Soul Action South Africa

As a church we support Phil and Rachel Bowyer, through prayer and giving, in their work with Soul Action in Durban, South Africa. Here is an update taken from their latest newsletter. Copies of the full newsletter are available in church.

Many of you will know that we spent the Christmas break in the UK. We clocked up a few thousands miles traveling England and Scotland sharing what God is doing through Soul Action in South Africa.

We were surprised how 5 weeks still wasn’t quite enough time to see everybody. Even though we did visit all our partner churches, we still ran out of Sunday’s to speak. We hit the ground running by speaking at our home church Hope, who also blessed us with a shared meal. In Dunfermline we had great food and conversations with the leaders at the Link.

There were a few personal highlights – meeting friends in Scotland, the Midlands and London, spending Christmas with our families (although it reminds us of just how much we are missing them). I know that standing on the Southbank watching the NYE fireworks fulfilled one of Rachel’s dreams, whilst Zac and I were treated to trips to Anfield (4-1) and Vale Park (0-2).

Mostly the whole trip reminded me that despite our geographical distance, what we’re up to in SA is incredibly connected to our relationships in the UK. Thanks to everyone that welcomed, hosted and fed us.

ZAC’S BIG YEAR
 
On returning home, I was a little shocked to find out that not only had Zac come second in his year (Jan – Dec 2014), but he had also won subjects prizes for History (91%), Accounting (88%), and Math (87%). It was unfortunate that our trip to the UK meant he hadn’t been able to receive his awards in person, but as Zac said, he, "...much preferred being in the UK."

2015 is a big year for Zac as he sits his iGCSE’s; the results of which will determine whether he can do A Levels or not. It’s the same for every UK child Zac’s age, but the issue where we live is that we’ve previously been told pupils don’t normally do A Levels, since AS are enough for Uni here. Zac will have to do exceptionally well for school to even consider offering A Levels. Pray for him.

2015 Global Conference

We’re very excited that this years Integral Mission conference is going global, with delegates from Southern Africa and the rest of the world being invited to join those involved in compassion ministry in KZN. Soul Action has teamed up with YWAM, Tearfund and Call2All internationally, and We Are Durban and Glenridge Church locally.

Some of the themes we will be exploring include:

Equality: gender, race, economics and many other issues divide. How do we seek justice in a broken world & often with a wounded church?

Advocacy: how does the church find a confident voice to influence the public sphere?

Community: how do we help people without causing harm? How do we genuinely help people realise their God given potential without trapping them in dependency on welfare?

Discipleship and church: how do we lead the whole of God’s people as participants in God’s holistic mission to the whole world?

Creating effective partnerships: building effective partnerships and community across racial, social and theological divides In addition to plenary sessions and workshops, there will be space to reflect,
worship, pray and connect with fellow delegates. For the first time ever, this years delegates will be

able to go & visit Durban based ministries.

 

As a result of this years conference delegates will have a greater appreciation of how compassion ministry relates to the pursuit of justice as part of the mission of God. They’ll also take away fruitful connections with like-minded people and proven approaches to implement in their own ministries.

Centre of Excellence

 

As an organisation we offer different training opportunities to the network, based on where we feel God is leading and needs people express. Training that is planned to take place this year includes:

Business Training

Four workshops during Jan and Feb for people wanting to develop skills to start their own business.

 

Keeping Children Safe

Two workshops in June and September to help organisations develop a Child Protection Policy.

Equip

For people working with children and young people.

Four workshops throughout the year exploring:

• * Creativity and learning styles
• * How to plan/prepare
• * How to manage behaviour
• * Peer mentoring

NPO Know How

Four practical session for leaders of organisations which explore theory, praxis and toolkits.






Please pray for the Soul Action team as they prepare material and deliver training; that they would allow for thinking time and cater for all forms of learning styles.