Thursday, April 30, 2009

Prayer Request for Freedom of (Sabbath) Worship at St. Augustine University of Tanzania

Bros & Sis,

As I sat down last night reflecting on what I could share with you as a prayer Focus for this week, I talked to one of SureWay's members from Tanzania who has been sharing the SureWay Prayer Focus with our brothers in Tanzania. He shared with me the challenge that 21 students in St. Augustine University of Tanzania are facing. Here is an extract from the e-mail he received from one of the students:

"There is another challenge to THISDASO (TANZANIA HIGHER-LEARNING INSTITUTIONS SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST STUDENTS ORGANISATION) because our fellow 21 THISDASO members who were studying at St. Augustine University of Tanzania in Mwanza have been expelled and chased out from the University when they decided to lift up and glorified the name of God by refusing to perform the exams on the Sabbath day. So we have decided to pray harder by faith knowing that God will do something very soon. Join us please".

As I read this e-mail, I was reminded of the three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3 who refused to bow down and worship the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had erected in the plain of Dura. In response to the King's fury the Bible records that "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the King, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18

Our 21 fellow believers have chosen to take their stand for God even if it means not taking these exams. As one that comes from Africa, I know what gaining a university qualification means. I would like to invite us all to join our brothers and sisters in prayer today and everyday after today in petitioning the Lord on their behalf. As they read this Prayer Focus, I pray that they will be encouraged to know that they have brothers and sisters who are lifting them up in prayer before God. May they also take encouragement from the fact that just as God stood up for the Hebrew boys, he shall stand up for them. Just as King Nebuchadnezzar came to recognise the power of the living God, the professors and deans of this university will come to recognise the importance of the Sabbath. Just as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were promoted in the province of Babylon, that God will promote them in St. Augustine University of Tanzania and beyond.

If you too are facing persecution for your faith, know with certainty that God will vindicate you.

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Mfakazi Ndebele
SureWay Community Seventh-day Adventist Church (London)
South England Conference

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

FAMILY LIFE QUALITY ENRICHMENT SEMINARS AT MAGOMENI SDA CHURCH

MAGOMENI MWEMBECHAI SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY LIFE

PRESENTS

FAMILY LIFE QUALITY ENRICHMENT SEMINARS

30 APRIL – 2 MAY 2009

MEET THE FACILITATORS
ERROL & PAULETTE NEMBHARD

Paulette and Errol have been married for 20 years and have 2 Adult Children Rochelle & Jordan-lee Nembhard. They hail from the United Kingdom however have lived in South Africa since 1994.

Paulette has a background in psychology and marketing and has run her own recruitment company for 17 years. She presently runs her own online distribution company in SA, Botswana, Australia and USA.

For the last decade Errol has been Executive Director and owner of an international consulting company (The Pacific Institute) that has been established in 54 countries over the last 37 years
The Company specializes in organizational transformation.

Aside from Errol’s and Paulette’s business interests their primary passion has been the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. They have been blessed to minister, preach, hold campaigns and conduct seminars in the following countries: SA, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Kenya, UK, USA, (Florida, Seattle, Virginia, Atlanta), Mauritius and Tanzania.


PROGRAM
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Wednesday, 29 April 2009

5:30 PM
Prayer Meeting - By Family Life Department
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Thursday, 30 April 2009

4:00 – 7:00 PM
Seminar - By Errol & Paulette with Family Life Department
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Friday, 1 May 2009

9:00 - 12:30 AM
Seminar - By Errol & Paulette with Family Life Department

12:30 - 4:00 PM
Lunch Break & Preparations for the Sabbath

4:00 – 7:00 PM
Seminar - By Errol & Paulette with Family Life Department
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Saturday, 2 May 2009

8:30 - 10: 30 AM
Sabbath School Program - By Family Life Department

10:30-12:30 AM
Divine Service & Seminar Family Life Department & Elders

12:30 – 3:00 PM
Luncheon - By Family Life Department

3:00 – 6:30 PM
Seminar + Concluding & Closing - By Errol & Paulette with Family Life Department
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The Event is Open to the Public - Announcement courtesy of the Magomeni SDA Church through the Church Bulletin & other Official Communications
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