Note from the Board – Rod Robison – January 2026

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18 

History is replete with people who failed to seize priceless opportunities. People who lacked vision and missed a chance to make a big difference in the world.  Here are just a few: 

“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”
–Western Union internal memo, 1876. 

“The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?”
— Associates of radio pioneer and founder of RCA David Sarnoff in response to his request for their investment in radio technology in the 1920’s. 

“The concept is interesting and well-formed, but in order to earn better than a ‘C,’ the idea must be feasible.”
–A Yale professor in response to Fred Smith’s essay proposing reliable overnight delivery service. (Smith went on to found FedEx.) 

“A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make.”
–Response to Debbi Fields’ idea of starting Mrs. Fields’ Cookies.

“So we went to Atari and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got this amazing thing, even built with some of your parts, and what do you think about funding us? Or, we’ll give it to you. We just want to do it. Pay our salary, we’ll come work for you.’ And they said, ‘No.’ So, then, we went to Hewlett-Packard, and they said, ‘Hey, we don’t need you. You haven’t got through college yet.'”
–Apple Computer Inc. founder Steve Jobs, on attempts to get Atari and H-P interested in his invention of the personal computer. 

“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil? You’re crazy.”
–Drillers whom Edwin L. Drake, the first American to successfully drill for oil, tried to enlist to his project in 1859. 

“Louis Pasteur’s theory of germs is ridiculous fiction.”
–Pierre Pachet, Professor of Physiology at Toulouse, 1872 

Each of these visionaries who were rejected by others envisioned how their ideas could improve the lives of countless others.  And in every case, they were right.  But each of those successful ideas and the impact they made on the world pale in comparison to sharing Jesus with others. Because, even though all of the above-mentioned ideas had decades-long impact, bringing the life-transforming message of Jesus to others has eternal impact. 

In 2003 Okongo Samson was divinely inspired to found Unite 4 Africa, a ministry of community and life transformation in the name of Jesus.  But even though Okongo and other Unite 4 Africa leaders faced often severe opposition, their obedience to God’s calling and the joy of pursuing His vision drove them on.  And today countless lives have been touched and transformed. 

Since they answered God’s call to boldly stand for Christ, Unite 4 Africa has impacted 87 countries, meeting the spiritual, physical, medical, social, and emotional needs of people in desperate need every day, including the most unreached and war-torn nations of the world.  

I want to invite you to join me in expressing your support for Okongo and our other leaders.  They often face opposition from those who do not share their passion for the vision God has given them.  And yet they persevere.  When you give to the work of Unite 4 Africa you are a visionary.  Your support says to them: “I’m with you.  I share your vision.  Be encouraged.”  And, of course, your gift helps them bring Hope to the Hopeless, Water to the Thirsty, Families to Orphans, Medicine to the Sick, Empowerment to the Poor, and the Light of Jesus to the Darkness. 

Your shared vision with Okongo and the team will be a real encouragement to them and you’ll have  an eternal impact on others.   

Please make a generous gift at www.Unite4Africa.org/donate.  Thank you.