Signs and Wonders Accompany TESM Team
he Rev. Canon John Macdonald, Director of the Stanway Institute for World Mission and Evangelism at Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry (TESM), led a SOMA mission designed to train seminarians from the U.S. Three students and two spouses visited Uganda in January and participated in evangelistic outreach directed by Mbale Diocese. This experience has radically adjusted their world view and will influence their future ministry.	John preaches and the Rev. Isaiah Koko interprets at an open air campaign in Bulucheke, Mable District, Uganda.
Each morning the group divided into teams and set out, accompanied by interpreters, to visit people in their homes. They delivered the Gospel message, and several family members accepted the Lord. One team prayed for a young girl who was sick; she was immediately healed and went to her knees to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She then followed them on their travels for some time holding hands, smiling a beautiful smile and being a witness to the power of God among those to whom they went. In the afternoon the team held open-air meetings, attended by as many as 800. They repeated this pattern in four different venues. The meetings began with singing, followed with preaching by team members and then prayer ministry. Although many of the attendees were believers, first time conversions numbered in the hundreds.
Not surprisingly, the Lord poured out His favor upon this exciting venture. During an anointed time of prayer for an increase of ministry gifts, the heavens opened and the rains began. The Ugandans received this as a sign of the Lord’s favor, for in Uganda it does not rain in January. It is the dry season. In fact, almost everywhere they went, it rained. This TESM team brought the Lord’s rain of refreshing to His precious believers in Mbale. All want to go back. The diocese is thrilled to have a link with North America, and the possibility of returning for a supervised internship of eight to ten weeks is being investigated. Alan Morris reported, “The mission exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Holy Spirit attended the work with power, with signs and wonders all along the way.”	Many gather for afternoon open-air meetings.
Team list: The Rev. Canon John Macdonald, team leader, Mr. James and Mrs. Mary Giles, Mr. Christopher McKinney, Mr. Alan and Mrs. April Morris, all from TESM.
“The God of Detail”   by James Giles, is a reflection written as a result of the recent SOMA trip to Uganda by a group from Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry.

 

Mighty men and women of God lead SOMA; obedient to His call upon their lives they embrace God’s formula for ensuring what He began remains His. Those of you, like me, who are just becoming aware of SOMA’s impact upon the world, may be assured of what I found. It is a ministry led by and directed by the living Lord. He is the CEO. The National Directors, originating from diverse cultures, uniquely adhere to the calling of the Lord by following Biblically based business principles.

For example, their approach to conflict resolution began with forgiveness, moving to repentance, and reconciliation, and concluded with purposeful planning, development, and action. Integrity of financial stewardship was exemplified by their awareness to be above reproach and to subscribe to the standards of accountability, responsibility, and commitment to those who support the ministry. Organizationally these servant leaders acknowledge that they too are under authority. SOMA’s decision making process seeks agreement by listening respectfully to differing viewpoints, praying, listening to God, and coming to unanimity. An attitude of openness, honesty, vulnerability, and transparency enrich relationships and communication. What a blessing for me to witness the Holy Spirit use humility to bring healing, strength, and renewal!

Such approaches to organizational leadership and management are evident today, but rare. SOMA’s example, however, should be a source of encouragement, as prayerfully these principles become more accepted in the business world; incorporating Biblical truths to plan, develop, grow, and prosper.

Testimony about SOMA’s Ministry "The Lord used SOMA as an instrument in my spiritual life; when I was just a kid I got a deepest relationship with Jesus in the first retreat SOMA had with us (in the Dominican Republic) in the 90s. Now my ministry is focused to serve, to help young people to meet Jesus and His kingdom. I am very grateful with the Lord since He chose me to be part of His plan bringing people to His feet. I will probably be ordained to the priesthood this year (2003); I was also appointed as Youth Provincial Coordinator for Province IX.” Your sister in Christ, Miguelina Espinal Your Sister in Christ Miguelina Espinal Testimony about SOMA’s Ministry“

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Who Is SOMA?

SOMA is an international family. We are bantamweight; able to make quick response; have relatively unencumbered structures. Let me introduce you. We have national bodies in nine countries: Canada, USA, Ireland, UK, Uganda, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Singapore. Of the nine national directors, eight are priests; two are women, and only a handful work full-time in ministry.

We have two full-time Associate Directors, one of whom is clergy. Another clergyman is an honorary Associate Director. Two SOMAS’ employ full-time administrators, both laywomen. The combined budgets for all of the SOMA’s are modest indeed, perhaps the size of a moderately-sized Episcopal Church.

These nine SOMA’s are linked collegially with each other under the umbrella of an International Board comprised of seven Bishops; twelve clergy; two laywomen; one layman and includes the National and Associate Directors. The officers of the Board are: Chairman, the Rev. David Harper from New Zealand and rector of a church in the USA; Vice-Chair, the Rev. Trevor Pearce from South Africa; Treasurer, Mr. Keith Chua of Singapore; and Secretary, Mr. Richard Hines from the USA. These four officers along with two elected National Directors, the Rev. Don Brewin and Mrs. Edwina Thomas, serve at the Executive Group of the International Board and are empowered to make decisions as necessary for the good of the international family.

Together we planned to deploy 83 mission teams in 2002. Sometimes trips are rescheduled or cancelled for various reasons. Donors include individuals and churches. Hundreds of persons pray for this ministry, including the individuals who go, intercessors for specific mission teams in the field, and the SOMA bodies who work to send. Hundreds of churches have participated in this ministry and many have formed flourishing relationships with the global church outside of the SOMA mandate. Partnerships between churches, dioceses, and friendships between individuals are all a legacy of which SOMA is proud.

In 1986, Mrs. Jeanne Harper, the wife of SOMA’s founder, the Rev. Michael Harper, was given a vision: a net stretching over and covering the entire globe. Each intersection “knot” that joined strands was glistening with gold. God has certainly honored that vision.

We know and believe that SOMA is all about relationships. We value trust, collegiality, service, and partnership. We value you and your support of our ministry.

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