The Miracles of Simeo Melkio Ondeto: His Christian Activities as a Black Missionary in Africa Revisited - Volume 4(3 Charles Obiero Afullo)

Everyone who is a committed follower of Jesus has been sent by Jesus on a mission to reach those around you for Christ! Missions does not begin across an ocean or on the other side of the world. ....In your house, home, place of work among others. Every church needs to be a missionary church. Every Christian needs to recognize that Jesus sent you with other believers to bring the gospel of Christ to your culture, to your neighborhood, to all of your zip code and beyond for the glory of God. In 1970, according to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, there were 240,000 foreign Christian missionaries worldwide; in 2000, they were 440,000. In 2019 it was argued that "Africa is the most rapidly growing part of the church," said Sean Callahan, the president of Catholic Relief Services. It is also providing what he called a "reverse evangelization.'In the past, it was Europe sending priests to Africa," ..."Now this trend has reversed. We could examine the patriarchs, the judges and the prophets...all simply minding their own business when God's call intruded and turned their lives upside down. The call was never comfortable, convenien, but, when the time was right and the need was urgent, that call rang out-clarion and clear-and continued the pressing business of God's purposes. Ezekiel (called while in exile); Paul (was on the road to Damascus)-a calling he referred to throughout his ministry as proof of his legitimacy as an Apostle. Many Christians have the impression that church workers ministers etc - have a higher calling than other workers; ."When I'm abroad I don't use the word 'missionary' because of the stigma that it carries with other communities," Jennifer Taylor, a 38-year-old missionary in Ukraine, was quoted to have said at some stage. "I just usually use 'volunteer' or 'English teacher' so it actually sounds like I'm there with a purpose, and I'm not going to make you believe something you don't want to believe." She considers it her job to model a life with purpose, which she hopes can lead people to embrace Christianity without it having to be forced down their throat. It is because of these unique illustrations that the work of Simeo comes to mind. He was called as a servant of God. His endaavour to establish churches in Africa is critical in the spread of the gospel. He has contributed towards 'reverse evangelization' . The Miracles of Simeo Ondeto have been covered in four volumes under a series of 'Documenting the Undocumented'. The first volume covered the early life of Simeo, the African Traditional Religion, the Jewish Religion and the concept of Messiah. The teachings of both Jesus Christ and the Lejio Maria church were also dealt with in detail, the life of Simeo as a contradiction, the death of Ondeto, The second volume covered Ondeto role as a world leader, an African leader and a Luo leader. The third volume of this book covers facts on Kenya, Lejio Maria as an African Independent Church, Simeo as a missionary, prophesies around the world and the role of both Jesus and Simeo as prophets. The book also covers miracles, their classification and importance. The roles of miracles in the Bible is well documented as well as the roles of both Simeo and Jesus as miracle healers. It also discusses persecution from specific regions of the world. In an attempt to bring unity in the church, the author looks at the origin of the rivalry leading to the church having two different popes and Raila Odinga's promise to bring the two warring factions to a talking table for the sake of unity. The third volume also handles the issue of leadership and servant leadership. Simeo is considered as a servant leader. There are also comparisons between Simeo and other great African leaders. The testimonies from various people is discussed as well as a chapter on photo gallery. Some people have done researches on Lejio Maria church but it has reflected some weaknesses that I have tried to correct.