“A healthy church within walking distance of every African.”
Vision Statement of Assemblies of God World Missions Africa (AGWMAfrica)
In August 2022 a team from Africa Oasis came to work on a project with us here in Cote d’Ivoire. We had the privilege of traveling into a village to do a water project. We were with the village 4 days, three days we taught how to assemble the water filter and why clean water is important, we taught correct hand washing, how to clean the filter, and how to teach people to use them. We worked closely with five groups of two people who would continue this project in the village. Unclean water is the cause of 80% of deaths in this village. We were able to give the church 250 water filters for this village, our goal is to continue this and bring more filters. While the teams are distributing the filters and doing follow up visits, they will minister to the people. Some of these people are members of the church, but a lot of them are not, and more than that most have people living in their homes who do not know the Lord. This is an incredible opportunity for the church to talk about clean water, yes, but to also talk about Living Water, Jesus, our Source and Hope!
I have heard the vision statement for AGWMAfrica more times than I can count. It’s a great goal and I’m on board! But I think there comes a time when you really see the need and really see the heart of the vision statement. That can only happen by being here and active in ministry. The church I regularly attend has planted an annex church in another area. Some of my teammates and I decided to visit this church a few weeks ago as we considered helping start children’s ministry in this location. We drove to our original church and met with the pastor and his wife, we then left for this other location. It was about a 5 minute drive.
In our American mind, we can have the thought “is there really a need for a church this close?” As we sat through the service I saw several people I recognized from the original church. After service we spoke with some people who said they live in this village, I looked around and realized how far back the village goes. As we drove back to the original location, I thought about these people and how far this actually was to walk every Sunday (and whatever other days they come). Imagine it raining on these dirt roads and trying to walk to church, imagine having to walk at night when it might not be so safe, imagine having multiple kids and trying to keep them safe from the taxis that whip around the corners, among all the other reasons.
A healthy church within walking distance of every African. That’s what we need. My first mentor missionary, Phil Malcom, said once that we absolutely agree with this vision statement, but he wanted to add, “A healthy, kid friendly, church within walking distance of every African.” I’m so thankful for this goal, I’m so thankful for this ministry, and I’m so thankful to God for allowing me to see this statement in a new way.
This brought our time of ministry in the village full circle. Because there is a healthy church here we are able to partner and be part of this clean water project. But I can’t tell you how many people or villages we passed on the way to this one. Do they have churches? Do they have children’s ministry? What are their water resources? Have they heard about Jesus?
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38