#67: God at work in Africa
Doug Anson's Apologetics Notes
God at Work in Africa
Hello,
I’m pausing my previous series concerning dialogues with non-believers because of recent ministry news. This news is so encouraging to us that I want to share it with you. I believe it is an example of the Lord at work in the hearts and minds of our African brothers and sisters and appears to represent the fruits of AoM’s ministry work.
Our mission model includes the development of local apologetics ministries, both church and para-church ministries. As in the US, most Christians in Africa are unfamiliar with or do not fully understand or appreciate apologetics. Development of internal African church apologetics ministries, then, is a major objective. But to more rapidly spread awareness and knowledge of apologetics, it is necessary to work through para-church apologetics ministries because they interact directly with African schools, colleges, seminaries and even churches that wish to learn more about Christian apologetics.
We have been (formally) working in Uganda for the past two and half years (and informally for six years prior to the formation of AoM). After many mission trips, online teaching, and discipleship, a church and para-church ministry have emerged in this African country.
We’re working with a thriving church in Uganda called the Ishaka Community Church (ICC). Ishaka is a small town in western Uganda that is also home to one of the country’s major medical universities. The church is flourishing because it receives and sends out a constant flow of well-educated young Christians. Many medical students are Christian and make ICC their home for four or more years. Upon graduation, they are assigned to medical facilities throughout the country by the government and then take their love of the Lord and understanding and application of apologetics to fellow countrymen.
As a result, ICC now has an active internal apologetics ministry led by AoM-trained lay leaders. Head Pastor Sam helped identify emerging student leaders early in our ministry. These leaders have since recruited over 60 fellow university students and adults and encouraged them to take our online Introduction to International Apologetics course. These lay leaders and classmates are now teaching apologetics to adults and children in the church.
Some of the more recent medical graduates – both doctors and pharmacists – decided that they wanted to create a para-church ministry and take advantage of classmates who are assigned to hospitals throughout the country. This ministry is called Apologetics Uganda (AU). AU is now in the process of becoming a legal Ugandan non-profit organization. Its mission and objectives are expressed in the 6-foot banner shown below. Also pictured is Moses Covenant, the President of AU (and new doctor).
Moses led the establishment of four AU ministry teams located in east, west, north and southern Uganda. They are all actively – very actively – speaking at churches, elementary and high schools, colleges, seminaries, and bible schools. Pictured below are Lindah (pharmacist and leader of AU’s youth apologetics team) and Polly (doctor and member of the youth team) speaking at an elementary and high school. Note . . . the school sent all of the students to hear them speak! Also pictured is a flyer advertising Moses’, Jemba’s, and Brian’s talks at a high school (Jemba and Brian are also doctors and AU leaders).
Moses was also invited to give a presentation to the graduates at Unlock Bible School. Notice he is holding an AoM flyer and encouraging the graduates to take our next online apologetics course!
We could not be more proud of our students . . . our brothers and sisters in Christ. Their love of the Lord and willingness to serve is an example for all of us. Praise the Lord!
One final note. 36 students from eight African countries, Croatia, and the US just completed our latest online course. 12 are from Uganda and will now join Moses and the Apologetics Uganda ministry. Again, thanks to the Lord!
In Christ, Doug
Academic Director, AoM
“Always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect . . .” 1 Peter 3:15