Toler mobilizes Africa church for evangelism

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Johannesburg, South Africa

Stan Toler, a general superintendent in the Church of the Nazarene, is providing effective evangelism strategies for the local church in Africa under the theme "Power of One."

Since October 2011, more than 350 leaders have received training in Power of One strategies. This past March, Toler trained pastors and district superintendents in the Africa Central, Horn of Africa, and Africa South fields. Africa Regional Director Filimao Chambo anticipates that individuals who received the training returned to their districts or local churches with renewed vision for evangelism. They were also certified to train others and be catalysts of The Power of One in their home areas.  

"Toler passionately challenges the church to obey Christ's command to evangelize unbelievers, disciple the believers, and multiply churches," said Chambo. "The training sessions are enriched with stories of experience and expertise developed during his 40 years of pastoral ministry in Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, and Oklahoma, USA." 

The vision of The Power of One initiative is to motivate believers to use their spiritual gifts in praying, witnessing, teaching, and organizing events that will introduce unbelievers to Christ.

"We maintain that the local church is the representation of our faith and mission, tasked to make known to all people the transforming grace of God through the forgiveness of sins and heart cleansing in Jesus Christ," said Chambo. "Our mission first and foremost is to 'make Christlike disciples in the nations,' to incorporate believers into fellowship and membership (congregations), and to equip (teach) for ministry all who respond in faith. The ultimate goal of the 'community of faith' is to present everyone perfect in Christ (Colossians 1:28) at the last day (Manual of the Church of the Nazarene 2009-2013). Therefore, we strive to prioritize the resourcing of the local church by finding ways to provide or facilitate training that focuses on energizing and mobilizing all believers in all local churches to participate in fulfilling the Great Commission: multiplying disciples and multiplying churches. This is a priority and an integral part of the ministry of the Africa Region."  

To further facilitate and foster effectiveness, Chambo said the Church of the Nazarene's Africa Region declared 2012 a year of celebrating holiness. The aim is to disciple the church in biblical holiness and encourage renewed emphasis on preaching, teaching, and holy living.

"We pray for realization of personal and corporate Wesleyan holiness revival," he said. "We believe that this should be the foundation of the growth and multiplication of the churches where disciples are making more disciples in Africa and throughout the world."
--Church of the Nazarene Africa

 

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