Our ministry has been exceptionally busy this semester.  As I mentioned last time, I was made principal of a small seminary in North Africa outside the diocese of Egypt.  We still live in Egypt, to be sure.  And the Egyptians are the ones who send Arabic speaking lecturers to our little school.  But our goal is to lay an educational foundation for the brand new diocese of North Africa, which is expanding rapidly.  For one thing, the country of Chad just joined us, and we are working hard to set up diocesan structures to support ministry there.  And, thank God, one of the harder countries to get into has recently allowed a new clergy person in.  Most notably, though, is the consecration of Bishop Ashley Null for this diocese.  Some of you may know his work on Thomas Cranmer.   I am working closely with bishop Ashely in a variety of capacities, not least to educate our students in the ancient North African theology of Augustine of Cyril as the sources from which Cranmer drew for his codification of Anglican faith and practice in the Prayer Book.  Indeed, in Cairo and Alexandria I have the pleasure of teaching a worship class this year that covers patristic, Reformation, and modern liturgies. 

Null’s consecration was in Tunis, and we had a wide range of global leaders present, including Archbishop Samy from Egypt and the local Catholic bishop.  The new bishop is one of the most energetic leaders I have ever met – unique in his capacity for funding, organizing, and executing a wide range of plans.  We look forward to great advances in the diocese.  The previous bishop, Anthony Ball, moves on to a new position as the head of the Anglican Center in Rome. 

Tunis is an amazing historical site.  While I haven’t had the opportunity to visit the ancient site of Carthage yet, I joined a group visiting the Barda museum which houses hundreds of Roman era mosaics, including Christian ones.  I would highly recommend it. 

Finally, and most importantly, our new students can confirm that God is up to something in North Africa.  At least half of them began their Christian journeys with dreams of Jesus and, in one case, Mary.  These interviews were a good reminder of what we are here to do.  The students have little conception of the Christian divisions that ultimately doomed the late antique Church in North Africa.  Yet Western organizations have continued to compete and sow discord amongst Christians here.  We need to chart a better course, and I hope Jenn and I can help communicate the unifying love of Jesus in our work here.  Thanks to Dallas for all the support to this quickly expanding ministry. 

In Christ,

Jeff and Jenn