Update from Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone Scenarios Part 12

Story written by Paul and Sharon Martin

Sierra Leone Scenarios – Part 12

December 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

During this season of praise and celebration we are deeply grateful for how God has been working in Sierra Leone these past four and a half years of pioneering the work here.

We give God praise for:

•15 churches and cell groups

•93 official members of the Church of the Nazarene

•2 officially organized Churches of the Nazarene

•5 ministers holding district license

Bible Storying – a strong venue for preparing people in an area for church planting (stone clearing) and for discipleship.

•JESUS Film – a strong venue for evangelism and church planting

•Holiness Conventions – a strong venue for holiness evangelism

38 TE (theological education) classes offered since February 2005 with 54 different students attending, and an average of 10 students per class.

•2 TE Centers with plans to open at least two more in 2009

•4 TE students nearing graduation from the ministerial Course of Study.

•A developing area upcountry with Pastor Morrison Ngobe where we expect to begin another new TE center in 2009

Thank you for your prayers and support!

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Pastor Vidal Cole led his congregation at Overcomers Assembly in the 10 lessons of Membership Training, Growing Together, used on the Africa West Field, and the people eagerly and faithfully attended all the sessions. During personal interviews with these membership candidates, it was evident that they had a good understanding of our foundational beliefs of the two-fold nature of sin, and how that relates to the damaged image of God in humanity since the Fall; as well as a good understanding of how God deals with each kind of sin, and thus how the image of God can be restored! They expressed great appreciation for this training that helped them understand more clearly our doctrine of transforming holiness.

The church planned their big Sunday ceremony for October 5, Centennial Celebration Sunday. Leading up to that day, they prepared with a whole week of prayer and fasting, as well as holiness revival services Wednesday through Friday evenings. Other churches in the community (Nazarene and non-Nazarene) participated in the services. God used these services in a special way to prepare their hearts for the big day.

And a big day it was! During the morning service of Centennial Celebration, 18 charter members were taken into the church; the video of Nazarene history was shown; Missionary Paul Martin preached the Centennial Sermon, We are a Chosen People; and communion was served. Then the really big celebration of the afternoon service lasted more than four hours. :) Other Nazarenes and non-Nazarenes filled the hall with 148 present! Overcomers Assembly was also celebrating their 13th anniversary as a church along with the 100th anniversary of the Church of the Nazarene.

Pastor Vidal Cole gave his testimony before all those people. He told that when he attended Nazarene Theological Institute and heard about transforming holiness and then experienced entire sanctification for himself, everything changed in his personal life and in his ministry. He said, “This message of the radical optimism of grace has changed my life! For the first time ever, my life is in order. There is peace and harmony in my life that I have never known before! I will forever be grateful that the Church of the Nazarene came to Sierra Leone!”

Then Paul Martin led the ceremony of organizing Overcomers Assembly as the second officially organized Church of the Nazarene in Sierra Leone.

A sign was presented to the church. And the service ended with great rejoicing as the congregation lighted candles from person to person and sang Carry Your Candle, Go Light Your World!

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Out of the celebration service at Overcomers Assembly, several more pastors have begun attending the TE classes to learn more about our transforming holiness message, and others are expressing interest for future classes.

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Prayer Need: We think we are close to finding land for a District Center after a LONG search. Please pray that these leads will not be a false scent – again – if that could be God’s will.

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Thank you for partnering with us. We appreciate your prayers and support.

Joyfully on the journey,

Paul and Sharon Martin

Ministries Coordinator

Church of the Nazarene

Sierra Leone, West Africa

- Back to More Stories

Monday, January 5, 2009

18 Charter Members of the Overcomers Assembly Church of the Nazarene

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