New field strategy coordinator for Africa West

Friday, August 24, 2012

Daniel Gomis is the new field strategy coordinator for the Africa West Field, effective September 1. Gomis replaces Mark Louw, who was recently elected Asia-Pacific regional director.

Gomis grew up in a religiously pluralistic household in Senegal, West Africa. In his personal search for truth, Gomis found Christ and accepted him as savior in 1995. Gomis was mentored by Randy and Judy Owens, former missionaries to Senegal, and continued to grow in wisdom and faith. He started attending the Church of the Nazarene in 1996, and because of his proficiency in both French and English, he became the Francophone Literature Coordinator in July 2002, a position he continues to hold.

By 2003, Gomis became a lay pastor in Dakar, Senegal, and he currently pastors the Baobab Church of the Nazarene.

"He is highly respected within the evangelical community of Senegal," said Filimao Chambo, Africa regional director. "He is viewed by many as an expert on Islam and brings a unique worldview to the table of theological debate."

Gomis' father was a famous journalist in Senegal, and from an early age he instilled Gomis with an inquiring mind. This upbringing allows him to easily understand and bridge both Western and African worldviews. Gomis served as an interpreter at the 2003 Africa Regional Conference and Africa Nazarene Theological Conference, at the Church of the Nazarene General Assembly in 2005 and 2009, and at field meetings.

He has also been engaged in education and mentoring, developing leaders on the Africa West Field through conferences on stewardship and youth ministry, as well as workshops for writers. In 2011, Gomis was appointed as Africa West Field education coordinator. He was invited to become a member of the African Theological Think Tank, a group of theologians working to develop Wesleyan, biblical responses to contextual African issues facing the church today. Gomis is also a member of the Africa Nazarene University Board of Trustees.

"Gomis brings a good understanding of the Africa West Field structure and strategy to the field strategy coordinator's office, as well as a strong spiritual component that will serve him and the field well through the next phase of development," Chambo said.

Gomis was awarded a Masters of Divinity from Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, in 2011. He also holds a Masters Certificate in African Studies (1995), License in Major African Literature and Civilization (1993), a Diplôme d’Etudes Universitaires Générales (DEUG) from Université Gaston Berger in Saint-Louis, Senegal, with a major in English (1992), and a Teaching Certificate in Wolof (1996).

"Highly respected by missionaries and national leaders alike, Dany Gomis is a man after God's heart with all the gifting and talents necessary to succeed in this assignment," Chambo said. "I have full confidence in Daniel Gomis and in his leadership."

Gomis is married to Anelie Gomis and is the father of four daughters — Raissa, Maiva, Sarah, and Tabitha.
--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region

 

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