Discovering Tanzania through participation in a mission with SOMA has been a delight.
Having never been to Africa, my first experience of the enthusiastic welcome and gracious hospitality of this tactile and expressive people has been deeply heartwarming.
I have seen the hand of God move in ways that have lifted my own faith to another level and filled me with expectation and thanksgiving to the amazing God we serve.
SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad) is an international network of Anglicans birthed at Lambeth 46 years ago by a group of bishops who felt the call of God to ‘take care of the nervous system of the Anglican Church.’ This SOMA does by responding to an invitation from the bishop of any diocese to send a team to provide teaching with practical application on the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer and of the church.
In Tanzania the strategy that was piloted was a two-day training conference with the bishop and selected clergy from five of the 28 Dioceses. Each of these freshly trained diocesan groups were then accompanied by two SOMA team members and travelled to their diocese.
Once there they conducted one- or two-day conferences over a five-day period with gatherings of clergy and lay leaders from multiple deaneries at one time. By this means thousands of key leaders across five dioceses received refreshing, inspiration and reskilling for the mission of the church they undertake in very challenging circumstances.
SOMA missions are currently planned for Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan in October and November of this year and there is a cry from Zanzibar for an Australian team to go within the next 12-18 months. Come and join me and others to be part of what God is doing around the world and discover more of God’s power and plan for your life in the process.
Listen as Rev Wayne talks about his mission experience …
Part 2 of my African mission report is written in a different style. In an effort to share perfection reflections of my time in Africa, Reverend Juleen Partridge interviewed me as part of the Sunday Service. Here is a transcript of what I planned to share!
So, you’ve just returned from three weeks in Tanzania and Kenya. What did you actually do?
So there were two components of the mission trip. The first two weeks were assigned to a SOMA (Sharing of Ministries Abroad) mission trip within the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika, in Tanzania. The final week I attended the CALL2ALL Strategic Summit in Kenya, focussing on learning how every disciple of Christ can reach the next generation with the good news of Jesus.
Let’s start at the beginning and talk about the SOMA Mission first. In a nutshell, the SOMA mission was designed to re-dig the ancient spiritual wells of revival that had been formed during the East African Revival which broke out in Rwanda in the 1930s, which rapidly grew within the Anglican Church in Tanzania and Kenya into the 1980s. While revival had been experienced decades ago, and many dioceses in Tanzania were in a season of rapid expansion due to ‘aggressive evangelism’, about eight bishops from Dioceses in Central Tanzania had requested SOMA to come back to their Diocese to re-dig these wells, bringing teaching on the ministry of the Holy Spirit to their clergy.
The mission followed a ‘train the trainer’ model, or more specifically, a ‘teach the teacher’ model.
Each Bishop brought their best teachers to learn core teaching on eight topics: Holiness, Forgiveness, the Person of the Holy Spirit, Being filled with the Spirit, the Nine Spiritual gifts, the Healing Ministry, the Spirit Realm, Prophecy and Deliverance. Then, having learnt the core teaching, members of the SOMA team would return to each Diocese, with the Bishop, to teach the clergy in each of the deaneries, equipping the clergy to teach on the same subjects in their own congregations and parishes.
Here’s a video after my first day of teaching …
I was the team leader going to the Diocese of Rift Valley with Bishop John Lupaa. On my team was Rev Samuel from Kenya, Mama Bishop Lilian (who was the wife of Bishop Given), Ps Stella, who was also the Diocese Secretary and Canon Joseph, who also taught in the Bible College and Diocesan School. As you can see from the photo, I was the only ‘westerner’, the only one who couldn’t speak Swahili, so everything had to be translated. Most of our time was spent driving to churches, teaching in the church to both clergy and parishioners on the topics mentioned earlier, or walking through markets to and front the guesthouses in which we were staying. There were also activation sessions where both the clergy and parishioners applied what they were being taught, by breaking into groups or pairs and practicing on each other. I ran each of these activation sessions.
So, we know what you did the first two weeks. What aspects of your mission did you find most enjoyable?
Apart from being given the opportunity to teach on my favourite topics, I think it was talking and learning from the people I was with – Africans really are beautiful people.
I was so impressed when I went to the market to buy some material to have some outfits made. In one shop there were three children aged from around 16 to 18 years. These young ones were in total charge of managing the shop, doing all the negotiating of price and sales. I wondered how many Australian 16 year olds would be put in charge of managing a shop.
I loved the worship and the exuberance of joy, dancing and clapping with which everyone engaged in the service. On Sunday worship there was usually many different choirs who ‘performed’ or led a song, all with choreographed movements. No matter what age, the women come out of the seats to join in dancing with the choirs. There were no overheads nor any hymn books, the leader just said the next line, and everyone joined in.
So were their aspects of the mission that you found challenging?
Oh, there were plenty!
To tell you the truth it is difficult to put into words all the ways I was personally challenged. Even though it has been almost a week, I’m still processing it all.
I think the impact was heightened by the fact that I was the only westerner on my team and I was always accompanied by local people, dining in their homes, and could ask any questions about why things were happening the way they did – so I really got an insider’s view.
I found the poverty confronting – however, there was plenty of food and everyone was well-nourished, by a very basic diet of maize, rice, potatoes, and green vegetables. Children played in the dust and amongst the markets until all hours of the night – some sleeping on piles of hessian sacks.
I found the difference in the standard of living quite challenging. I realised how much I take for granted my hot shower and the fact that if I turned on the tap, I expect water to appear – no such guarantee in Africa. While squat toilets don’t really bother me, some of the SOMA team members found this difficult.
And this contrast of living really stood out when I needed to wash my clothes. Although Mama Bishop said it could be done for me for a nominal cost (thus supporting the local business of a church member), that didn’t work out. When she said, “It’s OK I’ll take care of it”, I just assumed she would. However, she disappeared only to later discover, she was handwashing my clothing in a bucket because that’s how she normally does it. She explained, “I’m still waiting for the Bishop to buy me a washing machine”. Although we chatted while she washed the clothes, I found the whole process quite embarrassing!
I was impacted by how often the phrase ‘Bwana Asifiwe’ which means “Praise the Lord” was expressed. It really was the most repeated phrase over the entire three weeks. People said, ‘Praise the Lord’ when they greeted people, before they introduced themselves, and again and again during sermons, especially when transitioning from one point to the next. The praise of the Lord just poured from their lips.
I was impacted by how satisfied and happy they were with the little they had. No one was concerned with what people wore, how people looked, how old or tattered their furniture was … living rooms were places to talk and pray and fellowship, not showplaces.
I was impacted by how often the African’s prayed. We prayed when we started a journey, when we arrived, when we got inside the house, when we left the house, when we begun a meeting, when we ended a meeting, before we ate, and after we ate … and these weren’t just short prayers – they were long, passionate prayers – most of which I sadly couldn’t understand as they weren’t usually translated.
I was impacted by how frequently the expressions of thanks over the goodness of God seemed to drip from their lips. As we walked along the dusty streets from the church to the guest house, we spoke about what God was doing in different people lives. While there was a TV present in the living room of the pastor, it was promptly turned off as soon as the meal was served.
I was impacted by the care and nurture the bishop and his wife had for their ministers and families in their diocese. The bishop’s wives spent much of their time growing vegetables and fruit to give to people in their village, as they would often receive visitors asking for help.
I learnt that many African clergy don’t receive a salary. When a church is planted, a church is built, with an accompanying small house, surrounded by plot of land. The minister was to use this land to grow food for his family. The bishop’s wives spent their time training clergy wives on how to start small businesses to assist in providing for their family. Yet they considered it an honour to serve the Lord. The verse in Ephesians 4:23 really came to life, “… they must work hard making an honest living, producing that which is good with their own hands, so they will have something to share with those in need.” I was convicted with how little time I devote to working to support the poor in my community.
I was confronted when I saw women carrying large sacks of potatoes and vegetables on their head, all the while carrying a children in a sling on their back. One night we went for dinner at a restaurant. As we left to return to the guest house, there was a young mother with a basket holding two large thermoses of porridge and plastic cups. She had a baby in a sling on her back. This was her business to sell porridge to people – and she would do this until late in the night.
I was confronted when I was asked how the Anglican Church was going in Australia. The churches in Africa are bursting with people, families and children. When I tried to describe that our churches are very different, with many congregations not having families regularly attending, they asked me, “How did the church let that happen?” Explaining this shift in culture wasn’t easy.
So after the mission, what happened at the strategic summit?
So, Rev Henry Blair (from Northern Ireland) and I caught a plane to Nairobi, Kenya. We attended the Sunday Service in the Cathedral and met up with the Dean, and some of his clergy. He told us that on a Sunday over 5000 come to either of their four services.
Then the next day we caught a bus up the mountains to a town called Lumuru – which we had been warned was so cold you needed gloves and a beanie – anything less than 20 degrees was very cold for Africans!
It was an exciting atmosphere to sit in a room with over 380 Africans to learn how to strategically plan to reach the next generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The worship was vibrant, lively with all participants (both men and women) dancing and waving their arms and singing in both English and Swahili. There were more than 50 different denominations and para-church organisations represented in the room.
The seminar started at 8 am and went all the way through to 8 pm for three days. It was quite full-on with much information being shared by many international speakers.
The message from the wife of the Vice-President, Pastor Dorcus Rigathi, profoundly impacted everyone. She spoke of how her faith prompted her to confront the injustices rampant in Kenyan society by helping the handicapped and vulnerable. She particularly focusses on the ‘boychild’, to ensure young boys are being nurtured and cared for. She really was a hugely inspiring woman who is using her influential position to benefit the whole community
Finally, although the summit was geared to the African context, all the resources recommended by the speakers could easily be applied to our Australia context. I found my head spinning with information and strategies on how to steer our ministries here at Southlakes to better accomplish Christ’s mission. There were many resources shared which I’ll speak more about over the coming months.
Overall, it was an incredibly life-changing experience. I want to thank you all for giving me the grace to have this time away, and I want to reassure you while the SOMA mission nurtured my own spiritual growth, the Summit especially equipped me with tools to grow our ministry in my own parish at Southlakes in Morisset (Australia), into the future.
Perhaps a good way to end, is with a short video from ‘Mama Bishop’ Rev Lilian, wife of Bishop Given from the Tanzanian Diocese of Kondoa.
by Rev Melinda, National Director of SOMA Australia
I’ve just returned from three weeks in East Africa and Kenya – and my mind is still swirling in an attempt to process all that I experienced.
So, … Let’s start at the beginning. This mission report is the formal one. That is, I’ll try to explain what we did and the impact of what occurred. In part 2 of the mission report, I’ll add my personal reflections.
Life changing experiences are never easy to put into words, and this is even more the case when the experiences involve journeying through the intrepid terrain of the spiritual climate of East Africa.
Why was Tanzania chosen to be the missionfield?
SOMA has a long history of working with the Anglican Church in Tanzania. The East African Revival that broke out in Rwanda in the 1930s, impacted the growth of the Anglican Church in Tanzania and Kenya in the 1940s to the 1970s.
However, when SOMA attended the 2023 Lambeth Conference, a number of Bishops from East Africa were keen for SOMA to return to their Dioceses to re-dig the ancient wells of the Spirit, as over time they had become clogged.
Eight bishops in total expressed interest in having a SOMA team come to teach on the person and work of the Holy Spirit to their clergy.
The six Bishops of Central Tanganyika, Tanzania were: Bishop Given Gaula, of the Diocese of Kondoa, Bishop Dickson Chilongari of the Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Bishop Raphael Haule from Ruvuma, Bishop Joseph Mgomi from Ruaha, Bishop Luziet Kingamoko of Mpwapwa, and Bishop John Luppa from Rift Valley.
The structure of the mission designed by SOMA was a ‘train the trainer’ model, or more specifically, ‘teach the teacher’.
Each Bishop was asked to bring their best teachers to learn core teaching on eight topics: Holiness, Forgiveness, the Person of the Holy Spirit, Being filled with the Spirit, the Nine Spiritual gifts, the Healing Ministry, the Spirit Realm, Prophecy and Deliverance. This initial training seminar was held in Dodoma, the capital of Tanzania.
Although this initial seminar was scheduled for 30th and 31st May, the communication was muddled and the deanery representatives arrived a day early, thrusting the entire SOMA team into action.
Each of the topics were allocated to different team members and I was assigned the topic of holiness.
As the first seminar progressed, all participants grew in receptivity and eagerness to learn and apply each of the topics heightened. Upon conclusion of this initial seminar, the SOMA team was broken up into teams, with each team commissioned to travel back to the Bishop’s home diocese, with their newly trained clergy to conduct further seminars with representatives from all deaneries.
I was allocated to accompany Bishop John Lupaa from the Diocese of Rift Valley, and was accompanied by Rev Lilian, the wife of Bishop Given from the Diocese of Kondoa. In Africa, Bishop’s wives are called ‘Mama Bishop’. Also on our team was Rev Samuel Sudhe from Kenya.
Our first seminar in the Diocese of Rift Valley was held in a village called Itigi. Members from five regional deaneries attended, bringing the total number of participants to around 150.
The Anglican Diocese of Rift was formed in 1991, being carved from the Diocese of Central Tanganyika. The Diocese has 12 deaneries, 52 parishes and 268 congregations. The Diocese also has a hospital and a College of Allied Health Sciences and a guest house.
As team leader, I allocated certain topics to each team member and I was responsible to run the activation sessions and answer any questions that arose.
As we progressed through the activation sessions of being filled with the Spirit, moving in prophecy, praying for the sick and ministering in deliverance, we heard testimony after testimony of visions, words of knowledge and freedom from demonic oppression. Given the African’s heightened awareness of the presence of witchcraft and sorcery in their villages, the ministry of deliverance was especially relevant to them. We gave adequate time to answering questions and demonstrating how freedom may be obtained in an Anglican way that is pastorally sensitive. Such guidance was important as without it, clergy often resort to copying the Pentecostal methods so prevalent on YouTube.
After attending the Sunday service, we shook hands with more than 300 parishioners and received beautiful gifts (some material and a bag of peanuts). Then, we set off to Manyoni to run the same seminar for the representatives from next seven deaneries.
Having gained momentum at Itigi, the team began with confidence the seminar at Manyoni, a larger town which is where the Cathedral and Diocese offices and guest house are located.
On one of the stone walls of the Cathedral hung a banner exemplifying the power of cross-cultural ministry that occurs within the Diocese. As I was taking a photo of the banner, Bishop John Luppa seized the opportunity to bring the message to life!
Once again, our time in Manyoni was hugely fruitful, with many sharing words of prophecy, many experiencing healings, and some spoke of receiving freedom from demonic-rooted illnesses.
Canon Joseph, who regularly teaches on deliverance in the diocese, gave me a tour of the village in which we were staying, pointing out evidence of witchcraft and sorcery, especially where Islam was present.
As we travelled from one town to the next, I noticed many small mosques had been strategically built alongside the main road. It was not until we dined at the local restaurant, that I noticed the bottled water we were drinking was owned by an Islamic organisation – bringing a steady stream of income to finance more tiny mosques along the main roads.
As the team returned to Dodoma for a final debrief dinner at Bishop Given’s home, we all shared the wonderful stories of Jesus’ healing power, and freedom of those who were previously held captive. Many stories were captured on video and can be watched on the SOMA website. It was wonderful to see each team member glow with the knowledge that lasting relationships had been formed. All Bishops were offering invitations to return. Having experienced the power of the Spirit we all returned home radically different people, than when we first arrived.
Are you interested in experiencing a SOMA mission?
Our God is living and active and has given His Spirit with whom to empower our life and ministry.
If you are interested in coming on a SOMA mission, either within Australia or abroad, please enquire to Rev Melinda at contact@somaau.org.
Do you want to learn more about living in the Spirit?
The core teaching topics included in the SOMA seminar are not only relevant for Africa. RevMel is in the process of preparing the teaching notes for SOMA’s upcoming mission in Kenya.
If you want to learn more about the Person and work of the Holy Spirit and would like to host a “Living in the Spirit” seminar in your parish, please do not hesitate to contact Rev Melinda.
Nairobi, Kenya: CALL2ALL Strategic Summit
At the conclusion of the SOMA Mission, most of the team members went home. However, Rev Henry Blair (of North Ireland) and I jumped on a plane and headed to Nairobi Kenya. Why? We had both registered to attend the International CALL2ALL Evangelistic Strategic Summit the following week.
It was an exciting atmosphere to sit in a room with over 380 Africans to learn how to strategically plan to reach the next generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The worship was vibrant, lively with all participants dancing, waving their arms and singing in both English and Swahili. There were more than 50 different denominations and para-church organisations represented in the room.
The cross-cultural leadership team had worked for months, with representatives from the US and Kenya to compile a program designed to assist every disciple of Christ to transform the world in the seven spheres of society: Family, Government, Economics, Celebration, Education, Media and Religion.
Dozens of free digital and offline resources were shared, most of which were relevant and useful not only in the Africa context but also globally.
All resources were designed to assist every disciple of Jesus to identify five people with whom to share the good news of Jesus using the B.L.E.S.S. strategy. (The strategy was so simple for any disciple of Christ, I knew we could easily implement here at Southlakes).
What became apparent is that the CALL2ALL summit brings together leaders from a plethora of Christian denominations, with the aim of learning how to “finish the task” of fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission.
The strategy combines a number of global mission partners, including YWAM, Dare2Share, Pray4all, and many other mission organisations.
Being in such an atmosphere, where Christians from so many different denominations were united in their desire to reach the world for Jesus, was both refreshing and inspiring. By the time the conference was over, my head was spinning with an overload of information. However, the long journey home gave me time to reflect and prioritise, allowing me to consider how we can streamline our ministries in my own parish at Southlakes, Morisset to ensure we are all fulling the purpose for which Christ called us: to make disciples who will become disciple makers.
We are pleased to announce John Wyndham’s book “From Everywhere to Everywhere | The Story of Sharing of Ministries Abroad is now available as an ebook on Amazon.
John’s book has also received a new cover update.
The book may also be ordered in paperback from the SOMA Store
Can we have confidence of the Spirit-filled experience?
Where in the Bible can we learn how to receive the fullness of the Spirit that Jesus promised to His followers?
These, among others, were the questions presented to Rev. David Crawford as the Charismatic movement spread throughout Australia in the early 1970s, resulting in congregations being shaken and hundreds of hearts being set ablaze with the Holy Spirit.
When the Anglican Synod of the Diocese of Sydney met in 1971 they asked for a committee to be formed to investigate this movement. This booklet is an updated version of the briefing paper prepared by Rev. David Crawford – presenting a biblical case for the Charismatic experience.
Although written more than three decades ago, Rev. David’s study reassures every child of God that Jesus’ promise to baptise His followers in the Holy Spirt, still remains available today.
This book can be purchased from Amazon either as an ebook or paperback.
Is the spiritual fire in your heart burning brightly, or has it died to a faint smoulder?
The imagery of fire shines very brightly throughout the entire Biblical story. In fact, fire is often regarded as one of the most powerful images for God’s presence, power and judgement in Scripture. Right from the earliest pages of God’s story, the cherubim of God guarding the entrance into God’s presence, held “flaming swords which flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life” (Genesis 24). Later when God appeared to Moses, it was through a mysterious bush which burned yet was not consumed (Exodus 3). Then when God presented himself before his people to give his law, his presence was seen as a ‘consuming fire’ (Exodus 19:8) and this fiery presence continued with them as they travelled through the wilderness.
The imagery of fire representing God’s presence and power continues through the New Testament, taking on the meaning of spiritual zeal and empowerment for ministry. John first prophesied Jesus’ promise that his disciples would be baptised with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11). We see this promise fulfilled when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon them at Pentecost in the form of tongues of fire.
Certainly, from the moment the Holy Spirit takes residence in our hearts, the fiery gifts He brings are always living and active. He doesn’t merely dwell; He empowers, He refines, He emboldens, and He transforms. Yet, like a smouldering ember, the fervency of His presence within us can wane if left unattended.
In a world characterized by turmoil and strife, the need for the Holy Spirit’s transformative power has never been greater. We’re bombarded daily with messages of fear, division, and despair. In such times, fanning into flames the gift of the Holy Spirit becomes not just a suggestion but a necessity.
“For this reason, I remind you to fan into flames the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 (NIV)
Paul personally knew the importance of keeping the Holy Spirit’s presence aflame within our hearts. It was for this reason that he urged Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God” which was imparted to him through the laying on of hands. Flickers of this symbolism continue throughout Paul’s letters. For example, in Romans 12:11, he writes ‘Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.” Interestingly, this phrase literally means “keep boiling in the spirit”.
Spiritual fervour is absolutely vital for ministry, Paul contends, which is why he urges Timothy to fan or stoke his spiritual fires into flame. Paul continues, “the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” The Holy Spirit infuses us with courage, enabling us to overcome fear and uncertainty. He instils within us a profound sense of love, both for God and for others. And He equips us with self-discipline, enabling us to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and grace.
So, how do we go about fanning the flames of the Holy Spirit within us? It begins with a deliberate commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer (particularly, Jude writes, praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20), meditation on Scripture, worship, and fellowship with other believers. These practices stoke the fire of the Spirit, igniting within us a passionate love for God and a fervent desire to live out His purposes.
Additionally, we must continually surrender ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide and empower every aspect of our lives. As we yield to His promptings, we experience firsthand the power, love, and self-discipline that Paul describes. There is one other way we can be assisted in fanning the flames of the
Holy Spirit within us, and that is intentionally stepping aside to meet with other believers for the purpose of spiritual renewal and transformation.
Knowing the difficulty we all have in maintaining our spiritual fervour, Sharing of Ministries Abroad (SOMA) is working with leaders from the Anglican Renewal Network of Australia (ARNA) to organise three mini Conferences called “Anglicans Ablaze Australia”. Learn more about these conferences in our latest Newsletter.
In closing, those familiar with A Prayer Book for Australia, will be aware of the spiritual practice of praying the Daily Offices. With an aim to keep our spiritual fervour white-hot and boiling, let us make a commitment to pray the morning prayer,
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day, so may the light of your presence, O God, set our hearts on fire with love for you; now and forever. Amen.
Yours in Christ, Reverend Melinda, National Director, SOMA
Read all the articles in our April May SOMA Newsletter … National Director’s opening devotional Is the spiritual fire in your heart burning brightly, or has it died to a faint smoulder?
SOMA Mission & Anglicans Ablaze mini-conference in Sth Gippsland, VIC in May If your spiritual tanks are empty, or the fire for the Holy Spirit needs rekindling … head over to South Gippsland in May …
Anglicans Ablaze mini-conferences in QLD & NSW The Anglicans Ablaze mini-conference in May is only the beginning. Two more conferences are being organised later this year …
Former SOMA Director, Liz Rankin’s induction Rev Liz has settled into her new parish at Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads ..,
Upcoming SOMA International Mission to Tanzania National Director, Rev. Mel and Rev. Wayne Walters will be joining SOMA International’s Revive East Africa mission in Tanzania …
Anglicans Ablaze Australia Blog If you are a Charismatic Anglican, ablaze with the Holy Spirit, a new blog has been created to encourage, uplift and stir you to serve God in the power of the Spirit
New SOMA online bookstore opening soon … The SOMA team have been working hard to bring a range of books which will be available for purchase soon through Amazon ….
And a great prayer for spiritual renewal to pray for your parish …
Greetings to all SOMA Missioners, Perhaps you have had moments when the Lord cuts into your thinking and suddenly you have clarity of vision and a renewed sense of purpose. One such time for me was at my first SOMA National Directors’ meeting in August this year.
It seemed like a new season for SOMA. Rev. Henry Blair had commenced as International Coordinator with SOMA UK and Rev. Andrew Allan-Johns, SOMA International Chair, had received advice that SOMA US was reluctant to participate in SOMA International missions. The prospect of this later separation evoked concern and deep regret. So, Rev. Andrew called us to pause in listening prayer, to be guided by the Spirit of God as to how we should proceed in this new season.
It was during this period of quietness that a scene from a movie, titled, “7 Yards. The Chris Norton Story”, I had watched a few weeks earlier, flashed before me. Chris Norton, a young footballer, had become paralysed from the waist down after a life-altering tackle. He was told by his doctors he would never walk again.
Immediately I saw the connection between the movie and the current state of the global Anglican communion.
Are not the legs of Christ’s Anglican body inflicted with paralysis, suffering such serious nerve damage, that her ability to walk and run is impaired?
The scene before me served as a reminder of the words a SOMA leader received in the early days of the formation of SOMA. He had heard Jesus’ cry,
“I weep over my broken body. When one part of the body is in pain, the other parts do not feel the pain …”[1]
It was precisely the pain of simmering friction within the global Anglican Communion in 1978 all those decades ago that prompted a prophetic word to form a ministry that would release the Holy Spirit to tend to the nervous system of the Anglican Church.
However, it was not the scene of Chris Norton’s paralysed body that the Spirit quickened within me. Rather it was the occasion when Chris awoke one morning with a noticeable sensation in his big toe.
So marked was the tingling that his body pulsated with a sense of hope and anticipation. Could it be true? Would God be so gracious as to do a work of healing in his body? Might it be possible that his dream to walk his fiancé down the aisle in the coming months come true?
And so it was. Hope fuelled faith, faith birthed perseverance, and after seven years of agonising physiotherapy, Chris’ dream became a reality.
In our current situation we might well ask:
How might the Spirit use SOMA to tend to the nerve damaged body of the Anglican Communion in this season?
Over the past five decades SOMA teams have fulfilled their calling to be the means by which the Holy Spirit brings healing, reconciliation, renewal and revitalisation, to the body of Christ, and especially to those in most need.
SOMA teams are, many ways, like the nerve fibres which bring the Holy Spirit’s healing and restoration to different members of Christ’s body.
The scene quickened by the Spirit enabled me to glimpse the significance of SOMA International continuing its missions across the world. Perhaps our continuance in bringing teams of Anglicans from various diocese to minister together in the power of the Spirit, might serve as a ‘tingling’ of hope to those of SOMA US, that the Lord Jesus would have his people continue sending His healing and restorative power to all members of the Anglican communion.
Is the Lord calling SOMA to be the fibres connecting the various members of Christ’s broken, injured body?
From its conception, a core value of SOMA has been its reliance on intercessory prayer for the release of the Spirit’s power throughout the body of Christ.
This call for prayer was highlighted at the most recent National Director’s meeting, when there was resounding agreement of the need for prayer to resume its rightful priority. To that end, National Directors were challenged to raise up intercessory prayer co-ordinators in each of their home countries.
However, Jesus taught us that there are situations when prayer alone may not be sufficient, when prayer needs to be accompanied by fasting. For prayer and fasting enables the Lord to teach us humility, to inspire us towards justice, to release us from oppression, and to enrich our sense of generosity (Isaiah 58:6-10)
The Lord’s promise is firm to those who fast in prayer:
“You will be given water when you are dry and your strength restored.
You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. (v11b)
Is not this the very season when the body of Christ needs her strength to be restored and her innermost parts to be healed?”
In a recent conversation with John Wyndham, author of “From Everywhere to Everywhere: The Story of Sharing of Ministries Abroad”, I was reminded,
“Intercession is the foundation upon which SOMA’s ministry and mission are secured … in fact mission and ministry are the two legs that make it run.”
So, let’s keep running and praying that the body of Christ might be nurtured and maintained as mission teams go forth across the world to build up Christ’s body.”[2] During this Advent season of expectation of our Saviour’s return, let us “keep watch” and “be alert and pray for the coming of your Lord”. As SOMA Missioners who have responded to the call of the Lord Jesus, let us continue to be the fibres through which the Holy Spirit brings healing and restoration to our broken world. Yours in the power of the Spirit, Rev. Mel
[1] From Everywhere to Everywhere, John Wyndham, page 23.
[2] John Wyndham, From Everywhere to Everywhere, page 136-137.
Report written by Rev. Melinda McMahon, Rector of Southlakes Anglican Church and National Director of SOMA Australia.
In the last weeks of November, Rev. Andrew Allan-Johns the Chair of SOMA International visited Australia. Starting with a meet and greet with Rev. Graeme and Rev. Susan Liersch, Ministers of the parish of Wonthaggi/Inverloch in
Victoria. Then travelled to Newcastle to spend some time with the saints of Southlakes Anglican Church. As soon as he stepped off the plane in Newcastle, we drove up to the home of John Wyndham in Port Macquarie.
Some may not be aware, John is a pioneer of SOMA Australia and the author of SOMA’s historic book “From Everywhere to Everywhere”. (A book which is available for purchase from SOMA’s website). We spent a delightful morning discussing various aspects of John’s account of the formation of SOMA. John shared his prayers as he ‘passes on the mantle of anointing’ to the new SOMA teams and gave us many of the contacts he had established with SOMA supporters around the world.
We then returned to Newcastle, Andrew was able to spend time with the saints in my own church, Southlakes Anglican, during which he preached at both our traditional service and more charismatic evening service we call, “Encountering God’s Power and Presence.”
During the traditional service, I interviewed Rev. Andrew on some of the new initiatives SOMA International is introducing and next year’s mission to Tanzania (more on this below). Then Rev. Andrew preached from the first chapter of Ephesians on the church’s calling to demonstrate the kingdom of God through the ministry of healing. Rev. Andrew had several words of knowledge for healing for those present, which was a new experience for some. His visit inspired many of my parishioners to become more interested in SOMA, and encouraged me as I navigate the terrain of encouraging my somewhat traditional congregation to venture bravely towards Charismatic renewal.
SOMA Chair | Bishop Ian Lambert Reports on the Healing Conference held recently in Melbourne:
The testimonies tell the story of our awesome God in action at the St Paul’s North Caulfield conference in November.
“I wanted to tell you that I had amazing breakthroughs and deliverance from the spirit of control.”
“Have you ever wondered what happens when God’s people soak in an atmosphere of prayer and come expectant? Miracles become normal!”
“We saw God heal, almost everyone with a physical need, and as forgiveness was released, many received peace and inner healing. Demons were dealt with, and joy was abounding!”
“This was amazing. God has completely changed my life!”
“Wow, what a weekend! God poured out blessings to us all. I truly felt like I was drinking at a new well.”
We commenced the weekend with an evening specifically for pastors/priests to provide an opportunity for them to worship, dine, network and fellowship together.
On Friday we heard of the wonderful healing legacy at St Paul’s because of the faithful healing ministry initiatives by Rev. Hickson at the turn of last century. Each session had inspired worship which led us into God’s presence and prepared us to receive great messages of encouragement and teaching.
Rev Dr Teresa Parish led each of the evening sessions and ministry times. What an inspiring and lively time we enjoyed with Teresa!
Rev Dr Mark Durie taught authoritatively on Healing and Deliverance and then on Life in the Spirit. Bishop Ian Lambert shared stories around our supernatural God from his ministry and missions using Elijah and the prophets of Baal narrative. On Saturday Bp Ian dealt with the difficult subject of when healing doesn’t come, and forgiveness. On Saturday afternoon there were six workshops, including: establishing healing ministry in local church; navigating renewal in the local church; spiritual gifts; and deliverance ministry.
St Paul’s were outstanding hosts, and the gathering ran seamlessly. Indeed, the large bold billboard outside the church on the highway: “WE PRAY STUFF HAPPENS!” was true to its word. The presence of God, the weight of His holiness – the kabod – was something to be experienced. People were healed, captives set free, words of knowledge, demons fled, and much weeping! Nothing more powerful than when God’s presence rested heavily on the clergy as those present were prayed for.
What outstanding young leaders in Rev Brendon and Virginia McDonald at St Paul’s, so ably supported by their lay folk. Looking towards more of the same over the years to come – bodes well for the Anglican Church in Melbourne! Praise God.
