Easter is Coming -- Little signs of great things!

"Do not despise these small beginnings, 

for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin..."

Zechariah 4:10a NLT

Early before dawn, the women gathered and went to the tomb. 

As the Gospels are read in churches around the world this Easter weekend, Christians will remember this pre-dawn march by a faithful group of women. We will join them as they approach the open tomb and encounter the wonder and mystery of the resurrection. 

The importance of women in the life and ministry of Jesus is a testimony to the significance of women in the mission of God in the world. 

Over the past decade, it has been remarkable to witness the transformation within our African partner churches on their understanding and practice of gender equity. In the last few months alone, we are seeing the attitude toward the leadership of women shifting within our South Sudanese partner.

This Holy week, we have been meeting with pastors and women leaders from the Faith Evangelical Baptist Churches of South Sudan. We are thrilled by the way that the church is working to improve education and empowerment of women in their congregations and community.

Akur Mayiik, church treasurer 

Erica spent today in a planning meeting to introduce the self help group approach among the South Sudanese refugee community in Nairobi. Since the beginning of 2017, FEBAC has been engaged in church planting among the South Sudanese diaspora living in the slum areas of Nairobi. Their new church in Kawangware has already risen to 84 members.

We are excited to see the interest of the FEBAC women to embrace the SHG approach to strengthening women and reaching out to their neighbours. 

During our meeting today, Rev. Saphano Riak Chol (Secretary General of FEBAC) encouraged the leaders, saying "It is like the prophet Zechariah told us, 'Do not despise small beginnings!' This is an important day, God is bringing about something new in our church. Something we have never seen before."

Erica teaching today in Saika, Nairobi

Please join us in praying for the women leaders within the Faith Evangelical Baptist Churches. Lack of access to education and leadership roles has hindered women throughout this country, but we are so thankful for the desire for change.

We also pray for Veronica Chuang who will be representing the women of FEBAC in the upcoming Africa Leadership Exchange that CBM is sponsoring in May. We are thrilled to see women leaders from all of our participating partner denominations joining this program.

We also pray for peace in Africa. We especially remember the Church in Eygpt as it reals from the terrorist attacks of this last week.