countries. He challenged others who offer support for spiritual life on the
Internet to incorporate as a charitable organization and apply for a Google
grant.
The Church International
We next returned to reports about the non-North American churches. The
Rev. Malcolm Smith reported on South Africa, since the new Executive
Vice President of the South African corporation, the Rev. Mark Allais, was
unable to attend the meetings. He touched on each of the three churches in
the Johannesburg area, two of which are challenged without the attention of a
resident pastor. He also touched on the four churches in the Kwa-Zulu Natal
province (where Durban is) and the six pastors serving them.
Highlights included the two theologs in training in the Johannesburg
area; the more than 200 students between the pre-primary and primary
schools in Westville; the mini-assembly hosted by Alexandra with about 350
in attendance, including curious local people; and the work of Mo Zungu, a
layman who has been translating and publishing some of the Writings in Zulu,
and getting these up on the Internet as well.
Bishop Keith stood in to report on the Church in Kenya, since the pastors
there had been unable to get visas to attend the Council meetings. He spoke
of how unbelievably hard the pastor Samson Abuga and his wife work to serve
the orphanage at Etora and how gratifying it is to see the joy among the kids.
He also touched on the Kiaware Circle where the Rev. George Magero is pastor,
and the promising developments in two other areas where two other ministers
are directing their attention.
The Rev. Göran Appelgren said he finds that in Europe the “dragon” is
dead: people are not interested in the old doctrines in places like France,
Scandinavia, Czech Republic, Ukraine. In Russia and Georgia there is much
more of the shadow of the Orthodox Church, while England may have some
of the “dragon” there.
In France, the Rev. Alain Nicolier’s focus is on meeting needs, especially
through marriage counseling.
In Scandinavia there are small or struggling groups in Oslo, Copenhagen
and Jönköping, while Stockholm is thriving.
The General Church in England is in a very good position with the Rev.
Alan Cowley in London and the Rev. Howard Thompson in Colchester.
The latter, in Mr. Thompson’s own words, is “in transition” and London is
building a stronger presence in the local community. Mr. Cowley added a few
comments about the unique offering of the British Academy Summer School
for awakening in European students a love for the Church that they didn’t have
before.
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