Our workers in West Africa spent the first four years of their ministry working relentlessly to learn the language and build relationships. They were able to able to cultivate a significant network, but they saw little fruit. The Lord led them into a time of prayer and fasting. During this period, God led them to meet with three local Christ-followers. These followers had a desire to reach their country with the Gospel. And God forged a powerful new team.
Our workers were able to train these local disciple-makers in 3-Thirds Groups and the principles of Disciple-Making Movements. As locals, they had access to villages that North American Missionaries were not allowed to enter. They spoke many more languages and could communicate the Gospel in the heart language of each village. The momentum began to grow.
Today there are 12 local disciple-makers traveling throughout this West African Country, sharing the Gospel and leading 3-Thirds Groups. Hundreds of people are meeting in small groups each week.
This story is from the group in a small village (1,500 people) named Chamomile:
Over the last year, Abe (names have been changed for security) has been leading a 3-Thirds Group of several families from his people group in the capital city. The group has been passionately listening to God’s Word on solar radios and they are consistently engaged and motivated to learn more about Christ.
Last year, the group experienced great difficulties as they were forced to leave their home and search for a new place to live. They later experienced further grief when one young wife died suddenly leaving behind a nursing child. Many of the members drew near to the Lord in the face of the trials, but they feared the rejection of their families if they chose to submit their lives to Christ. They asked Abe to visit their extended families in the village to share the Good News with them as well.
Ready for Baptism
Last month, Kal, one of Abe’s teammates, traveled to Chamomile to share the Good News with the extended families of Abe’s group. He ended up staying several days to teach, train, and encourage the people of the village. The people were hungry to hear more about Christ and many decided that they wanted to be baptized. Due to the lack of rainfall and that the nearest well was 15 kilometers away, they were unable to do the baptisms at that time.
Persecution
Earlier this month, Abe and three of his teammates traveled back to Chamomile to encourage and train the new believers. Unfortunately, as soon as they arrived, devout Muslims from a neighboring people group arrived to deter the others from choosing to follow Christ. The villagers were berated, persecuted and physically prevented from traveling to the well to get water for the baptisms.
Abe and his team visited the village chief and explained that they were Christians who were sharing their beliefs with their friends. The chief then allowed them to take water from the well. Praise God! They immediately dug a hole in the dry dessert ground and covered the hole with a blue tarp and filled it with water from the well. Fourteen people were baptized that day in the makeshift baptismal!
A Growing Church
By the end of Abe’s journey to Chamomile, there were two different churches composed of 30-40 people each. These churches are meeting regularly to read God’s Word, pray and worship together. Several more people in the village have already given their lives to Christ since Abe’s departure. And since Abe’s arrival back to the capital city, two of the men from the group who reside in the capital have been baptized as well (including the man whose wife had died earlier this year.)
Abe believes that Jesus is going to continue to do mighty miracles in Chamomile. He believes that as they grow in their knowledge and understanding, many more will choose to follow Christ and be baptized.
Build the Momentum
Over 140 people have now been baptized in West Africa. The number is constantly growing as new villages hear the Gospel for the first time. The number of local disciple-makers also continues to grow. This team has a vision of building a training center that will allow them to train and send 50-100 new workers all over the country each year.
Learn More about this vision, the amazing work God is doing, and how you can be a part of it >>
