International Christian Ministries

Training Thousands to Reach Millions

Africa Rising

ewsleer
WINTER 2012
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By Dr. Phil Walker, ICM President

Africa: the Hopeless Continent n 1986 I traveled to Kampala for meetings with government officials. At one point I walked into a Firestone tire store to purchase two tires for my double cab Nissan pickup. I was told they did not have the size I needed. I looked around and realized they did not have any size. The store had tire racks with no tires. I walked outside and looked up and down the main street where only a few vehicles moved. That night we could hear gun fire in the distance. We were told to stay inside after dark. Flash forward 25 years later to 2012. Kampala is a bustling city of a million and a half people. The roads are filled with cars and lined with shops full of merchandise as far as the eye can see. Ten years ago The Economist magazine labeled Africa the Hopeless Continent. In December this statement was reversed: The continent of Africa is on the rise (Economist, December 3, 2011). Cell phones, cars, motorcycles, restaurants, hotels, tourists are all part of the new Africa risingrising to take its place in the world economy. The slumbering giant called Africa is awakening!

Recent photo of Kampalas skyline showing urbanization and modern architechture. Kampala is the capital of Uganda.

to other parts of Africa and the rest of the world. ICM leadership has accepted the mantle for leading the world to fulfill the Great Commission. Deo Mwamba, ICM Director, DRC, recently returned from Senegal, West Africa where he desires to start a mission to train workers to reach into North Africa. Rev. Francis Olubambi, ICM Nigeria Director, (continued on page 3)

IN THIS ISSUE
AFRIC A RISING FACTS
An economy taking its place in the world

There is a correlation between economy and missions. Evangelical churches have an understanding that part of their call is to share the love of Jesus with the world. Africa is rapidly developing the capacity to put this belief into action. This growth is leading to a new surge in mission activity. Nigerian denominations are leading the way, sending hundreds of missionaries

T WO DANGEROUS PATHS
A journey to salvation

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

A new series profiling ICM African leaders

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Two Dangerous Paths, One Sure Salvation

Reprinted with permission: Walk Thru the Bible More than 30 years ago, two young men from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) became good friends as they studied together at Islamic University in Saudi Arabia. Dedicated Muslims, they were committed to making all Africa Muslim. Deo became an Islamic leader responsible for using millions of dollars given by oil-rich countries to convert Christians in Africa to the Muslim beliefs. The other man, Jamal, became a sheikh and imam in his home country. Years later, Deo became troubled by the fact that even the prophet Mohammed did not have assurance of salvation. He knew Christians claimed to have this assurance and began to study Isa (Jesus) in the Koran. He eventually sought help from Christians to understand Jesus and came to Christ. Deo now serves as the National Director of ICM in the Rev. Deo Mwamba, a former Muslim cleric, leads a discipleDRC. ship training program for Muslims in Senegal. Deo had the opportunity to rekindle his friendship with Jamal, but upon learning of Deos faith, Jamal was outraged and criticized his old friend publicly. Even so, Deo persisted in showing love for Jamal and his family. His kindness won Jamal over, and Jamal eventually accepted Christ. Deo has a passion for sharing Isa (Jesus), the One sure salvation, with the Muslims of Africa. He recently returned from Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Senegal where he trained leaders. His passion is fueled as he travels and sees the hopelessness

Africa Rising Facts

Economic Growth - 6% per year Home to 6 of the 10 of the worlds fastest growing countries Growing faster economically than East Asia Half of the worlds population increase over the next 40 years will be in Africa More cell phones than America or Europe Productivity growing 3% per year, compared with 2.3% per year in America Wealthiest Black person in the world is Nigerian Trade has increased by 200% since 2000 Inflation dropped from 22% in the 1990s to 8% in the past decade Foreign debts declined by 25% The World Bank said Africa could be on the brink of an economic take-off, much like China was 30 years ago and India 20 years ago Africas population is set to double to 2 billion over the next 40 years 2010 total foreign direct investments were more than $55 billion, five times what it was a decade earlier and much more than Africa receives in aid Home to 60% of the worlds uncultivated usable land. and lost state of Muslims. He wants to share with them that they can have assurance of salvation in Jesus. He has a vision bigger than the Congo, bigger than Africa; the vision of seeing the Good News spread throughout the Muslim world. 4

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Up Close and Personal

By Sandy Sanford ICM transforms leaders who, in turn, transform their communities. How do I know this? Ive seen it with my own eyes over the past 13 years while on ICM ministry trips in Africa. These leaders love and follow Jesus and express this love in a myriad of ministries all across Africa. Heres the story of one of those leaders. Judith Mutange,a BA student in my English composition class in 2000, had a love for kids. Rejected, abandoned, difficult, throw-away children were her specialty. Judith said, The kids around my neighborhood need an education, a place to worship and a family to love, feed, train and enjoy them. I am only a simple woman but maybe God can use me.

the government, helping over 100 children. From AIDs orphans and victims of tribal clashes, to local students and her own children, Great Mercy Center provides a home of love, learning and laughter. ICM fanned into flames Judiths dream to love kids Jesus style, to step out of her secure life, into one of non-stop God adventures. When one meets Judith, with a twinkle in her eye and a dimple to her grin, one immediately knows she loves Jesus, children and is living her missional life. 4 If you would like to donate to Great Mercy Center, please note your request and mail to: ICM, PO Box 9071, Bakersfield, CA 93389-9071 or donate online at www.ICMUSA.org.

Africa Rising (continued from cover)

held a training conference in Burkina Faso, an African county thats 61 percent Muslim. ICM was birthed in a small town in the North West part of Kenya. Today, because men and women embraced the vision to take the Good News to the whole world, ICMs visionary leaders are taking the charge to make disciples. Since graduating from ATS in Kitale, God used Judith build a ministry place called Great Mercy Center where she has started a school, grown a church and built an orphanage. Ive watched a two-classroom school for neighborhood kids grow into a multifaceted ministry thats recognized by Africa is rising! You have an opportunity to join with what God is doing to help raise up the next great missionary wave. Out of Africa will go forth the word of God into the whole world. Join us as we partner together with the African Church to reach the world for Jesus! 4

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ICM Appoints New Director of Advancement

ICM is extremely proud to announce the addition of Sheryl Giesbrecht to its fulltime staff. Sheryl has been involved with ICM for many years.

Sheryl D.Giesbrecht accepted the position of Director of Advancement for ICM USA beginning January 1, 2012.

Sheryl has been a tremendous blessing to this 444 ministry already and Im sure will be instrumental to our growth in the future, All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your said Phil Walker, ICM faithful followers will bless you. They will talk President. 4 together about the glory of your kingdom; they will celebrate examples of your power. Psalm 145:10-11

id you know there are ways to support the ICM Hope of Africa Fund without writing a check? One of the most popular ways is to include ICM Hope of Africa Fund in your will. Its very simple to do. You can specify an amount to be given to ICM Hope of Africa Fund or you can designate a percentage of your estate to be donated. Check with your financial advisor for the exact language. And be sure to advise ICM of your bequest so we can properly thank you for your support. Many Blessings!

See our YouTube Channels! Search: AfricaSeminary and/or icmusavideo

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