Worldwide Prayer Meeting

Apr 9, 2025 | by Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee

Prayer Focus -

Southern Africa Territory

Cheetah hunting in the dry riverbeds of the Kalahari, South Africa

As we approach the celebration of Palm Sunday and Christ’s Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, we remember His mission to bring salvation to the world. Paul reminds us in Romans 5, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We thank God that each step Jesus took toward the cross, each humiliation He bore, and each agony He suffered was for us.

Prayer

Dear gracious God, As we close in on these final days before Easter, help us to carefully consider again what has been done for us. Thank You for the great love that sent Jesus to earth to live among us, to accept the limitation of a human body, to show us up close who You are and to see Your love in action. Thank You that Jesus did not turn away when He experienced the worst of what we are and took on Himself the horrible cost of our sins upon Him in His sacrifice for us. Even as we rejoice in our deliverance, help us to linger as we take into account the price paid for us. We love You, our Almighty Lord and Savior. We offer this prayer in the precious name Your Son and our Savior. Amen.

Background of the

Southern Africa Territory

South Africa: The Union of South Africa was formed in 1910. It became a white-minority parliamentary government in 1961 and instituted the infamous “apartheid” system that marginalized all non-whites politically, socially, legally and economically. This brought about untold suffering to millions of the majority population. The unjust situation brought increasing worldwide condemnation as well as increasing internal resistance that resulted in the economy worsening and increasing political isolation. This finally triggered change in the 1980s with apartheid being repealed in 1991 and the nation enjoying its first free national democratic election in 1994 that brought Nelson Mandela into power. His government worked hard to set up a free, non-racial government and constitution and initiated the long healing process with commendable success. Less success was seen in succeeding administrations, but South Africa was able to maintain free elections and transitions in power and a stable government.

South Africa remains the richest and most industrialized country in Africa with a strong agricultural base and some of the world’s largest mineral deposits of gold, platinum, and chrome. It also has done well with in the fields of finance and tourism while fighting the scourge of high unemployment. Social problems also include corruption and the impact of AIDS. There is still much to be done to correct the long term damage caused by apartheid, especially seen in the urban areas with shantytowns, slums and townships.

There is freedom of religion with a vast majority of the population claiming Christianity. The Global Day of Prayer was birthed in Cape Town and South Africa has traditionally had a strong mission focus.

eSwantini (Swaziland): A British protectorate until 1968, eSwantini is a monarchy with a democratic government. The excesses of the monarchy compared to the poverty of much of the country remains a source of controversy.

Its economy is mostly agricultural with exports of sugar, citrus and wood pulp, but there is also some manufacturing and mineral production.

There is freedom of religion with Christianity by far the leading religion, although there has been a problem of nominalism and the mixing of traditional African beliefs that has watered down the gospel. What is far more of a problem is the lax morality among believers has contributed to the largest incidence of HIV of any country in the world – currently standing at around 26% - and this is a huge improvement over what it had been.

Lesotho: A British protectorate until 1966, Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy with a most ceremonial king. While it has suffered some political instability in the past, that has shown improvement.

The country is uniquely challenged because it is completely isolated being surrounded by the nation of South Africa. Its mountainous terrain, poor infrastructure, lack of good land for agriculture, among other factors has left half of its population under the poverty line. Most live by subsistence farming. Sources of income include hydroelectricity, diamond mining and remittances from foreign workers, most of whom work in South Africa.

HIV is a huge challenge although progress has been made. There is freedom of religion and although the vast majority claim Christianity, it has been a nominal forma and often mixed with traditional African religions as well.

Namibia: A German colony from 1883-1915, Namibia was then ruled by South Africa until 1990. It gained independence after a long and costly war that severely disrupted the country. The major party, SWAPO, renounced Marxism and embraced multiparty democracy.

Namibia is a stable country that is rich in natural resources. It has mostly arid land and is sparsely populated. There is a large gap between the rich and poor, with large unemployment of nearly 20%. There is freedom of religion with Christianity being the primary religion and encouraging signs of renewal in recent years. Countering that is the high prevalence of HIV, among the highest in the world, although this rate has been declining at an encouraging rate.

Island of St. Helena: A British overseas territory, St. Helena is one of the most isolated places in the world, it finally opened an airport which was immediately dubbed, “the most useless airport on earth.” Because of its isolation, it has a weak economy with almost all of its revenue support coming from the UK. Most of the residents claim Christianity but church attendance has been declining with The Salvation Army and the Baptist church the only evangelicals present on the island.

The Salvation Army: On March 4, 1883, Major and Mrs. Francis Simmonds with Lt. Alice Teager opened fire in Cape Town. Other officers were sent to St. Helena in 1886 to consolidate work commenced in 1884 by Salvationist “Bluejackets.” Social services began in 1886. The Salvation Army’s first organized ministry among the African people was established in 1888 in Natal and, in 1891, in Zululand. Work in Swaziland (now eSwatini) was commenced in 1960. Having previously been in Namibia from 1932-1939, the Army reestablished a presence there in January 2008 and was given official recognition on March 11, 2008.

Facts, Stats and Leadership of the

Southern Africa Territory

• Total population to fish and disciple: 70,495,225
• 152 officers, 2 auxiliary-captains, 6 cadets, 505 employees
• 96 retired officers
• 164 corps, 64 outposts
• 18,129 senior soldiers
• 1,357 adherents
• 3,947 junior soldiers

Commissioner Torben Eliasen - Territorial Commander

Commissioner Denise Eliasen - Territorial President for Women's Ministries

Lieut-Colonel Themba Mahlobo - Chief Secretary

Lieut-Colonel Nokuthula Mahlobo - Territorial Secretary for Women's Ministries

Prayer Requests for the

Southern Africa Territory

Praise Points:

We thank God for the 10 young people who have committed to serving on the Territorial Mission Team for 2025.

We give thanks for the 8 Cadets entering the CFOT as part of the Keepers of the Covenant Session.
 

Prayer Requests:

1. Territorial Women's Conference (10 - 13 July)
   Pray for women to encounter God in ways that renew their faith, strengthen their hearts, and encourage their souls.
2. Territorial Music Camp (6 - 10 October)
   Pray for musicians to experience God’s presence, grow deeper in faith, and use their gifts to glorify Him.
3. Territorial Brengle (27 - 30 October)
   Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit that leads to deeper holiness and a fierce love for Jesus.
4. People to offer themselves for full-time service
   Pray for hearts to courageously answer God’s call to officership as the Holy Spirit continues to call people to full time service.
5. Spiritual hunger and holy discontent
   Pray for a longing for more of God that sparks revival, fuels bold change, and ignites faith in every junior soldier, soldier, officer, corps and center—a holy restlessness that refuses to settle for spiritual complacency.

USA Southern Territory

Prayer Requests

• The family of Jeremy Houser, brother of Lt. Jason Houser, who was recently Promoted to Glory
• Major John Birks, Conference Center Director, Conference Services
• Program Department
• Jennifer Matthews, Territorial Employment Director, Human Resources
• Robert Bailey, Computer Support Analyst, Information Technology
• James Whiteside, Computer Support Analyst, Information Technology
• Captain Josh Hinson, Director of Mission & Ministry, Evangeline Booth College
• Cadet Aniyah Downey
• Captain Jervonne Hinton, Divisional Candidates’ Secretary, Kentucky & Tennessee Division
• Lt. Colonel George Baker, National Secretary for World Service Office, NHQ
• Majors Algerome & Teresa Newsome, officers, soldiers, employees, and volunteers of the Kentucky & Tennessee Division
• Women’s Ministries

Something to Consider

                        They threw them at His feet –

                                    Those dying palms of praise

                                    Torn from living trees,

                        And they shouted –

                        There remained only

                                    Death and

                                    Hollow emptiness.

                        We throw them at His feet –

                                    Those dying palms of praise

                                    Torn from our living selves,

                        And we shout –

                                    Hollow hosannas

                                    Wrenched from our empty souls,

                        And after He has passed –

                        There remains only

                                    Death and

                                    Hollow emptiness.

                        We throw Him

Palms of pretended service,

                        We shout

                                    Hosannas of hollow commitment;

                        We let Him pass

                                    Without giving ourselves;

                        We are left

                                    With dying purpose and

                                    With empty existence.

                        We must throw ourselves at His feet –

                                    As living palms of service

                                    Rooted in His love.

                        We must shout –

                                    Hosannas of full commitment

                                    Lifted to His cause,

                        And after He has passed –

                                    There will remain

                                    Life, abundant, and

                                    Fulness of joy.

- Colonel Mary J. Miller

Benediction

Hear the words of Jesus: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Amen. (John 14:27)