News > Africa

by Steven S.

Good Soldiers of Christ Jesus

We held our 2024 Africa New Year Conference from December 15–17 at the Sisters of Mary Reparatrix Retreat Centre at Entebbe in Uganda. Forty-eight national leaders and shepherds joined this conference: USA (3), Korea (2), Namibia (1), Nigeria (2), Rwanda (3), Kenya (3), Ethiopia (1), Zimbabwe (2), South Africa (4), Egypt (2), Zambia (1), South Sudan (5), and Uganda (19). The conference theme was "Good Soldiers of Christ Jesus" from 2 Timothy 2:13. This was the first joint African leaders in-person conference since the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference began with a presentation on a brief history of UBF in Uganda by Allan K. We could learn of the exemplary sacrifice of the pioneer missionaries to Africa, who raised many disciples in often difficult circumstances. We specifically drew strength from Msn. Samuel Y's pioneering spirit as a kernel of wheat for Africa.

The opening message was titled "Whether By Many or By Few" from 1 Samuel 14:6 by Msn. Joshua S. from Pretoria. Through the message, we could learn that God does His work by many or by few. We were encouraged to attempt great things for God with a soldier's spirit. We could see the example of many missionaries who have served African students by stepping out in faith and how God used them to raise many native leaders and disciples. As the African UBF ministry transitioned from missionaries to native leaders, we were encouraged to have the faith and courage to accept God's call to use us despite the many challenges in the African mission field. We were moved by Msn. Joshua's testimony, who served the Bible in Africa for 27 years after stepping out in an uncertain African landscape. After experiencing armed robbery and other practical difficulties, he could feel tired and exhausted. However, he has confidence in God, who can make the ministry grow by many or by few, even after handing over the ministry to Sh. Abia recently.

We heard the first main lecture from 2 Timothy 2:1–13, delivered by Sh. Joseph U. from Nigeria, Yabatech. The Key verse was: Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Through the message, we learned that a soldier's attitude is important for mission work. This soldier's spirit has been shown by the dedication and sacrifice of our pioneering missionaries, and this is a necessary attitude for native leaders intending to serve across Africa's campuses. He confessed that, having grown up in abject poverty, he is always overcome by the fear of future security. However, when he remembers the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he can have a clear sense of God's mission and calling. We received a special lecture from Dr. Ezra C. from Washington UBF titled: "Sound Ways of Biblical Interpretation: How to Correctly Handle the Word of Truth." We learned that for every passage we read, the context always 'rules" in interpretation and that Scripture must always be interpreted in light of its context. We learned that delivering powerful and impactful messages comes from a sound understanding of the scriptures. We also listened to heart-moving mission reports from the different mission fields across Africa. Despite many challenges, many labored to plant God's word like good soldiers. For the first time, all mission reports were delivered by native leaders.

Our second main lecture on the final day was by P. Ron Ward, titled "Have Faith in God" from Mark 11:1-25. We could learn that, whereas Africa is full of many spiritual mountains, these can only be moved by faith in God. We were encouraged that, by faith, Africa can become a missionary-sending continent and that God's work of faith has already been shown to us in the miraculous work in Rwanda, Mozambique, and Mongolia. Msn. Nehemiah K. (UBF Korea Director) gave the special benediction message, challenging us to be Christ's witnesses to the very end. At this conference, Dr. Livingstone K. (Uganda) and Dr. Moses O. (Egypt) were raised as Africa Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator, respectively. P. Ron Ward and P. Nehemiah K. (UBF Korea) prayed for them to undertake the great work ahead by faith. We thank God for using Msn. Joshua S. over the past four years, especially steering and coordinating African ministry during the COVID-19 period.

After the main conference, we held an intense training session for the Pan African Cohort Program by Dr. Augustine S. from Chicago HQ. This support is tailored to give native leaders specific training in areas like theology, hermeneutics, and church history, among others. This can better prepare them to effectively serve in Africa's unique mission field. Fifteen leaders attended this training with the goal of formally enrolling in this regular course over the next year.

We thank God for having this conference after a long time and despite many difficulties. We were moved by the many prayers and support that we received from our global co-workers to ensure that this conference takes place. Please pray for Africa to be a missionary-sending continent and to raise as many native missionaries as possible in God's time. Amen.