Africa For Jesus

I want to write about a wonderful missionary ministry that was founded by an amazing young couple within our church.

Africa For Jesus is a native missionary outreach started by my friends Ryan and Emily Chappelear. They are one of the most genuine Christian couples I have had the pleasure of knowing, and I wanted to make those of you who read my blog aware of this awesome ministry.

Here is a bit of history about Africa For Jesus taken from their website:

History

AFJ was founded by Ryan and Emily Chappelear.

While attending Bethany College of Missions in Bloomington, Minnesota, they were impressed upon by God to train and send out Native African missionaries. In November of 2000, a friend in College, Michael Clay, introduced Ryan to a book written by K.P. Yohannan, Revolution in World Missions, which spoke about the Native Missionary Movement. After reading the book, Ryan and Emily knew at once that God wanted them to take this movement to all Africa. We believe that every unreached village in Africa will hear the Gospel because of this movement.

AFJ was founded in July of 2002 in the USA. Ryan and Emily traveled to Tanzania, East Africa, a month later. While there, they were able to start AFJ (Tanzania) and sent out the first Native Missionary, Herbert Nyizigiye, in November. A month later, another missionary was sent. A month after this, four were sent to an entirely new country, Zanzibar Island. Sponsors were coming out of the woodwork, and people began to send us check after check. God not only provided the workers, but He provided the money as well. A vision that God birthed became a reality in just a short time.

Africa for Jesus is quickly becoming a leader in the Native Missionary strategy, with 74 Native workers sent out in a period of just 4 years. Hopefully this will continue until we have Native Missionaries preaching the Gospel in all 58 nations in Africa, and eventually every continent on the earth.

As many of you know, Africa now holds a special place in my heart because it is the birthplace of my daughter Ellie. I pray that as the Lord leads you, you will consider a donation or a monthly sponsorship of one of their missionaries. Your gift will be in capable, devoted hands and will be making a difference in the lives of so many. And, when you go to their website, you can sign up to receive a free book written by Ryan Chappalear about the native missionary movement as well.

Click HERE to visit Africa for Jesus.


Dear Father, I pray that you will move upon the hearts of your people, the ones you are speaking to and who are called to give into this faithful ministry that you began. You are faithful, and you are our provider. I trust you to provide for every need of this missionary family here in the States and for those within the villages in Africa. In your son Jesus' name, Amen.