North Africa 2024

CURRENT CHURCH LEADERSHIP

In the last 30-40 years, God moved among a certain people group in a certain region and many thousands were saved. Since then, an official denomination has been formed to which most of the churches now belong. Often in this country, the form of leadership most well known and experienced is that of a strong man at the top, who does everything, provides everything, and decides everything. It is not an easy task to shepherd the Church among the many difficulties and pressures believers face here.

PRAISE

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He make me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)

We praise You God, our Shepherd, for taking care of all our needs, both spiritual and physical. We praise You that You always know what is best for our lives, and we can trust You with everything.

CONFESSION

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave…” (Matthew 20:25-27)

We confess, God, that we are too often like the world, using the authority You’ve entrusted to us in ways not becoming of a Christ follower. We confess that we often do not want to be servants, but to be served.

THANKS

“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

Thank You, Father, for the Churches that exist here, and that You have given many leaders as gifts to the Church. Thank You for not leaving the Church without gifted shepherds to serve.

REQUEST

“…shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.” (1 Peter 5:2-3)

We ask You, the chief Shepherd, to strengthen the under-shepherds you have given to your Church here, to serve You faithfully. May they not lose heart in all the challenges of ministry, but find strength and joy in You. May they fulfill Your calling on their lives to lead in conformity to Your Word and Your will, not in conformity to the world.