SharingT h e N e w s l e t t e r o f S O M A U S A • V o l u m e 2 6 • I s s u e 3 • N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 0

The Diocese of Western Mexico is a large area in which Bishop Lino Amaro strategically planned three SOMA missions. The missions were planned for the churches of Guadalajara, Guayabo, and Mexicali to bring renewal and encouragement to both clergy and lay leadership. These articles bear witness to the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming the diocese with the love of Christ.

SOMA Witnesses The Spirit In Guadalajara

“The SOMA Mission Was A Present From God To My Soul”

“Let Me Sing Always, Only, For My King”

God’s Love in GuayaboThe people of the Anglican Church at Guayabo, Mexico, will never be the same after being touched by His holiness and His love.

A young woman found God’s forgiving love touch her heart and she was reconciled with her mother, and though her father had threatened to kill her, she has been given a great desire to pray for him. She and her mother are now praying together for her father.

As the conference continued others spoke of healing in their lives. Another woman spoke of overwhelming problems in her life. After receiving prayer, she said her problems seemed insignificant as God’s peace filled her being.

A woman with cancer for whom the team prayed shared that she had heard the Lord say to her that “everything was going to be all right.” She said that she felt that God had healed her, but it did not matter if she had not been physically healed because she knew she was going to be all right.

Before the team went to participate in thisseminar, they prayed for men to come andjoin the Life In the Spirit Seminar, sincethe church is noted for being a congregation of all women.

Seven men attended and the Lord touched their lives. One man danced during praise time while another man gathered his family to join him in the front of the church as he gave his testimony of what God was doing in his life. This man previously dropped his wife off at church, never talked to anyone, and never smiled. Now he is filled with joy, lots of conversation and lots of smiles!

Praise and glory and honor to our God who answers prayer and changes lives!

Team List: Guadalajara –– Glen Petta, Team Leader; the Rev. Sergio Diaz, San Miguel, Fort Worth, TXGuayabo –– Gail & Sharon Pressnall, Christ Church Anglican, Fallbrook, CA

The first days of the SOMA mission in Guadalajara were focused on the ministry of the clergy, followed by a Life In The Spirit Seminar for lay leadership. Both groups were chal-lenged in areas of commitment to the Lord, holiness in daily life, and

“I was really tired of pastoring because I wanted to please people and not God. (Now) I feel more friendships coming together and closer to the other clergy. I was going to ask for a vacation because I was tired, but now I want to work and please God.”

- Priest in Guadalajara,Diocese of Western Mexico

integrity in relationships.

Clergy experienced a powerful time of repentance and conflict resolution. “We need to live in the Spirit, not just have an experience. I need to live out this expe-rience in my life,” one priest shared. A woman whose life was transformed when she realized her need shared, “my heart wasn’t open, but during the seminar Jesus came to me with a key and opened it.” We were blessed by a move of God through this gathering of His people.

Directors Of SOMA International Convene In Jos

Much of SOMA’s ministry is about relationships, and as a part of strengthening partnerships throughout SOMA International, the Directors of SOMA meet once a year. The 2010 meetings included SOMA Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Southern Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom and USA. This past July the National Directors met in Jos, Nigeria, home of Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, International Chairman of SOMA. Northern Nigeria is a place where the war for souls is being fought daily. Archbishop Kwashi sends teams of evangelists to small villages and tribal areas to reach unchurched people for Christ. Since last year, there have been lawless invaders that have come in and massacred whole villages. They have also burned churches after Sunday services. There is an urgency to grow the Church in the face of the violence and to share the gospel with these invaders. Archbishop Kwashi shared that it was an encouragement for the

Christians in Jos are Hopeful in the Face of Persecution “It is encouraging to the Christians in Jos for the SOMA team to come in the midst of violence, because your presence encourages us to evangelize more.”

-The Rev. Justice Okoronkwo

Directors to be in Jos. The people of Jos had felt abandoned by the Church due to fear of violence. Archbishop Kwashi believed our coming would bless the city. The Diocese of Jos organized a mission conference that included the SOMA Directors and team members from their countries. Following the conference, the directors and teams were sent on missions throughout the city and adjoining regions.

Many people experienced the love of Jesus for the first time and others had significant encounters with God. One man, Gibson, who wore sunglasses because his eyes were sensitive to the light, wanted to share about his experience. “Before I received prayer I could not see clearly to the back of the church. After prayer I now can see the back of the church in detail, and also out the window and down the street. I can see detail.” Alleluia, God still heals today!

The people of Nigeria will never be the same. Neither will those who were sent. The Body of Christ is alive and well and working for the Kingdom of God.

Team List: Glen Petta, Team Leader; Mac Whiddon, McKinney Memorial Bible Church

Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi Speaking at Christ Church in Tyler, Texas

SOMA USANational Director Glen PettaMission Relations Debbie PettaAdministrator Jane ParrottMissions Coordinator Christine BrownAddress 2501 Ridgmar Plaza #99

Fort Worth, Texas 76116 Phone 817-737-SOMA (7662)e-mail office@somausa.orgHome Page http://www.somausa.org

Board of DirectorsChairman The Rt. Rev. John Guernsey

The Diocese of the Holy SpiritChief Financial Officer Kerry Walters

All Saints’, Woodbridge, VA Board MembersThe Rev. Christopher Culpepper Diocesan Mission Vicar, Fort Worth, TXThe Rev. Phil Ashey

Holy Cross, Loganville, GARon Davis All Saints’, Woodbridge, VACynthia Drennan St. James, Newport Beach, CARose-Marie Edwards-Tasker St. Luke’s, Akron, OHThe Rt. Rev. William Love Diocese of AlbanyThe Rev. Dr. Margaret Short

Las Cruces, NMClark Smith Christ Church, Savannah, GA

SOMA International Chairman The Most Rev. Dr. Benjamin Kwashi

Jos Diocese, Plateau State, NIGERIA

At the request of Bishop Frank Lyons, a team traveled to the Diocese of Bolivia on a SOMA mission of a different nature. In August, SOMA came alongside Bishop Lyons to assist with diocesan administrative work, as well as to bring fresh understanding and more practical skills to the tasks of the business office. It can be a monumental task to run a bilingual diocesan office and SOMA team members helped the bishop slay the dragons of administrative work!

Additionally, the team offered intercessory prayers and met members of Iglesia Anglicana La Trinidad in Cochabamba. A second mission to continue with further projects is planned for early next year.

Team List: Cindy Drennan, Team Leader, St. James, Newport Beach, CA; Storm Harvey-Freire, Christ the King, Santa Barbara, CA

SOMA Shares Skills And Prayers In Bolivia

“Mi experiencia en Guadalajara fue muy buena. Al principio un poco difícil y al final también pero el Espiritu Santo tubo control desde que llegamos hasta que termino. Fue grato ver como a través del retiro Dios iba cambiando la expresión de los rostros, transformándolos y llenándolos de paz. El Obispo junto con su esposa fue muy amable, le doy gracias a Dios por esta experiencia que ha enriquecido mi vida espiritual.”

“My experience in Guadalajara was very good. At first it was a bit difficult but the Holy Spirit took over from the the time we arrived until the end. It was gratifying to see the movement of God through the transformation of the people’s faces –– filling them with peace. The Bishop and his wife were very hospitable and I thank God for this experience that has enriched my spiritual life.” -Fr. Sergio Diaz

“We will not hide them from their chil-dren; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.”

-Psalm 78.4

For one weekend in October, Christ Church in Tyler, Texas experienced the vital ministry of Archbishop Kwashi. The Most Rev. Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos, Nigeria, trained community leaders at an Evangelism Workshop on Saturday morning.

He recounted how the gospel was carried to West Africa by The Rev. Samuel Ajayi Crowder, a former slave with extraordi-nary heart and exceptional courage, in the 19th Century. He shared how Rev. Samuel evangelized Nigeria, and commended the parish to do likewise.

On Saturday evening Archbishop Kwashi ministered among the youth and seven teenagers committed their lives to fol-lowing Christ. Later that evening a young American priest posed the question, “What word would you share with young American Anglicans seeking to follow after Christ?,” the Archbishop responded by powerfully opening up the Epistle to the Colossians over the next hour. Dozens of young adults sat in rapt attention, learn-ing about God’s extraordinary call on their lives.

Christ Church was full on Sunday morn-ing and Archbishop Kwashi challenged them to surrender every part of themselves to Jesus Christ. From the pulpit he remind-ed the church about the mighty work and faithfulness of the Lord. Then at Sunday school, the Holy Spirit powerfully moved among the congregation as the Archbishop shared from the heart about persecution and the cost of discipleship.

By the grace of God, Archbishop Kwashi blessed Christ Church and the Tyler com-munity immeasurably.

Archbishop Kwashi Ministers To Texas Congregation

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Director’s Corner by Glen PettaObedience is essential in our relationship with God and for our spiritual growth. If we are honest, many of us struggle to obey God in all things. We question our abilities, we trust our perspectives, and we evaluate our resources.

The Lord spoke to Ananias in Acts 9: 11-16. He told him to go Tarsus to a man named Saul and to place his hands on him to restore his sight. Ananias responded in fear. He had heard stories of this man and all the harm he had done to the saints in Jerusalem. Saul was coming with authority to arrest all who called on the Lord’s name. Still the Lord said “Go.” Ananias obeyed. We know that act of obedience affected the growth of Christianity throughout the world.

Many who seek to discern participation in mission struggle with questions of fear, inabilities, and their own perspectives. The Lord knows our needs and He has purposes for our lives. He is trustworthy. As we seek to obey God’s direction for SOMA, we have seen lives changed through mission. His ways are certainly “higher than our ways” and He purposes good for each of us. Will you continue to pray with us that His will be done and His purposes be accomplished through SOMA?