Mission Africa seeks to strengthen and equip the African Church to disciple and evangelise. Our burden is to work with the Church as “partners in the gospel” (Phil 1:5).
Church.
All readers will have experienced the blessing of the Church, and unfortunately, we will also have experienced the impact of it’s complexity.
It didn’t take long for the early Church to experience difficulties and disunity as “the word of God spread.” (Acts 6:7) People who previously would never have associated with one another for reasons as simple as geographical location and as complicated as contrary worldviews, were unified through faith in Jesus as the promised Messiah.
As we read the book of Acts and the Pauline epistles, we see the conflict, confrontations and conversations regarding differing beliefs about how this new movement, labelled “the way” would be worked out practically.
This situation was uncomfortable for so many in the early Church as they struggled to call people brother and sister who were formerly viewed as unclean, pagan, pious or slaves. But God, in accordance with His plan to redeem a people for Himself, spoke to those who listened and would work towards, not only promoting unity in the Church, but also living it out.
While we have the written record of the blessings and controversies of the early Church to learn from, we continue to experience a similar struggle. We are all sinners brought into God’s family, not through anything we have done, but because of His mercy. It shouldn’t
surprise us then as saved sinners from every background imaginable that we find unity a challenge.
Samuel Bill (MA founder), while also a sinner, viewed the early believers from the Qua Iboe region in Nigeria as brothers and sisters in the Lord. He preferred the term ‘worker’ to missionary; as a worker could be black or white and emphasised the task at hand. This vision of partnership and unity in the Gospel is still the focus of Mission Africa today.
Times have changed politically, socially and economically. The world, and Africa in particular is a very different place now than it was in 1887 when Samuel Bill sailed from Belfast to Nigeria. However, God’s commitment to having a people for Himself has not changed. The message that there is “salvation in no other name” (Acts 4:12) than Jesus Christ has not changed. The prayer of Christ “that all of them may be one” (Jn 17:21) has not changed.
As a Mission, we are seeking to listen to the Lord’s leading to act in accordance with His will in order to be used by Him to build His Church in His way.
As you read this Dispatch you will see that Mission Africa seeks to strengthen and equip the African Church to disciple and evangelise. Our burden is to work with the Church as “partners in the gospel” (Phil 1:5).
While Timothy was working with the church at Ephesus, Paul, who had hoped to visit wrote
to him encouraging him through the following words, “you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:15)
God’s design is perfect. He planned before creation, that the Church would be a lesson to the world about unity and the power of His redemption. The Church, is to be an example in holiness and exist in a dark world as the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Mission Africa, through the unity of African and ex-pat mission partners, short term volunteers, supporters, staff and Council seek to equip the vast numbers of the African Church to live holy lives dedicated to their Lord and Saviour and be the pillar and foundation of the truth that God has designed the Church to be.
There are many challenges to this, such as poverty and greed, tribalism and pride, false teaching and false motives. Let us pray together that as His Church, the body of Christ, that we will be united for His glory until He comes or calls us home.
Paul Wright, CEO
2025 BEGINS WITH A FRESH NEW LOOK
We are so excited to share with you that we now have a brand new logo and website which are both now live! We are still very much the Mission Africa as you know it, but with a clean new look. Our website is the same address as previous - www.missionafrica.org.uk, just a much easier and more friendly user experience.
We’d encourage you to go and check it out, either on your phone or computer and there are many ways in which you can get involved with us; whether it is serving overseas, giving or praying; there’s something for everyone! It is our prayer that God will be stirring hearts to reach the unreached across Africa. We hope you like it.
SERVE LONG TERM
We also have two new exciting opportunities to serve in Nigeria for up to 2 years or more! Please do get in touch with us if God is calling you to overseas mission.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Mission Africa is committed to practically demonstrating the love of Christ to those in need. We partner with hospitals, schools and local communities to support Nigerians to care for each other. There is a need for people who can provide support and encouragement for our Nigerian partners in their roles of medicine, education, child sponsorship and outreach in the local community of Ochadamu and Holley Memorial Hospital.
Could you live out the “one another” commands of the NT in a Nigerian community?
Christianity is spreading rapidly across many people groups in Nigeria. While there is much to be encouraged by, the reality is that many people attending Christian churches do not understand the Gospel of the grace of God. Mission Africa wants to equip and strengthen Nigerian ministers, pastors and leaders to preach the Word, shepherd the flock entrusted to them and stand on the truth of the Gospel which alone can bring salvation, hope and light to Nigeria’s huge and diverse population.
Could you be used of God to equip our Nigerian brothers and sisters?
KENYA: DECEMBER 2024
“We must point people to Christ.”
These words were spoken by the Deputy Secretary General (DSG), Rev John Mbae Muraga of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) during a meeting to discuss their partnership with Mission Africa. The DSG summarised in one short sentence the heartbeat behind our partnerships and projects.
In December 2024, myself (Paul) and Catherine from the MA office along with Lauren from MA Council travelled to Kenya. Throughout our trip we met with both past and prospective ministries and were continually encouraged by the likemindedness of those we serve alongside, even from a distance.
Kenya, for many years, has been the focus of the Mission Africa’s short term mission programme. It was an incredible privilege to hear what the Kenyan receivers thought about the volunteers that arrive each year.
There were some amusing stories about cultural differences, which are to be expected and enjoyed! The ministries were all eager to accept more volunteers this year and desired to work together in planning, preparing and serving. This is a huge change to many teams that have been sent to Africa from around the world, where the team arrives, takes over for two weeks and then leaves, often to never be seen again.
This was great news for us as it has
been the vision of our Come See Go Tell Programme; to partner with nationals for mutual edification and life transformation rather than merely a short trip to Africa.
We returned to Northern Ireland with new opportunities for service and partnership in Kenya. However, we are humbled that these opportunities were not from the three of us planning together in secret what the Mission should do in Kenya, but rather from listening to what the various mission partners were sharing with us. Again, this is in line with the desire to do mission ‘with’ and not ‘to’ people.
It was a blessing to hear testimonies from people of all ages from different cultures but all united in the one Gospel of Christ. An older man in the Thogoto Home for the Aged, shared how he had effectively lost his family through alcoholism and sinful living but was saved in his seventies at the Home.
need for a saviour while at college and has been living for Christ since.
There were many more stories of lives forever changed by the Gospel which brings us back to the statement from the DSG, “We must point people to Christ.”
Our partnerships continue to develop and grow as we work together to see those who are “without hope and without God” to be “brought near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:12-13)
An elder in the Church of the Torch shared how he drifted through church services as a child but was convicted of his sin and
Mission Africa’s Child Sponsorship Programme would not be possible without the help of the Advance staff running the programme in Ogugu. We are so thankful for our partnership which enables us to help sponsor 200 children. Our Child Sponsorship co-ordinator, Innocent Abutu has now been doing this role for 10 years.
Join us in celebrating and giving thanks for Innocent as he shares some of his highlights and challenges below:
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS...
Greetings! My name is Innocent Abutu; married to Elizabeth. During my leisure time, my family and I spend quality time together to have fun. I officially joined
child sponsorship program on the 15th of December 2014 and in December 2024, I celebrated 10 years working with Advance Christian Compassion Initiative in the Donegore Centre in Ogugu as the member of staff coordinating the Child Sponsorship Programme in partnership with Mission Africa. My role is to coordinate the sponsorship programme within Ogugu.
Before becoming part of sponsorship, some families find it difficult to be able to pay the fees needed to send their children to school. As a result, many of them end up missing out on an education and end up doing basic tasks around the community and in the market to earn money for survival. With the help of the Mission Africa Child Sponsorship Programme in Ogugu
and in the surrounding area, many children have been able to go through school and to gain qualifications to enable them to go further in life.
A typical week starts with engaging in various administration tasks; from arranging and sorting the children’s school results and putting them in their files to visiting some of the sponsored children with their families in their homes. I also teach the computer class, lead our staff and student Bible Studies and visit the schools that the sponsored children attend to do a recap of what was taught on Saturday as well as monitoring attendance of the children in schools. I also manage the financial aspect here in Ogugu; I make and send request for funds to the Headquarters in Abuja - this is usually a request for school fees, books, uniforms, medical fees and medication, food-share and the general running cost of the Donegore Centre.
There are times throughout the year when it can be stressful. Assessment usually happens in August before the beginning of the new school term. There are times when I will not be able to meet the child at their home and I have to go again to complete the assessment. Letter writing to their sponsors is always an enjoyable time for the children, however it usually does not come easy to coordinate all children to write at the same time. Moses and Alex, two young adults, have been a great help to me in the Centre, they learnt Computer
skills from the Centre since then, and they have been coming to assist me with Saturday Clubs and computer training.
It may also interest you to know that many teenagers come to the Centre to learn Computer Studies and Tailoring. We have trained more than 150 young people in computer, presently the 22nd set of the computer trainees enrolled in June, 2024. A lot of them have been telling us success stories of how the computer skills they acquired is helping them in school and how it also gives them employment opportunities.
I am very passionate about my job and my favourite part is seeing the children happy and having the opportunity to teach them God’s Word weekly. The Bible verse that constantly inspires me to keep going is Psalm 23 which reminds me that the Lord is more than sufficient for me.
Remember to pray for our Child Sponsorship Programme. Pray for God’s wisdom and strength in order that we might keep doing the work and also pray for the children who are sponsorsed. It is my prayer that they would come to Christ as their Saviour and to keep trusting in Him. I would like to say thank you for your continuous help and support in putting similes on the faces of these little ones. (Matt 18:10, Matt 25:35-40).
CHILD SPONSORSHIP CHRISTMAS
Each year, all children on Child Sponsorship receive Christmas gifts with funds donated by sponsors during our ‘Christmas Appeal.’ This year, we were able to purchase new school shoes for every child, alongside a wellbeing pack consisting of toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, sponge, comb and water bottle. We were also able to buy new sports equipment to use during the Saturday Bible Programmes.
The children were excited to have a Christmas party held at the centre, especially the children who had just joined the sponsorship as it was their first Christmas party! On 14th December, they came dressed in their finest clothes and danced, played games and Auntie Becky made some delicious food which they ate together. For some children, meat is a real
PROJECT SURGE
Together with our Nigerian partners, we have created a programme specifically for the teenage girls on sponsorship. A number of the girls currently live with various family members and often their needs get neglected.
Project SURGE is a programme designed for teenage girls, to mentor and build confidence in them through Christ-
treat, so there was much excitement! A number of children wanted to bring their take away box home to share with family. You can see these boxes in the photos.
Innocent reminded the children and teenagers about the real meaning of Christmas and how they have a choice to follow God’s truths or the way of the world.
Each child also received their food share of rice, beans, salt and maggi cubes. This is a significant food package during a period when food prices escalate.
Many families are overwhelmed by the kindness of those they have never met. We continue to pray for these families, that they may see God’s hands in each act of kindness and each letter received.
centred relationships, life-skills training and interactive learning. The hope is to encourage spiritual growth, personal development and leadership training.
The mission of SURGE is to develop personal character, abilities and skills to teach them ways to discover how to serve others and most especially to win peers over to Christ.
Thanks to the generous donations from Hamilton Baptist Church in Scotland, our partners in Ogugu will be able to hold a 3 day programme during the Easter break. Some of the topics they will cover are: selfesteem, proper management of emotions & feelings, maintaining healthy personal hygiene and relationships.
Throughout these topics the gospel will be
intertwined challenging the girls to live a gospel centred life.
Afterwards, we hope to distribute a number of sanitary items to each girl. This may become a quarterly addition to the food share, to assist the young girls, especially with increasing inflations of items.
MEET JOSEPH SHAIBU
For those of you who were at our Prayer Morning in November 2024, you would’ve heard an audio clip of Joseph Shaibu’s story. Mission Africa is currently supporting him through his PHD Programme in Nigeria along with several other students in Kenya and the Ivory Coast. Our partnership with churches and theological colleges across Africa are foundational in enabling more people to hear the good news of Jesus.
Read Joseph’s story below:
Hi. I am Pastor Joseph Shaibu (pictured to the right of the above photo), a lecturer at Peter Achimugu College of Theology (PACT) in Kogi State, Nigeria. My journey with God began at a very young age, specifically during the years where I attended Sunday School. And that encounter has led me to surrender my life totally to God’s service, to God’s kingdom. And in 2007, I was led by the Lord to enroll in my theological training at PACT.
And after my first degree, I decided to
study further and enrol in a second degree from the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (TCNN), Jos in Nigeria. And then in 2014, I returned to PACT where I began my lecturing journey. My desire to know more and delve deeper continued and I recently enrolled in a PHD Programme.
Thanks to Mission Africa for your support and for sponsorship. Theological training had really helped to deepen my spiritual understanding and the knowledge of God’s word, and has helped me also to know
how to pass this knowledge to others, to younger generations, to younger pastors who, like me, have also received the call and burning desire to serve the Lord. And since my arrival here, I have taught and encouraged and have been able to recruited them into the field of kingdom service.
I have also engaged in rural evangelism and rural outreach as well as discipleship of young pastors, students and even children through the Good News Club that is organised on campus for them. My journey and the work for the Lord here has really been interesting. It is clear that God has been leading, and I’ve seen the hand of God in my life and upon my ministry. And with the desire to serve him, the desire to do more, for the Lord had never waned since then.
I know that God still has still a lot in store for my life, and a lot in store for His kingdom through my life. I want to thank you all for helping support me in all that God has been calling me to do. And those who are still willing to help to support the work of God upon my life, thank you. Specifically, to Mission Africa for the financial and prayerful support in what He is doing through me. I want to thank you all for your commitment to God’s work. Thanks for your prayers.
I pray that the Lord will bless you real good. Thank you. God bless you. Amen.
Could you be part of Joseph’s story?
Pray daily for Joseph as he continues through his PHD Programme. (Prayer request)
Joseph is currently being sponsored by Mission Africa through his PHD. If you would like to be part of supporting him over the course of this year, you can donate via our website; www.missionafrica.org.uk/give or through contacting our office. Please mark any donations with ‘Scholarships’ along with Joseph’s name.
We hope to keep you up to date through our magazines, prayer news and social media. If you do not yet receive our magazine or prayer monthly, you can do so by emailing news@missionafrica.org.uk
‘God is continuing to work in the lives of the Fulani and it is only through Him that lives are being transformed!’
- David Onouche
REACHING THE FULANI WITH THE GOSPEL
Throughout this Dispatch magazine, you are discovering the theme of ‘partnership.’ This is another example where we had the joy to be able to partner with Megavoice to be able to provide 30 Solar Audio Bibles to Revd David Onouche who was able to distribute them amongst the Fulani people group in Nigeria.
These are digital solar powered mp3 players which contain the Bible in the Fulani dialect along with access to local Christian radio stations. Many of the Fulani are unable to read or write, but listening to an audio player enables them the opportunity to hear God’s Word spoken to them.
With the help of Samantha Ibia, we were able to transport these to Nigeria to be given out in October 2024.
David writes;
I am so grateful to God for the 30 Solar Audio players in the Fulfulde dialect. They are very precious to our ministry to the Fulani’s in the central Nigeria! Since we have received them, we have been giving them out to the Fulani people free of charge.
Before we give it out, we pray that God would carefully guide us in who He wants it to go to. We do not give them out to everyone and unfortunately, not every Fulani will receive one. We give to those who are interested and those whom we feel God is convicting with Holy Spirit, therefore knowing that they will make use of it.
As we give them out, it is our prayer that God would speak into the lives of everyone who receives one and that as they listen to the words being spoken, that their hearts begin to open up to wanting to know more about Him. After few weeks, we go back to them for the follow up. We spend time with them and ask them if they have found the device useful, what they are learning and if they have any questions that need answered or discussed. We have found it to be a mixture of responses. Some people are very encouraging while others are not serious with them
One of the men that we met, we could tell from the beginning that he was going to be very serious in how he uses it.
His name is Mr Lliasu (pictured below). Since receiving the device, he has listened carefully, asked many questions about Jesus and about his own life. We were able to teach him how to pray and he has since given his life to Jesus as His Lord and Saviour.
Please keep praying for Mr Llisau and his family that they will continue to be encouraged through reading the Bible, that their love for Him would grow stronger every day and for David as he continues to minister to Mr Llisau and other members of the Fulani tribe, that you will give him wisdom in who to give an audio player too and that more lives would be reached for His glory.
LEADERS OF A DIFFERENT KIND
In July 2024, my third book, ‘Leaders of a Different Kind’ was published by Africa Christian Textbooks (ACTS). It is presently available in ACTS branches throughout Nigeria, as well as on Amazon.
My prayer is that God will use this book to re-set our hearts and minds, and breathe new life into our ministries, for His sake and for His glory.
- Gail Ekanem
Before a book makes the light of day, it has already been born in the heart and mulled around in the mind of the author for some time before. This is followed by writing, re-writing and further re-writing until deemed by the editor that it is ready for publication.
So, it is with great joy that I finally announce its availability! Thanks to those who prayed for me fervently throughout the long process. It is done!
My long and deep involvement with theological education and my interaction with students and ministers since 2000, when I arrived newly to Samuel Bill Theological College, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, has been the catalyst for such a book. I delight in God’s Word and I have often been intrigued by Jesus’ relationship with the religious leaders. It would appear that he came down quite hard on them for their lack of understanding. Often there are times when they had moved far from God’s original intent. Jesus really ruffled their feathers, though it was always with a compassionate heart longing for a transformation in their lives and ministry. He stood against the leadership model of the day and trained his disciples to be ‘leaders of a different kind’; leaders who followed his own example and whose ministries were characterised by sacrificial love and
humble service.
I am overjoyed that Mission Africa has included ‘Leaders of a Different Kind’ as part of the annual gift set which was distributed to the delegates at the 137th United Evangelical Church Conference in Aba from 10th to 13th December 2024. As the economy of Nigeria is struggling, though books are still vital, priorities have understandably shifted to putting food on the table, and I am thrilled that so many delegates will get this as a gift. My prayer is that God will use this book to re-set our hearts and minds, and breathe new life into our ministries, for his sake and for his glory. Let us continue to strive to truly be ‘Leaders of a Different Kind.’
Partnership in the Gospel
Just as Gail has mentioned above, Leaders of a Different Kind was produced through a partnership. A partnership where Gail; the author worked alongside an editor and publisher; Africa Christian Textbooks in order to bring the book to fruition. If one stage was skipped, the book would not have been published. And so without this partnership, the end goal would not be met. God commands us to reached the unreached with the Gospel, but He doesn’t ask us to do it alone, we are encouraged to work together and in partnership and fellowship; ‘for just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ...For the body does not consist of one member but of many.’ 1 Corinthians 12:12,14
UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH MISSIONARY RETREAT
The United Evangelical Church in Nigeria held a retreat in Port Harcourt in November 2024 for their missionaries. It was an opportunity to come together to meet with other missionaries and to hear how God is changing lives throughout Nigeria and futher afield.
Revd Godwin Ekanem was able to attend the retreat and spoke to 4 missionaries about how they have seen God at work in the areas in which they are serving. He asked them each 2 questions:
Tell us your name and the area in which you serve:
[Monday Ugbede] My name is Monday Noah Ugbede. I finished studying at Peter Achimugu College of Theology and now I am currently serving in Abuja. I have been here for 3 years.
[Promise] My name is Pastor Onawatchinga Promise and I am pastor of the United Revivial Church of God. I have been based in Uyo for 3 years now.
[Alex] I am Pastor Alex Ayo and I have been a missionary in the Lagos Superintendancy where I serve in Ejago. I’ve been here for 2 years.
[Monday Adamu] My name is Reverend Monday Adamu and I am currently a missionary from Nigeria but serving in the Niger Republic. I’ve been here for 11 years.
How have you seen God at work in your mission field or in your own personal life?
[Monday Ugbede] - God has always been present and we can recall several encounters where God has been faithful, especially
amongst Muslims. There is now unity in our church and we have people joining together who would never have entered a church building before, now worshipping the one true God. We have seen the church growing numerically. One of our members initally came to church and saw the love and joy that people had and he said ‘I want that, I want what you have.’ After several weeks of coming along to church, he gave his life to Christ and is now an active member of our congregation.
[Promise] We have seen hand of God is the lives of His people. There have been many people whom I have met, who have wanted to give up on their faith, but God has intervened and has given me words of encouragement to speak over them enabling them to remain ‘strong and courageous’.
‘Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.’ Psalm 125:1. Our mission field is not easy, but God is sustaining us. God is doing something really exciting in our village and I have learnt to constantly depend on God as he has called me to this ministry.
[Alex] God has been so faithful to us where he has provided for our needs in miracalous
ways. Our community is filled with people from many different tribes and some can be very wicked. But God has enabled us to overcome many challenges and today, the church is still standing through faithful prayer and God’s sustaining power. God answers prayers and our mission field is thriving with many different tribes now worshipping together.
[Monday Adamu] If it wasn’t for God, we would not be here in the Niger Republic. God has been faithful and has never left us where he has helped us overcome many challenges and much persecution from villagers but God has called us to serve here and we have seen His hand in all that we seek to do.
There have been many challenges in my own life too, but it is clear that God has given me a passion to reach those who have never heard of Him before and to see lives transformed. My daughter passed away a few years ago from an accident, but God sustained us and brought us through so. He has been faithful throughout my 11 years in serving Him as a missionary and I am so thankful to be able to serve in this way.
The final night of Come See Go Tell 2024 took place at the end of November and it was a joy to celebrate how the Lord has been transforming the lives of each of those on through the program and through the teams each person served on this summer. Below are a few CSGT highlight photos from our monthly meetings and summer events.
Applications for 2025 closed at the beginning of January and we are excited to announce that we have 3 teams along with medical electives, a school team and church team going to Africa this summer.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel Romans 1:16
This team is an exciting opportunity to work alongside one of our ministry partners in Kenya; a vulnerable women’s centre and an adjoining school. Members of this team will be running a discipleship programme for men and women, teaching them about who Jesus is.
We offer Ministry Medical Elective placemtns to students in their 4th and 5th year of study which combines experience of working in a Kenyan hospital and serving the local ministry projects that we partner with. These elective placements can be run throughout the year.
This team will be partnering with local churches in Kenya; running programmes for young adults and teenagers, as well as helping to equip and grow their youth and children’s leaders. Street evangelism is another significant aspect of this team.
This is an exciting new team for Mission Africa this year. This team will be partnering with the Ekanem family in Uyo, Nigeria. They’ll assist in running the children’s Bible club along with training sessions for children’s minsitry leaders as well as various village outreaches.
ENGLAND REGIONAL MOBILISERS
Do you have a passion for the work of Mission Africa? Why not consider working for us as representatives at Mission Events, Churches, and Youth Groups across England to share what God is doing in Africa.
We are seeking to employ enthusiastic individuals for 3 days per week to be proactive in seeking out new ways of promoting the work of Mission Africa across England and encouraging people to get involved in our work.
For more details, contact: opportunities@missionafrica.org.uk | www.missionafrica.org.uk
MISSIONARY NEWS
This section gives a brief update and most recent prayer requests of those serving in Africa. If you would like to keep up to date with more regular prayer news, please sign up to our Prayer Monthly Newsletter which can be emailed or posted to you at the beginning of each new month. You can do this on www.missionafrica.org.uk/prayer or by filling in the back page of this magazine.
MARK NIXON
Mark is currently making plans to return to Nigeria in February. He will be applying for his visa over the coming weeks; pray that the application process is smooth and there are no hidden complications. As Mark arrives in Nigeria, remember to pray for him as he begins to adjust and settle back into life at the college.
KATHRYN LINDSAY
Kathryn Lindsay is currently on Home Assignment. Give thanks that she was able to spend Christmas at home in Northern Ireland with her family and friends. Continue to pray for her as she rests; both physically and spiritually. Pray for wisdom as Kathryn considers her next steps and where God is calling her to.
IBIA FAMILY
Give thanks that the Ibia family were able to rest and enjoy some much needed family time over the Christmas period before schools resumed in January again.
Continue to pray for the connections that are
being made in local churches in partnering with the work of FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students.) Give thanks that in December, the Ibia’s were connected to a Reverend from a local church with quite a few students in attendance; many of whom have heard of Fellowship of Christian Students. Pray for more opportunities like this.
MORRISON FAMILY
David and Lucy Morrison are expecting their 3rd baby in April. Pray for them as they begin to make preparations to return home in March and plan to hand over the Acacia ministry for several months whilst at home. Pray for one of the Acacia graduates as she’ll be taking on more of a leadership role during this period.
Pray for the Morrison family; for the safe arrival of the new baby and as they adjust to life as a family of 5.
GAIYA FAMILY
Give thanks that the Gaiya’s had a restful Christmas period. Pamela’s mum Jean sadly passed away in early January; give thanks that Pamela was able to return home for her funeral and to spend some time together with her
family in Northern Ireland.
Pray for the family as they grieve the loss of a wife, mum and grandmother. Pray also for Gracie and Musa who remained in Nigeria. Pray that God would surround each of them with his love over the following weeks and months.
ANA VAN BRAKEL
Ana was able to have some much needed rest over the Christmas period where she spent a few weeks at home with her family celebrating Christmas and her Dad’s 80th birthday.
Ana is looking forward to receiving Robbie & Margaret Toop for a visit to the Ivory Coast in mid February. Pray for this visit, that it will be a time of encouragement for all.
EKANEM FAMILY
December were an extremely busy time for the Ekanem family. It was filled with various outreaches and kids’s clubs. Give thanks to God that all was successful and that they were able to spend time with their Nigerian family over the Christmas period.
The Ekanems are very excited to be making plans and preparations for the Nigeria summer team who they will have the privilege of hosting in the summer. Pray that as they work together with Catherine Pope to make arrangements, that all the plans and preparations for the team will go smoothly.
‘MISSIONARIES ARE SIMPLY A BUNCH OF NOBODIES...TRYING TO EXALT A SOMBODY’
DISTRIBUTING BIBLES TO THE KENYAN POLICE ASSOCIATION
As many of you are aware; the late Revd Dr Paul Bailie had a long standing partnership with and a heart for the Kenyan Police Association and in 2020, Mission Africa had a team of retired police officers from Northern Ireland, travel to Kenya to encourage, train and share the Good News with them.
Due to generous donations since Paul’s passing, we have been able to partner with Biblica; a global Bible ministry to be able to produce 6,700 Kiswahili New Testaments, customized with Psalms, the Kenya Police logo, and an encouraging gospel message insert from us. Paul Wright had the privilege whist in Kenya in December 2024 of delivering these Bibles to the Kenyan Police. At Kilimani Police Station, we were able to deliver the New Testaments and shared fellowship together over food.
One officer shared; ‘while as policemen we take much comfort from the possession of a gun, we realize that the Word of God you have given us is stronger than the gun. This is a true refuge and the real sword that can take care of a policeman beyond the physical.’
It is our prayer that these men and women would be encouraged as they read the Scriptures and that it won’t just be ‘head knowledge’ for them but that they would begin to love Jesus and trust him as their own personal Saviour.
MEET SHELDON
Sheldon along with his wife Lynn and their children live in Donaghadee and he is the latest member to join Mission Africa’s council. Sheldon joined in October 2024 and with a love for Jesus, a heart for mission and a background in finance, brings many valuable skills on board. He’ll be at our events throughout the year, make sure welcome him to Mission Africa.
Sheldon Wiggill
How did you originally become involved in Mission Africa?
I first heard about Mission Africa through Paul Wright. Paul is a friend at my local church, Scrabo Hall.
What made you decide to join the Mission Africa Council?
Paul asked if I would consider becoming a member of council as I had offered him my help when he took on his new role as CEO last September.
I am originally from South Africa, and worked for Youth for Christ in South Africa as their Finance Manager so I am able to assist both Paul & Ashleigh with financial matters that arise. I am looking forward to serving, and playing a small part in the important work of fulfilling the Great Commission.
What has been your highlight as a council Member?
I have only been on council for a few months. A highlight has been the day back in June at Newtownbreda Baptist Church where I got to meet a number of MA staff, council members, and missionaries. It was encouraging to learn about the incredible work that is being done to share the Good News about Jesus Christ.
30 DAYS OF PRAYER
READ PRAY
We would encourage you to read through this magazine and also to take a look at our new website. Read though stories of how God is at work across Africa and ask yourself; is God stirring your heart to get involved in His mission? There are so many ways that you can get involved with us. Start your story today!
We have changed the layout of our Prayer Monthly newsletter to allow our supporters to spend 30 seconds each day praying through it and praying more diligently for our partners and projects. Will you pray with us?
GET INVOLVED
Our monthly Zoom meetings will now be taking place on the 3rd Thursday of every month at 7pm.
The evening is short, lasting around one hour, where supporters, missionaries, staff and council come together to hear updates, share news and pray together.
Meeting ID: 883 6792 1982
Passcode: 848070
Will you join us?
MISSION AFRICA COUNCIL
Caroline Bustard, Chair
Naomi Barfoot, Vice Chair, Gloria Kearney
Trevor McIlroy
Revd William Henry
Paul McAuley
Dr Lauren Johnston
Sheldon Wiggill
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY
Planning your legacy today will help ensure that lives continue to be transformed tomorrow.
By leaving a gift to Mission Africa, you will ensure that your money will be making a lasting impact on the lives of many African men, women and children who are spiritually and physically impoverished.
To find out more, contact us on 02890 402850 or info@missionafrica.org.uk
GET THE RIGHT PERSON
Head Office:
14 Glencregagh Court, Belfast
BT6 0PA
02890 402850
info@missionafrica.org.uk
Chief Executive
Paul Wright ceo@missionafrica.org.uk
Communications & Operations
Lauren Mornin operations@missionafrica.org.uk
Short Term
Catherine Pope shortterm@missionafrica.org.uk
Finance & Child Sponsorship
Ashleigh Kelly accounts@missionafrica.org.uk childsponsorship@missionafrica .org.uk
Join our online Monthly Prayer Meeting (see P37 for details)
Join a local Prayer Group
Receive a Prayer Monthly Newsletter with from our missionaries by email/post *delete as appropriate
Receive Dispatch Magazine by email/post *delete as appropriate
www.missionafrica.org.uk
STANDING ORDER FORM
For regular donations please fill in the details below and return the completed form to Mission Africa. This form should not be sent directly to your bank. Valid for UK banks only.
Please pay to Ulster Bank, 11-16 Donegall Sq. East, Belfast, BT1 5HD for the account of Mission Africa (The Qua Iboe Fellowship), Sort code: 98-00-60, Account no: 58486010
£10 £ 25 £ 50 other amount £.................................................... on the ................ (day) of .................................................. (month) .................... (year) and similarly each month until further notice.
Every pound you Gift Aid to Mission Africa means we receive an extra 25 pence from HM Revenue & Customs. By signing this you agree that you are a UK taxpayer and understand that if you pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all your donations in that tax year it is your responsibility to pay any difference.
Yes, I want to Gift Aid this donation & any future donations to Mission Africa
