MAY 2013 UPDATE

 

MAY 2013 UPDATES FROM SIERRA LEONE

ACTS .2:17-21. The apostle peter quotes the prophet Joel. “In the last days, God says I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see vision, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women I will pour out my Spirit in those days and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the Heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The Sun will be turn to darkness and the Moon to blood, before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

 Beloved, we give thanks to God that this prophecy was fulfilled on the Pentecost day that marks the beginning of the church as was promised by Christ to send the Holy Spirit. Today we are witnesses to the work of the Holy Spirit in the growth of the Church in the world, and especially in Sierra Leone. We thank God for, “everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved” indeed that is our experiences here in Sierra Leone as every day, and the Lord is adding to the Church those who believed. As the church grows, more souls are being saved, and people confessing Christ as their personal lord and savior.

HELP FROM CRC NIGERIA

The Month of May in the CRC Sierra Leone, began with a great support from the CRC Nigeria, with a gift of hymn books to improve our worship as hymns are sang to glorify God. Today in our worship in Kabala and our daily staff devotion in the office we sing these songs with great meditations in our hearts. We are indeed grateful to the CRCN for these gifts.      

THE CHURCH IN BO

Bo is the Capital city of the southern province of Sierra Leone. A CRC Church was started there a few years ago, and it’s surrounding villages of Barli, Yoviama and Potenhu. Following the example set by the Church in Kabala in building their Church. The 50 worshipers in Bo have now begun building their Church in the City. Initially they had a temporary structure that was covered by mats. This year in the month of March, a strong wind blew it off. Thereby they have now begun this new building. They are hoping to complete it this year. (See pictures ).

 

Construction on the church in Bo

RCC LEADERS

Following the new structure of the Church, that was approved during the April synod meeting, various RCC {classis} have begun meeting and electing their leaders. This is in line with the constitution of the church that was adopted in the last meeting. Each region is expected to elect six officials. On May 17, 2013 the RCC Alkalia conducted a peaceful election. We allowed them to do it on their own without us going there. That shows a sense of maturity on the part of the delegates in making decision on how best to run their respective regions.

 The same was seen in Kabala RCC which took place on May 25^th, in which delegates from the four consistories that made up the RCC met and elected six officials to run the activities of the Classis. With this, we have one Region left to do the same.

NEW CONVERTS

We give thanks to God for his Grace. We indeed appreciate the works of the Holy Spirit. As we continue to receive new converts who accepts Jesus Christ, as their Lord and savior. This is happening in our churches and in the Kabala church. Some of you may have received the news of the conversion of Mohammed Jawara.

Who now want to be called ALFRED. Beside Alfred, we also had the conversion of Mohammed Fofanah, of Kamaro village. Mr. Fofanah can read the Kuranko well, so we have given him a copy of the Kuranko Bible.

Mr. Fofanah

Alfred

SAD EVENT

It was indeed a sad moment in one of our churches, as the pastor and his wife were robbed by robbers on May 2; this was Pastor Elisha Gomeh at Waterloo. We thank God as their lives were spared, though they lost some of their personal properties, including the church public address system. Now Pastor Gomeh and his wife are back in their home, and we thank you for your prayers for Pastor Gomeh and his wife. Secondly we thank God because the Robbers were caught. We were indeed disturbed with the happenings back in our country, with Jemimah’s parents losing their home in the Wukari crisis in Nigeria. It was really so disturbing hearing this news far away from home. In all we give thanks to God, for your words of comfort and prayers for our Family back in Nigeria.      

BOYS BRIGADE IN KABALA CHURCH

 In my previous updates I did mention that, the young boys and girls in the Kabala church have developed the interest of starting the boy’s brigade in the church. My younger son Bernhard has mobilized them and the young are coming for Bible study and training. The CRC church in Nigeria, Jalingo council, have volunteered to send someone to come and give these young men and women the necessary training , and plan to buy a set of Drums {BAND} for them as well. We do hope to get a uniform for them as well. We are estimating between 40-50 USD for each child to have a uniform.

Bernhard Bahago with the Brigade

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

In view of the new development towards a national leadership for the Sierra Leone Church, a training session has been conducted to various leadership position of the church. I and Rev. Ezekiel conducted a leadership seminar on the topics of personal qualification for the church Ministry, and the Role of pastors, Elders and Deacons in the reformed Church. It’s interesting to note that most of the elders in the various churches of the CRC were not elected by the congregation. Hence we have to develop a teaching that helps them to follow the reformed system of allowing the congregation to elect elders and Deacons. We conducted this seminar for RCC Kabala, and we intend to continue in the other R CC’s of the Church. After the seminar we do hope that the congregations will now be position to start the process of electing elders, and Deacons. That will, follow through to the national election of the church leaders in October.  

Some of the participants at the training

 

PASTORS IN TRAINING

Two of our members are being train to be future pastors in the Church. As usual they are now back in Sierra Leone for their vacations. Part of the training program, is that during the long school break, they will be involved in various practical work in the church. Both of them Foray Sesay and Maxwell Kanu are studying in Nigeria. Foray attends Veenstra Theological Seminary Donga while Maxwell goes to the Theological college of Northern Nigeria. We have now assigned them to various churches for their six weeks church practical. They will be involved in preaching, teaching, counseling, visitation, evangelism.etc.

 Foray Sesay preaching at the Kabala CRC church

FAMILY FARM PROJECT

We give thanks to God , our hope concerning the Family Farm project, has been revived, as there is positive indication that the program will continue for the next two or three years. Mr. Travis Wilkins, who is the initial, initiator of the program has agreed to try to raise fund

 at least to pay the staff and for transport to the field, for this period of time. This farming session as the rain is here now, one hundred and thirteen [113] families in seven [7] communities have been given ground nut [pea nut] seed for planting.

 Abu in one of the villages overseeing the signing of the loan

SPORTS.

For us in Kabala, we were really grateful to God as parents went out in their numbers to cheer their Kids at the CRC primary and junior secondary school during their annual sporting activities. It was a moment of refreshment ,and taking out time from the office work to see this young kids competing in a wonderful sportsmanship, with both winners and losers both cheering each other, it teaches us about our love and care for one another as Christian. Christian virtues of tolerance and accepting each other were demonstrated in sport. Our prayers are that this school will remain a great inspiration and spiritual growth for the young Sierra Leoneans. Amen.

SUPPORT’

We want to thank you so much for your prayers and support for the work here in Sierra Leone. We want to continue to ask that you continue so as the work will grow. God bless you all.Rev. Ezekiel Sudu and his family and mine, we are all doing fine. Thank you once again for your prayers.

PRAYER REQUEST.

1.       Thank God for the beginning of the raining season.

2.       Pray for our Families in Nigeria, that God will continue to protect them, in the event of the recent religious crisis. That they will remain committed to serve God.

3.       Pray for more zeal and commitment to serve God, here in Sierra Leone. So that people will be ready to serve God, than seeing the church as an NGO to give them money.

4.       Pray for the various leaders elected in the region [classis] that God will use them to bring about positive growth of the church.

5.       Continue to pray, for the forth coming election of National as leaders of the church. Pray that there will be unity. And dependence upon God to choose the right people. Not to be divide on tribal lines.

6.       The rain is here, many people are involved in farm work, of planting. Pray for good harvest. It’s also

a period in which there are a lot of mosquitoes; pray that we will be healthy to carry out our work.

7.  Pray for the Church in Bo as they are working hard to finish their building, that the Lord will provide for   them the fund to complete the work.

Submitted by.

Rev. Istifanus. B.Bahago

CRWM/CRC SL, Leadership Consultant.

+23278264240

+23277668139

Email; istifanusbahago@yahoo.com

           ibbahago@gmail.com

www.apostlebahago.blogspot.com

APRIL 2013 UPDATES

I bring you all, Christian greetings in the name of our risen lord and savior Jesus Christ. We give thanks to God Almighty, for his love and care over our lives here in Sierra Leone.

On Friday 19^th April we were exactly three months old in our experience as missionaries to our fellow African in the West African sub-region. We really thank God for finding us worthy to serve him, and to use us as an instrument of bringing souls to him.

{REV.Sudu.welcoming ,Judith and Bernhard}

                                                                B APTISM .We give thanks to God , on Sunday April 21^st, three people were baptized at CRC Gbokoroma by Rev, Edison Kamara, also there was profession of Faith by our two children , Judith and Bernhard. For us as parents we were full of happiness as we saw them making a public profession of their faith. The administering of the profession was done by Rev. Ezekiel James sudu. Later on we had the holy communion service.

CRC SCHOOL KABALA

We are really most thankful to God for the CRC school here, that gives basic Education to the kids here. The school is growing with the hard work of the head teacher Mr. J T Koroma and dedicated staff of the school. Recently the kids were home for two weeks break. April 23^rd saw the children going back to school . the primary six kids are preparing for their final exam{they call it mock}, which will enable them go into the junior secondary school by September. Then the junior form three students are also getting ready for their national junior secondary school exams, which will see them into the senior class in September. This is the examination that will really show the effectiveness of the school. Both the students and the Teacher are really in a high gear of getting to face the two examinations.

VILLAGE CHURCH PROJECTS

We give thanks, to God as the churches in the villages are growing , this year ,three villages. Namely; yoviama , patohun [inBo Tikonko Chiefdom}and kolanko,{koinadugu District} were able to build their church , we provided roofing sheet and nails for them ,to roof the house.we have also provided same to the church in Waterloo and Bo[the Bo structure was blown off by storm in march, so we have to re do it again} presently Rochen Malal is working on theirs, but because of the Rain been too closed, we will use woods do the roofing and the wall will be raised next year. {{Kolanko church building

·         {yoviama church being roof.}

SYNOD MEETING;

We give thanks to God , on24th to 26^th April. Delegates from the regional church council of the church convey in kabala for the first half of the year synod meeting . in all there were 27 delegates that attended. Far reach decision were made for the growth of the CRC SL’. On Wednesday 24^th April was arrival . so no meeting was held that date.

On Thursday the 25^th was the business day of the meeting. REV. Sudu led in an opening devotion that challenges delegates to lay a solid foundation of the Crc Sl  which will stand the test of time. Pastor Daniel Sawaneh was elected to led the day session. On that same date, the constitution of the church was read for the third time, after a few correction it was adopted by a unanimous vote. With this the church now has a document to guide her in her operation, in sierra Leone. (delegates at the meeting}

ELECTION OF NATIONAL LEADERS;

The synod after adoption of the constitution , set Octorber as the possible date for the Election of her first National leaders, according to the decision , since it was a test for self rule. It was decided that ,for three years , there shall be a yearly election that is to say, those that will be elected in Octorber , will serve for one year, and can be re, elected if they are seen to be capable . that will be repeated in the second and third year,, After which they will have seen among them people who can hold office for four years as its in the adopted constitution. (a cross section of delegates)

STRUCTURE.

 A new administrative structure was adopted by the synod for effective leadership of the church. The church is now sub, divided into three regional church council{classis} with eleven local church councils (Organized congregation}each of this local church council has three to four or five worship centres, who will grow to become local churches in the future. This REGIONAL CHURCH COUNCILS{RCC} are Alkalia. Freetown and Kabala. Alkalia is made up of five Local church council. Namely; Alkalia. Foria, shekuya, Nanfaye and sambaia Bendugu. While Freetown RCC is made up of Waterloo,and Bo, then Kabala RCC is made up of  Firawa ,Kondenbaia, Kabala and yarah. Each of this RCC ,shall elect their leaders before the octorber election. With this development , the reformed system of congregation electing their Elders and deacon shall be carried out in all the local church councils and their branches or worship centers.

RAISING OF FUND. (delegate stressing a point)

Another interesting decision at the synod , was the issue of raising fund for the church programs internally instead of depending 100%on external funding. The church decided that every employee of the church or related agency shall contribute at least 5000 (local CURRENCY},MONTHLY FROM THEIR SALARY OR STIPPEND. Then local churches shall contribute 50, 000 quarterly. Except for Kabala church that will contribute 200,000 . Alkalia. 150,000, bendugu 60,000 Bo, 150,000 and Waterloo 100,000. It s hope that at least the church will be able raise 1000 000(about230 USD) PER QUARTER FOR THEIR CENTRAL FUND.

WOMAN CHAIRING THE SYNOD

Another interesting thing that happened at the synod , was the unanimous election of Mrs. Finah F Marah to chair the second day of the synod. Mrs. Marah is the National women leader of the CRC SL she did very well in her leading of the synod deliberation. I was really impressed by her leadership skill. (mrs. Finah Kamara)

CHILDREN THANKSGIVING

Sunday, the 28^th of April was the annual thanksgiving day for the crc kabala children. The church hall was packed  full with worshipers as children display their skills in the knowledge of the bible verses. The Children moderated the worship and preached the sermon. The worship moderator was Mary JT Koroma and the preacher was Bernhard Bahago. In his sermon , Bernhard challenged parents to train their children in the fear of God so that when the are old they will not depart from it. His text was from Psalm;22;6 Children from other churches such as ,New Harvest Church, Baptist, Anglican. Wesleyan. United Methodist, and The door church, all in Kabala were in attendance, they all presented special songs. (Bernhard, Mary and the children presenting}

Another interesting future in the children program, was the selection of the crc child of the year. Four kids were selected, worshipers and parents were challenge to give offerings into the offering box ,that each of the four kids were holding, the ones that has the highest offerings in his or her box becomes the child of the year,they were selected based on their skills in the knowledge of the scripture. Victor Ezekiel sudu(5years old} emerged the winner.

FAMILY FARM PROGRAM

We thank God for the Family farm program, this program is really touching the lives of many rural dwellers as they are improving in their farm products and fostering unity in the family. Reports from the various villages were the program is been run indicate a lot of positive changes in the lives of the people. Today some communities are calling for the introduction of the program in their area. Because of limited resources and the future of the program that is not certain we could not accommodate more except for Fogo village which the poor rural women there needed to be assisted to improve in their life. We are hoping that when CRWM ,funding of this program ends in June. World Renewal will be able to accept FFP as part of their work here in Sierra Leone. Abandoning this program will be unhealthy development here.

Abu M  Jalloh and Alhassan are doing an excellent job with the farmers in various communities, .its interesting to note that Alhassan who was employ to work with Family Farm,was a Muslims. But last Sunday he started coming to the Church , he told me that,” I have now accepted Jesus Christ as my savior, I have seen what Jesus has done in the communities we have worked, their livelihoods have improved, its real Jesus is the messiah the hope of the hopeless”.

PRAYER REQUEST

1.       Pray for Alhassan and other new converts in the CRC SIERRA Leone to stand firm in the faith.

2.       Pray for the church that ,the constitution newly adopted will be to help in the growth.

3.       Pray that the planned election of national leaders planed for October will be done peacefully and that God will chose for the Church committed and honest Leaders.

Submitted by:

Rev. Istifanus Bala Bahago

Crwm/crc sl Leadership Consultant’

+23278264240

+23277668139

istifanusbahago@yahoo.com

ibbahago@gmail.com

www.apostlebahago.blogspot.com