The Bible speaks of a time of persecution in the early days of the church. The death of Stephen leads to many believers scattering across the world, spreading the word. It was a tough time for the church, for the people. However, despite the circumstances, this led to a great movement across the world, opening up a platform for the Gospel to be shared. For one of the places the word travelled to was Antioch, the location that became the hub of missionary travels.
The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Hubs of growth
Throughout last year, our brothers and sisters from Africa have faced a similar experience, and they too have felt God’s hand with them. During his latest update video on the work being done in Africa, Ps Lance shares about the two hubs for churches in Mozambique. One of these hubs focuses on bringing education to the people of Africa, in school as well as pastoral education for those who need it. The second hub faced a more literal persecution as they bravely stepped into Cabo Delgado. And this became one of the many examples of how God’s hand is moving in Africa, as this hub alone has added up to another 100 to 200 churches in that area.
Sent in every direction
In the south-western part of Zimbabwe, a leader named Nkolizi has been doing an amazing job planting churches in the rural areas of the country. In fact, he is now furthering his efforts around, by going north into Malawi and south into Namibia and other parts of South Africa. Churches in Zimbabwe itself, in regions like Harare, are growing so well, springing forth new lifegroups with the intention of each becoming a church one day. And some of these groups have already formed five churches! Just as the early church was sending people out of Antioch to share about Jesus, we are now seeing the same movement in this part of the African continent. Churches and lifegroups forming wherever Jesus is being witnessed.
Levelling up
Similarly in Uganda, many of the house churches are thriving. These house churches are raised to eventually grow into service-based churches. As of last year, there are four service-based churches in Uganda, combining a few of the house churches. However, between these four churches, they are overseeing about 200 house churches under them!
Ps Lance adds that God has absolutely blessed the churches in Africa throughout last year. They feel blessed with the amount of church plants as there are now over 700 churches in these countries. Each of these churches are thriving, eagerly expecting God’s move on their localities and the nation. The people are living as witnesses, causing each other to grow and love Jesus just as much, inspiring them to go off and start new groups where needed. And to think that all of this is happening because of the local people of Africa, who are intent on saturating their nation as much as they can for God. Especially with Ps Lance and Belle only being able to support remotely as they are back in Australia for most of the year. Thank you to all who have been supporting the work in prayer and finances. God has greater plans for Africa, and we can all be a part of it.
