Working Together as SOMA International

An abundant joy this week was working together as SOMA International on the mission team. A total of 14 westerners joined local Rwandan lay people and clergy to form a team or worship leaders, on the ground intercessors, translators, bible teachers, and faith bringers for deliverance and healing ministry. It was extraordinary to see all the Ephesians, Corinthians and Romans gifts in action over a 5 day period, which followed on some vital time together in Kigali for a conference and for our extraordinary International Board meeting with Archbishop Justin Badi.

There we elected Andrew Allan-Johns and Buli Wooley as Chair and Vice-chair of the board of National Directors, Kyle Spredbury as Treasurer and Henry Blair as Secretary. Those who had been at in person board meetings before marvelled at the work done which culminated in a clear call to work together, the details of which the national boards will review in the coming weeks.

One image was of SOMA as a baby wrapped in swaddling bands - already birthed, well cared for and obviously centred on Jesus, with a chance to grow and mature into a fully formed ministry over the coming years as those entrusted with its care nurture it carefully. There were many other prophetic words besides to share after boards have considered what we believe God is commissioning us to in all this.

We were movingly sent out by Archbishop Justin Badi (our International Chair) who especially prayed for the women (clergy and lay) on the mission to reach out to train and teach men in Africa and help other women do so too, explaining that as with Adam and Eve men often duck responsibility so we need both men and women (like the women apostles of the resurrection who witnessed to the empty tomb) to call them to the obedience that comes of faith.

The follow on mission then seemed to confirm the joy of working together (see next post) and we look forward to working and praying into this more in the coming months.