What does it look like to be called, sent, and serve?
Sending church – John Smuts is Pastor of Rayners Lane Baptist Church in Harrow, currently the most religiously and racially diverse borough in the UK. “Our church members are from across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Africa and we have a long history of supporting, sending, and praying for mission work.
Andrew shared his call, and we prayerfully committed to send him to South Sudan. What stood out was the two-way relationship, Andrew was encouraged by our support, and our church benefited hugely from his stories and his faith. It was humbling to see God working in a young man’s life, being willing to go to the middle of nowhere to share Christ.”
Foundational mission work – Andrew Wallace
“In 2012 I read about an outreach team in AIM’s magazine and in 2015 I left for orientation in Kenya. I went to South Sudan for basic language learning in a neighbouring people group, then I stayed with a family for a week in a house made of mud, it was a totally alien environment.
At first all I could offer were smiles and friendliness, but after six months I crafted Bible stories, spoke about faith, and prayed in the local language. I also volunteered in the school, which gave me an opportunity to do a nativity play in the local language right across the valley. We wrote songs for the children to learn, so that they could sing about Jesus.
In my second year more team members arrived, so we recorded the songs and invested in the new team members, helping them continue the relationships we had built. The days felt long, but before I knew it the time had passed.”
Developing mission work – Lisa Flach
“In 2022 I joined, as a short termer on the team living among the Laarim. Jacob, our team leader is focused on discipling young teenage boys, leading church on Sundays and holding Bible studies on various compounds. Love, a long term missionary and I started a Bible study in an ex-witch doctors compound. To see how God has changed people’s hearts and lives was unforgettable.
Most of the Laarim believe in God but few know what it means to follow Jesus, especially when it clashes with their culture. There is a church and some in small groups, about 30 committed believers in all. We are praying for the church to become self-sustainable, and it is beginning to look possible. After my experiences, I can’t wait to return for the long term.”
Foundational Support
Andrew: “I knew many of my supporters well, but there were many I hardly knew at all. One lady from the U.S, who had served in Sudan, gave me £50 a month and another lady wrote me a cheque at a conference. Some of the retired missionaries were my most generous and faithful supporters, giving so much time to pray. They are amazing people!”
Lisa: “My journey would not have been possible without my financial supporters and the prayer warriors here in Ireland. Visiting my supporting churches was so encouraging to see how covered I was in prayer.”
Africans reached and reaching out
Susanna was a Laarim witch doctor, a position that draws on superstition and evil power to gain authority and wealth. Then she heard about the true life found in Jesus through the witness of a local believer named Maria! Maria came to know the Lord through Bible studies with an AIM missionary living in the community. Now Susanna knows that goodness of God, she has renounced witchcraft and now opens her home for weekly Bible study, praise and prayer!
