Pray for South Africa on Sunday, September 11, 2011

Pray for South Africa on Sunday, September 11, 2011

Prayers for South Africa: Matthew 18:21-35

Dear God

We lift before you today the people of South Africa.  There are still many scars of pain that remain from Apartheid.  There is still much reconciling that needs to take place, yet so many have crossed racial and cultural dividing walls because they have chosen to forgive, in an instance, the same way that You forgive.  God, we learn from our South African brothers and sisters.  They witness to us. 

Forgiveness means letting go of real and deep hurt and brokenness and releasing moments and opportunities lost forever.  Immediately, You forgive us for all the ways we hurt You.  Why do some of us find it so difficult?  We want the same heart that You have.  We want to see the way You see.  God, guide our thoughts to think the way you do and may forgiveness be instantly on our lips.  In Christ name we pray, Amen.

Mission Stewardship Moment from South Africa:

142 years ago American Congregational missioners took a radical decision to start a school for black girls in what is now kwaZulu Natal (KZN), South Africa in Inanda near Durban.  Inanda Seminary has proudly produced the majority of black female leaders in the country and beyond.  Inanda Seminary today emphasizes holistic education: intellectual, emotional/social, physical and spiritual development and growth. 

Inanda Seminary not only offers quality education with 100% pass in grade 12, but it seeks to equip the students with the tools to deal with the challenges of the world.  The students face many challenges in a country where the statistics for rape and sexual assault are the highest in the world and where the rate of HIV infection is the highest in the world in our Province (KZN).

The students are nurtured to shine anyway as the school motto declares, Shine Where You Are, taken from Philippians 2:14-15: “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” 

(Prayer by Susan Valiquette & Scott Couper)

To learn about Scott Couper’s book on Albert Luthuli, click here: http://globalministries.org/news/africa/global-ministries-missionary.html

Video Resources for South Africa:

Susan Valiquette – Celebrating 142 Years of Inanda Seminary: http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/south-africa-inanda-seminary.html

Kristine Tisinger – Theological Education by Extension College in Johannesburg  http://globalministries.org/resources/multimedia-resources/videos/video-mission-moments/kristine-tisinger.html

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.

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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, will serve the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC) in Johannesburg, South Africa. She will work as an administrative assistant in the Academic Department and Library. She will begin her term of service as a Global Mission Intern this summer.

Pray for Partners without Global Ministries Mission Personnel: Egypt

For more info on Egypt: http://globalministries.org/mee/countries/egypt/