were touched by the love of God during these outreaches and several committed to following Christ. Others were moved upon hearing of AE’s work in South Sudan and made a commitment to go on a mission to the struggling country

and encourage its people with the Gospel.

Those first AE missionaries to Embu in 1987 could not have known the impact

their work would have on that bustling town in Eastern Kenya. 28 years later, the Lord is still working there, using the faithfulness of His people to stretch His hand across borders, sending His people into places that are desperate for the light and hope of the Gospel.

“ “I n 1987, African Enterprise Kenya carried out a mission and planted a church in Embu, a town

sitting on the slopes of Mount Kenya, about 140 kilmoeters from the capital city, Nairobi.

Today, almost three decades later, the Embu church is going strong and AE has forged a deep relationship with the community. Since that first mission 28 years ago, AE has continued to send teams there, partnering with multiple local churches and bringing them together for evangelistic outreaches to schools, for rallies in the markets and streets, and for crusades that stretch inside and outside the town itself.

Recently, the Embu churches invited the International Team Leader, Stephen Mbogo, to

THOSE FIRST AE MISSIONARIES TO EMBU IN 1987 COULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THE

IMPACT THEIR WORK WOULD HAVE ON THAT BUSTLING TOWN IN EASTERN KENYA

Decades of Faithfulness - Embu, Kenya

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When Stephen shared his testimony, grown men began to cry. “I’ve seen women cry and sob,” said Stephen, “but to see these men cry like they did, I was just flabbergasted.”

The conference staff spent three hours counseling and praying with those who came forward, listening to men pour out their hearts. Later, a man came to Stephen late at night, after the conference was over. “I can’t sleep,” he said. “That message is still troubling me. I tried to think how to solve my

problems on my own, but I just can’t do it.”

“My friend,” Stephen told him, “you can’t solve

them, but Jesus can. You are drowning, and when you are drowning, you can’t lift yourself up.” The two men prayed together and Mark accepted the Lord as his Saviour.

Through the honest testimony of how God turned Stephen’s life around and brought him to safe rest in Christ, hundreds of men were convicted and brought to the Lord that week.

he way I treated black people, the way I treated my servants at work, makes me feel ashamed.”

The man was sobbing, crying into Stephen Lungu’s shirt as he felt a weight of shame.

This man was one of 1500 who attended a men’s conference in Cape Town and heard Stephen’s life story and testimony. After hearing Stephen speak, this Afrikaner man approached him with tears in his eyes. “Please,” he said, “may I hug you?”

Over and over, he kept saying, “Please forgive me, forgive me.”

This man told Stephen that he was one of those who had mistreated and looked down on black people during apartheid in South Africa. That day at the conference, this Afrikaner man felt something change within him.

“You have melted my heart,” he told Stephen.

“No,” Stephen said. “It is Jesus who has melted your heart.”

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IT IS JESUS WHO HAS MELTED YOUR HEART.

Melting hearts in Cape Town, South Africa

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orogocho is one of the largest slums in Nairobi, Kenya with almost 200, 000 people crammed into 1.5 square kilometers

of the city.

“We’ve built between 120 and 130 toilets over the years in Korogocho,” said Edward Ngaia, Team Leader of AE Kenya. “It’s a very poor neighbourhood where people don’t usually have the luxury of a toilet. You rarely find such facilities there.

On this particular incident, we were met by the sheik, the leader of the local mosque. He came forward, very excited to meet me, surrounded by many of his followers. They recognized that we were from African Enterprise and they greeted us and walked us through the slum, providing us with security. As strangers in that area, it would have been unsafe for us to walk there alone. It really moved me to see people of another faith coming to protect us, showing us love because of the impact we’ve had by building those toilets there. I was struck by the friendship of the Muslims; usually we think about Muslims in confrontation and only think of presenting the gospel to them against the Islamic belief in the Koran. But I had never experienced anything like the friendliness that came out of the mosque that day. It still remains with me.”

Edward and his team were shown around the slum and then went to visit a small community of families in a Muslim homestead.

“We were going to officially hand over one of the toilets to a local homestead and we found that the majority of the Muslims in the homestead were women because the men had gone to work. It was just the women at home with the children. They gathered together and as the team leader for AE Kenya, I gave my little speech and talked about how we were handing the toilet over to them. There was quite a reaction of joy! I asked them, ‘Will you allow me to pray?’ and to my surprise they said yes. I told them, ‘I’m going to pray in the name of Jesus, whom you call in Islam Isa’ and they said,

‘It’s fine; go ahead and pray in the name of Isa.’

So I prayed and they quietly listened to what I had to say. I can tell you that my prayer was not really a prayer; it was an evangelistic message. I quoted John 3:16 and talked about God who has loved us to the extent that he has not only given us toilets, but has given his only son that when we believe in him we might have not only this toilet facility but have eternal life!

I took my prayer as an opportunity to present the Gospel in a non-confrontational way to these Muslim women and I left the place satisfied, happy with a sense of peaceful impact on this Muslim community. That toilet stands there to this day and I keep thinking that whenever they use it they must ask the question, why did these Christians bring this to us? The presence of that toilet must be preaching to them every day about the love of God. It’s one of those silent ways of preaching, a beautiful way of presenting the Gospel. There is a place for proclaiming, but there is also a place for displaying the Gospel and I think, in that instance, we demonstrated the love of God.”

Silently preaching God’s love - Korogocho Slum, Nairobi

IT’S ONE OF THOSE SILENT WAYS OF PREACHING, A BEAUTIFUL WAY OF PRESENTING THE GOSPEL.

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THE FINAL WORD

Dear Friend,

In 1961 when God commissioned Michael Cassidy with the vision of African Enterprise and told him He wanted him to “Preach the Gospel to the cities of Africa” there were only a handful of major cities on the African continent. Over 50 years of ministry later, and with urbanisation having taken a firm hold in Africa, our mission is now bigger than ever. There are currently over 50 cities in Africa with a 1 million+ population size!

Despite the fact that proclamation-type ministry has decreased in popularity over the last few decades, the need for evangelism on a large-scale still remains and is indeed stronger than ever! Rural Africans are flocking to cities at a record pace in search of better opportunities. People who were once spread across thousands of miles in hundreds of remote villages which would have taken years to reach are now all gathered in one place! What a fantastic opportunity for the Gospel!

During AE’s years of ministry we’ve seen how evangelism changes lives, communities and even cities. We’ve seen how the Gospel makes lasting change in communities where it is embraced. Generations have been reached because of African Enterprise’s work over the last 50 years and we are continuing to press forward into His commission to us to reach the major cities of Africa.

The need for evangelism is also very evident in our governments where often we are still permitted to present the Gospel to our top officials. Recently, at the National Prayer

Breakfast in Kenya, the President, his Deputy and members of the parliament and senate gathered to listen to God’s word and to seek prayer for their leadership. I am convinced that such opportunities are from God and should be fully seized. What an amazing opportunity to impact a nation.

We are so thankful to you for your support both in prayer and funding for our Pan African Mission to the national leadership of Harare, Zimbabwe which is fast approaching in September. We covet your prayers as we move toward this mission, confident of the message that God has given us for them.

Please also remember our brothers and sisters in North Africa. Pray that the underground church may be strengthened. We will be releasing more information in the coming days about AE’s Reverse Mission which is supporting and encouraging the North African churches so that they may bear lasting fruit in spite of the difficulties.

Yours in Christ

Stephen MbogoAfrican Enterprise CEO/ITL

www.afr icanenterpr ise.com

and together