Pray for South Africa on Sunday, March 21, 2010

Pray for South Africa on Sunday, March 21, 2010

Prayer for South Africa:

Creator God, we give thanks for your marvelous creation displayed in South Africa.   We give thanks for the displays of scenery and wildlife, but more especially for our South African brothers and sisters in Christ.  We give you thanks, Lord, for in the midst of so much diversity, we see kindness, humility,  and love displayed towards others.  We lift up our Ecumenical partnerships as they  strive to work together bringing Unity to the Body of Christ.    We pray for the Bridgman Youth Centre, for the transition of staff, and the continued growth of programs, the lives of the children,  and support of the community for the centre.  Lord, we give you thanks for the time of excitement and preparation in South Africa as they prepare to host the Soccer World Cup, and pray Lord that this will be a time of economic growth for South Africa,  a country struggling with high crime rates, high unemployment rates, and poverty.  As the world prepares to come together in June, help this to be a unifying event, spreading across the African continent to the rest of your world.  During this Lenten season, let us not lose focus, like Judas, but look towards the Cross and our Love for Christ, as Martha did, and Celebrate the risen Lord in Unity. 

(Prayer by Carla and Malusi Makalima)

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.

Global Ministries Missionaries in South Africa:

Jonathan and Dawn Barnes, members of the Seventh Street Christian Church, Richmond, Virginia, serve the Kei Regional Council of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). They work as a development officers in the Kei region of the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Scott Couper and Susan Valiquette are members of First Congregational Church, Winter Park, Florida. Scott serves with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA). He assists the Inanda Seminary in strategic planning and serve as a management consultant. Susan serves with the Inanda Seminary, Durban, South Africa. She works as the school chaplain and a class instructor.

Carla Giger, a member of Slater Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Slater, Missouri, serves with the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), based in Johannesburg. She works as an assistant program coordinator for Girls Against the Spread of Aids providing HIV/AIDS education for youth. She is a Global Mission Intern funded by Week of Compassion.

Emily Christmas, a member of Florence Christian Church, Florence, Kentucky, serves the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. She works as an administrative assistant in the Academic Department and Library. She is a Global Mission Intern funded by Week of Compassion.