Pray for South Africa on Sunday, February 6, 2011

Pray for South Africa on Sunday, February 6, 2011

Prayers for South Africa: Matthew 3:1-12

Dear God, we are grateful for the opportunity to worship You today. We are incredibly blessed by Your unconditional love, compassion and generosity. We seek to be more like You. Help us turn towards You and away from those worries and daily troubles that keep us from having a closer relationship with You.

We pray for all those here and abroad that seek to do Your work. We remember South Africa, and one of its greatest leaders, Nelson Mandela, who lies in a hospital bed at the age of 92 assured that Your work will continue through organizations he has helped to establish. We pray also for the Inanda Seminary, the Bridgeman Center and the Theological Education by Extension College in South Africa, that students and staff grow ever closer to You this year, and that the resources needed to provide for them are found.

Be with those that seek to understand You and share Your love with all creation, with those that are fighting for justice. Take our talents and use them to glorify You. We have found redemption in Your grace; help us now to be the embodiment of it.

Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from South Africa:

“Night walking” is a fairly dangerous activity in South Africa, but less so for our group than for the people we were going to see. During the World Cup a local church began camping out in front of nearby brothels and drug houses, praying, singing songs and talking with the “P and Ps” – pimps and prostitutes. It was August before the pimps began to realize that the church group was hurting business by scaring off customers and recruiting prostitutes for rehabilitation in a safe house. The remaining prostitutes apologized for not speaking with us openly; they would be beaten if the pimps saw them.

On that night I spoke with a church member about the orphanage down the street that houses nearly a hundred children, some of whom I have met. Pimps see it as a recruiting ground. The children that join the brothel see their odds of survival, education, and independence slip away. 

As the largest theological institute in Africa, the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) works to improve the lives of its students by providing affordable theological degrees. It offers a way out of poverty and oppression through education and encourages students to participate in the positive development of their communities. Projects organized by students as course requirements continue to offer social services and support in towns across Southern Africa. TEEC is able to do this in part because of the generous support provided by UCC and DOC congregations through Global Ministries.

(Prayer and Mission Moment by Kristine Tisinger)

Video Resources for South Africa:

 Global Ministries International Partners in South Africa:  

  • South African Council of Churches: This council consists of the joint work of 26 member churches.  The SACC focuses its ministry on social justice, the integrity of creation, and the alleviation of poverty.
  • Theological Education by Extension College: This college, supported by nine member churches, helps prepare students for ministry, whether lay or ordained.  The college is ecumenical and students come from Catholic, Anglican, Reformed, and African Independent backgrounds.
  • United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) – South Africa Synod:  The UCCSA – South African Synod consists of over 250 churches, divided into 11 regions.  Within the Synod one can find many different cultures and languages, making the SA Synod an example of reconciliation in the new South Africa.

For more info on South Africa: http://globalministries.org/africa/countries/south-africa/  

Global Ministries Missionaries in South Africa:

Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette are members of First Congregational Church (UCC), Winter Park, Florida. Scott and Susan serve the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). Both Scott and Susan live at and serve the Inanda Seminary in Inanda township (near Durban), South Africa.  Scott serves the school as the Development Manager.  Scott also serves local churches as a pastor. Susan serves the school as the Chaplain and a teacher.

Kristine Tisinger, a member of University Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Fort Worth, Texas, serves the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in Johannesburg, South Africa as a Global Mission Intern. She works as an administrative assistant in the Academic Department and Library.

Pray for Partners without Global Ministries Mission Personnel: Namibia

God, we lift up the ministries of the Council of Churches in Namibia and the Namibia Synod of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa. We pray particularly for the HIV/Aids ministries of the church. Amen

For more info on Namibia: http://globalministries.org/africa/countries/namibia/