Russian newspaper profiles the Legio Maria cult of Kenya

On January 18th, the Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Независимая газета) published an unusual first-hand report on the indigenous Legio Maria cult and its “black messiah,” Simeo Melkio Ondetto.

You can read the article (in rough translation) here.

(HT: Dmitry Rozet of the Center for Apologetics Research.)

Wisdom for the New Year

For all aspiring defenders of the Gospel: Beware of these “Ten Pitfalls of the Foolish Apologist!” They include…

• Speaking before listening
• Trying to win every point
• Pride
• Seeking popularity
• Neglecting spiritual disciplines
• Lacking love

Are you willing to carefully, humbly examine your heart in order to faithfully represent Christ?

Is a doomsday cult reviving in Uganda?

Reports in Ugandan news sources ranging from the mainstream New Vision to the sensationalistic Red Pepper claim that 52-year-old cult leader Wilson Bushara is now distributing “invitation cards to heaven.”

The Eddoboozi news site quotes a Uganda Radio Network article explaining that “the Luweero cult leader has started issuing invitation cards to his 5000 followers that are spread in Luweero, Mbale, Busia, Kampala, Iganga among other districts to attend the last supper in heaven. Bushara is telling his followers that that the end of the world is drawing nearer and the signs are visible on earth, including lightning, earthquakes, and floods among others. He claims that those with cards will be taken to heaven alive and those without cards will go to hell.”

Since 1999, Ugandan authorities have investigated and detained Bushara, founder of the notorious “World Message Last Warning Church,” on a variety of accusations. He is perhaps best known for his proclamation that the world would end on June 30th, 1999. For a summary of reports, see here.

VIDEO: How You Can Pray for ACFAR

A personal word from ACFAR regional coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire.

A special event for ACFAR

On Saturday, October 22nd the Centers for Apologetics Research will host a special fundraising event in San Juan Capistrano, California to highlight and benefit God’s ongoing work through ACFAR.

Featured speakers include…

• Acclaimed apologist and author Dr. Ron Rhodes
• ACFAR regional coordinator Rodgers Atwebembeire
• CFAR Ethiopia director Tesfaye Robele.

To learn more and take part in this unforgettable evening, sign up here!

False Prophecy Creates Confusion Across Africa

Broadcaster Harold Camping is spreading confusion throughout Africa with his unbiblical prediction that Judgment Day will take place on Saturday, May 21st.

Billboards warning of the impending rapture have been placed in Botswana, Burundi, Cameroon, D.R. Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In Uganda, Camping’s billboards have been seen in both English and Runyankore (right), although on May 18th the Kampala Capital City Authority ordered them removed. According to the New Vision newspaper: “Simon Muhumuza, the KCC public relations officer, said they had ordered the pulling down of the billboards. ‘We do not know who put them up,’ he said, adding that it was unnecessary to cause panic among Ugandans.”

For Christian critiques of Harold Camping and Family Radio, see (for example):

www.albertmohler.com/2011/05/16/the-end-is-near-the-false-teaching-of-harold-camping/

www.alliancenet.org/partner/Article_Display_Page/0,,PTID307086_CHID560462_CIID1526032,00.html

www.redeemerbroadcasting.org/content/family-radio-alternative

www.refutecamping.com/

UPDATE: A pastor in the town of Kasese has openly repented of spreading Camping’s false message, according to a May 27 report in Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper. “I want to apologise to the people of Kasese and whoever heard my messages about the end of the world. I am very sorry for the inconveniences because I followed false prophets,” said Pastor Isaac Muhindo. “I am ready to go back to my church and repent for misleading the people of God and I am now going to follow the scriptures seriously without wrong interpretations.” The article explains that “Panic gripped some people in Kasese after the predicted doomsday was characterised by a heavy downpour that started at 2pm and ended after 7pm.”

A message from the East Africa Coordinator

As floods of western relativistic tendencies and postmodern idealism sweep the region, the church in Africa finds itself ill-equipped to sustain its relevance in an unpredictable, constantly changing society.

The most subtle and venomous enemy of the church is the invasion of cults—pseudo-Christian and aberrant groups, both foreign and traditional—now arising to challenge orthodox beliefs. Syncretism, unsound theological trends, widespread ignorance of God’s Word, a lack of discernment, social benefits promised by the cults, the unpreparedness of pastors, and other factors heighten the predicament in which the church finds itself.

The African church needs to stand in defense of the Gospel. It must emphasize both formative education and corrective discipline. It must seek to win cultists to the truth rather than simply brand them as its enemies. And it must teach the absolute truth of God’s Word, defending it from misinterpretations and corrupting influences. This will require biblically informed leaders, theologically knowledgeable men who are passionate for the defense and preservation of the Christian faith.

—Rodgers Atwebembeire

To schedule an ACFAR seminar or conference, click here.