The Zanzibar Exchange

Canadian Baptist Ministries African Partnership Summit, Zanzibar 2014

(Back) Rev. Jeremiah Ngumo (ACC&S), Erica Kenny (CBM), Bishop Mishack Mukwilu (ABC), Rt. Rev. Dr. Julius Karanja (ACC&S), Rev. Gato Munyamasoko (AEBR), Rev. Andre Sibomana (AEBR), Rev. Gabriel Abiel Kuol (FEBAC), Dr. Terry Smith (CBM) 

(Front) Rt. Rev. Joseph Maina Macharia (ACC&S), Dr. Samuel Ngayihembako (CBCA), Brenda Halk (CBM), Rev. Aaron Kenny (CBM), Rev. Saphano Riak Chol (FEBAC), Dr. Sam Chaise (CBM), Dr. Kakule Molo (CBCA), and Archbishop Timothy Nzyoki Ndambuki (ABC).

Zanzibar

This past week, Erica and I travelled to the island of Zanzibar, off the coast of Tanzania, with CBM executive director, Sam Chaise, and deputy director, Terry Smith, for leadership meetings with our partner churches in Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It was a fruitful time of praying, sharing and visioning for our journey together. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment for multilateral collaboration and support across partnerships and they began to identify practical ways for their churches to deepen their fellowship and cooperation with each other. From organizing joint training and capacity building, to hosting exposure visits and exchanging personnel to share areas of speciality and expertise, the summit looked at ways for the churches to strengthen one another.

Perhaps the greatest outcome of the gathering was the rich fellowship and personal support experienced among the leaders themselves. We were moved by the vulnerability, openness, and genuine concern that characterized the entire time together. Executive leadership is demanding, immensely challenging and often very lonely. We were impressed by how the pastors reached out to one another in mutual respect and compassion.

The shackles on the Stone Town monument are actual chains used to bind slaves that were bought and sold on the island.

Confronting Brokenness

Zanzibar was more than a neutral ground for CBM and our partners to gather. It represents significant points in the history of Africa as the starting point of David Livingston's exploration and missionary efforts in Africa, to the ending of the slave trade in East Africa. With the pastors, we visited East Africa’s first Anglican Cathedral, which was built on the site of the Stone Town slave market that had dominated commerce on the island long before the spice markets. The cramped slave chambers remain like empty tombs beneath the churches St. Monica’s Hostel, and the cathedral itself has its altar set on the very spot of the whipping post: a dramatic statement for the redeeming power of Christ -- Human brutality and brokenness does not get the final word!

Throughout the gathering, our partner churches shared stories of the challenges gripping their churches, as well as the signs of God at work among their people.  

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, our partners in the Central African Baptist  Churches (CBCA) are struggling to rebuild their communities after decades of conflict and war. Please pray for these dear friends as insecurity persists in the North from Ugandan rebel groups. Pray for churches that are actively reaching out to survivors in their communities through counseling and support for children, young people and rape victims. The scars of war are fresh, but God is using the Church to bring healing and reconciliation.  

Terry Smith leading a time of introduction for the leaders gathered for the summit.

Erica creating a head covering for Sam on the way to visit Zanzibar's Stone Town.

Being together with such a group is also a lot of fun. We appreciate the great laughter, the readiness to tell stories and share songs. Such relationships are at the heart of partnership.

Erica with Bishop Mukwilu and Archbishop Ndambuki of the Africa Brotherhood Church (ABC)

Julius Karanja and Andre Sibomana

Erica with Kakule Molo of CBCA

"Short Pants in Stone Town"

Aaron and Julius with the new African Christian Church and Schools (ACC&S) general secretary, Jeremiah Ngumo, and moderator, Joseph Macharia.

Terry Smith speaking during one of the sessions on Strengthening Partnership.

Saphano Chol, general secretary of the Faith Evangelical Baptist Churches of South Sudan (FEBAC) with Bishop Mukwilu of the ABC.

STANDING  TOGETHER

One of the immediate areas of crisis facing our partner churches is the political conflict in South Sudan that has directly affected the people of FEBAC. In the area of Malacal, entire villages have been burned to the ground during the conflict of the past two months. As a sign of solidarity, the Africa churches are beginning to raise money to send to help the churches of South Sudan to rebuild: "People need food, they need plastic sheets for shelter, they need shoes and clothes, they need nets to catch fish in the river," shared Rev. Saphano. "Everything was lost when the soldiers burned our villages. People are sleeping in the open among the bushes. Without nets for fishing they have no livelihoods to go back to. We need your help!"

Please pray for our African Partner Churches. Remember the Church in South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo that is struggling to care for people ravaged by war and violence. Pray for the Church in Kenya and Rwanda that is seeking to help broken communities struggling with food insecurity. People are praying for rain, especially the March rains that are needed critically.

To learn more about CBM's work in Africa and to contribute to the needs of our partner churches, please visit our webpage or contact CBM at www.cbmin.org