I just returned from Maputo, Mozambique where I attended the 9th Assembly of the All Africa Conference of Churches (http://www.aacc-ceta.org/en/ninth-assembly/home.htm). It was an intense couple of days in which my organization (Fellowship of Christian Councils and Churches in the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa) hosted workshops on human rights. Church leaders from every country in Africa were present and many others from Europe, Asia and the US. The conference was like nothing that I have ever experienced.
photos by AACC
The greatest gift of the conference was the worship which was filled with the rhythm and pulse of drums, the energy and dancing of people, and the communal witness of God’s love. During each service, the Lord’s Prayer was offered by every person in their mother tongue, which included: English, Portuguese, Shangaan, French, Kiswahili, Amharic, Zulu, and many others. Surrounded by prayers in multiple languages, I felt like the early Christians who encountered the beauty and the challenge of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The worship illustrated the diversity of the family of God.
The experience was eye opening. We were all stretched to acknowledge people from across the world who worship and praise God differently. We had to admit that we are each just one member of God’s family, and no member is greater than any other. I also recognized the necessity for gatherings like the Assembly, because in such circumstances we are reminded that there are many ways to worship God. (A prayer Nancy wrote with CWS colleagues for the Gender-Based Violence service is attached as a page in right column).
In the final worship service, I was a part of the international clergy team offering communion. In addition, I was given the opportunity to lead the congregation in “How Great Thou Art.” As soon as I began to sing, the choir and the entire congregation joined in singing the famous hymn. I left the pulpit, knowing that I was unworthy to share in the leadership of God’s people and at the same time in awe that God could and would use someone like me.
His Excellency President Chissano, Fecclaha Exec. Dir. Fred Nyabera, Rev. Shelvis Smith-Mather
In addition to the worship experiences, God gave me the opportunity to meet three African Presidents last week. First, I met the current president of Mozambique (Armando Guebuza), who gave the opening address for the assembly. Second, I met the former president of Mozambique (Joachim Chissano), who spoke in our workshops on Human Rights. Joachim Chissano was the president of Mozambique for 20 years and then voluntarily stepped down, even though the nation wanted him to stay in power. Everyone spoke of his character, integrity, and humility. He is currently working with churches to ensure the progress of the continent. Finally, I met Thabo Mbeki who is the former president of South Africa. I attended a small question/answer forum between him and about twenty religious leaders before getting to meet him personally.
God is doing amazing things on this continent. I feel extremely fortunate that I get to experience the Spirit moving in this land and that I have the opportunity to learn from God’s people in Africa.
Posted on December 21st, 2008 by Shelvis
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