wfn.org | ACNS3495 South African church leaders call for prayer and

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3495     |     SOUTHERN AFRICA	|     5 JULY 2003

South African church leaders call for prayer and support in the lead up to
historic church leadership assembly

[ACNS source: Anglican Diocese of Cape Town] Senior church leaders in South
Africa have called on the international Christian community to uphold the
South African church in prayer next week, 7-11 July, when Christian leaders
from all walks of life meet to attend the South African Christian Leadership
Assembly (SACLA), in the nation's capital, Pretoria. SACLA promises to make
history as the most denominationally representative church assembly ever
held in South Africa, and possibly even Africa.

SACLA will bring together thousands of Christian leaders, from all sectors
of society and the church, to look at ways of tackling HIV/AIDS, crime,
violence, poverty and unemployment, racism, sexism and the family crisis.
These giants are the major problems facing South African society and any of
them, unchallenged, could bring the country to its knees.

SACLA, a joint project between the South African Council of Churches (SACC),
The Evangelical Alliance of Southern Africa (TEASA) and African Enterprise
(AE), is co-chaired by Methodist Presiding-Bishop, Mvume Dandala, and
Michael Cassidy of African Enterprise. It will see an emphasis on
interaction, between Christians of different denominations, races and
professions; and ongoing action, birthing structures and relationships that
aim to continue to impact South Africa in a positive way for years to come.
In this way SACLA is seen as just the beginning of a process of cooperation
and unity as the churches grow and work closer together.

Because of the high levels of poverty and unemployment in South Africa many
underprivileged Christian leaders are struggling to afford the conference
fee (food and accommodation included) of US$205. As a result South African
business has been approached and has made a huge effort to sponsor these
individuals to make sure the whole of the church, rich and poor, black and
white, is represented.

Speakers at the event include: the first-lady of Uganda, Mrs Janet Museveni;
Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane; Catholic Cardinal,
Wilfred Napier; Presiding-Bishop of the Methodist Church, Mvume Dandala;
International Team Leader of African Enterprise, Dr Michael Cassidy; founder
of Walk Through the Bible and author of 'The Prayer of Jabez', Dr Bruce
Wilkinson; professor emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University,
Pennsylvania, USA, Dr Tony Campolo; Chairperson of the Independent Electoral
Commission, Mrs Brigalia Bam; and the current secretary-general of the
Assemblies of God, Pastor Colin LaFoy.

SACLA's progress can be followed on the web site:
www.africanenterprise.org.za/data/06sacla/saclanew.htm

For media details please contact Miles Giljam on:

Tel: +27 82 713 0276 or +27 21 465 1557
Email: milestone@webmail.co.za

___________________________________________________________________
ACNSlist, published by Anglican Communion News Service, London, is
distributed to more than 6,000 journalists and other readers around
the world.  For subscription information please go to:
http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/acnslist.html