Note From The Board – Scott Genzman -November 2024

Forgiveness and Obedience

A few days ago, I was privileged to have dinner with the founder of Unite 4 Africa, Okongo Samson. We were joined by one of Unite 4 Africa’s leaders who oversees home churches in a country of Northern Africa. This country is a place where professing Christ can literally result in a death sentence. To ensure this leader’s security I will call him “George.”

During dinner, George shared some very eye-opening stories about both the dangers and opportunities he and other Christian’s face in his area. It was only after dinner, alone with my thoughts and reflections of our conversation, that the impact of his words finally sank in. I was compelled to ask myself some hard questions about my own commitment to Christ. I challenged myself to ask if, facing the same level of persecution my brother George faced daily, would I have the courage to boldly proclaim Christ at the potential cost of my life? I would like to think I would but, truthfully, I am not sure how I would react.

I reflected on the many Muslims being led to Christ through the house churches George and his team are leading. I thought about how they shared the Gospel with non-believers for an hour or so, and so many would accept Christ on the spot. I was actually shocked to hear that. I know we serve a great God, and He can and still does miraculous things, but I was still amazed by how good our God is and how much He continues to move in hearts all over the world.

In a previous conversation George told me about his own conversion experience. I don’t think I’ve ever heard a more amazing story of God’s power to save than how He reached down and transformed George’s heart. The unlikely circumstances that God brought across George’s path to allow him to hear God’s Word and ultimately accept Jesus as his Savior are truly hard to comprehend. But then, the rest of George’s story is even more incredible. After accepting Christ, George boldly proclaimed Christ to his friends and was forced to flee for his life. How he got a passport and the crazy journey he had to go through to get to another country safely could only be explained by God’s miraculous intervention.

I thought about how I would react if I ever had to flee for my life. The anger, the fear, and the uncertainty must have been nearly overwhelming for George. I know it would be for me. Then I thought about my friend Okongo and his journey. The fear of being thrown into prison multiple times. Facing death on so many occasions. How would I respond to that kind of persecution and personal danger?

Our dinner conversation gave me so much to process. As challenging as that evening was to me personally, one truth was inescapable: George and Okongo are being used by God in absolutely amazing – even miraculous – ways. Even though I have been on the board of Unite 4 Africa for three years and hear these stories regularly I am still astonished by what God is doing. Glory be to Him!

As I contemplated all of this, my thoughts turned to what I can learn from what these two gentleman are willingly giving their lives to and how God is, in turn, using them. I think it boils down to this – they chose to forgive those who persecuted them. Once freed from the burden of unforgiveness, their hearts and minds were unshackled to let God work in their lives.

As James 1:2 and Romans 5:3-5 suggest, persecution can lead to endurance and hope. Both George and Okongo chose to be obedient to God’s voice and calling. And, in turn, God granted them both endurance and hope despite the severe persecution. It sounds simple as I write this, and, frankly, words alone can’t give full weight to the severity of the persecution and how much God has used them through their obedience.

We all know it is very difficult sometimes to be obedient to God’s call. I am sure when God called George to go back to his home country there was some real prayer and soul searching before he obeyed God. When Okongo was asked by God to forgive his former captors, I’m sure it was a struggle. So, the questions I ask myself are, are my heart and mind open to God’s call, and am I being obedient to His call?

I pray for these men and their ministries regularly. My wife and I are blessed to be able to serve these ministries financially, but is that all that God wants me to do? I will continue to pray and ask for God’s continued direction. And I encourage you to do that as well. One thing I do know, and I was very clearly reminded of at dinner with Okongo and George that evening. God is faithful and will finish a good work in me as I obey Him. I am excited to see what that looks like.

Scott Genzman
Unite 4 Africa Board Member

Your obedience to God’s call to pray for and support the work of Unite 4 Africa is deeply appreciated by all of us. You are being used by God to transform lives, families, and whole communities through your faithfulness. As we approach the final few weeks of 2024, the financial need is great. You are needed. Will you take a moment right now to share a gift to help us reach more non-believers for Christ? Please visit our donation page and give what you can. Thank you for your faithfulness.