CHURCH members in Okehampton are continuing to forge closer ties in Africa. The Rev Simon Bourne from Inspiration (Church of the Nations) will be visiting Nairobi in Kenya this month to speak at a youth conference being held in the Umoja district of the city. He will be accompanied by Kevin Ball, also of Inspiration, and Chris Andrews, of Langtree Methodists. The youth conference is being held over four days but the team are staying in Kenya for a total of eight days. Simon spoke at the Dominion Convention in August 2003 and this will be his first time at Living Water International Youth Conference. Meanwhile, the Rev Mike Davies and his wife, Justine, will be visiting South Africa. Mike will be guest speaker at the Victory Masters Commission Graduation Ceremony in Jefferies Bay. Mike will also be speaking at the Victory Conference being held this week. Two local students will be graduating at the ceremony. Leah Bourne, from Okehampton will be graduating having spent two years at the VMC mission training centre. Sean Schofield, from Copplestone will also mark his two years in South Africa by graduating. Mr Davies said it would be a wonderful experience to see two people from the Mid Devon area graduate. ?It will be an honour to speak at the presentation evening. I had better prepare a good talk as they have all had two years of expert coaching on missions work, which includes how to prepare a good sermon.?
