I have arrived!!
The Journey
The Journey
After 9 months in Cape Town I have finally reached my destination: Mamelodi Pretoria!
After my 22 hour bus ride (which was
supposed to be 19 hours, in SA that’s
only on paper) I ‘landed’ in the inner-city of Pretoria. The bus-ride served as a fruitful time of reflection,meditation and preperation:
After my 22 hour bus ride (which was
supposed to be 19 hours, in SA that’s
only on paper) I ‘landed’ in the inner-city of Pretoria. The bus-ride served as a fruitful time of reflection,meditation and preperation:
Reflection: While being back home in Cape Town God has really helped me mature in knowledge and ability. People I met, re-connected and fellowshipped with have all played a role in this. There were difficulties and challenges, but all these were negated by the victories and friendships God has blessed me with. Safe to say, what I learned and experience at MDT I had to put into
practice being in Cape town, and what a ride it was!! Grumpy bosses, dishonest co-workers, ‘random’ drug addicts and homeless guys,difficult family-members and well-meaning church folk all assured that my 9 months at home wasn’t just a breather in between. I wouldn't change what I went through for anything and praise God for what He has done not only in my life, but also of those around me. Praise be to Him and Him alone!
practice being in Cape town, and what a ride it was!! Grumpy bosses, dishonest co-workers, ‘random’ drug addicts and homeless guys,difficult family-members and well-meaning church folk all assured that my 9 months at home wasn’t just a breather in between. I wouldn't change what I went through for anything and praise God for what He has done not only in my life, but also of those around me. Praise be to Him and Him alone!
I have joined the OM Young Hope team and together with two other guys will be staying in a house in Mamelodi. These past 4 weeks flew by so fast and already I have much to share!!So much has been going on and happening. I feel so blessed and prevelidged to be where I am...
I just want to thank everybody who has been supporting me, both spitirually and financially and through your prayers. With your seed of prayers and encouragement I will not be able to serve God as I am now. So thank you!!May you read this update knowing that you play a vital role some way or the other in spreading God’s love where needed…...
Acts 13:47-“For the Lord gave us this command when he said, 'I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.'
In these 3 weeks alone I have witnessed the hunger for Christ amongst the young people of Mamelodi. The only sad thing is that the youth leaders aren’t equipped on how to handle this hunger. There’s a great need for discipleship
here...and that’s where Young Hope comes in. We have been building relationships with youth leaders, listening to their hearts and finding out by them in which areas we would be able to serve them best. The response has been great and we are excited to get the ball rolling with these guys!! Monday we visited one of these youth groups, just observing and getting to know the members. The topic of discussion that night was “what do you appreciate
most about your mother”. Almost all of these young guys admitted that they have zero to none relationship with their mums, and when me, Mpumi and Ricky testified that through Jesus we have good relationships with our mums one of the guys asked me “so because you guys have good relationships with your mums and we don’t, does that make you more Christian than us?”. This question instigated a discussion filled with grief and sadness to such extent that even the youth leader started pouring out his frustration towards God and how he doesn't know if he wants to serve God anymore! This really saddened me and once again just highlighted the need for discipleship and a fresh revelation of the love of Christ. So next for us will be to continue reaching out
to these broken youth leaders and their youth groups and ask God to give us guidance on how he wants us to serve them. It’s amazing the response we get from youth leaders and their youth groups, when they find out that we
are actually staying in the township they are more than happy for us to serve them. They even show up at our house unannounced which creates a chance to hang out and build relationships with them
Young Hope is a dynamic ministry focused on discipleship,
missions exposure and youth development amongst youth and
youth workers in Southern Africa
We will be involved in:
• Discipleship programs, including
a youth camp Called TeenStreet
• Coordinating discipleship programs
in local churches
• Teaching and exposing young
people to missions
• Youth workers’ training
Younghope-dot-what??
Why Young Hope?
1. To create a framework for youth
related ministries
2. To understand the growing number
of Next Generation young people
on OM teams.
3. To learn to relate more effectively
with young people in churches, youth
groups and student world.
4. To create space for young leaders
on our teams.
“Even if I don’t get to raise the dead, heal
the sick, restore sight to the blind or lead
millions to God, Father just give me a heart
to love more”
Thursday afternoons we run a prayer meeting at the Vista university right here in Mamelodi. Students at
Vista do a bridging course and hereafter they either move on to TUKS, Wits or UP (University of Pretoria).
The meetings have been amazing! The students have indicated to us
that they would like us to meet together two days during week and
have us do a discipleship program with them one of these days. Again
one of the guys indicated that he would like me to teach him more
songs on the guitar and this has also opened a door for worship training
as a lot of them have a passion for music. These students really
want to know more about God and how they can reach out to people.
A lot of them are empty and looking for answers and news of our
meetings have fast spread through-out the campus and more lives are
added each week. Me and the team will be discussing ways of how we
can equip and disciple these guys effectively so that they in turn can
reach out to their friends and the other varsity students.
THE HARVEST IS GREAT!!!!
Friday afternoons we run a sports discipleship program with about 24
boys between the ages of 13-19. We teach them sport drills and games
and then link that with life-skills and a biblical message. The boys all
show an eagerness to know more about Jesus and the group grows bigger
every week. We end the afternoon with a soccer match where they
get a chance to put what they have learned into action. I have been
having very good conversations with some
of the older guys and each week they
come back with a lot of questions! One
of the guys, Bongani, had indicated to me
that he would like to learn how to play guitar and some of the others
would like me to help them with their homework and such. This will give
me a great opportunity to teach them more about Jesus but also to just be
their friend and help them wherever I can. My heart is just to sow God’s
love into their lives and see them reach their God-given potential.
Boys discipleship
here...and that’s where Young Hope comes in. We have been building relationships with youth leaders, listening to their hearts and finding out by them in which areas we would be able to serve them best. The response has been great and we are excited to get the ball rolling with these guys!! Monday we visited one of these youth groups, just observing and getting to know the members. The topic of discussion that night was “what do you appreciate
most about your mother”. Almost all of these young guys admitted that they have zero to none relationship with their mums, and when me, Mpumi and Ricky testified that through Jesus we have good relationships with our mums one of the guys asked me “so because you guys have good relationships with your mums and we don’t, does that make you more Christian than us?”. This question instigated a discussion filled with grief and sadness to such extent that even the youth leader started pouring out his frustration towards God and how he doesn't know if he wants to serve God anymore! This really saddened me and once again just highlighted the need for discipleship and a fresh revelation of the love of Christ. So next for us will be to continue reaching out
to these broken youth leaders and their youth groups and ask God to give us guidance on how he wants us to serve them. It’s amazing the response we get from youth leaders and their youth groups, when they find out that we
are actually staying in the township they are more than happy for us to serve them. They even show up at our house unannounced which creates a chance to hang out and build relationships with them
Young Hope is a dynamic ministry focused on discipleship,
missions exposure and youth development amongst youth and
youth workers in Southern Africa
We will be involved in:
• Discipleship programs, including
a youth camp Called TeenStreet
• Coordinating discipleship programs
in local churches
• Teaching and exposing young
people to missions
• Youth workers’ training
Younghope-dot-what??
Why Young Hope?
1. To create a framework for youth
related ministries
2. To understand the growing number
of Next Generation young people
on OM teams.
3. To learn to relate more effectively
with young people in churches, youth
groups and student world.
4. To create space for young leaders
on our teams.
“Even if I don’t get to raise the dead, heal
the sick, restore sight to the blind or lead
millions to God, Father just give me a heart
to love more”
Thursday afternoons we run a prayer meeting at the Vista university right here in Mamelodi. Students at
Vista do a bridging course and hereafter they either move on to TUKS, Wits or UP (University of Pretoria).
The meetings have been amazing! The students have indicated to us
that they would like us to meet together two days during week and
have us do a discipleship program with them one of these days. Again
one of the guys indicated that he would like me to teach him more
songs on the guitar and this has also opened a door for worship training
as a lot of them have a passion for music. These students really
want to know more about God and how they can reach out to people.
A lot of them are empty and looking for answers and news of our
meetings have fast spread through-out the campus and more lives are
added each week. Me and the team will be discussing ways of how we
can equip and disciple these guys effectively so that they in turn can
reach out to their friends and the other varsity students.
THE HARVEST IS GREAT!!!!
Friday afternoons we run a sports discipleship program with about 24
boys between the ages of 13-19. We teach them sport drills and games
and then link that with life-skills and a biblical message. The boys all
show an eagerness to know more about Jesus and the group grows bigger
every week. We end the afternoon with a soccer match where they
get a chance to put what they have learned into action. I have been
having very good conversations with some
of the older guys and each week they
come back with a lot of questions! One
of the guys, Bongani, had indicated to me
that he would like to learn how to play guitar and some of the others
would like me to help them with their homework and such. This will give
me a great opportunity to teach them more about Jesus but also to just be
their friend and help them wherever I can. My heart is just to sow God’s
love into their lives and see them reach their God-given potential.
Boys discipleship
“Too many people get angry about things
that do not matter instead of directing
their anger towards the things that do.
Temperamental people haven’t dedicated
their lives to a worthy cause “
that do not matter instead of directing
their anger towards the things that do.
Temperamental people haven’t dedicated
their lives to a worthy cause “
Should you feel God leading you to sow into this ministry, seeds can be
planted into the following account:
planted into the following account:
Operation Mobilization, Account number– 1500 600 302,Branch Code-632
005 Absa Bank, Brooklyn, reference-Mark Fowler
May God bless your heart!
005 Absa Bank, Brooklyn, reference-Mark Fowler
May God bless your heart!
Prayer requests
Financial support
For physical health. I have been experiencing an increase in back pains and stomach aches. Please pray
for healing.
For spiritual protection. Spiritual attacks are a reality for us as there are a number of sangomas and
witchdoctors in these areas.
For Gods continual guidance on which steps He wants us to take next and for the guidance of the Holy
Spirit in every aspect of this ministry.
For a girl team member. At the moment we are just three guys. Please pray that God will bring in female
team members
Thank you so much for taking your time in reading this. I know that God will bless your
heart. Please continue to pray for me as I reach out the youth of my generation, my countryman.
May God bless you and keep you…
All for His glory and in His grip
Financial support
For physical health. I have been experiencing an increase in back pains and stomach aches. Please pray
for healing.
For spiritual protection. Spiritual attacks are a reality for us as there are a number of sangomas and
witchdoctors in these areas.
For Gods continual guidance on which steps He wants us to take next and for the guidance of the Holy
Spirit in every aspect of this ministry.
For a girl team member. At the moment we are just three guys. Please pray that God will bring in female
team members
Thank you so much for taking your time in reading this. I know that God will bless your
heart. Please continue to pray for me as I reach out the youth of my generation, my countryman.
May God bless you and keep you…
All for His glory and in His grip
Mark
Contact details:
Email– mark.fowler@om.org
markfwlr380@gmail.com
Cell– 071 725 8814
Facebook– Mark-Shaun Fowler
Blog–www.markshaun.blogspot.com
OM– www.om.org/
www.omsa.org.za
Contact details:
Email– mark.fowler@om.org
markfwlr380@gmail.com
Cell– 071 725 8814
Facebook– Mark-Shaun Fowler
Blog–www.markshaun.blogspot.com
OM– www.om.org/
www.omsa.org.za
