DUMISANI GRADUATION
PRAYER CALENDAR
April/May
SPECIAL PRAYER
Mission Briefs
7
1st INDIA Praise that Rev David John has been bold in the ministry in Jabalpur: a city where Satan’s throne is! Pray for his wife and her health as she faithfully ministers through the small library attached to the church. David continues to preach and present the Word of God over the loudspeaker on the church.
2nd CWI Give thanks for the provision of very suitable housing in Bondi for KayChan Park and his family. Conveniently located near the beach, it will give many opportunities to meet with backpackers and travellers.
3rd FIJI Continue to uphold in prayer the Tapua children and grandchildren before the throne of grace. Please pray that the LORD, the God of all comfort, will be their refuge, their portion, their comfort and their strength.
4th AIM Pray for Trevor Leggott as he copes with a busy schedule over the next couple of months attending to things before, during and after the meeting of Synod at Cardiff from 7-10 May, in his role as Clerk of Synod.
5th DUMISANI In order to function more effectively as a higher education institution, Dumisani Theological Institute has an urgent need of several new full-time academic staff members (by the end of 2007), preferably qualified to Masters level or beyond. Pray that the Lord would raise such people up to fill this need.
6th INDIA The Medical Superintendent of Lakhnadon Christian Hospital, Dr Adarsh Benn, gives thanks that work was not interrupted when their X-Ray machine broke down. They were able to purchase a new one quickly. They also give thanks for successful eye camps, but still need a resident surgeon.
7th CWI Paul and Judy Morris are relocating to Rose Bay, which is more central to the work. Pray that the arrangements for both families will go well.
8th FIJI Micah had his 19th birthday on the 14th of March and it will be on occasions like this that Nanise’s absence will be keenly felt. So pray for the family regularly. Pray particularly for Epaia, who awaits an appointment to a school to teach science and mathematics.
9th AIM Give thanks with Trevor Leggott that the interest in the ministry of AIM by the large Korean Presbyterian churches continues to grow. AIM Korean Partners recently held a full-day seminar on Aboriginal Mission at the Presbyterian Theological Centre in Sydney which was attended by about 100 Korean church pastors and elders from across Australia.
10th PERU San Andres facilities remain cramped and there is a desire to move to a larger site. Discussions have taken place for the possible purchases of a now almost inner city site, but to date these have fallen through as have other possible sites. Please pray that the Lord will provide suitable facilities in his perfect timing.
11th CWI Pray for the work of CWI in Melbourne. The book table ministry is still having problems with Council permits. Door to door evangelism has been started to compliment the book table witness.
12th AIM There is strong interest from Aboriginal church leaders to develop a network for providing Bible teaching ministry to numerous small communities throughout Western NSW. Pray for Trevor Leggott as he meets with leaders at a rally in Brewarrina over Easter to progress this and other initiatives.
13th INDIA The Mission School in Lakhnadon continues to expand under the leadership of Rev Shyambabu. Pray for students as they complete their board (10th grade) exams. Pray also for the teachers that they will faithfully and clearly teach the truth from the Bible.
14th FIJI The Tapua family have, for economic reasons, moved from the rented home in Waila back to their farm. This is about 10km away. Previously, there was no electricity or phone at the farm. The current situation is unknown.
Please remember them in prayer.
15th PERU The Moyobamba work continues to expand with a base congregation of five hundred with three hundred regular attendees. The church supports two theological students & has planted churches in seven surrounding areas. Please uphold this wonderful work of God in your prayers.
16th CWI Pray for the Lord to work in the heart of Rabbi Cohen - Jews for Judaism – who continues to frustrate the outreach from the Bondi book table.
17th AIM Many communities across Australia continue to ask for a Bible teaching ministry. Pray that the Lord might raise up suitably gifted, qualified and supported personnel to take up this important Gospel work.
18th INDIA Give praise that the Community Health and Development Project in Chhapara continues and that many poor people are helped in 23 villages of the district. Pray for more funding and that the court cases which hinder this work will be resolved favourably.
19th CWI Continue to pray for the book-table ministry in Bondi. Ron, who was given literature returned for further discussion and agreed to read the New Testament in Hebrew.
20th FIJI Rev Sam Tamata is currently in Fiji and is to visit Eliki and the Tapua children. Pray that his visit will be a great encouragement to them all. Sam is to find out the best way of maintaining contact with them.
21st PERU The Annie Soper school facilities continue to be improved. The work on providing an assembly hall commenced in 2006, but significant extra funding is required in 2007 before this can be completed. Please commend this Christian Mission School, the staff and the students to the Lord.
22nd INDIA Pray for the principal, Michael John Kumar, and all staff of the Chhapara Mission School. Pray for students doing board exams. Pray also, that this school will continue to be a faithful witness in this district. Opposition to the Gospel is increasing in this region.
23rd AIM Every centre where AIM operates has devoted Aboriginal Christians who struggle with the pressures of day to day life, especially from extended family "humbug". Pray that the Lord would keep his people strong in their faith despite the hardship, and that their testimony might be effective in their witness to others.
24th INDIA Pray for Dr Dickson starting a new ministry among slum dwellers in Delhi. He plans to help them with a small poultry project. He continues to teach short courses at Allahabad, just an overnight journey on the train from Delhi.
25th CWI Pray that the Lord will provide suitable tenants to rent the current CWI property as Paul and Judy vacate and move to Rose Bay. The income received through the new arrangement will be used to support the work here in Australia.
26th FIJI Pray that the members of the PFCF will still meet each Lord’s Day for worship, given that the Tapua family have moved. This will mean a change in the place where worship is held. Neither the Tapua children nor Eliki have vehicles: so they rely on transport by bus.
27th AIM Pray for the AIM Mission Awareness Tours that have been so effective in connecting people with what God is doing amongst Aboriginal Australians, and exposing people to the needs and opportunities for service.
28th DUMISANI Approximately 60 students have registered for full-time or part-time courses in 2007. All are amaXhosa. Most full time students have applied for registration with North-West University. There are some very high-calibre students among the new intake. Please pray for them as they study the Word of God.
29th CWI Paul Morris intends, DV, to be in Melbourne around the end of April, early May. Ask God to bless the arrangements and the visit itself.
30th INDIA Pray for the follow up to the rally held at Chhapara by the FCCI. Pray for Vinay as he leads the team doing village outreach through the Church and Gospel outreach ministries. Pray for the new believers who meet for worship in the villages. They usually face opposition and persecution.
On Saturday 10th March, approximately 150 staff, students, guests and friends of Dumisani Theological Institute gathered for a special worship service at Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church, King William’s Town, to mark and give thanks for the achievements of students who had followed a number of different courses throughout 2006.
Dumisani Theological Institute was formed in 1979 as Dimbaza Reformed Bible School. From its early beginnings in literature work, it has developed until now it also conducts a number of courses at different levels involving full-time and part-time study. Its aim, however, remains the same: to serve the South African church, particularly the Xhosa-speaking churches of the Eastern Cape, through the provision of suitable training.
Dumisani is governed by a Board of Governors on which serve representatives of the four sponsoring churches (the Free Church of Scotland, the Free Church in Southern Africa, the Gereformeerde Kerk Oos Londen and the Gereformeerde Kerk iMonti), all of them committed to the evangelical and Reformed Christian faith. But our courses are open to all Christians who have interest in understanding more of God’s Word and in using their gifts in the service of the Gospel. We offer training that is rooted in the Bible and that is presented in a context of Christian worship and discipleship.
The Institute was delighted to welcome Pastor Deon Lombard, Pastor of Bethany Emmanuel Baptist Church, as the guest speaker at the service. Pastor Lombard grew up in King William’s Town. He did his theological and ministry training at the Baptist Theological College, Randburg, and then served as Pastor of a Baptist Church in Amanzimtoti in KwaZulu Natal prior to coming to Bethany Emmanuel Church some three years ago.
Pastor Lombard addressed the students from 1 Timothy, chapter 6, verses 11 to 14, which is Paul’s charge to his younger colleague Timothy. Pastor Lombard reminded the students of the great honour of being called a man or woman of God and highlighted that which the man of God is to flee from, that which he is to hold fast and that which he is to anticipate. He also urged the congregation to avoid the tragedy is making a good start and then turning aside.
Dr Alistair I. Wilson, Principal of Dumisani Theological Institute, also addressed the gathering. He provided a report of recent developments in the Institute, noting that 2006 had been a year of many changes. There had been a change in Principal as he had taken on responsibility as Principal in July 2006. He paid tribute to the work of the previous Principal, Rev Ronald Christie, who had sent his apologies and congratulations to those students who were receiving awards. There had also been a change in the courses Dumisani offered, with the main course now being the BTh degree offered in association with North-West University. Dr Wilson indicated that he was encouraged by the loyalty of the students and the helpfulness of North-West University. He also addressed the students, particularly those who were moving on to Christian service.
After the service, everyone gathered for refreshments and fellowship.
The Board of Governors, the Principal and the Staff wish to thank all who attended or contributed to the success of this event for their help and support.