29 October 2011

The Rev. Emmanuel “Emmy” Nnyanzi of Uganda's Parental Care Ministries, or PCM — the focus of a newly released book, “So Much More,” — will speak in Smith County at several events beginning Sunday. The 44-year-old pastor and his wife, Sarah, care for and educate about 1,000 orphans with the help of Tyler physician Mark Barret, his wife Monica and the staff of Parental Care Ministries USA located in Tyler, Texas.

Nnyanzi was nearly poisoned by his stepmother when he was 14-years-old and ran away from home. His journey to faith through difficult and life-threatening circumstances — and his challenge to forgive his tormentors — is chronicled in “So Much More.” The book is authored by Patrick Butler, former Religion section editor of the Tyler Morning Telegraph and cofounder of ResonateNews.com.

Nnyanzi (pronounced “yawn-z”) is currently the overseer of 40 indigenous churches in Mbarara, a district in southwest Uganda about 120 miles from Kampala, the nation's capital. Barret became involved with the Nnyanzis and Parental Care Ministries after his wife, Monica, met Emmanuel Nnyanzi while on a visit to an orphanage ministry in Mozambique in 2008.

“Mark and I just knew that meeting Emmy was not an accident and that we were supposed to do anything we could to help all the children PCM cares for,” Monica Barret said. “The amazing thing is, we have learned so much more from them about real and genuine faith in Jesus, I think they have blessed us far beyond what we've been able to do for them. We are very excited they are here to speak to us, and hope everyone can come hear what they have to teach us.”

Emmy shared some his personal story on his last visit to Tyler in May, but this time “will be different,” she said.

“I feel like we're all going to take a 'deeper drink' this time around,” she said, “and people will be blessed if their hearts are open to what Emmy has to say.”

Nnyanzi will be preaching on “Overcoming Bitterness” and “Spiritual Warfare” as well as speaking as an advocate for orphans with the Tyler-based ministry Hope For 100 on Orphan Sunday, Nov. 6.

To date, the Barrets have organized 15 help teams from Tyler to Uganda, bringing textbooks, school desks, shoes, school uniforms, bunk beds and technology for clean water systems. Team 15 returned to Tyler on Friday.

Nnyanzi will speak at 11 a.m to noon on Sunday at Dean Baptist Church, 11567 County Road 1141, in Tyler. The subject will be “Spiritual Warfare” according to information from the Rev. Justin Hayes, director of ministry operations for PCM USA.

At 6:30 p.m. Sunday Emmy will relate his personal story at Grace Fellowship Church of Flint, 18802 Farm-to-Market Road 2493.

Emmy will appear from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. At Chik-fil-A restraurant in the Broadway Square Mall, 4601 South Broadway Ave. in Tyler, for a “PCM Night” dinner event that will allocate 20 percent of proceeds from purchasing dinner to benefit PCM, said Hayes.

Singers, dancers, comedians, and others are coming together to raise money for Parental Care Ministries from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Tyler's Got Talent Show. There will be prizes and “the promise of an exciting evening,” to benefit PCM at the Grace high school auditorium, 3001 University Blvd.,  event organizers said. Tickets are $5 at the door.

On the national observance of Orphan Sunday, Nnyanzi will speak at 9:45 a.m. and again at 11:15 a.m. at Green Acres Baptist Church, 1601 Troup Highway in Tyler. Emmy will join representatives from Hope For 100 adoption ministry with the “From the Heart of an Orphan” event.

"Pastor Emmy will be preaching on Orphan Sunday as we gather to celebrate what God is doing in the lives of the fatherless, and listen to what He is calling us to do in response,” said Hayes. “Come back at 5 p.m. for an exciting Ugandan event.”

From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 10, Sarah “Supermom” Nnyanzi will speak at the “Women's Evening with Supermom” at Grace Community Church, 3215 Old Jacksonville Road, room 203. Women will create a craft to take home “and hear pearls of wisdom from Supermom,” Hayes said. Registration is $10 for the evening.

An “Emmy Teaching Event” will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 12 at Rose Heights Church of God, 2120 Old Omen Road. Pastor Emmy will be teach on “Hearing God and Prayer.” Nnyanzi will also be interviewed live by Patrick Butler. 

A “Mistletoe & Magic” PCM event will be held Nov. 16– 9 at Harvey Hall, 2000 West Front St., in Tyler. Proceeds from Christmas sales will benefit Parental Care Ministries. 

“We will have a booth filled with necklaces, bracelets, banana balls, baskets, T-shirts, to benefit sweet children who need to be sponsored,” Hayes said.

A family Parental Care “Sponsor Christmas Party” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. At PCM offices at the Good Samaritan building on Beckham Road. 

“Come share stories and write cards for the kids. Bring $5 for lunch,” said Hayes.Nnyanzi will teach in-depth on the subject of “Overcoming Bitterness” from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sunday Nov. 20 at Grace Community Church, University campus, 3001 University Blvd.

A Farewell night “come and go” will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. At the Potpourri House, 3320 Troup Highway.“Come eat dinner and connect with Emmy and 'Supermom,'” Hayes said. “We may have copies of our new book for purchase and signing.”

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