Volume: 3 • Issue 4 • April 2003                              

Lord, we acknowledge that victory only comes by Your hand, so we bring this conflict before Your throne, and ask You to judge between the righteous and the wicked. We believe our cause is just,

to free the oppressed people of Iraq and disarm a wicked regime. So Lord, we ask that You bring an end to the violence of the wicked and make the just secure. Act on our behalf Lord and bring a quick end to this conflict. Shield innocent people from danger. Be our soldiers strength. Allow them to endure, give our commanders wisdom, and discernment, move Your sovereign hand in our favor that we might prevail against those who oppress the weak and threaten the just.

African Grad Receives Peace Awards

In 1997 a pastor in Uganda (East Africa) contacted CCBI to enroll in the Bachelor of Pastoral Studies program as an independent student, since we have no Uganda division. Pastor Nelson Onono-Onweng did almost flawless work on his courses to graduate with top honors, which qualified him to be appointed as Anglican Bishop of Northern Uganda. After an impressive consecration by England’s Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop Nelson took leadership of the diocese at an extremely difficult and dangerous time because of prolonged and deadly warring factions in Uganda, with reconciliation as his assignment.

His Information Officer Rev. Willy Akena recently wrote CCBI with the following update, “God in His mercy has recognized Bishop Nelson’s efforts in the peace process. In 2000 he was given the Uganda Peace Award. In 2001 he won the UNESCO Prize for Peace Education, the first African to win the award. Also in the same year he received Guinness Power for Peace Initiative in Northern Uganda.” Praise God for allowing CCBI to have a part in the tremendous work He is doing through Bishop Nelson. Blessed indeed are the peacemakers!

A wonderful article about Bishop Nelson Onono-Onweng’s Peace award and his work is available on the intenet. Check it out: http://allafrica.com/stories/200112110328.html

Kenya students frequently report ministry work that could severely challenge less courageous Christians. These are not designated missionaries, but everyday Christians who see and serve the needs of others. One man was able to organize and provide equipment for a work force of dangerously idle street kids to collect garbage from homes and carry it to dump sites for a fee. A needed job is being done and at-risk teens are learning a work ethic.

Pastor Wanjala spends time one-on-one with a teen who carries out groceries for a fee, with an aim to giving the boy a positive outlook on life, knowing that God did not create him to terrorize others as his peers do. They talk weekly about societal problems among Kenya’s urban poor, and about the positive effects of becoming a Christian.

Tom Olang’ counsels and educates HIV/AIDS families to give hope and assistance and to give the truth of the cause and effect of the virus. Many Kenyans become infected because they believe myths about AIDS, for example that sex with a virgin will cure AIDS, or that the acronym stands for “American Idea of Discouraging Sex”. Tom states, “In the world’s despair, our Christian hope shows more clearly.” Tom also reports that the Lord gave him courage to develop an ongoing friendship ministry in a Muslim area to win them to Christ and to promote love and peace between them and Christ.

James Wanjohi had a goal of planting a church at Nairobi Shopping Centre, taking a month for prayer and fasting after visiting the area. God blessed by providing volunteers for door-to-door evangelism, by making a hall available for him to rent for the crusade, by getting a good price on building pews, and especially by the salvation of 50 souls!

Teachers Needed

One of CCBI’s unique aspects is its tradition of trained volunteer faculty, which is the key to the entire ministry of high-quality education at a low cost to students. A few teachers have continued since the beginning, but many are only able to contribute their skills for a limited time. If you or someone you know has theological or college-level education and could serve as a volunteer teacher for one or more courses, please contact Dr. Cindy Walker, Dean of Faculty or President Dr. Desmond Rose through ccbi@tstt.net.ttCurrent teachers who could comfortably add another course or two would surely be welcome also.

Mission Trips

Lance and Angella Even were scheduled to return from an evangelistic trip to India the last day of March, and will no doubt have an exciting report in the May newsletter.

The CCBI faculty trip for teaching and graduation in Kenya, which was originally set for April, has been postponed until graduating students can complete all their requirements.