As another year draws to a close and we celebrate the spirit of Christmas, I can’t help but reflect back upon the path that God has brought us. In doing so I’m astounded at how far we’ve come, and what progress we’ve seen. With that we feel awed knowing that this has only been possible through the help of loyal partners. Thanks to such generosity, 2014 turned out to be another remarkable year of ministry.
Over the years, my travels took me to almost every African country; investing much of my time into motivating, training, equipping and mobilizing church leaders and national churches to be more strategically relevant and focused on the Great Commission task. The fruit of this call greatly fulfilled me! The number of churches that were birthed and multiplied has been truly amazing! The number of leaders that were trained for ministry runs into the thousands! Likewise, we’ve also invested heavily into the lives of hundreds of destitute orphans. Therefore I am convinced that the vision, strategy and input of AFnet has been a powerful tool in God’s hand in accomplishing His purpose and plan for the nations of Africa!
Looking back I can see how my life’s journey has provided me with a profound opportunity to experience the Lord in a deep and very real way. I’ve had to learn with the apostle Paul what it means to have enough or to go without. I’ve learned what it means to be content, and to rest in the Lord’s sufficiency. And, when available resources did not seem to be enough to get the job done, I’ve had to learn how to leverage resources as a good steward of God’s provision. As president my responsibilities also include seeing that the work is sufficiently funded. And this has been a challenge. At times I’ve felt weak, in spite of my overall mentality to be “strong to serve.” And, with my motto in life being: “run strong and finish well;” My life in Christ has been an adventure to say the least.
I’m convinced that I probably can’t work any harder than I’ve been working over the years. I’ve run full-throttle in ministry. At the same time my leadership responsibilities and opportunities for strategic impact has greatly increased. And so, in the midst of on going financial challenges, I’ve sensed the Lord calling me to draw strength from Him in a deeper and more intimate way. Billy Graham once said, “It’s not until we come to the end of ourselves that we come to the beginning of God.” I too realize that in embracing my own weakness and pursuing intimacy with Him, God’s strength is invited into my life. I’ve sensed a new capacity to rise to this challenge.
Now I want to challenge you! As you consider your year-end gift I invite you to recognize the strategic leverage that your financial contribution will have as you invest it into the ministry of AFnet. Will you come along side us, and help us engage in ministry in even more strategic ways? Your financial contribution will help us do just that!
