Africa has a legacy of missionaries who have been sent there to preach the Good News, and while this has brought the Gospel to the continent, it has not always introduced the importance of biblical partnership. This, combined with man-made traditions infiltrating the church, has resulted in many unhealthy church models.

Over the years, we have longed to build authentic partnerships with churches in Africa but, realistically, we had not cut through the veil yet. But God…

Recently, our leaders in Africa expressed their yearning for something real and to bring godly values to their nations. Two weeks ago, church leaders came from Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia to gather in Lusaka for the Africa Leaders Advance.

It was an incredible time of undoing many of the traditions brought in by man and teaching Kingdom culture

It was an incredible time of undoing many of the traditions brought in by man and teaching Kingdom culture as it stands in the Bible, which led to deep repentance in some of the leaders who had aligned with cultural syncretism. God purified and broke control and bondage off the leaders, and we trust that the same happens in their churches.

New Partners

Excitingly, several new leaders at the training time expressed their desire to partner meaningfully and to make significant changes in their churches. While they need support to address cultural and demonic strongholds in the short term, we believe that their commitment to bringing the Kingdom into their churches will bear fruit in the long run.

We are also thrilled to welcome new apostolic fields and churches into Four12. This expansion brings an anticipation of godly transformation in Africa. We look forward to witnessing continued growth and the establishment of Kingdom-focused communities across Africa. If there are specific areas where further support is needed, please let us know – we’re here to help.

Uganda, South Sudan & Congo

Godfrey Wanamitsa, who leads about 260 churches called Africa Arise International in Uganda, South Sudan and Congo, is an incredible man who is beautifully reflecting the Lord’s values more and more. He has watched many of our videos and is so convinced that we’re bringing a New Testament pattern that he has said that he will go back and present the changes he believes God is showing him to his network, but will not force them to follow him, as he wants to do this with integrity. He is happy to join us, even if it means that he does so on his own. Please pray for him for wisdom and courage as he meets with over 260 leaders of churches from across the region – that the Lord’s will be done and that those churches which desire health will make the right decisions regarding the way forward.

Zambia Expanding

Nelson & Patience Phiri, who lead Heart of God Ministries Zambia, are a fantastic couple with brilliant minds, and I am very excited to see what the Lord does there going forward.

“We felt the Lord challenging all of us that if we cannot labour for the King’s praise alone, we cannot serve in His court. And most of us feel like we are serving the King when we are actually putting our fingerprints on the Bride – we are committing adultery by seeking worship, worth and honour from the Bride that is meant for the King. So it is His mercy that we see this and change.” – Patience Phiri

Michael Tembo leads Christian Communities, which represents 26 local churches in Mkushi, Zambia. He is a key man in this pocket of Zambia with an exceptional mind, and he is already taking down a number of strongholds. We hope to see him come through as a potential future apostolic voice into our fields.

“I’ve seen that, most of the time, I’ve been mixing up church and culture, and it is not working well. This training time taught us that we must be Kingdom people with a Kingdom culture and values for us to break through. I also chatted with Ryan and Andrew – humble men of God who want to connect with people. And so when they speak against titles, I now understand. I’m so provoked and I am going back to Mkushi a different person, to try to do the work more seriously than ever before.” – Michael Tembo

Released

Unfortunately, one of our close friends and dearly beloved leaders, Cephas Mbewe, who leads Dynamic Worship Church International (about 39 churches) in Zambia, felt that he couldn’t make the changes that we felt were biblical. After several years of working with him through culture versus biblical values, he expressed that he was not prepared to shift some key areas. After much discussion in the past week, we’ve asked him to be released from partnership with us. We love him dearly, but we can’t give an account for him or his churches. We will continue to be friends with him, and he is most welcome to attend our conferences, but we will no longer be held accountable for his field.

Overall, we see Africa breaking through in a way we haven’t seen before. We are excited for the future and greatly encouraged by the new wave of leaders and churches coming through that want to work with us in building Jesus’ church His way. Thank you for your prayers for this time. We trust it will bear good and lasting fruit in our churches in Africa.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Andrew or Christene should you have any questions.