Dear friends,
Having recently returned from Kenya and Zambia, I am more grateful than ever for dear brothers and sisters who are passionate about receiving training in how to study and teach the Bible well.
In Kenya, I was blessed with a wonderful time with Rev. Kioko Mwangangi, a dear brother I’ve remained in contact with since I first went to Africa in 2005. He is the regional chairman for Nzaui region, southeast of Nairobi, in the Africa Inland Church (AIC) denomination. He is highly educated, a gifted leader in his region, a passionate trainer of other pastors, and is also a skilled farmer!
He encouraged me to stay with him at his home with his family in the rural hills of Kalamba, and although there was no electricity or running water, he and his family went out of their way to show gracious hospitality to this mzungu (white person). I led trainings with a group Kioko had gathered for two days as we prepared to launch a new Pathways network in June in this region. Kioko has an excellent plan of spreading Pathways to the 120 pastors in 92 churches throughout his region, and beyond that to many others in the Kamba tribe as they witness the growth in this initial group.
On Sunday, he invited me to preach in his church, and also teach a group of about 100 local young people about the dangers of Western influences upon African young people. It was so good to be back with my friend, and to anticipate growing close with this network over the three years to come.
Following my time in Kenya, I went to Lusaka, Zambia and met with Rev. Pukuta Mwanza, the Executive Director of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia. There are 250 denominations, 150 independent mega-churches, and a handful of parachurch organizations that are part of this fellowship, representing thousands of churches and many thousands of pastors.
Please click on video below to hear from Rev. Mwanza about Pathways in Zambia.
Rev. Mwanza arranged a number of meetings for me with board members and key leaders in the EFZ, as well as with a group of overseers from local pastors fellowships. Mwanza is a top level leader with so many political and ecclesiastical responsibilities, so I was honored that he dedicated so much time to me. We enjoyed sweet fellowship in his home, and I eagerly anticipate continuing to work with him and EFZ leaders toward establishing Pathways in Zambia.
Thank you for your prayers while I was away. It was a very busy time, with minimal sleep or rest, but God is faithful and sustained me throughout. Pressing on by God’s grace, Eric.