The Newsletter of
SOMA USA

August 2000     Volume 15, Number 3

The Spirit Births A Missionary Vision        by Mrs. Gail Patton
Go to the top

The SOMA team, standing with the translator, prays that the diocesan leaders would be strengthened for God's call. Kneeling from l-r: Vicar General Canon Gabriel Ngalya; Bishop of Rift Valley Diocese, Alpha Mohamed; and the Diocesan Secretary, Canon Peter Bulali.

"Pray for us that God would strengthen us for His call." This plea was the request of the Rt. Rev. Alpha Mohamed, Bishop of the Diocese of the Rift Valley, Tanzania, during the closing of the SOMA conference. God continues to use SOMA teams to teach and encourage the priests and their wives, who are answering God's call to become a missionary people. The grace and mercy extended to the team and the people in the Rift Valley are miraculous in the fullest meaning of the word.

A SOMA team heard many testimonies of the miracles that God began to perform in body, soul, and spirit during the prior team's visit in July, 1999. God laid a sure foundation that He continued to build upon in the coming year. During this visit from July 8-17, God continued through the teaching and prayer to pour out the Holy Spirit. He imparted to the priests and their wives an anointing and empowerment for ministry for "some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers. . .so that the body of Christ may be built up. . ." (Ephesians 4:11-12) God is enabling the Diocese of the Rift Valley to walk in the fullness of the call He has placed on their lives.

The team included: Mr. Ron Davis, Team Leader, All Saints', Woodbridge, VA; Mrs. Gail Patton, St. Margaret's, Woodbridge, VA; and the Revs. Chris and Jane Palacas, long term missionaries in Kampala, Uganda.

The Battle Belongs to the Lord
Go to the top

From July 1-15, SOMA sponsored two on-site intercessory prayer rooms to undergird General Convention 2000. Twenty-four intercessors traveled at their own expense to Denver for one-week assignments to pray God's will for our church. Four of our intercessors wrote to us about their experience.

"Our prayer was based on two major concepts. The first was that God is in control. We did not know what He planned to do, but we were in agreement that His will be done both in the prayer room and convention. This required the gift of FAITH. Faith, that regardless of what happened during the convention, God is in control. The second concept was that we would pray only positive prayer - one that released blessing and God's will into everything that was done. We did not pray about issues - only God's will."

The intercessors worship as part of their prayer.

"The SOMA prayer room was a powerful experience for me. I encountered the Living Lord, as He spoke to us through His word and each other, and showed us visions of His heavenly kingdom enacting with our fallen world. I will never forget this time in His presence and meeting such wonderful brothers and sisters, who love Him mightily."

"The Lord demonstrated that He is in control of His Church. Frequently we think it's about what we do, but in reality this is not so. There were many times during critical points at Convention that the Lord drove this point home. I came away with a great sense of hope in the midst of the strife and diffculty and with the feeling that much was accomplished in the heavenlies."

"Near the end of Convention, when in the physical realm things looked discouraging, in the spiritual realm there was a wellspring of joy and praise from within. The battle cry is "Lead On O King Eternal!" I believe that we were in a very big battle in Denver and that we are in a battle every day. But, we go from "victory to victory" because of our Commander in Chief. We must keep our eyes on Him rather than what is happening around us. God will take care of his bride. I know that my Redeemer lives! And He is the same Redeemer of the Episcopal Church in America!!!! Hallelujah!"

The Episcopal Church USA needs hope and encouragement in the face of the growing challenges to the Christian life in our prosperous secular society. In response, SOMA USA launched "Mission to the USA" in 1996. We ask dioceses in the US to sponsor short-term missionaries from abroad to visit their dioceses. "Mission to the USA" draws on the rich spiritual resources of our Anglican partners. We invite bishops, clergy and lay leaders who possess a faith tested by adversity and display a passion for the Gospel. They come with SOMA's charge to bring spiritual encouragement along with the Good News of Jesus Christ. To date, sixteen US dioceses have received SOMA teams.

Jenipha and Joseph Wasonga

The Rt. Rev. Fred Borsch, bishop of the Diocese of Los Angeles, invited the Rt. Rev. Joseph Wasonga and his wife, Jenipha, from the Diocese of Maseno West, Kenya, to the Los Angeles area from May 26 to June 19. During their 24 day mission eight diverse congregations heard one of the Wasongas preach from their pulpits.

Trinity Episcopal Church, Compton, CA, celebrated Pentecost in the "old fashioned way," with four nights of revival meetings led by Bishop Joseph and Jenipha and concluding with a rousing and enthusiastic sermon on Sunday morning.

Both Bishop Joseph and Jenipha, who is Director of Agape Counseling and Training Services in Ngiya, Kenya, are in much demand as speakers and preachers in East Africa. Bishop Joseph says of Jenipha, "She is a lay preacher with vision and commitment!" and, indeed, the congregations who heard her agreed. Wherever the Wasongas ministered, God's people drew joy, hope and nurture from these spiritually rich Anglican partners.

The Wasonga's were based at St. James, Newport Beach, CA, and hosted by the Rev. and Mrs. Richard Menees.

SOMA Staff Expands

SOMA recently added two part-time staff people to assist in our growing ministry. We welcome Mrs. Gail Patton to the position of Mission Administrator. Gail has been a faithful volunteer in the office for several years and will now assist in coordinating the information flow between the office and team members.

To ensure our commitment to the stewardship of God's resources, we are pleased to add Mrs. Lori Sandoval as Bookkeeper. She will help our chief financial officer and the staff track donations and expenses, and produce financial reports.

Edwina Thomas, Director

So what really happened at General Convention? This subject is the topic of millions of words including sermons, news articles, and countless e-mails flying through cyberspace. Everybody I know seems to be asking, "Did we win the battles and lose the war?" Since Denver, I have heard people express anger, outrage, pain, puzzlement, disappointment, discouragement, dogged determination, and, yes, even delight.

One of the joys of Convention was the presence of our Sudanese friends including Archbishop Joseph Marona, Bishop Peter Munde of the Diocese of Yambio, and resettled refugees living in South Dakota and Washington D.C. The Sudanese made their presence and plight known through peaceful demonstrations. Dozens of others walked with them -- joining in prayer and song at a candlelight vigil one evening.

Sudanese and friends gathered for the daily demonstration outside the Colorado Convention Center in Denver to raise awareness of the persecution of Christians in Sudan.

The Convention responded positively to the Sudanese witness before legislative committees and to Archbishop Morona's speech to the House of Bishops. The Episcopal Church passed strong resolutions on behalf of the Sudanese and other persecuted people. Perhaps more important than their presence was the firm foundation of faith that supported their words and witness. Where does hope come from when a people exists by bartering, the educational system has been destroyed, civilians are the target of bombs dropped by their own government, and families experience destruction through rape, kidnapping, enforced labor, and even slavery?

Perhaps more important than the words describing their horrific situation, our Sudanese friends speak a message that we need to hear, "Our hope comes from the Lord."

To you who are discouraged about the cultural encroachment of our secular world into the Episcopal Church, where does your hope come from? "Our hope comes from the Lord." The only answer when assaulted by physical persecution or by a non-Christian culture is to press into Him, to seek a more intimate relationship with our Lord, the place where the Most High is our dwelling place. Spiritual principles remain true: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9