Note From The Board – Dec 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Dec 2014 – John Tabor

John Tabor

The water of the Awash River in Ethiopia was cold but the enthusiasm was more than warm
– it was very hot with anticipation and expectation. There was a discernable buz among the more than 150 new Christians who had walked many miles to be baptised. Over many weeks these new Christ followers from all backgrounds and experiences were taught the significance of being baptised. So, they were ready! What a privilege to participate with other pastors in blessing these new creations through their baptism.

In the past I know that I have touted Unite 4 Africa as being special – a ministry that accomplishes so much of what it sets out to achieve. But I have to add that U4A is really more than special – almost supernatural. I see their influence in the eyes of everyone the ministry touches. I see hope and heart and energy and love for brothers and sisters in the faith and outside the faith. Because of their work entire communities are transformed as are the short term ministry teams that visit. There is so much that is accomplished for the Lord and through the Lord and His sovereign touch on the leaders and workers of U4A.

There’s something else…joy. I’m convinced that Jesus touches those we minister to through us. He enables us to minister out of joy and its like a virus that spreads inexorably to every girl and boy and man and woman we meet with a joyousness that grows and spreads. The joy they receive marks them as His and cannot be shaken. Their heart’s desire is to know Him more…to know Him better…to know Him as it says in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” Unite 4 Africa is helping that become a reality. 

God bless.

John Tabor
Board Member U4A

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Note From The Board – Nov 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Nov 2014 – Jim Weisert

jim weisert1

There are some amazing stories of changed lives that are occurring all around the world. And Africa is one of those continents that God is moving his people to boldly share His truth with others. As you all know Unite4 Africa (U4A) has staff in three countries; Ghana, Ethiopia, and Kenya. Through our staff and the leadership of our Founder and Executive Director Okongo Samson, we have trained up thousands of men and women for leadership roles in and around their own communities in most of the countries of Africa.

We use foundational tools from some of the leading world organizations like: CHE (Community Health Evangelism) – applying “Wholeistic Community Transformation” applications covering the physical, social, economic, and spiritual needs of communities; and a Biblical Oral Training tool from SIU (Scriptures in Use), to help share and teach the Gospel to Orality based communities; we also teach on the “Sanctity of Human Life” – a teaching tool from Life International, why every child and person matters to God; in addition we teach Leadership skills, Aids prevention, healthy living and cooking, and community care for orphans. Our staff is very busy doing the work God has called us to do.

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Note From The Board – Oct 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Oct 2014 – OKongo Samson

SamokongoA few years ago, during our trip to Ghana with a team from the USA, while training local leaders about empowerment and how they could holistically transform their lives and community from inside out by integrating their spiritual and physical needs, we met a young man who become a blessing to us and his community as well.

As we emphasizing the importance of participating and taking ownership of the change in their heart and the life they live in their community a young man, Zakari Abdi, came to me and Scott, who was part of the team, and shared his heart and passion with us and the initiative he has been considering. He found U4A’s approach and strategies appealing and enabling. He liked how these approached would help him to be responsible and accountable. He felt invested in his community and he shared his need of a small financial gift to start a micro – business. The business was a Saloon shop that would help support his family, of which none were employed, and allow him to give back to the community as his effort multiplied.

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Note From The Board – Sep 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Sep 2014 – Jim Weisert

jim weisert1

Annual Golf Tournament Rescheduled to Fri Oct 24th

We had to postpone the Annual Golf Tournament. The reason being is that we learned our partners in Tucson Arizona take spending time with their family on Saturdays very seriously, we praise them for that. But the result was we had very little traction for the event originally schedule on Saturday Sep 6th.

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Note From The Board – Aug 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Aug 2014 – Ken Martin

kenmartin wYoung birds are often pushed out of the family nest by their parents. While it seems to be a harsh move, it’s absolutely necessary to get the young ones to understand what they’re capable of and move on with their lives. During a serious storm on the sea of Galilee, Peter was encouraged by Jesus to step out of the boat and meet him on the water. Peter actually did! He stepped out of the “safety” of the boat onto the water and made his way to his friend. Only after he started walking on water did his fear of what was going on around him cause him to waiver and start to sink. With the Lord’s help he had actually walked on water!

We have to remember in life to keep our sails up so the Lord’s wind can move us. Sometimes we let our ships sit in waiting for something good to happen or something to happen at all. Without our sails up we will rarely go in a fruitful direction. Sometimes we need to be kicked out of our own nests, at home, in relationships, in our workplace, in our communities and churches; all along our life path! Often we are surprised by the results of that kick. We find ourselves blessed in many ways we never would’ve known otherwise.

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Note From The Board – July 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – July 2014 – Rob Rielly

More Than A Leg To Stand On

Last month I had the privilege to be part of a short term mission trip to La Cieba, Honduras. It was a an incredible blessing to see and be a small part of the work that God is doing in La Cieba. On this particular trip, much of our days were spent working on construction projects in stifling heat and humidity. We had to drink a minimum of 8 liters of water each during the day to prevent dehydration, so water breaks were mandatory on the construction jobs. It was during one such water break that I found myself wishing for the comforts of home, such as air-conditioning and power tools.

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Note From The Board – June 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – June 2014 – John Tabor

johntaborI have been so privileged in my life to not only serve our great and glorious Lord but to participate with Unite 4 Africa in the many programs they have begun, nurtured and developed throughout Africa.

Africa is an amazing place! The people there are even more amazing! And yet, the ways in which we can serve the Lord there continue to grow. From one on one evangelism and mentoring to teaching about the sanctity of human life and Biblical sexuality in conference settings to teaching and preaching about God and His love for His people in churches and in the field…it is a place where one can really experience the John 17 unity that Jesus Himself prayed for.

I’d like to…

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Note From The Board – May 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – May 2014 – Jim Weisert

jim weisert1I try to spend time reading and or attending different lectures, conferences and seminars throughout each year that can help me become a better leader. Last week I attended the 2nd annual International Wholestic Missions Conference in Peoria AZ.

The unique thing about this conference is that the organizational host’s (Global CHE Network) approach to global missions is empowering communities to lift themselves up out of poverty who then train other local communities how to do the same. It is an incredibly successful approach to 21st century missions.

If you haven’t read the book “When Helping Hurts” and you’re involved in any kind of international or local serving organization, buy the book today, read it, and then make plans to attend next year’s International Wholestic Missions Conference being held Apr 29th – May 1st 2015. Your organization will become a great benefit to all you serve from the knowledge and applications you will learn.

Let me have the Leadership of CHE tell you about their approach:

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Note From The Board – Apr 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – April 2014 – Ken Martin

kenmartin wDearest Friends, Contributors and Co-laborers,

“We give thanks to God always for you, making mention of you in our prayers” are words spoken by Paul to the Thessalonians in 1:2.

The board and all involved in the Unite 4 Africa endeavors want you to know how much we share in the sentiment of these words for you! It is our fervent hope that you get a sense of the wonderful and powerful effect on people’s lives that, through your help, is blessed by God in the lives of many in Africa. We are so very thankful for your prayer, standing with us financially, and your words of encouragement and or concern…

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Note From The Board – Mar 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – March 2014 – Rob Rielly

Growing up in the church as a child, I had a very skewed image of missionaries. They came in to our church once or twice a year, wearing strange cloths and telling crazy stories from far away places. I figured missionaries were kind of like pastors, just a little bit more wild -like John the Baptist.

Ask your average Christian what they think of when they picture missions and you would probably get a similar answer. The truth however, is…

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Note From The Board – Mar 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – March 2014 – Rob Rielly

Growing up in the church as a child, I had a very skewed image of missionaries. They came in to our church once or twice a year, wearing strange cloths and telling crazy stories from far away places. I figured missionaries were kind of like pastors, just a little bit more wild -like John the Baptist.

Ask your average Christian what they think of when they picture missions and you would probably get a similar answer. The truth however, is…

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Note From The Board – Feb 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Feb 2014 – John Tabor

john tabor

One of the greatest things I have learned as I have traveled into Africa on behalf of Unite 4 Africa and a partner organization, LIFE International, is how tender the peoples’ hearts are toward our Lord.  

Unlike some other places I have been, these Christian men and women would rather hear about Jesus than just about anything else.  This desire includes a preference to learn what is on Jesus’ heart and apply it to their lives.

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Note From The Board – Jan 2014

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Jan 2014 – Jim Weisert

jim weisert1Hopefully you have had a chance to read about some of the awesome work God is doing in Africa through Unite4Africa. I hope you have been touched, blessed, and moved to pour your life deeper into the work God has called each of us to do.

Unite4Africa strives to share who God is along with His love and truth with all people. This is the reason Unite4Africa exists. What we want more than anything is to offer the world a chance to respond to the Good News of Jesus Christ. Your partnership has and will continue to increase the positive movement we are seeing as God’s people join together to transform lives for Christ throughout the world.

There are literally billions of Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists who have yet to hear the Good News of Jesus. We often find ourselves wishing, hoping, and praying that we could do more to show them the Kingdom of God. But be encouraged.

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Note From The Board – Dec 2013

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Dec 2013 – Ken Martin

kenmartin wThe power of empowerment. Have you ever really considered it?

If the scientific world announced that some college dropout in a little lab in the basement of a small business had actually produced a bona fide perpetual motion machine that was fully tested and vetted, whose construction was absolutely repeatable with simple parts and methods; it would be an international sensation.

Empowerment is a foundational principle of Unite 4 Africa. It is finding the dynamo inside an individual, starting it, adjusting it, encouraging it, optimizing it and staying with it until it can run on its own. Dynamos like these are contagious, their presence start others within communities. When this is done well, it’s very much like a machine of perpetual motion in that it doesn’t continually require the input of others resources. It thrives on what it can do with itself, for itself; and becomes incredibly powerful when it combines with others who are empowered, and are like minded and community minded.

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Note From The Board – Nov 2013

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Note From The Unite4Africa Board – Nov 2013 – Rob Reilly

On a recent trip to Swaziland I had the opportunity to spend time with the country leader for another mission organization. I spent a week with him seeing the work they are doing in Swaziland. From all the time I spent with him, one conversation stands out. He said, “The average African has given their life to Christ 8 times. We do not need more evangelists, we need more disciplers.”

The bible does not direct us to make converts of men. To hold a revival meeting, have an alter call and then pack up and head back home. 2 Timothy 2:2 says “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” Discipleship requires relationship and investment and is something we are all called to do as Christians. This call cannot be outsourced and has made me aware afresh of my need to invest in the lives of others.

One of the things that attracted me to Unite 4 Africa was its focus on discipleship. Unite 4 Africa focuses on raising up and training local leadership in the communities in which it ministers. This discipleship includes training, accountability and exhortation.

In turn, these community leaders entrust what they have learned to others. This is Christ’s model, who spent four years investing in the lives of his twelve disciples.

I want to congratulate the staff of Unite 4 Africa for living out the Discipleship model and ask you to join us in prayer for God to raise up more Disciples in Africa and around the world. Please prayerfully consider helping meet the needs of Unite 4 Africa as it continues this work in Africa.

Rob Reilly
Board Member
Unite4Africa
www.unite4africa.org.

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