The Molenaar family moved to Kampala, Uganda, in the Summer of 2023, with the aim of focusing specifically on reaching the region of Karamoja. Their sons Obed (2008) and Mozes (2009) will accompany them while their older children Joas and Rhodé will support them from their home in the Netherlands. The move to Kampala means a return to Africa for Cees and Mirjam, as they served with another mission organisation in Zambia and Malawi from 2006 to 2016, training pastors and Sunday School teachers and leading in women’s outreach.

AIM is involved in disciple-making among unreached people groups in Uganda, particularly the Karimojong, Ik and Tapeth peoples. The team is equipping leaders for young churches that are planted in the towns. Partnering with the church in Uganda, the AIM team helps them discover God’s call to missions, develop and train missionaries and sending churches, and deploy African missionaries.

Cees and Mirjam will be working with the Karamoja ministry partners to identify, develop, and support contextualised training for church leaders in the region. The gospel still has a long way to go to reach the manyattas (villages) and the daily lives of the people. Local missionaries will be mentored and trained to disciple new believers in the communities. Next to pastors and evangelists, Cees and Mirjam hope to encourage ministry among children and women by training those who feel called to bring them the gospel of salvation. In Kampala, there will be ample opportunity to equip and mobilise believers in local churches for missions, build relationships with partners in the work, and participate in the fellowship of a local church.

Cees and Mirjam look forward to working with the established churches in Uganda to carry the gospel into the lives of unreached people groups. They are most looking forward to seeing new communities live out their faith.

They are particularly encouraged by the Bible verse from 2 Timothy chapter two verse two: “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 

Could you partner with Cees and Mirjam in this work?