Dr. Gomis currently serves as Regional Director of Africa. He pastored for 11 years in his home country of Senegal. He served as Field Strategy Coordinator for the region’s Africa West Field. Prior to serving as a pastor, Gomis worked as the Operations Assistant for the International Organization for Migration (IOM). He has also served the Church of the Nazarene in a variety of positions, including Africa French literature coordinator, Africa West Field education coordinator, and as superintendent of the Senegal District. Daniel and his wife, Elisabeth Gomis, have served as missionaries for the Church of the Nazarene since 2012. He has four daughters: Raissa, Maiva, Sarah, and Tabitha.
The Benjiman family served as the first pastoral family of colour in the Morningside Community Church. They serve as a mentoring couple to pastors both nationally and abroad (having successfully raised and served two local churches, in full-time ministry for more than two decades). Dr. Benjiman currently serves as the Africa Regional Education and Clergy development Coordinator. He regards himself as a student for life and has been involved in theological and leadership training for over 23 years through various institutions. Rev. Benjiman has pursued a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies with the Rand Afrikaans University, and a Master of Arts with Northwest Nazarene University. He is a keen student of leadership and has a Doctor of Education Degree. Gabe is passionate about: Education, networking with church leaders, evangelistic outreach, leadership development & social development and empowering the marginalized. He presents radio ministries called “Hands full of purpose” and “In Focus’ on Good News radio and “Peace for Today” with World Mission Broadcast. He has a deep passion to express himself as a writer and social-media commentator. He contributed scholarly and clergy development articles and papers towards books published by various colleges and scholars.
Introducing our Regional Values:
Tuko Pamoja in Swahili means We Are Together. In this sentence, we have built our foundation, and we are constantly
reminding ourselves to see it working in Africa. This theme is what drives each initiative and ministry in our Region, and in
it, we find the roots of the four values. Each value serves as a reminder of the different lenses we have to be able to see God
at work. It is indeed to live under the mindset of Tuko Pamoja.
Authenticity
Authenticity is seen through the lenses of the Heart.
This first value reminds us of what it is to experience intimacy with God. It is to strip away from all the things that separate us
from being our real selves in front of Him. We learn how to come to God just as we are. Being authentic means being honest
with ourselves; We close the door to what is sinful and open the door for the goodness that is all around us. We become
aware of what truly makes us great, and in return, we see God for what He truly is, His authentic self.
The heart lenses open our hearts to experience Coram Deo – living every moment of our lives, what it is to live in simplicity
and just like Jesus lived, honesty and truth turn into a part of our real selves. The human mind begins to work from the point
of ignorance towards the truth.
Here in Africa, the church’s Authenticity must be preserved. The African church needs to breathe with her lungs, see with her
own eyes, hear with her ears. This is an activity carried out every time. It transforms into a call to honesty, therefore, allowing
us to interact between our ignorance and the truth. However, this does not conclude the acquired knowledge, as it is a
perspective of truth based on what you know at the moment.
Authenticity is dying to yourself, your desires and things of the world. And like a newly planted seed blooming with all of the
grace given to us. It is blooming with a heart that can attract others to live a life with Christ.
John 12:24 “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it
dies, it produces many seeds.”
Presence
Presence is seen through the lenses of a follower.
To experience Presence is to live in community; it is to open our lives to experience the kingdom of God first-hand. By
connecting with others, we share hospitality and love.
A follower serves his master and does their best to carry out the master’s orders, and as followers, we should do the same. We
learn to extend an invitation to others so that they have an opportunity to experience life with God. We bring awareness to the
things in life that need him, and with love, we are able to deepen our relationship with God.
On our continent of Africa, we exercise Presence by breaking the barrier of physicality, we extend an invitation to a life with
Christ to others through our different platforms of communication, and together we experience the joy of being present in
salvation. We understand the power of being present. Present in moments of joy, sorrow and confusion.
And in turn, we are surrounded by God’s presence, keeping us under his wings and providing support and strength in all that
we do.
Joshua 1:9b “..for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Relevance
Relevance is seen through the lenses of a new reality.
This new reality is defined by how we can leave a lasting impact in moments of interaction with others. We understand that
the value of relevance is one that one’s personal ideas and beliefs cannot measure, but it is instead benchmarked by the other.
In this context, it relates to how we present ourselves in the different conversations and relationships we are a part of.
If you can add significant value to conversations and relationships you are a part of, then you become relevant. There is a
direct reflection based on the point of contact. When we add in instead of breaking out, we are exercising our power of being
relevant.
To be relevant is to stand out and be important enough where you are needed. It is carrying out your life to be as light, shining
bright for all to see. We are inspired to be models of what it is to be Christ-followers and impacting the lives of many for a
radical change, making all things new.
Matthew 5: 14-15 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and
put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.”
Interdependence
Interdependence is seen through the lenses of the future.
The phrase “I am because you are” explains beautifully what it means to be a human. It directly relates to acknowledging the
significance and the impact we have on each other’s life. Interdependence is all about community living, how we interact and
relate to others, the impact our actions have on others.
Another phrase to describe it is “I need thus I bring.” When we see a need, we bring the thing to help eliminate the need, and
by doing the same, we create an interdependence. Our brothers and sisters complete us, and they, in turn, we complete them.
Through it, we become aware of others, and then we focus on building a healthy relationship that creates a dependence on
each other. We are used as the cure/remedy for another. We belong to each other.
We become one through Christ, and his Spirit abides within us, receiving God’s eternal peace that holds us together.
Ephesians 4:3 “You are joined together with peace through the Spirit. Do all you can to continue as you are, letting peace
hold you together.”