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Transformation Africa : 2 - Ipc Prayer Report
May 25, 2004
Please find a report which was compiled with much love, prayer and excitement. As each e-mail, report or telephone call came in, our excitement grew and grew. We can't Praise and Thank God enough for what is happening in our continent. Please read it and feel free to give any comments if you so whish.
Thank you to one and all of you who have given so much time and energy to make the Day of Prayer in Africa a truly Godly experience. There is not one person who can say that they weren't blessed by each and every prayer that went up to heave. We truly believe with all our hearts that God will hear from heaven and heal our land.
TRANSFORMATION AFRICA
2 MAY 2004
REPORT
(Compiled by Dawie & Isebel Spangenberg: Coordinators)
AFRICA
Allow us first of all to say a big thank you to Ross Campbell who did most of the travelling, communication and distribution of materials in Africa. His knowledge of the continent and the different countries, their church structures and the key people to talk to is more valuable than words can say.
A small technicality that now has been cleared, is that in fact there are only 56 countries in the African continent. St Helena and the Canary Islands are not part of the continent and Sao Tome & Principe Islands are one country with one government. One can also see Somalia as two countries - Somalia and Somaliland - although Somalia does not have a government at the moment.
With Ross' help and using DHL we were able to distribute approximately 1 000 CD's into Africa with all the information needed to host a Day of Prayer. As in the case with South Africa, all the Prayer information, marketing material and the 12 min video was made available on the CD. These CD's were sent in the appropriate language to the various countries (French, English, Portuguese and Arabic.)
We have had confirmation of Prayer events from every country except Sao Tome & Principe. Materials were distributed to them and confirmation was given beforehand of prayer events but until the circulation of this report no confirmation has yet been received.
Overall every country encountered some sort of challenges when planning for the Day of Prayer started. Whether it be problems with government giving permission or natural elements such as constant rain, the Lord provided in all their needs.
The amount of participating venues went way beyond our expectations. Many more towns and cities prayed together than what was anticipated. We can estimate that far more than 20 million people prayed on 2 May 2004 in Africa
The overall feeling across the continent is that 2 May 2004 was a turning point in the history of the continent. In many countries there was a breakthrough in Church unity. Miracle upon miracle is reported.
More specified reports from various countries
Only short extracts from e-mails are given below.
BOTSWANA
In Botswana there were 3 main venues: Lobatse, Ghanzi and Selebe Phikwe. They had a wonderful time together and they felt the Lord Jesus moving amongst the people.
Ray Mensah, a missionary in Maun in the far north of Botswana, has already started to mobilize Church leaders for 15 May 2005.
Sadly, Gabarone, the capital of Botswana did not have a prayer event. According to coordinators: "Gabarone has fallen through due to the person who was supposed to do the organizing being indisposed. The whole problem started at an EFB meeting earlier in the year when it was decided by the EFB Gaberone that they wanted the white people to stay out of the organization of this event and it was handed over to an organization called DB 2000."
The coordinators only heard of this on 30 April and did not have time to do anything to the situation.
SIERRA LEONE
In Sierra Leone they prayed in all four regions - North, South, East and West - of the country. I quote Veronica Conteh, coordinator in one of the regions: "This is the first time in the history of my country that we had a venture like this where children of the Lord got together across the country"
TANZANIA
In Dar-es-Salaam there were processions from 6 points in the city, "joyful people waving flags and making joyful sounds led by trumpets marching to Mnazi Moja Grounds".
The organizers and Church leaders in the city feel that after 2 May there is a need to meet regularly to pray for the critical issues that are facing the country and continent.
TOGO
The organizers struggled to get authorization to pray in the stadium but "thanks to God" they obtained authorizations and prayed in Lome, the capital city.
ZAMBIA
The following towns reported to have prayed on 2 May 2004: Lusaka, Kitwe, Chingola, Mufulira, Ndola, Mongu, Kasama, Chipata, Kabwe and Livingstone.
The event in Lusaka was held at the Showgrounds with a march into the stadium lead by the Zambia Army Brass band.
SENEGAL
In Senegal they started praying 30 days before and ended on 2 May. In the South they gathered in Ziguinchor, Oussouye and Dakar. In the North the event was held in St Louis.
ETHIOPIA
After verifying the e-mail, it is now confirmed that 13 000 churches prayed on Sunday 2 May 2004.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
10 Cities/towns participated in the Day of Prayer. In Bangui - the capital - the event was held in a stadium. There were 5 000 - 7 000 people attending this event.
MALI
In Mali, which is a 90% Muslim country they prayed at the National Cultural Palace in the capital city, Bamako.
KENYA
Every one was very enthusiastic about the way God met with them on 2 May 2004. Miracles were the order of the day. For example, rain has been pouring down constantly on Nairobi for the last couple of months. Floods and even drowning have been reported from all over the city. On the morning of 2 May the skies were clear but as the people started coming into the stadium, the clouds began packing together again. A young boy went to the middle of the stadium and prayed in Jesus' name that the clouds go away. It never rained in the stadium that day; in fact the sun was shining while all around them in the city rain poured down. This was a sign to all in the stadium that God really blessed their event.
Already they are talking of plans for 15 May 2005.
At this stage they don't have a final report but it seems that there were in excess if 80 meetings in Kenya.
BURKINA FASO
Initially 20 cities were part of the 2 May prayer event in Burkina Faso.
In Ouagadougou they started with a march for Jesus to proclaim His Lordship over the city and nation. They gathered in a venue with over 5 000 people.
In the South West of the country they later received report of 2 other cities that took part nl Gaoua and Batie where all the Churches in that area were involved.
ERITREA
Christians are badly persecuted in this country. It was therefore not possible to conduct a prayer rally by day but all evangelical churches were mobilized by the Bible Society representative to pray in Church grouping during the evening of 2 May.
CONGO
The Christian Church in Congo Brazaville will never forget Sunday 2 May.
30 Churches from 10 denominations were gathered in the Marchand Stadium in Brazaville. The stadium can only host 2 500 people but there were well over 5 000 people who sat all over the grounds.
In his opening address to the participants, the Chairman of the event, Reverend Alphonse MBAMA said: "Today in this place, we are not gathered in the name of our denominations. But we are here to meet one another in the name of God through His Son Jesus Christ. I would like to ask you to do something now. Tell your brother or sister next to you: "I accept you".
Charles Koumba reports "After this wonderful address, we began to pray and sing in small groups of seven people following the choir. I was overwhelmed to see that kind of humility. Yes Congo really humbled itself to seek the Lord's face. Among ten people who led the "Our Father..." prayer, were two government officials. One of the two just arrived from a trip as she found her invitation to attend the meeting. She just got back to her car and came to the stadium.
While praying, one of our committee got a phone call from Kinkala, a small district. Kinkala has suffered unceasing war and violence. Despite all these turbulences, Almost 400 people gathered in a small local hall to pray for transformation in there city.
Previously the National Committee held 2 special programs on radio & TV explaining the value of such mobilization among Christian believers.
The first lady of the country was very supportive in covering all the expenses for the meeting to take place in Brazaville.
In Pointe-Noire - the second major city - 13 churches were gathered.
GABON
In Gabon they rented a Basket Ball Gym in the city of Libreville, where thousands of people were seated. All churches were invited and there was radio & TV coverage.
They encouraged all attendees to use the Take 5 model for prayer until at least Pentecost.
GHANA
Events took place at the University of Cape Coast Campus. All churches on campus prayed together for Africa and they also reminded God about His promises for Africa.
Programs were also held in Accra, Kumasi, Kafiridua, Somanya, Dodowa and several places in Takoradi. That gives a total of more than 7 events in Ghana
MALAWI
In Malawi the following towns participated: Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Salima, Nkotakota, Zomba & Nkhata bay ( a predominantly Muslim area ).
As reported by Frances Mkwandire, Lilongwe met at the CIVO stadium and had several thousands of people gathered. The Sound system was donated by a local evangelist with the support of the Catholic Church and the Lilongwe Pentecostal Church. Their choir was a group of young people from the Student Christian Organization - interdenominational.
They sounded the shofar at the start of the program and then (as revealed to the committee by the Lord) 8 times at the end of the Prayers to announce a New Beginning.
From the far north - Mzuzu, Amanda van Saassen (YWAM) reports that they had a committee of 67 pastors and reverends from all the denominations. All the Churches were involved.
During the event pastors and reverends from all the denominations did repentance and intercession for Africa, Malawi and Mzuzu.
Beforehand they nailed posters to the trees of which most rained off again. The youth then went out to the markets and sang a "rap" song which was composed by YWAM students to advertise the Day of Prayer. All over the township you could hear children sing this song.
In Mzuzu they had between 10 000 - 15 000 people attending.
RWANDA
In Kigali - the capital city - they gathered at the Nyamirambo stadium
LIBERIA
2 cities - Monrovia and Buchanan
NAMIBIA
7 000 people attended the stadium event in Windhoek. Government-, Business- and Church Leaders took hands and are really starting to dream together. They say God really turned up in their city and country and will stay.
12 other cities/towns took part in the Day of Prayer
ZIMBABWE
Events took place in Harare, Victoria Falls, Marondera and Bulawayo as well as further afield.
In Harare they were well represented across the board denominationally and had around 100 folk attending including several pastors. Ian Chisholm reports: "The sense of unity in prayer which has been sadly lacking here in the recent past, was evident in a wonderful way and we are trusting that God will develop an ongoing prayer initiative between the churches as a result."
As 10 centres indicated that they wanted to participate it seems that a lot of work still needs to be put into Zimbabwe.
CAMEROON
Jean Paul Datchiada from Cameroon reports: "In Bafoussam, about eight hundred people shook the heavens on Sunday, 2nd May. We had a live broadcast of the event on Radio Bonne Nouvelle Bafoussam and that attracted more people from neighboring towns like Bandjoun, Mbouda and Foumbot to join us in praying for Bafoussam, Cameroon and Africa. Participants say it was wonderful and wish more of such opportunities. Rendezvous was taken for 15th May 2005.
In Dschang, people filled the Mi METO new Chapel of the Full Gospel Mission and Dr Katte says it was also wonderful over there.
In Mbouda, prayers for Africa took place in two churches, the Full Gospel Mission and the Eglise Evangélique du Réveil.
In Bafang, prayer was also conducted in the Full Gospel Church.
We really thank God for how He helped us to organize this wonderful program with virtually no finances. Miracles really took place and we saw the program wonderfully over. People are talking of the program everywhere. To God we return all Glory."
"I got a telephone call from somebody who got my address from Radio Bonne Nouvelle after I delivered a special focus on the Day of Prayer for Africa. The person called from Mélong a small city at about 110 km from Bafoussam. That was on Thursday, virtually 3 days before. I am being told they had a meeting in Mélong according to the general prayer topics I gave him by phone!!"
SUDAN
Actual venues cannot be revealed due to security reasons but they started to pray from 1 May to 3 May. On each day they had different topics for which they prayed and many testimonies of people coming to the Lord and healing of the sick have been reported. The numbers of people attending grew with each day.
They now have established a 24/7 prayer chain and their aim is to have seven churches who pray one day per week.
They believe that "God is faithful and just and He is in the process of building a strong church in Sudan."
We had report from a pastor who gathered with 4 000 Sudanese in the School of de la sale in Cairo Egypt to pray for the "Glory of the Lord to cover Sudan"
IVORY COAST
In Cote d'Ivoire they had the Day of Prayer on Saturday 1 May 2004.
Younoussa Djao, the coordinator there reports that there was about 25 000 - 30 000 people in the stadium in Abijan.
At the start of the program the 4 main Church leaders took hands and walked around the stadium, singing with the people. Then they went on the platform and asked for forgiveness because they have been the ones who have caused the division in the Church. Many people cried.
The event was broadcast live by the Christian radio. Many peopled called the radio station on Monday and Tuesday saying that this was to happen each 3 months. It was Blessed day for Cote D'Ivoire! Many testimonies are still coming in.
CHAD
The Christians in Chad were mobilized in 5 different regions. According to the reports there were thousands of people gathered all around the country.
In the capital city of N'djamena, many churches have now started an all night prayer with the church leaders on Saturday 8 May.
They are praying to organize the second prayer gathering at the end of the year.
GAMBIA
Hundreds of believers gathered to pray together at the Day of Prayer for Africa and the Gambia. "It is the largest mobilisation of Christians to pray for Africa and the Gambia on an inter-denominational basis in the past two years.
The meetings were scheduled to stop at 07:00 pm but the intensity of God's presence made for extended time.
They agreed to re-congregate every three months to keep up the inter-denomination prayer meeting for their country. Also the gathering was the most attended by Church leaders in recent times. Publicity included radio and newspaper adverts.
TUNISIA
Via secure mail we were informed that there were various churches who participated during 2 May. Because of the sensitivity of the country we are unable to give any further information.
EGYPT
More than 100 towns and cities in Egypt took part in the Day of Prayer for Africa.
Ten thousands of Christians came together to pray.
There was about 15 large centres where people gathered which is a miracle in itself for Egypt.
All 17 denominations in Egypt were mobilized and took part.
Unofficially a significant number of Coptic churches participated.
4 Christian radio stations broadcasted advertisements and Christians in Egypt and even surrounding countries were greatly encouraged by the prayers for Africa.
At 15:10 a live link via satellite was made from the SABC 2 studio in Johannesburg. With that we symbolically connected the South of Africa with the North and united the children of the Lord Jesus Christ in unity.
If any countries are not mentioned when this report is distributed it is because no written feedback has yet been obtained and also because some of the countries in Africa can not be mentioned due to the sensitivity of their situation.
INTERNATIONAL
Apart from all the e-mails we received from South Africa and the rest of Africa, we were amazed by the amount of communication we received from other parts of the world. God has really moved far further than we could imagine. Christians from around the world prayed with us on 2 May 2004 for Africa.
From El Paso in Texas we received word that they would like to know more about the Transformation Africa movement. After sending them the Short Summary and the Prayer for Africa we got report back from a movement called SOAPP (Strategic - Offensive - Aggressive - Passionate - Prayer). They organized a Day of Prayer for Africa in El Paso and invited all towns and cities in their vicinity to join them. They had a guest speaker from Zimbabwe - Pastor Cecilia Kandemiiri Savanhu of Awake Grace Ministries. We actually received a copy of the flyer that they had sent out to advertise the event. Churches in Juarez, Mexico and New Mexico joined them at their event.
People from Canada, Indiana in the USA, Le Puy en Velay in France, the United Kingdom, Wales, Taiwan and San Francisco in the USA received the Prayer for Africa on their request and assured us that they will pray the Prayer for Africa at whatever time coordinates with 15:00 South African time.
The SA Congregation in London prayed for Africa during all 4 their church services and in Christchurch New Zealand they also prayed with us as well as in Sweden.
In Brisbane, Australia 19 people got together to Pray for Africa. They prayed the Prayer for Africa together and then prayed in pairs for various aspects of Africa's needs.
From Poland we had word that they translated the Prayer for Africa into Polish and that Churches were informed to Pray for Africa on 2 May. They hope that the Prayer will serve a model prayer for Poland as Evangelical Christians make out only 0.3% of the population and their nation is plagued with sins of idolatry and all kinds of immorality and greediness.
More extensive reports of miracles and experiences will be made available later.
Right across Africa people are already excited and starting to plan for the 10 days of Fast and Prayer for Africa and the World and the Day of Prayer for the world on Pentecostal Sunday 15 May 2005.
Thank you to every coordinator, committee member, intercessors and all who worked very hard behind the scenes to make every event an event where God was glorified.
SOUTH AFRICA
4000 CD's were made and distributed during the Road Show 1 - 21 February and to all new regions who came aboard during the time leading up to 2 May :
· CD 1 had all the information needed to host a Day of Prayer e.g. "Do's and Don'ts", Prayer Info, Marketing material, Transformation Africa video and Video Ad.
· CD 2 consisted of all the information regarding youth projects e.g. Walk of Hope, 30KD and Boiler Room.
Thousands of T-shirts, Golf shirts, armbands, posters and caps were ordered by each town/region and distributed from the Transformation Africa office and Pro-Corp Wear, the official supplier of the t-shirts and golf shirts.
Leading up to 2 May the National office in Pretoria and the regional office in Cape Town received hundreds of telephone calls, e-mails and faxes where people requested information regarding the Day of Prayer. Extensive media coverage was given which will be discussed in more detail in the Publicity Report from The Marketing Team (our official media coordinator).
273 Towns /cities took part in the Day of Prayer for Africa 2 May 2004. This number does not include the separate venues in various towns and cities e.g. Witbank 18, Brandfort 2 etc. We are convinced that like the previous year, many events took place in Churches and other venues that we are unaware of.
The general feeling this year from all around the country is that the event was a much deeper experience and that the presence of the Holy Spirit was tangible. In some towns and cities the figures of attendees was not what was anticipated, but the feeling is that God's presence was evident with a belief that God has come for more than just visitation.
Church leaders from different denominations got together for the first time in some cases and people from different racial and cultural backgrounds took hands and humbled themselves before the Lord.
Reports came in of "weeping men, women being restored, youth blessing the older generation" and many other wonderful things happening.
The highlight of the day was when everyone prayed the Prayer for Africa based on the Lords Prayer at 15:00. The feeling that the whole of Africa was praying at the same time, made it a God filled experience.
In the Western Cape, in and around Cape Town, there were 10 different venues including Newlands. At Newlands alone approximately 30 000 people attended.
In the Greater Johannesburg area 9 different towns participated as well as in Ekurhuleni (East Rand) where there was also 9 towns which partook.
In Tshwane (Greater Pretoria) there were 4 venues to the North, East, South and West of the city, 2 of which were in the townships and reports are that at each of these venues a mix of racial grouping were outstanding.
Breakdown of venues per province:
Eastern Province - 36
Free State - 24
Gauteng - 21
KwaZulu Natal - 20
Limpopo - 26
Mpumalanga - 52
North West Province - 28
Northern Cape - 29
Western Cape - 37
More specified reports from a few towns/cities:
Piet Retief - Reached approximately 18 000 young people with the Walk of Hope
Project Distributed 5 500 bibles.
The taxi association sponsored all transport to the stadium
Hopefield - "It was as though there was an open porthole to heaven. There was
softness, an intimacy and a "sweet spirit" which there had not been last year"
Grahamstown - The event was held in a school hall in the Joza "township". They prayed
seriously for many sins (their own) as well as for topics that are
important to the Kingdom of God
They feel they still need to learn a lot about advertising but are willing to
do so.
They know it was the right thing to do!
Robertson - People from all races and denominations got together
on the Callie de Wet stadium. On arriving at the stadium the presence of
the Holy Spirit was felt deeply.
They proclaim: "Jesus, as King of their town, Robertson"
Oudtshoorn - Despite a power failure and having to rely on generators, there were
thousands of people who attended in this town. There was a
tremendous sense of communion and humility and they are looking forward to the process which is starting in their town now.
Colesburg - Members of about 20 churches attended.
The theme for the day was "It does not help we pray and our lives do not
change visually. We, as Christians must also start making a difference in the living conditions of the people surrounding us.
Edenvale - Peter Horne writes: "I have now found that in Africa, we the people of the
Church of South Africa, are dealing with something that is very precious in
God's sight. The people of Africa are precious to God.
Idutywa - Pastor Peter Barnes spoke on Gen 1: 1-2. Towards the end of his speech
3 British missionaries walked in. They asked to greet the people. They went on their knees and asked forgiveness for what the English did to
Africa. "God's presence was evident and people burst out weeping before
the Lord"
Brandfort - There were 2 events in this small Free State town after the Lord inspired
the coordinator to do so. She says that God provided for everything.
They also blew the shofar after the Prayer at 15:00 and after that
something wonderful happened spontaneously. People started washing
each other's feet. God took over the program.
A more extensive report on what happened in the South African regions will be made available after the Provincial Meetings that will be held in early June.
Each region will be asked to fill in a questionnaire which will be evaluated by an independent consultant and challenges and recommendations will then be addressed.
Our perception is that in South Africa the flame has only now begun to burn brightly. All reports, sms's, telephone conversations and e-mails are closed with "….next year..." The anticipation for 2005 is already burning in all of their hearts.
International Prayer Council
prayer@ipcprayer.org
Location: Many, South Africa
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