20 Dec Mattru Hospital: A Renewed Focus in Sierra Leone

Bishop John Pessima leading a planning session.

A study group.

Jeff Bleijerveld, Director of Global Ministries

In the years ahead, Mattru Hospital in Sierra Leone will be an important focus of Global Ministries.

Throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s, dozens of United Brethren missionaries served at Mattru Hospital. The hospital was recognized as one of the best hospitals in all of West Africa. People came from neighboring countries—Ghana, Guinea, Burkina Faso—to be treated at Mattru Hospital.

Then the civil war hit Sierra Leone. All missionaries were evacuated in 1994, and years of rebel warfare left the hospital in shambles and the staff scattered.

In 2001, Doctors Without Borders reopened Mattru Hospital and invested thousands of dollars in equipment, renovations, and personnel. A year later they returned the hospital to Sierra Leone Conference. But Mattru Hospital has struggled ever since.

Mattru is the only hospital in the Bonthe District. There may be clinics, but no surgery, emergency care, early childhood, obstetrics, etc. They want to do these things, but lack the capability.

The Need for a Strategic Plan

Before I went to Sierra Leone in February 2013, Sierra Leone Conference invited me to help them develop a strategic plan for Mattru Hospital. I said I would only be a facilitator; I wouldn’t write the plan for them.

Meeting with the village chief.

I talked to them about some of the people to include around the table, but they went much further. They brought in the paramount chief, regional and national medical directors, and people from non-government organizations (NGOs) who have worked in other West African nations. These folks were all key stakeholders, not necessarily in Mattru Hospital itself, but in the success of medical work in Sierra Leone.

A family practitioner from Auburn, Ind., accompanied me to Sierra Leone. [It is necessary to refer to him anonymously.] His involvement with Mattru Hospital began in 1984 when he spent time there as a medical student. He and his wife later returned as fulltime missionaries.

In November 2012, this couple were volunteering at a hospital in Guinea and decided to spend some time in Sierra Leone. He conducted an assessment with hospital staff and conference leaders, and sent me a 26-page document. That greatly helped get the ball rolling.

Dr. Dennis Marke (left) and Dr. Martin Salia.

Also participating in those meetings were two Sierra Leonean doctors, Dennis Marke and Martin Salia, who have United Brethren roots and had served at Mattru Hospital. They now work at a hospital in Freetown, but came to Mattru for the planning meetings and made tremendous contributions.

Two Days of Meetings

We broke into groups to focus on issues related to five areas: medical care, finance, administration, community relations, and property. After working for several hours, the groups presented their findings.

I asked the committee to select the three most crucial items from each group. That gave us a list of 15 items. Then Bishop John Pessima appointed a five-person committee to fine-tune the plan, working out specific goals and a timeline. Both Dr. Dennis Marke and Dr. Martin Salia were part of that group. (more…)

19 Dec Jamaica Work Team: June 2014

Union Chapel (Fort Wayne, Ind.) is organizing a work team to go to Jamaica to work on the dining hall complex at Regent College of the Caribbean. The tentative dates (still flexible at this point) are June 21-29, 2014.

The team is open to individuals or churches that would like to join them.

Current estimated cost is $875 plus airfare. Current airfare from Fort Wayne is around $700, but could change by June.

To be part of the team, you must have a valid passport and agree to follow the team rules. To apply for the team, get more information, or if you would like to contribute to construction cost which would lower individual cost, send an email to Dwight Kuntz.

12 Dec Photos from the Tour of Turkey

About 160 photos from the Seven Churches of Revelation Tour of Turkey have been posted in a Facebook album. They are on the United Brethren Facebook page.

A major article about the tour was posted previously on UBCentral.

09 Dec Hundreds of African Youth Attend Annual Youth Camp

A parade, with the various district youth groups represented, is part of the annual youth camp in Sierra Leone.

Once a year, Sierra Leone Conference holds a large camp for all United Brethren youth in Sierra Leone. Over 400 young people attended the 2013 youth camp, which was held in Bo, the country’s second-largest city (and the location of the conference headquarters).

The camps use workshops to train the youth in various areas. They also do in-the-field training. Bishop John Pessima (right) says, “We take them out two times during the camp to reach out to the community. They use tracts and the Bible. We also present the Jesus film to the community, wherever the camp is held. Then, after the film, the youth move around and talk to the people, and then bring for follow-up the names of people who accepted Christ.”

In 2014, says Bishop John Pessima, they’ll probably hold the camp in Mattru. “We tax the various churches to contribute to the youth camp,” says Bishop Pessima. “That is the only funding we have.”

Bishop Pessima says Sierra Leone Conference is working with AWANA, the Christian children’s program popular in the United States. In fact, Bishop Pessima is AWANA’s national chairman for all of Sierra Leone.

This fall, Bishop Pessima met with the regional African director, who has visiting Sierra Leone. “He has visited us three times now, and is working directly with us,” says Bishop Pessima. “AWANA is working very well for us. If we teach these young children and bring them up in the way of the Lord, it will change all of Siera Leone.”

He says there is also interest in reviving Christian Endeavor, which was once widely used in Sierra Leone. “Through it, some of us came to the Lord,” he says.

06 Dec The Seven Churches Tour of Turkey

The group on an old Roman road. (click to enlarge)

In the Ephesus amphitheater.

Dr. Mark Fairchild (right) with Macit, the guide.

Walking among the ruins.

Steve Dennie, UB Director of Communications

A group of nearly 20 persons from the United States, most of them United Brethren pastors and wives, spent ten days in Turkey November 4-13, 2013. This “Seven Churches of Revelation Tour” was sponsored by Global Ministries, the international arm of the United Brethren churches in the US and Canada.

Several years ago, Global Ministries began pursuing ministry opportunities in Turkey—the first predominantly Muslim nation into which the UB church has ventured. They organized this trip not only as an educational experience for UB pastors, but to introduce UB leaders to ministry opportunities in Turkey. Global Ministries is partnering with IN Network, a mission agency which works in Turkey.

The United Brethren participants were:

• Bishop Phil Whipple.
• Jeff Bleijerveld, director of Global Ministries.
• Donna Hollopeter, associate director of Global Ministries, and her husband, Jason.
• Gary Dilley, pastor of College Park UB church (Huntington, Ind.), and his wife, Rhonda.
• Mike Caley, pastor of Banner of Christ UB church (Byron Center, Mich.).
• John Erwin, pastor of Hopewell UB church (Auburn, Ind.).
• Patrick Daugherty, associate pastor of Atlantic Avenue UB church (New Castle, Pa.).
• Micheal Dean, pastor of Sabetha UB church (Sabetha, Kansas).
• Mark Ralph, pastor of Mt. Zion UB church (Wayne, Ohio).
• Steve Henry, pastor of Victory Heights UB church (Franklin, Pa.), and his wife, Amanda.

Three ministers from other denominations tagged along at the invitation of IN Network.

Leading the trip was Dr. Mark Fairchild, who chairs the Bible & Religion department at Huntington University. His numerous trips to Turkey include two from last summer—one with the Biblical Archaeology Society, the other as a consultant, at the invitation of the Turkish government, to a committee writing curriculum for a Christianity course to be taught in public schools. He knows his stuff, and is recognized for knowing it.

(more…)

20 Nov Muslims and Christians in Peaceful Co-existence

At a Sierra Leone Muslim conference in 2013.

The mosque in Kono

Freetown Central Mosque, built by former Libyan dictator Muamar Gaddafi.

Steve Dennie (right), Communications Director

We don’t think of Sierra Leone as a Muslim country—not with its background as a British colony and the long history of Christian missionary work. Yet 60% of Sierra Leoneans are Muslim. Only 20-30% of the people are Christians. The remaining 10-20% follow tribal religions.

Despite the predominance of Islam, Bishop John Pessima says Christians don’t encounter opposition from Muslims in Sierra Leone. At least not like in some other countries.

The lives of Christians and Muslims are intertwined in many ways, says Bishop Pessima. These intertwined relationships breed mutual respect and understanding.

“Even though I’m a Christian bishop, I have relatives who are Muslims. We sit and talk together. We live together, talk together, move together. We give them things during Ramadan season. Some Muslim clerics who are my friends.”

He also gives a lot of credit to the country’s Inter-Religious Council, which consists of Christian and Muslim leaders. John is a member.

“Whenever some national issue arises, we come together,” he says. “It was that group that went into the bush and spoke with the rebels about peace. Last year during the election some problems created a stalemate. The group met with the president and the opposition and said, ‘We want peace. Let’s talk it over.’”

The Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone formed in 1997, partly to avoid opening a religious dimension to the rebel war. Founding members included the Council of Churches of Sierra Leone, which represents 18 Protestant denominations (including the United Brethren), the Pentecostal Churches Council, the country’s three Roman Catholic dioceses, and various Sierra Leone Muslim groups—the Supreme Islamic Council, the Muslim Congress, the Council of Imans, the Federation of Muslim Women Associations, and the Islamic Missionary Union.

Soon after the IRCSL formed, a coup put a military junta in charge. Though the junta began targeting religious leaders, the IRCSL’s role is credited with preventing much worse conditions from prevailing. Later, as Bishop Pessima indicated, the IRCSL played a major role in peace talks with the rebel forces.

In July 2013, a United Nations human rights expert, Heiner Bielefeldt, visited Sierra Leone. He reported that the high degree of religious tolerance in Sierra Leone far exceeded his expectations. Everyone he talked to “agreed that religious communities, in particular Muslims and Christians, live peacefully and harmoniously side-by-side.”

He continued, “The unusual degree of interreligious tolerance and cooperation remains a great asset for rebuilding and developing the nation….People generally do not encounter problems when bearing witness to their faith in private or in public, and they can also invite others freely to join their community.”

He recalled that a Christian person remarked that when the church is overcrowded he might well decide to go to a mosque to pray. “Such a statement, which in many countries would be fairly unusual or even unthinkable, seems rather indicative of the tolerant situation in Sierra Leone,” he stated. “Likewise, Muslims told me they have no difficulty to pray in a Christian church.”

920 Muslims from Sierra Leone participated in the October 2013 pilgrimage to Mecca.

Sierra Leone Conference has pushed into the southern district of Pujehun to evangelize the Vai people. But even though Pujehun is predominantly Muslim, Bishop Pessima says, “There is no opposition.”

But are Muslims open to the Gospel?

“Oh yes,” he says emphatically.

He has heard Muslims refer to Islamic fanaticism in other countries, like Nigeria, where much bloodshed occurs. They tell him, “We are not hearing about Christians doing these things—it’s just Muslims. So I don’t think I’ll continue being Muslim.”

Also, the generosity of Christians makes an impact. “When it gets close to Easter, we encourage our churches to give out used clothing. That is something we’re doing for Pujehun. Christians are known for giving handouts. Even during the war, a number of people were led to Christianity because churches were giving things to people, like food and clothing.”

However, he is concerned about the Muslims clerics who come to Sierra Leone from other countries. They don’t share the mindset of native-born Muslims and Christians, and have the potential of injecting animosity into the relationship. But for now, Sierra Leone’s Muslims and Christians live together in healthy and peaceful coexistence.

19 Nov Over 500 Nurses in Training at Mattru

Nursing students and leaders around the school’s sign at Mattru.

Some of the nursing students at Mattru. (click to enlarge)

A nursing class.

Ten years ago, Mattru Hospital started a nursing school. It has grown rapidly.

Currently, says Bishop John Pessima, we have 526 students in training. They live in rented houses around the community.

Bishop Pessima says, “We are praying for a dormitory to be built, which would also generate income for us.”

18 Nov Honduras Continues to Expand Ministry

Juanita Chavez (second from left) with church planters in the remote community of Hatos del Santo.

Jeff Bleijerveld (right), Director of Global Ministries

With more than 100 churches and numerous church plants, Honduras National Conference is not resting on its laurels but advances on every level.

Superintendent Juanita Chavez reports that they are setting up capital development accounts for each district and appointing leaders to oversee the needs of pastors and local churches. This let the national office focus more time on leadership development and training.

With regards to training leaders, the conference adopted the BILD program developed by the Antioch School of Ministry from Ames, Iowa. This non-formal, competency based program revolves around in-service training in the local church context. This low-cost, four-year program allows students to continue on to graduate and post-graduate studies.

After their upcoming national conference January 15-18, 2014, I will meet with other Central American conference leaders to discuss the development of a missions leadership team. We fully anticipate that our Central American conferences will engage in sending missionaries to serve overseas in the future. This makes formation of a missions leadership team essential.

You can also pray for Honduras as national elections take place November 24. This comes at a critical time, as drug cartels are running rampant over police and federal authorities. Pray that God would have his hand in providing effective leadership to the nation.

18 Nov The Jesus Film – Telling Christ’s Story in Sierra Leone

The conference uses an old two-reel projector to show the Jesus film.

Transporting the Jesus film equipment by canoe.

Steve Dennie (right), Communications Director

A major evangelistic tool for Sierra Leone Conference is the Jesus film, which tells the life of Christ. The conference owns copies in Mende and Krio, the two languages spoken predominantly in southern Sierra Leone.

Jesus, a two-hour film based on the book of Luke, is considered one of the greatest evangelistic tools of all time. The vision for the film came from Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, which provided most of the financing. It was filmed over a period of several months in the Middle East, sometimes using actual locations (like the Jordan River). Each day, new footage was sent to a team of biblical scholars, who reviewed it for biblical accuracy.

Warner Bros. released the film in the United States in 1979, but it got terrible reviews and lost money. Then, in 1981, Bill Bright created the Jesus Film Project with the vision of translating it into numerous languages and showing it around the world. In that way, the film has proven to be a huge success. New material was added in 2001 to show how Christ’s life fits into history—the creation story, Adam and Eve being expelled from the Garden of Eden, Abraham, and prophecies from Isaiah.

Since 1979, over 200 million people have made decisions to follow Christ after watching the film. It has been translated into nearly 1200 languages.

The Jesus film has been a very effective evangelism tool in Sierra Leone. They began showing it in Pujehun, a predominantly Muslim area. They use a portable screen or, if available, the wall of a building. The film requires an old two-reel projector. The conference projector gets a regular workout, but is on its last legs. They’re looking for a replacement.

After showing the film, an evangelist gives a talk and, often, many people will give themselves to Christ. They then organize discipleship training for the new Christians to get them grounded in the faith. In one place, the town chief saw the film and became a Christian. His influence as a figurehead in the community has made a big impact.

Many of these people, says Bishop John Pessima of Sierra Leone Conference, are not literate and have had no formal education. So, they plan to organize classes to teach them how to read the Mende Bible.

Sierra Leone Conference obtained the Mende and Krio versions of the Jesus film many years ago through the Great Commission Movement. The films are showing their age, but continue showing the ageless message of Christ to people in search of a Savior.