Africa’s Gospel Opportunity: Stephen Mbogo on Discipling a Generation and Advancing Mission in the Midst of Crisis and Conflict

What if Africa’s greatest challenges are also its greatest gospel opportunities? Discover how God is raising up a new generation of leaders in the midst of pressure, persecution, and potential.

📖 Summary:

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Dr. Stephen Mbogo, Lausanne Regional Director for the English, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking (EPSA) region, and International Team Leader of African Enterprise, shares how Africa’s youthful population and vibrant church are responding to the call of the Great Commission. From discipling Gen Z leaders to strategic outreach across cities, slums, and conflict zones, Dr. Mbogo casts a powerful vision for Africa’s role in global mission.

🙏 Call to Action:

Inspired by this episode? Subscribe to the Lausanne Movement Podcast and leave a review to help others find it. Visit lausanne.org to learn how to partner with gospel movements across the EPSA region and beyond.

📚 Links & Resources:

• African Enterprise: aeint.org

• Lausanne Movement (EPSA Region): https://lausanne.org/network/epsa

Guest Bio:

Stephen Mbogo has a passion for godly, biblical leadership and a heart to see Africa transformed through the salvation of its people and the sound governance of its leaders. Born in eastern Kenya in 1967, Stephen grew up in a family that followed African traditional religions. He witnessed the transforming power of the gospel in the lives of his parents and grandparents before surrendering his life to Christ in high school. 

Stephen has been involved in extensive evangelistic activities, leadership training, and community development in Africa and in other parts of the world, including the Mission Africa outreach project that preceded the Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town. He has also served as an associate with the FOCUS/IFES Movement, conducting missions to unreached groups in Kenya, as well as African Enterprise (AE), where he has held various leadership roles. He has also been working with the South Sudanese church since the mid-2000s. Currently as AE’s CEO, Stephen’s vision is to see a prayer breakfast movement started in every country on the African continent and to see the church established in every parliament. 

Stephen holds a bachelor degree in business administration from Daystar University, a master’s degree in Christian ministries from Nairobi International School of Theology, and a PhD in intercultural studies from Biola University. He lives in Nairobi with his wife Rosemary and their two children, Victor and Joy. In recognition for their role in missions, Stephen and Rosemary were ordained as ministers by their evangelical denomination in 2001.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
.659639913And that's why I said to young people leaving college, Take time before you run to that, great adventure of work to ask the Lord, what would you have me with the rest of my life? These are the new wine skins. 2 00:00:15,780.660639913 --> 00:00:23,90.660639913 That the Lord has prepared and is preparing, I believe, for a fresh push of the gospel. 3 00:00:23,400.660639913 --> 00:00:29,800.660639913 So these young people, to me, they are the Africa's opportunity right now. 4 00:00:32,957.797104634 --> 00:00:41,747.797104634 A very warm welcome to the Lausanne Movement Podcast for those who have a passion to accelerate global mission together. 5 00:00:42,40.978810109 --> 00:00:45,940.978810109 My name is Jason Watson, and today on the podcast we are joined by Dr. 6 00:00:45,940.978810109 --> 00:00:53,830.978810109 Steven and Boko, a Lausanne Regional Director for the SSO Region and International Team leader of African Enterprise. 7 00:00:53,830.978810109 --> 00:01:00,100.978810109 As we explore one of the most dynamic and strategic mission landscapes in the world, the African. 8 00:01:00,145.978810109 --> 00:01:01,15.978810109 Continent. 9 00:01:01,223.491276562 --> 00:01:02,843.491276562 In our conversation, Dr. 10 00:01:02,843.491276562 --> 00:01:11,423.491276562 Bogo shares how Africa's young growing population is not a ticking time bomb, but a ticking blessing for the global church. 11 00:01:11,813.491276563 --> 00:01:25,403.491276563 From discipling Gen Z leaders to empowering slum communities and reaching political leaders, he shares a vision for discipleship, global strategy, and hope in the midst of crisis and conflict. 12 00:01:26,183.491276563 --> 00:01:26,633.491276562 So. 13 00:01:27,158.491276563 --> 00:01:41,378.49127656 If you're passionate about what God is doing through Africa or looking for some insights into leadership and mission in the face of hardship, I wanna invite you to grab your headphones and let's dive into today's conversation with Dr. 14 00:01:41,378.49127656 --> 00:01:42,758.49127656 Steven Bulger. 15 00:01:46,73.40902736 --> 00:01:46,843.40902736 Well, Dr. 16 00:01:46,853.40902736 --> 00:01:49,503.40902736 Steven Nbogo, welcome to the podcast. 17 00:01:49,533.40902736 --> 00:01:51,463.40902736 It is so great to have you with us today. 18 00:01:51,867.40902736 --> 00:01:52,407.40902736 Thank you. 19 00:01:52,417.40902736 --> 00:01:53,317.40902736 Thank you, Jason. 20 00:01:53,492.60070795 --> 00:01:57,632.60070795 So both you and I find ourselves in the EPSA region right now. 21 00:01:57,632.60070795 --> 00:02:12,421.45956362 I'm in South Africa and you are in Kenya and we are going to be spending the next couple of minutes just speaking about the African continent and God's kingdom on this continent and how he's advancing the gospel into all the different regions. 22 00:02:13,143.63777859 --> 00:02:16,773.63777859 But I would love for us to begin by just hearing a bit about your backstory. 23 00:02:17,63.63777859 --> 00:02:23,770.97111192 So could you share with us, just share a little bit about yourself and how you came to faith in Jesus Christ? Yeah. 24 00:02:23,770.97111192 --> 00:02:24,240.97111192 Thank you. 25 00:02:24,240.97111192 --> 00:02:25,90.97111192 Thank you, Jason. 26 00:02:25,90.97111192 --> 00:02:34,974.59046114 And, uh, a very warm greeting to all our viewership from around the globe and the family of Lausanne and beyond. 27 00:02:35,624.58946114 --> 00:02:37,234.59046114 So I'm Stephen Mbogo. 28 00:02:37,374.69046114 --> 00:02:53,312.78771835 And I serve from Nairobi, Kenya, where I serve as the international CEO, team leader for African Enterprise, which is a mission agency that works in the urban areas of Africa. 29 00:02:54,22.78771835 --> 00:02:55,492.78771835 I also serve in Lausanne. 30 00:02:56,882.78771835 --> 00:03:04,142.78771835 As the regional director for Africa, English, Portuguese, Spanish speaking Africa. 31 00:03:04,852.78771835 --> 00:03:25,212.78671835 And so I also do serve on a few other continental roles, like on the movement day, which also comes out of Lausanne, where I serve as the African chair for movement day, and also involved with what we call AFMA, the Africa Mission Association. 32 00:03:25,772.78771835 --> 00:03:45,782.78771835 Which is where national mission associations for various countries are coming together to form a continental body like the Asia mission, something like that for Africa, which began a few years ago by mission leader. 33 00:03:45,812.78771835 --> 00:03:47,472.78771835 So I'm also part of that. 34 00:03:47,532.78771835 --> 00:03:50,742.78771835 And of course, in my country, I'm also part of the Kenya. 35 00:03:50,992.78771835 --> 00:03:52,132.78771835 Mission Association. 36 00:03:52,782.78771835 --> 00:03:57,475.33387937 I came to faith when I was, 19 years old. 37 00:03:57,768.09427212 --> 00:04:02,548.09427212 I come from a tribe in Kenya, known as Mbere. 38 00:04:03,748.09427212 --> 00:04:05,898.09427212 M B E R E. 39 00:04:06,348.09427212 --> 00:04:15,898.09327212 Uh, interesting, of course, in Africa, when you ask someone where they come from, they'll reference their tribe or their part of Africa, where they come from. 40 00:04:15,898.09327212 --> 00:04:17,708.09427212 So that's only natural. 41 00:04:18,28.09327212 --> 00:04:19,518.09427212 It's not being ethnic. 42 00:04:19,888.09327212 --> 00:04:21,668.09527212 It's simply acknowledging. 43 00:04:21,668.09527212 --> 00:04:25,648.09427212 And of course, we know all tribes, all nations will be before the throne. 44 00:04:25,648.19427212 --> 00:04:35,263.09527212 And so it's on the Eastern parts of Kenya, And this is not too far from Mount Kenya, which is our tallest mountain. 45 00:04:35,913.09527212 --> 00:04:47,9.4004411 And so my ancestors, they would go up the mountain to worship, because like within a human being, whatever captivates you, you worship. 46 00:04:47,9.5004411 --> 00:04:50,184.5004411 So The mountain was outstanding. 47 00:04:50,544.5004411 --> 00:05:13,404.5004411 We are along the equator and there is this mountain which is snow capped, so very weird because along the equator it's very hot, but then this snow capped mountain which, as you look from my village, you see it quite out there, and so that's where they would go up, worship, offer sacrifices when they need a drain. 48 00:05:13,834.5004411 --> 00:05:17,824.5004411 or when, when bad times befell on them. 49 00:05:18,354.5004411 --> 00:05:25,764.4994411 And so as I grew up, I would hear these stories from my grandparents and a bit from my parents. 50 00:05:26,224.4994411 --> 00:05:45,361.66883613 And then in interesting circumstances, of course, missionaries, I'd begun coming to our village and my dad would speak of how they would go close to where the missionaries were that came to our village and how he paid a coin to be baptized. 51 00:05:45,647.13587912 --> 00:05:47,471.66983613 because that's the way things were. 52 00:05:47,531.66883613 --> 00:05:49,341.66983613 I mean, to show you a commitment. 53 00:05:49,741.66983613 --> 00:05:53,341.66983613 But then, uh, along the way he kept seeking to know more. 54 00:05:53,851.66983613 --> 00:05:56,559.18367737 And so as I grew up, I knew my family. 55 00:05:57,234.18367737 --> 00:06:03,634.18367737 stood out because my parents had now become followers of the faith, the Christian faith. 56 00:06:04,214.18367737 --> 00:06:12,944.18367737 But then for when I was young in primary school, in high school, I was simply under pressure to impress. 57 00:06:13,504.18267737 --> 00:06:20,154.18367737 And so, because you are known to be from a Christian family, so you're under pressure, live like a Christian. 58 00:06:20,474.18367737 --> 00:06:34,474.18367737 But then while in high school, a friend of mine, who was not a follower of Christ, whose family seemed to be much farther than my family, in terms of not being close to the faith. 59 00:06:34,924.18367737 --> 00:06:42,699.18367737 So one of the times he comes to schools and says, you know what, during the holiday, I'm I became a follower of Christ. 60 00:06:42,709.18367737 --> 00:06:46,939.18367737 So I looked at him because as far as I knew, I was holier than he was. 61 00:06:46,969.18367737 --> 00:06:48,369.18367737 And you know, holier than thou. 62 00:06:48,669.18367737 --> 00:06:50,849.18367737 He was more of a rough guy. 63 00:06:51,239.18267737 --> 00:06:57,329.18267737 And so I began thinking, what does he mean by I now became a follower of Christ? I'm born again. 64 00:06:57,429.18367737 --> 00:07:02,645.73734403 What is this being born again?, you intrigued me to begin searching. 65 00:07:02,675.73734403 --> 00:07:13,935.73634403 What is this about being born again? And that's when, as I listened, one of the very next holiday, there was a recorded salmon on a tape recorder. 66 00:07:14,545.73734403 --> 00:07:19,745.73734403 Those were the days of Michael Jackson, and I thought this is a good Michael Jackson music. 67 00:07:19,745.73734403 --> 00:07:21,65.73734403 So I just picked a tape. 68 00:07:21,275.73734403 --> 00:07:22,345.73734403 Put it in the cassette. 69 00:07:22,805.73734403 --> 00:07:25,115.73734403 Lo and behold, it wasn't Michael Jackson. 70 00:07:25,135.73734403 --> 00:07:28,425.73734403 It was a preacher who was speaking about being perfect. 71 00:07:29,5.73734403 --> 00:07:30,855.73634403 You know, the power of media. 72 00:07:31,145.73734403 --> 00:07:36,275.73634403 And as I listened, I began thinking because he spoke about being perfect. 73 00:07:36,905.73734403 --> 00:07:39,715.73734403 That God wants us 100 percent perfect. 74 00:07:39,755.73634403 --> 00:07:40,975.73634403 I thought I can do. 75 00:07:41,515.73734403 --> 00:07:42,275.73734403 80%. 76 00:07:42,285.73734403 --> 00:07:47,995.73734403 I can pretend, act, but he was saying, God wants you dead on a hundred percent. 77 00:07:48,305.73734403 --> 00:07:51,695.73734403 And of course, at the end of the day, he made it very clear. 78 00:07:51,735.73734403 --> 00:07:53,515.73634403 I cannot do a hundred. 79 00:07:53,615.73734403 --> 00:07:57,15.73734403 Jesus did a hundred or in my place. 80 00:07:57,315.73734403 --> 00:07:59,285.73734403 And that's what turned me in. 81 00:07:59,615.73734403 --> 00:08:05,765.73734403 And I committed my life to Christ and went back to high school, shared with my friend. 82 00:08:05,765.73734403 --> 00:08:09,375.73734403 We were both excited and began following Christ. 83 00:08:09,590.73734403 --> 00:08:12,530.73734403 together with a few others from my school. 84 00:08:12,850.73734403 --> 00:08:14,600.73734403 So that's a bit of my background. 85 00:08:14,620.73734403 --> 00:08:17,100.73734403 Of course, we had a bit of some hard times. 86 00:08:17,100.73734403 --> 00:08:24,790.73634403 One time we were caught praying in one of the halls and we were expelled from school because of prayer. 87 00:08:25,550.73734403 --> 00:08:31,370.73734403 which looked very weird, coming home and saying to my parents, I've been chased away from school. 88 00:08:31,410.73734403 --> 00:08:36,410.73734403 What did you steal? What did you fight? And I said, no, we were praying. 89 00:08:36,960.73734403 --> 00:08:46,820.73734403 And of course it looked ridiculous, but those were a pair of persecutions, small, limited in following Christ. 90 00:08:46,998.73734403 --> 00:08:47,498.73734403 Wow. 91 00:08:47,648.73734403 --> 00:08:48,348.73734403 Thank you, Steven. 92 00:08:48,348.73734403 --> 00:08:53,790.06246684 It's, it's always amazing to, to hear the backstory of how someone came to fall in love with Christ. 93 00:08:54,230.06246684 --> 00:08:56,450.06146684 I would love to hear what happened next. 94 00:08:56,460.06146684 --> 00:09:03,710.06246684 I mean, you are now, you've explained to us that you are leading in all these different spaces within Africa, within different movements. 95 00:09:04,110.06246684 --> 00:09:17,167.39580018 How did you come to form a love for the kingdom of God and feel like you were called to make a difference in that space? from high school, I went to college where I was doing a degree. 96 00:09:17,597.39580018 --> 00:09:21,267.39580018 in business administration and marketing. 97 00:09:21,967.39580018 --> 00:09:26,254.06146684 And this was in one of the universities in Kenya known as Daystar. 98 00:09:26,934.06246684 --> 00:09:33,254.06246684 And so as I pursued my BA, I began sensing the joy of missions. 99 00:09:33,294.06146684 --> 00:09:42,494.06246684 Two things, prayer, which I really loved, Because that's where I would pour all my problems, my challenges to the Lord. 100 00:09:43,164.06246684 --> 00:09:46,864.06246684 You need to know that I was very shy as a young person. 101 00:09:47,364.06246684 --> 00:09:49,644.06146684 I mean, I was involved in sports. 102 00:09:49,684.06246684 --> 00:09:52,594.06146684 I was the captain of our hockey team. 103 00:09:52,654.06246684 --> 00:09:55,104.06246684 This is dry hockey, not ice hockey. 104 00:09:56,24.06246684 --> 00:09:58,624.06246684 The real hockey on dry ground. 105 00:09:59,24.06246684 --> 00:10:06,944.06246684 so I was the captain, but, uh, Standing in front of audiences, I was very fearful, very scared. 106 00:10:06,944.06246684 --> 00:10:18,470.72813351 In fact, uh, in high school, they would try pushing me to speak from the front, but, uh, it only took the Lord at one point when I had a kind of a turning point. 107 00:10:18,816.88658578 --> 00:10:24,686.88658578 so in college, in prayer movements, but then also began going for small. 108 00:10:25,6.88658578 --> 00:10:36,426.88658578 missions over the weekends to speak in high schools and in Mosul high schools and also doing what we call street missions in Kenya. 109 00:10:36,916.88658578 --> 00:10:39,726.88658578 Sometimes we'd even preach in buses. 110 00:10:40,26.88658578 --> 00:10:42,211.78658578 We'd stand up in a bus and just, you know, preach. 111 00:10:42,431.88658578 --> 00:10:43,831.88658578 Share your story. 112 00:10:43,851.88658578 --> 00:10:50,971.88658578 Why do you follow Jesus? So those were part of my training grounds and they had lots of challenges. 113 00:10:50,971.88658578 --> 00:10:55,151.88658578 One time I stood in a school, read the verse, I went blank. 114 00:10:55,231.88658578 --> 00:10:56,381.88658578 I had nothing to say. 115 00:10:56,421.88658578 --> 00:11:01,21.88658578 Looked at a friend, told him, Peter, come over, take over, and disappeared. 116 00:11:01,291.88658578 --> 00:11:05,476.88658578 Walked out of the hall, Took the next bus back home. 117 00:11:05,526.88658578 --> 00:11:08,936.88658578 I mean, frustrated, but the Lord was teaching me. 118 00:11:09,266.88658578 --> 00:11:18,796.88558578 But then as I came to graduate, I began, I sensed the Lord was calling me to go into full time Christian work. 119 00:11:19,216.88658578 --> 00:11:29,566.88658578 We have what we call in Kenya, the Fellowship of Christian Unions, which is part of what we call the IFES, International Fellowship. 120 00:11:30,126.88658578 --> 00:11:31,906.88658578 of evangelical students. 121 00:11:32,56.88658578 --> 00:11:38,496.88658578 So I was part of that in college, and towards the end, I became the leader in my college. 122 00:11:38,726.88558578 --> 00:11:48,826.88558578 So as I graduated with this sense of calling, I began sharing with my dad my sense of going into Christian service. 123 00:11:49,256.88658578 --> 00:11:59,600.21991911 And my dad His background then he was a follower of Christ, but in his thinking, being a preacher was the poor man's job. 124 00:11:59,650.21891911 --> 00:12:02,683.55325244 And so he said to me, man, been to college. 125 00:12:03,88.55325244 --> 00:12:08,228.55325244 You are receiving a degree, we need you to come and help the family. 126 00:12:08,568.55325244 --> 00:12:14,708.55325244 What is this about preaching? Which is for those that never made it in to college. 127 00:12:14,748.55225244 --> 00:12:17,778.55325244 I mean, the other ones would be relegated to be preachers. 128 00:12:18,238.55225244 --> 00:12:25,228.55325244 And so he said, A real man's job, something that can put put bread on the table. 129 00:12:25,608.55325244 --> 00:12:32,948.55325244 And so as I graduated in 92, I was between a rock and a hard place. 130 00:12:33,438.55225244 --> 00:12:36,808.55325244 Because my dad was saying, get the real man's job. 131 00:12:37,128.55225244 --> 00:12:43,53.55325244 My heavenly father was saying, The real job is go and be a minister of my word. 132 00:12:43,574.8493534 --> 00:12:47,350.21991911 so what I did, what I knew best then was to flee from home. 133 00:12:47,540.21991911 --> 00:12:50,820.21941911 So I ran away from home, uh, disappeared. 134 00:12:50,820.21941911 --> 00:12:53,860.21891911 My parents didn't know where I had taken off to. 135 00:12:54,40.21991911 --> 00:13:03,150.21991911 For two months, I went to one of the unreached people groups in Kenya, far from the city where I knew they would never find me. 136 00:13:03,390.21991911 --> 00:13:07,820.11991911 So, so for two months, I was seeking the Lord to know me. 137 00:13:08,60.21991911 --> 00:13:21,590.21991911 Do I follow my dad's call for a real man's job? Or do I follow my Heavenly Father's call, which according to my dad, I'll be chickening out on life. 138 00:13:22,190.21991911 --> 00:13:25,330.21891911 And so it was that trauma for me. 139 00:13:25,330.21891911 --> 00:13:29,570.21991911 So I spent time praying, seeking the Lord, fasting. 140 00:13:29,580.21891911 --> 00:13:36,10.21891911 Some missionaries gave me a place to stay for the two months and also volunteering myself. 141 00:13:36,220.21991911 --> 00:13:37,330.21991911 in that community. 142 00:13:37,550.21991911 --> 00:13:46,830.21991911 To cut the story back, or short, I then came back to the city and visited the IFES, which is FOCUS offices in Kenya. 143 00:13:47,320.21991911 --> 00:14:05,75.22091911 A few of us met in this office, and this the directors was asking us, so since you finished college, what are you doing? So he came around, as he was coming asking, I would hear him saying, So you're just running around doing nothing since you graduated. 144 00:14:05,75.22091911 --> 00:14:08,395.22091911 I mean, I would hear like my dad's words are coming out of him. 145 00:14:08,455.22091911 --> 00:14:09,345.22091911 That's what I thought. 146 00:14:09,725.22091911 --> 00:14:21,805.22091911 So back in my hideout, I'd written what vision I felt God was laying on my heart, which was mobilizing the church for missions from the reached to the unreached. 147 00:14:21,805.22091911 --> 00:14:25,795.22091911 So I documented so that I could convince my dad. 148 00:14:26,440.22091911 --> 00:14:29,10.22091911 Preaching is a serious activity. 149 00:14:29,660.22091911 --> 00:14:30,880.22091911 It has planning. 150 00:14:30,880.22091911 --> 00:14:32,90.22091911 It has thinking. 151 00:14:32,750.22091911 --> 00:14:36,420.21991911 God wants, as well, the very best in his field. 152 00:14:36,650.21991911 --> 00:14:38,50.21991911 It's not a facade. 153 00:14:38,450.22091911 --> 00:14:39,710.22091911 It's organized. 154 00:14:39,750.21991911 --> 00:14:47,680.21991911 So, so I began opening my, my, my recorded, written defense, and I began telling him. 155 00:14:47,710.21991911 --> 00:14:54,160.22091911 So as he listened, He then said, but do you know African Enterprise? I said, no, I've never heard of them. 156 00:14:54,370.22091911 --> 00:14:56,990.22091911 He said, they do what you're planning to do. 157 00:14:57,140.22091911 --> 00:14:59,770.21991911 They mobilize the church for missions. 158 00:15:00,460.22091911 --> 00:15:05,30.21991911 Then he said, why don't you join them? Learn from among the best. 159 00:15:05,360.21991911 --> 00:15:08,940.21991911 If God wants you to begin, you are a new outfit. 160 00:15:09,20.22091911 --> 00:15:10,50.22091911 You love land. 161 00:15:10,210.22091911 --> 00:15:20,960.21991911 From those who weren't before you, and one of the best, and so he took a phone, phoned, and the next day I was at the office, and that's how I joined African Enterprise. 162 00:15:20,980.22091911 --> 00:15:35,465.22091911 Began as a youth mobilizer, mobilizing young people in colleges, in schools, for missions, and then became Kenya's A missions director and then went on to be the national director for Kenya. 163 00:15:36,35.22091911 --> 00:15:41,225.22091911 And then, uh, that was 2000, uh, around 2000, 2008. 164 00:15:41,875.22091911 --> 00:15:49,555.22091911 We have failed the Lord, calling me to step aside, go and do more studies on ministry to top leaders. 165 00:15:50,75.22091911 --> 00:15:58,465.22091911 To politicians and the, and the, and the, and the top government leaders and leaders in society because of Africa's challenges. 166 00:15:58,965.21991911 --> 00:16:06,235.22091911 As we kept evangelizing, I would see many leaders who seem open to God, but it's not going into the heart. 167 00:16:06,335.22091911 --> 00:16:08,465.22091911 And so that challenge was going through me. 168 00:16:08,475.22091911 --> 00:16:27,916.88658578 How do we disciple our leaders? So stepped out, went, did my PhD, and then in 2013, African Enterprise invited me back into African Enterprise as the international leader, and that's when, after a few years, I was also invited. 169 00:16:28,106.88758578 --> 00:16:33,686.88758578 To join Lausanne as the English, Portuguese, Spanish regional director. 170 00:16:33,876.88758578 --> 00:16:36,386.88758578 So in brief, that's my journey. 171 00:16:36,846.88758578 --> 00:16:42,500.2209191 And the Lord has been gracious and I'm excited at what God is doing in Africa. 172 00:16:42,694.8875858 --> 00:16:43,634.8875858 Well, thanks Steven. 173 00:16:43,644.8875858 --> 00:16:45,284.8875858 I really appreciate that. 174 00:16:45,334.8865858 --> 00:17:09,144.5349191 And I think it's an inspiration to, to those who are perhaps younger, who are trying to discern their calling and trying to discern whether it's their heavenly father that's speaking, or whether it's their earthly fathers or the influences on this planet what advice? you give to a younger leader who is trying to discern whether they're called to full time vocational ministry? Yeah. 175 00:17:09,144.5349191 --> 00:17:17,184.5354191 So my advice to young people today, as they seek to discern God's leading into Christian work. 176 00:17:17,544.5354191 --> 00:17:23,494.5354191 One is to Be faithful within the context where they are. 177 00:17:24,144.5354191 --> 00:17:46,424.5354191 Now, my case may be one, and of course I know there are many other cases, but, uh, like you've heard, it was through my engagement, like doing ministry in schools, in colleges, while in college, offering myself and also being, making myself available to the fellowship of Christian unions. 178 00:17:46,629.5354191 --> 00:17:50,169.5354191 which was like the church at the university in college. 179 00:17:50,349.5354191 --> 00:18:00,69.5354191 So giving yourself fully to the opportunity that is there now prepares you for the next phase. 180 00:18:00,609.5344191 --> 00:18:07,589.5354191 The other point that I would say is The need not always to think, I must begin something new. 181 00:18:08,499.5354191 --> 00:18:13,609.5354191 And of course, God raises young people and young people become inventors. 182 00:18:13,649.5354191 --> 00:18:16,809.5354191 Like the Bible says, the young will see visions. 183 00:18:17,109.5354191 --> 00:18:19,759.5354191 So the young people are able to push boundaries. 184 00:18:20,539.5354191 --> 00:18:27,249.5354191 into new territories, like we see in missions, people that step out into new territories. 185 00:18:27,539.5354191 --> 00:18:32,669.5354191 But at the same time, God also calls us to be faithful, to look around. 186 00:18:32,879.5354191 --> 00:18:45,279.5354191 What organizations has God put around us? And how can we offer ourselves to those organizations? To those ministries, to that church. 187 00:18:45,599.5354191 --> 00:18:50,629.5354191 So it doesn't always mean God has called, it has to be a new outfit. 188 00:18:51,464.5354191 --> 00:18:54,144.5354191 A new agency, a new church plant. 189 00:18:54,454.5354191 --> 00:19:01,194.5344191 What about being faithful? As the Lord says, they that are faithful in a little will be given much more. 190 00:19:01,534.5354191 --> 00:19:11,509.5354191 And so I would encourage young people to always ponder, look at your context, before simply running and saying, to begin something that is new or fresh. 191 00:19:11,639.5354191 --> 00:19:16,809.5354191 But at the same time, like in my case, there may be challenges with the parents. 192 00:19:16,829.5354191 --> 00:19:25,289.5344191 And I know a few, not too long ago, I spoke in a gathering of students and many, quite a number raised the same concern. 193 00:19:25,599.5354191 --> 00:19:31,749.5354191 Parents who may be against you when you take a stand to go and serve the Lord. 194 00:19:31,929.5354191 --> 00:19:35,499.5354191 I would say, be faithful again to your parents. 195 00:19:35,509.5354191 --> 00:19:37,619.5354191 The Bible says, of course, obey your parents. 196 00:19:37,904.5354191 --> 00:19:50,174.5354191 In the Lord, there's a place where it may be a departure because if they are calling on you, asking you to leave the faith, then you need to take a clear stand. 197 00:19:50,564.5354191 --> 00:19:57,454.5354191 But where it's the case of when is it appropriate? They feel they educated you. 198 00:19:57,464.5354191 --> 00:20:02,664.5354191 You are the first born, like I am, and they feel they need you to support the family. 199 00:20:03,399.5354191 --> 00:20:07,699.5354191 I would encourage, and I say to many young people, the marketplace. 200 00:20:08,59.5354191 --> 00:20:27,549.5354191 You can still begin by serving God in your marketplace as you build yourself so that one time the Lord may now say you are well positioned, including with some income, or even having in a way helped give back to the family. 201 00:20:27,579.5354191 --> 00:20:36,49.5354191 Because again, family, like the Bible says, I mean, if one isn't caring for their family, they are worse than an infidel. 202 00:20:36,449.5354191 --> 00:20:39,499.5354191 And I believe the same would apply to a son or a daughter. 203 00:20:39,499.5354191 --> 00:20:42,79.5344191 I mean, be mindful of your family. 204 00:20:42,89.5354191 --> 00:20:46,689.5354191 In my case, there were other factors that led me to take the step that I did. 205 00:20:46,729.5344191 --> 00:20:52,969.5354191 And of course, I would say, seek the Lord, let the Lord guide you because every case is unique. 206 00:20:53,129.5354191 --> 00:21:07,226.7679725 And that's why I said to young people leaving college, Take time before you run to that great adventure of work to ask the Lord, what would you have me with the rest of my life? Thank you for that, Stephen. 207 00:21:07,226.7679725 --> 00:21:12,446.7679725 Now I would like to dive into Africa and let's, let's talk about it. 208 00:21:12,496.7679725 --> 00:21:13,196.7679725 Let's unpack it. 209 00:21:13,216.7679725 --> 00:21:19,116.7679725 You are the one of the regional directors for EPSA along with Esther Chango. 210 00:21:19,536.7669725 --> 00:21:23,966.7679725 And I would love for you to just take a moment to give a snapshot of the region. 211 00:21:24,216.7679725 --> 00:21:33,991.4590256 When we're talking about EPSA, what are we talking about? And what do you see happening within the church and within God's global mission within your region? Thank you. 212 00:21:34,1.4600256 --> 00:21:35,91.4600256 So EPSA. 213 00:21:35,781.4600256 --> 00:21:41,81.4600256 EPSA is of course, the Lausanne region, English, Portuguese, Spanish. 214 00:21:41,481.4600256 --> 00:21:43,631.4600256 Interesting, we do have Spanish as well. 215 00:21:44,631.4600256 --> 00:21:47,241.4600256 It's one country, Equatorial Guinea. 216 00:21:47,761.4600256 --> 00:21:53,221.4600256 And Portuguese, we do have Mozambique and Angola. 217 00:21:53,281.4590256 --> 00:21:59,171.4590256 Those are the two very big Portuguese speaking countries in Africa. 218 00:21:59,441.4590256 --> 00:22:04,941.4600256 And the rest in the region are English speaking, which are the majority. 219 00:22:04,941.4600256 --> 00:22:10,1.4600256 So in total, the region has about 20 plus countries. 220 00:22:11,126.4600256 --> 00:22:27,293.1266923 The rest will be in the Francophone, French speaking, and then there will also be the Arab speaking, which is both North Africa and Middle East, that form the other region of Lausanne, which is partly in Africa and in the Middle East. 221 00:22:27,713.1266923 --> 00:22:56,903.3700851 So, this region, Epsa is a very exciting region, and we do have countries like Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa, with over, over what, over I'm trying to remember the figure clearly, but the last I knew, it was over 200 million? I'm sure you're cross checking for me. 222 00:22:56,903.4700851 --> 00:23:04,506.7024184 Uh, but, uh, so, so Nigeria is one of the most populous nations with many believers. 223 00:23:04,546.7034184 --> 00:23:14,766.7034184 There are about 105 million believers in Nigeria, with about 50 percent of them being evangelicals. 224 00:23:15,96.7034184 --> 00:23:21,121.7034184 So Nigeria is an out outlier on its own in terms of population. 225 00:23:21,131.7034184 --> 00:23:24,371.7034184 We have South Africa, which is another major nation. 226 00:23:24,771.7034184 --> 00:23:36,291.7034184 So again, the diversity of this region, when we speak of South Africa, we have both Africans who are black or whatever colors you may describe and white. 227 00:23:36,891.7034184 --> 00:23:40,391.7034184 So Africa is a unique continent. 228 00:23:40,728.3700851 --> 00:23:47,65.0367517 when again, we also speak of countries like Kenya who love Arabs, like down coast. 229 00:23:47,75.0367517 --> 00:23:56,358.3700851 So it's, it's a whole mixture of these wonderful continent and rather yes, continent and region. 230 00:23:56,939.520194 --> 00:24:01,625.0367517 so we do have big countries, small countries. 231 00:24:01,985.0367517 --> 00:24:07,10.0367517 We do have A very vibrant church within Epsa. 232 00:24:07,490.0367517 --> 00:24:27,100.0367517 Now Epsa, when we speak of sub Sahara Africa, because we do have North Africa, which is more Islamic and which is more Arab speaking, those are countries like from Sudan, going to Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, all those countries up north, they are mainly Islamic. 233 00:24:27,510.0367517 --> 00:24:42,121.7034184 But when we speak of sub Sahara, that's where most of these Epsa, region, countries, uh, and the Sub Saharan Africa is much more Christian than North Africa. 234 00:24:42,471.7034184 --> 00:24:53,621.7034184 So you find when we speak of Africa having about 600 plus million Christians out of the population of about 1. 235 00:24:53,621.8034184 --> 00:24:54,936.7034184 3 a billion. 236 00:24:55,66.7034184 --> 00:25:04,556.7024184 Most of these believers are within sub Sahara and that's where this EPSA region also has most of its countries. 237 00:25:04,836.7034184 --> 00:25:22,616.7034184 So that's why I'm saying it's a very unique region that has a very pivotal role because when we speak about the massive movement of Christians in Africa, we are speaking in a big way of this region that also has a responsibility. 238 00:25:23,91.7034184 --> 00:25:24,321.7034184 to the other regions. 239 00:25:24,521.7034184 --> 00:25:35,601.7034184 Now, when we speak of Francophone, of course Francophone for those who know a bit of Africa, most of those countries were colonized by the French. 240 00:25:35,951.7024184 --> 00:25:41,461.7044184 And of course, we know French were more leaning towards Catholicism, the Catholic Church. 241 00:25:41,691.7034184 --> 00:25:48,761.7044184 So we have a strong presence of the Catholic Church in the French speaking countries, Francophone. 242 00:25:48,971.7044184 --> 00:25:51,491.7044184 Of course, MENA will be wrestling. 243 00:25:51,576.8044184 --> 00:25:53,76.7044184 With Islam. 244 00:25:53,206.7044184 --> 00:25:57,6.7044184 There will be lots of that in those African countries up north. 245 00:25:57,266.7044184 --> 00:26:00,106.7044184 In Epsa, like I said, the church. 246 00:26:00,646.7034184 --> 00:26:07,446.7034184 In a country like Kenya, the church came into in 19 sorry, 1845. 247 00:26:07,906.7044184 --> 00:26:09,646.7044184 Those are around the same. 248 00:26:10,596.7044184 --> 00:26:11,566.7044184 Years when Dr. 249 00:26:11,566.7044184 --> 00:26:17,276.7044184 David Livingstone, coming from the South, was also coming, beginning to proclaim the faith. 250 00:26:17,616.7044184 --> 00:26:28,270.5849591 So, we've had the faith for, now what, close to, that should be what I'm trying to do the math, 45 to 20, 25. 251 00:26:28,500.6849591 --> 00:26:41,964.3213227 Is that close to 200? 200 years? not great but I mean, it, we, we are talking about a, a significant period of time, right? Indeed. 252 00:26:42,84.3213227 --> 00:26:42,534.3213227 Indeed. 253 00:26:42,534.3213227 --> 00:26:46,974.1566157 And, uh, so there's lots of growth of the church in this region. 254 00:26:47,274.1566157 --> 00:26:54,36.5664632 I would also add there are lots of young people in this region, a country like Kenya. 255 00:26:54,246.5674632 --> 00:26:57,586.5674632 The average age is 19 years. 256 00:26:57,901.5674632 --> 00:27:01,1.5674632 The median age of the entire population. 257 00:27:01,351.5674632 --> 00:27:05,61.5674632 Nigeria would be around the same and possibly lower. 258 00:27:05,541.5674632 --> 00:27:11,11.5674632 Countries like Uganda would even have a lower median age of about 17. 259 00:27:11,761.5674632 --> 00:27:19,111.5674632 So it's a very young continent at the same time in terms of age and in terms of minerals. 260 00:27:19,141.5674632 --> 00:27:25,991.5674632 It's also blessed with the gold from South Africa all the way to the oil in Nigeria. 261 00:27:26,1.5674632 --> 00:27:33,861.5674632 So I would say it's a, it's a blessed part of the continent of Africa, that is Epsa. 262 00:27:34,355.9007965 --> 00:27:34,625.9007965 Wow. 263 00:27:34,625.9007965 --> 00:27:41,75.9007965 Thank you for just painting that, that really great snapshot of what's happening in Africa as well as in Epsa. 264 00:27:41,527.3191365 --> 00:27:50,352.5674632 I would love to unpack some of what you've spoken about now because some of it is exciting and some of it can also lead to some extreme challenges. 265 00:27:50,352.5674632 --> 00:27:58,392.5674632 So we spoke about the fact that, you know, it, it has one of the youngest nations in the world, that's also the cent center of global Christianity now. 266 00:27:58,452.5674632 --> 00:27:59,952.5674632 And so we've got this. 267 00:28:00,192.5674632 --> 00:28:02,972.5674632 Growing population of young people. 268 00:28:03,282.5674632 --> 00:28:08,392.5674632 We also have Christianity growing within that space, but with that comes challenges and opportunities. 269 00:28:08,792.5674632 --> 00:28:12,902.5674632 And so I would love to give you an opportunity just to speak into those two realities. 270 00:28:12,912.5674632 --> 00:28:39,104.9007965 Could you share some of the greatest gospel opportunities that you're seeing within your region right now, as well as maybe describing some of the greatest challenges that you're experiencing? So when we speak in Africa today, and of course precisely about Epsa, about the opportunities, the great gospel opportunities that we do see, we are also speaking of the challenges. 271 00:28:39,549.9007965 --> 00:28:41,809.9007965 They seem to go hand in hand. 272 00:28:41,989.9007965 --> 00:28:55,449.9007965 Like they say, there is a silver lining on the, on the dark cloud, because one, it's the young people and the young people of Africa are Africa's greatest resource. 273 00:28:55,939.9007965 --> 00:29:00,925.6856537 And of course, Africa's greatest opportunity as well. 274 00:29:00,925.6856537 --> 00:29:07,769.4387436 Now, of course, like I mentioned earlier, 19 years is the average age. 275 00:29:08,259.4387436 --> 00:29:15,952.8444425 When you put that in perspective Europe is 42, 42, 42 years is the median age for Europe. 276 00:29:16,362.8444425 --> 00:29:18,42.8444425 North America is about 38. 277 00:29:19,394.5587831 --> 00:29:25,634.5587831 And other countries like Russia, I mean, major countries, China, will also be around 38. 278 00:29:26,954.5587831 --> 00:29:33,84.5587831 India would be the one closer to Africa with 28 as the median age. 279 00:29:33,114.5587831 --> 00:29:36,84.5587831 I mention this just to put it into perspective. 280 00:29:36,394.5587831 --> 00:29:40,254.5587831 When we say Africa's average age is 19. 281 00:29:41,264.5587831 --> 00:29:46,764.5587831 Now, the United Nations says this is a ticking bomb. 282 00:29:48,144.5587831 --> 00:29:49,324.5587831 That's documented. 283 00:29:49,324.6587831 --> 00:29:57,174.5587831 And they say this to mean that Africa is not able to provide jobs for these young people. 284 00:29:57,614.5587831 --> 00:30:12,274.5597831 Of which, In our populations below the age of 35, most of our countries will have like 70 percent of the population under the age of 30 or 35. 285 00:30:12,604.5597831 --> 00:30:18,989.5597831 And so, The saying, I mean, according to the UN is that we cannot, we do not have enough jobs. 286 00:30:18,989.5597831 --> 00:30:28,829.5597831 And of course, we've seen cases of these countries, whether it's like in, in Kenya, for example, when we had the Gen Z's revolution. 287 00:30:29,434.6222831 --> 00:30:42,284.6222831 That went all the way to Parliament and began taking over our Parliament building, because these are young people agitating in need of jobs or crying up against the taxes. 288 00:30:42,534.6222831 --> 00:30:47,524.6212831 So in a way, as the United Nations says, we see those realities. 289 00:30:47,764.6222831 --> 00:31:02,709.6222831 But at the same time, these young people are Africa's greatest opportunity because it's these young people who are giving the African church vibrancy. 290 00:31:02,709.6222831 --> 00:31:04,299.6222831 That's where the energy is. 291 00:31:04,339.6212831 --> 00:31:11,599.6212831 I mean, you go into meetings and, uh, I, I do have a number of young people that I mentor. 292 00:31:12,234.6222831 --> 00:31:17,564.6222831 You hear them of having nights of prayer where they are meeting just to pray through the night. 293 00:31:17,714.6222831 --> 00:31:25,194.6212831 We hear them speaking about days of prayer and fasting like this January as the year was beginning. 294 00:31:25,504.6222831 --> 00:31:31,124.6222831 You hear them of really seeking God, having a yearning for God, a longing for God. 295 00:31:31,434.6212831 --> 00:31:33,934.6212831 These are the new wine skins. 296 00:31:34,264.6222831 --> 00:31:41,574.6222831 That the Lord has prepared and is preparing, I believe, for a fresh push of the gospel. 297 00:31:41,884.6222831 --> 00:31:48,284.6222831 So these young people, to me, they are the Africa's opportunity right now. 298 00:31:49,374.6222831 --> 00:31:59,634.6222831 Now, when we speak of them, of course, when we speak of the church, they are the majority within the church, young people, they are there. 299 00:32:00,34.6222831 --> 00:32:04,84.6222831 And, you see them when you call for events or missions. 300 00:32:04,324.6222831 --> 00:32:12,44.6222831 That we do most of those in participating will be young people under the ages of 30 going downwards. 301 00:32:12,204.6222831 --> 00:32:22,134.6212831 You see them going into schools, into colleges, like we did in my days, but the numbers are more of them now going to minister and to share the gospel. 302 00:32:22,444.6212831 --> 00:32:36,279.6222831 You hear of them taking risks, going into places where I think twice, but you hear them saying We need to go share the gospel, including in the clubs, in the disco halls, into the night. 303 00:32:36,347.813118 --> 00:32:49,737.813118 so these young people are Africa's greatest moment and in EPSA we are seeing them, including we are seeing them going cross cultural, going into other countries. 304 00:32:50,83.4044721 --> 00:32:55,918.4044721 Some of them of course are going seeking for economic green pastures. 305 00:32:56,298.4044721 --> 00:33:01,138.4044721 But I do see that as being God's way to get them into the nation. 306 00:33:01,138.4044721 --> 00:33:09,198.4034721 So again, tying back to now the challenge of the economy, which of course hits hard on the young people. 307 00:33:10,8.4044721 --> 00:33:15,588.4044721 Again, it's the young people, whether by the economy, we are seeing them into the nations. 308 00:33:15,588.5044721 --> 00:33:22,578.4044721 As I speak, I know young people that I have mentored who are in the United States, who are in China. 309 00:33:23,353.4044721 --> 00:33:28,923.4044721 or even other young people in Australia, the ends of the earth from Africa. 310 00:33:29,113.4044721 --> 00:33:37,883.4044721 So these are mainly young people, of course, seeking to make ends meet, but they're also carrying their faith. 311 00:33:38,113.4044721 --> 00:33:40,953.4044721 It's also these young people who are online. 312 00:33:41,878.4044721 --> 00:33:48,638.4044721 They raise the saying we are using today, the harvest is online, but the laborers are offline. 313 00:33:49,278.4044721 --> 00:33:58,248.4044721 But again, we are seeing young people who are believers taking into the online space and also seeking to express their faith. 314 00:33:58,548.4034721 --> 00:33:59,498.4034721 They are doing TikToks. 315 00:34:00,88.4044721 --> 00:34:01,428.4044721 I live with young people. 316 00:34:01,428.4044721 --> 00:34:07,794.2852904 I know one of them who is always online doing TikToks I mean passion. 317 00:34:08,134.2852904 --> 00:34:21,247.1551031 So, so these young people again, I see them as the, the potential that is being turned into the kinetic, you know, on the move power to reach out to these generation. 318 00:34:21,757.1551031 --> 00:34:24,747.1551031 So again, I echo young people. 319 00:34:25,217.1551031 --> 00:34:26,47.1551031 Yes. 320 00:34:26,527.1551031 --> 00:34:41,316.3267257 According to the wild economists seeing it as A ticking bomb, but at the same time, I see them and I would say it's, it's, they are Africa's hour. 321 00:34:41,346.3267257 --> 00:34:50,326.3257257 They are, they are the force that God is using for now in a world that is desperate and is so diverse. 322 00:34:50,586.3257257 --> 00:34:55,736.3267257 But we are seeing them filling that space, pushed by the economic challenges. 323 00:34:56,186.3267257 --> 00:35:07,176.2621607 pushed by the political challenges, whether it's in countries like Burundi, in countries where, like Congo, where we are seeing conflicts. 324 00:35:07,396.2621607 --> 00:35:17,321.2621607 But again, we are seeing young people If you go to Brussels, which is in Europe, you see young people who are moving into those countries. 325 00:35:17,321.2621607 --> 00:35:27,991.2611607 Yes, sadly, it's because of the challenges back home, but we see that as well in the Bible, where because of persecution, the church gets to move out. 326 00:35:28,221.2621607 --> 00:35:31,51.2621607 And so again, I echo the young people. 327 00:35:31,591.2621607 --> 00:35:34,11.2621607 Africa's moment. 328 00:35:34,321.2621607 --> 00:35:36,681.2621607 This is their moment and we are seeing it. 329 00:35:37,44.9083915 --> 00:35:39,144.9083915 So I'd be interested to hear from you, Stephen. 330 00:35:39,197.3551759 --> 00:35:46,537.3551759 You mentioned that you work with African Enterprise, which works across the EPSA region, and I believe beyond that as well. 331 00:35:46,967.3551759 --> 00:35:55,17.3551759 Could you tell me how African Enterprise is trying to engage with young people? If this is Africa's greatest opportunity and greatest challenge. 332 00:35:55,692.3551759 --> 00:36:08,694.0859517 What are some ways in which African enterprise is engaging with them and releasing them for mission? And maybe you could even just share one or two stories from, your mission and that have maybe encouraged you over the past while. 333 00:36:08,867.2006233 --> 00:36:24,910.5276062 in line with African Enterprise's mission to evangelize the cities of Africa in word and in deed, In word is the proclamation, in deeds is the social action. 334 00:36:25,460.5276062 --> 00:36:31,230.5276062 The social action where we say an empty stomach has no ears. 335 00:36:31,540.5276062 --> 00:36:34,670.5276062 In other words, you need to scratch where it's itching. 336 00:36:35,170.5276062 --> 00:36:57,875.5276062 So it's both proclaim the word, that's what we seek to do, within the cities of Africa because we We believe, or rather we feel called, that in the capital cities or in the cities of Africa, and we do define a city as any township that is 250, 000 people and above. 337 00:36:58,225.5276062 --> 00:37:05,345.5276062 And so we say that's where influence comes from, from the cities right into the rest of the population. 338 00:37:05,925.5276062 --> 00:37:11,5.5276062 And again, or rather like I spoke earlier about young people. 339 00:37:11,270.5276062 --> 00:37:22,700.5276062 So in African Enterprise, which I will refer to as AE, in AE, the young people, we see them, many of them in our cities. 340 00:37:23,80.5276062 --> 00:37:31,551.1504106 Our cities are full of young people looking for prospects, coming to look for hope, coming into colleges and and schools. 341 00:37:31,551.2504106 --> 00:37:41,291.1514106 And so As African Enterprise, one of the approaches we use to minister to young people is through what we call the fox fires. 342 00:37:41,671.1514106 --> 00:37:43,491.1514106 Fox fires. 343 00:37:43,841.1504106 --> 00:37:55,301.1514106 It comes from the story of Samson, where you take the foxes and he put them together, 300 of them, and set them loose into the harvest of the Philistines. 344 00:37:55,311.1514106 --> 00:37:56,821.1514106 So that's what, that's the background. 345 00:37:57,391.1514106 --> 00:38:06,741.1514106 I don't have time to explain about how we began this, But it was through Reynard Bonke, who was also, in a way, a friend of our ministry. 346 00:38:07,81.1514106 --> 00:38:15,491.1514106 And as he spoke about the Samson and the Foxes, one of our directors began thinking, huh, this can be a strategy for young people. 347 00:38:15,511.1514106 --> 00:38:20,691.1504106 And that's how we began it, where you take young people and train them. 348 00:38:20,691.1504106 --> 00:38:33,116.1514106 So we take young people, like in Kenya, in Malawi, in South Africa, in Zimbabwe, and we are beginning it in a few other countries, where we take them for six months. 349 00:38:34,166.1514106 --> 00:38:40,266.1514106 Once they finish high school, before they go to college, in teams of about 10 or even more. 350 00:38:41,81.1514106 --> 00:38:43,911.1514106 And we train them on life skills. 351 00:38:44,121.1514106 --> 00:38:57,891.1514106 We train them on how to speak, speech, train them on how mean to be wise in the use of money, relationships, train them on drama and skits and dancing. 352 00:38:58,241.1514106 --> 00:39:04,561.1514106 And they go into schools, into colleges, into the streets, sharing their faith. 353 00:39:04,691.1514106 --> 00:39:10,381.1514106 So of course, it's well scheduled and planned, but this has a big impact. 354 00:39:11,151.1514106 --> 00:39:31,151.1514106 In schools, I do have some of the young people that we trained that we've trained over the years that are now senior pastors and leaders in the communities and they began as young people and some of them are in other countries like China and in the US and they began as young people. 355 00:39:31,291.1514106 --> 00:39:38,511.1514106 So that's what we call the Fox fires, which is a young people's or rather youth empowerment. 356 00:39:38,576.1514106 --> 00:39:39,476.1514106 Program. 357 00:39:39,896.1514106 --> 00:39:49,616.1514106 But then what we also do in addition to this, and this leads many young people to the Lord, a lot of young people come to the Lord through this. 358 00:39:49,899.364643 --> 00:40:04,229.8070869 but then we also do what we call young people's enrichment programs like in Rwanda, where we take young people, empower them with skills, whether it's mechanical skills, because again. 359 00:40:04,484.8070869 --> 00:40:08,384.8070869 We want to be realistic to the needs of Africa. 360 00:40:08,384.8070869 --> 00:40:19,622.3094609 And so some of these young people who train them in terms of being mechanics, in carpentry, in building, and this is in Rwanda and also in Ghana. 361 00:40:20,132.3084609 --> 00:40:24,782.3094609 And this gives these young people skills, some of them like ladies. 362 00:40:25,237.3094609 --> 00:40:51,744.3427089 We'll also teach them how to be beauticians, you know, all the air, all the things that, you know, beauty, uh, salon, to be salonists or yeah, in the beauty industry and through that being trained as they are being trained, they're also being empowered to be witnesses for Christ, but then in a bigger way, which touches both on young people, but also on young people. 363 00:40:52,124.4427089 --> 00:41:00,534.4427089 abate older people is what we call the CTGs, Community Transformation Groups. 364 00:41:00,904.4427089 --> 00:41:06,504.4427089 So this is where we seek to address the economy or the economic challenge. 365 00:41:06,704.4427089 --> 00:41:13,329.4427089 And so we put young people and of course all those who are interested, Could be not young. 366 00:41:13,699.4427089 --> 00:41:15,289.4427089 And put them into groups. 367 00:41:15,329.4427089 --> 00:41:16,739.4427089 Economic groups. 368 00:41:16,799.4427089 --> 00:41:19,89.4427089 It's like self help groups. 369 00:41:19,569.4427089 --> 00:41:22,999.4427089 And, uh, right now we have so many of these groups. 370 00:41:23,289.4427089 --> 00:41:27,389.4417089 And what happens is this, this group could be a, a group. 371 00:41:27,409.4427089 --> 00:41:30,789.4417089 They are, they range 15 to 20 members. 372 00:41:31,9.4427089 --> 00:41:32,729.4427089 So they meet every week. 373 00:41:33,199.4427089 --> 00:41:39,629.4427089 And what do they meet to do? Talk about their business and table banking, lend money to each other. 374 00:41:40,220.1773335 --> 00:41:49,846.327868 as they do this, they begin by a session of prayer, I mean brief, and then a session of sharing, someone shares a devotion. 375 00:41:50,186.327868 --> 00:41:54,816.326868 So these micro finance groups also become discipleship groups. 376 00:41:55,81.327868 --> 00:42:01,131.327868 Which basically is saying disciple the people where they are in the marketplace. 377 00:42:01,481.327868 --> 00:42:12,901.327868 And in countries like in Rwanda, for example, we have over 29, 000 such groups with over 300, 000 members. 378 00:42:13,861.327868 --> 00:42:29,571.8132829 I single Rwanda because again, we know coming from the genocide of 94 And to see the kind of a move, or transformation that, that the AE team is causing in that country. 379 00:42:29,951.8132829 --> 00:42:34,481.8132829 It's so profound out of a country that came out of the ashes. 380 00:42:34,511.8132829 --> 00:42:41,771.8132829 In fact, our director, the team leader in 1994 was among the first to be killed. 381 00:42:43,346.8132829 --> 00:42:50,206.8132829 Because he spoke for the minority while he was among the majority and his entire family was wiped out. 382 00:42:50,296.8132829 --> 00:42:51,776.8132829 So the team was gone. 383 00:42:52,166.8132829 --> 00:42:57,196.8122829 It rose out of the ashes and to see what they are doing today in Rwanda. 384 00:42:57,466.8132829 --> 00:42:59,836.8132829 is so, so remarkable. 385 00:43:00,206.8132829 --> 00:43:16,6.8122829 And so, so, so much as the impact been that some of the cell phone companies, they do seek to tailor some of their products to what these groups are doing because, because of their sheer numbers. 386 00:43:16,651.8132829 --> 00:43:20,131.8132829 and the impact that they are having in society. 387 00:43:20,131.8132829 --> 00:43:24,241.8132829 But, but we formed similar groups all the way in Ghana. 388 00:43:24,541.8132829 --> 00:43:37,416.7132829 You find us with such groups and in one of the countries in North Africa, uh, similar groups and all the way to South Africa where we, where we do have a group of shoemakers. 389 00:43:38,412.6860587 --> 00:43:45,942.6850587 involved in simple shoe businesses, making shoes, and they need to talk about their business and to talk about faith. 390 00:43:46,62.6860587 --> 00:43:49,672.6860587 So, again, back, young people. 391 00:43:50,507.6860587 --> 00:44:00,557.0390089 a very potential group that is not just potential that is dynamic in, in what is happening within the church in Africa today. 392 00:44:00,617.0390089 --> 00:44:06,225.5292406 I'll conclude with, with one story which I've seen again, a few years back. 393 00:44:06,225.5292406 --> 00:44:14,980.5297406 So when we do Urban missions in African enterprise, we do have what we call stratified evangelism. 394 00:44:15,410.5297406 --> 00:44:25,370.5287406 We say begin or rather ensure every strata is reached, you know, the way we have the earth stratas, the various levels. 395 00:44:25,370.5297406 --> 00:44:35,250.5297406 And so we go, if it's a city with a president, by God's grace, we will seek to ensure it a prayer breakfast national. 396 00:44:35,710.5297406 --> 00:44:49,300.5287406 Prayer breakfast, which we do have in Kenya, South Sudan, Malawi, Zambia and other countries, of which African Enterprise has been part of the teams that initiated this. 397 00:44:49,450.5297406 --> 00:44:54,735.5297406 And the goal is to say, how will the top leaders Hear the gospel. 398 00:44:55,135.5297406 --> 00:45:00,235.5297406 When Jesus sent Paul, he said, I send you to the Gentiles and to their leaders. 399 00:45:00,545.5297406 --> 00:45:04,555.5297406 So we say, do not ignore the leaders of the nation. 400 00:45:04,805.5287406 --> 00:45:08,545.5287406 Every fish has its way of catching it. 401 00:45:08,700.5297406 --> 00:45:16,9.8314081 If it's a shark, there's a different way of catching the shark, which is different from how you catch the small fish. 402 00:45:16,9.8314081 --> 00:45:18,36.1091993 in Kenya we call it omen. 403 00:45:18,416.1091993 --> 00:45:21,26.1091993 When you put it on the table, its eyes are open. 404 00:45:21,86.1091993 --> 00:45:24,536.1091993 I mean, those little fish, so different methods. 405 00:45:24,536.1091993 --> 00:45:34,376.1091993 So from the top leaders all the way to business, people ask yourself, how do you reach out to the business community? Get a businessman who can share his faith. 406 00:45:34,436.1091993 --> 00:45:36,601.1091993 Lawyers, the same medical doctors. 407 00:45:37,636.1091993 --> 00:45:57,996.1081993 students, women leaders, streets, public meetings, schools, so that everybody, prisons, police stations, in a city we can have as many, depending with the size, as many as 700 meetings within 10 days, but of course it takes like two years, one to two years to plan. 408 00:45:58,326.1081993 --> 00:46:13,1.1081993 So in one of the cities, In Kenya, we had this campaign and we had gangsters whom we were neglecting because we feared them in this community in one of the slums of Nairobi. 409 00:46:13,21.1091993 --> 00:46:26,426.7572808 Again, slums are a major challenge in Africa where again we should ask how do we reach out to the slums where drugs, gangsters, I mean, and all the other vices. 410 00:46:27,546.7572808 --> 00:46:34,950.566763 So a friend, a young man who had come to know the Lord not too long, said, I know how you can reach out to these guys. 411 00:46:34,950.566763 --> 00:46:35,930.565763 Don't leave them. 412 00:46:36,210.566763 --> 00:46:37,430.566763 They too need Christ. 413 00:46:37,450.566763 --> 00:46:41,280.565763 He said he was a carjacker and he said he knows how we can reach them. 414 00:46:41,280.566763 --> 00:47:01,475.566763 So he said, Prepare a hot cup of tea and he say put the tea in the open tea, you know, we love our tea in Kenya and he said put it in the open because they will think if it's indoors, you're planning to call the police on them and he said serve it in the African cup. 415 00:47:01,795.566763 --> 00:47:02,965.566763 He said the big cup. 416 00:47:03,360.566763 --> 00:47:09,538.7613504 Like this one, but he say metallic, He said, serve it in a metal cup, which you hold, it burns you. 417 00:47:09,848.7613504 --> 00:47:16,98.7613504 And so he said, you'll have about 15 minutes to tell them the good news, as they sip it. 418 00:47:16,893.7613504 --> 00:47:19,343.7613504 And he said, if they drink it quickly, top it up. 419 00:47:19,763.7613504 --> 00:47:21,343.7613504 And you know, that's what we did. 420 00:47:21,653.7613504 --> 00:47:26,843.7613504 My wife was, was among those who are topping up the tea in 15 minutes. 421 00:47:27,133.7613504 --> 00:47:30,923.7613504 Some of these gangsters were on the police wanted list. 422 00:47:31,253.7613504 --> 00:47:33,483.7603504 Some of them had bullets in their body. 423 00:47:34,41.6433801 --> 00:47:43,161.6443801 some were known for all sorts of crimes and within 15 to 20 minutes of sharing the gospel with this group in the open. 424 00:47:44,41.6443801 --> 00:47:45,371.6443801 Over a cup of tea. 425 00:47:45,771.6443801 --> 00:47:57,301.6443801 Today, five of those former gangsters are pastors in Nairobi, and they are serving in some of the tough places of Nairobi. 426 00:47:57,681.6433801 --> 00:48:01,736.6443801 And when you hear their testimonies even today, It's a wonder. 427 00:48:01,746.6443801 --> 00:48:07,256.6443801 I had them not too long ago in my house for some, uh, kind of anniversary. 428 00:48:07,316.6443801 --> 00:48:08,726.6443801 Amazing stories. 429 00:48:09,26.6443801 --> 00:48:18,876.6433801 It all came by strategically seeking, how do you position the gospel so that everybody, because Evie says, I'll make you fishers of men, every fish. 430 00:48:19,241.6443801 --> 00:48:20,281.6443801 needs him. 431 00:48:20,711.6443801 --> 00:48:27,751.6443801 The question is, how do you position so that the way we present the message, the message is the same. 432 00:48:27,821.6443801 --> 00:48:35,171.6443801 It's how do we present it? And that's what we are seeking to do in the cities of Africa as African enterprise. 433 00:48:35,850.4566933 --> 00:48:36,210.4566933 Wow. 434 00:48:36,210.4566933 --> 00:48:38,750.4566933 That's absolutely inspiring. 435 00:48:38,790.4566933 --> 00:48:45,897.7738168 And I'm sure that many people listening in, will be inspired by what you say, and maybe some would be even be interested in trying to connect with you. 436 00:48:46,317.7728168 --> 00:49:01,102.8378846 And so as we begin to wrap up the interview, how can people engage with you, Steven, with African Enterprise, with some of the things that you're doing, how can they pray, connect, support you? What's the best way that they can get connected and get involved? Wonderful. 437 00:49:01,122.8378846 --> 00:49:01,722.8378846 Well, right. 438 00:49:01,772.8368846 --> 00:49:15,637.8378846 I do believe, uh, possibly you may have my, uh, Whether it's the name of African Enterprise or somewhere, but if you go online, it's A E I N T dot O R G. 439 00:49:15,987.8378846 --> 00:49:26,227.8378846 That will take you to our website, and I do believe also through the Lausanne website, you may be able to get a link to African Enterprise. 440 00:49:26,227.8378846 --> 00:49:30,267.8378846 We are spread in different countries in Africa. 441 00:49:30,857.8378846 --> 00:49:48,67.8368846 And like I mentioned at the beginning, we are also working with Movement Day, the African Mission Association, and there are links that also link all these entities because, uh, like we said in Lausanne last year, this is the age of collaboration. 442 00:49:48,517.8378846 --> 00:49:54,57.8368846 And so I would encourage you, listener, if you feel you want to reach out, please do reach out. 443 00:49:54,397.8368846 --> 00:49:55,317.8368846 Let's collaborate. 444 00:49:55,812.8378846 --> 00:49:57,22.8378846 We learn from you. 445 00:49:57,72.8378846 --> 00:50:07,862.8378846 You learn from what God is doing through us in Africa as we together seek to finish the Great Commission as the whole church, the whole gospel to the whole world. 446 00:50:08,302.1712179 --> 00:50:08,722.1712179 Wonderful. 447 00:50:08,732.1712179 --> 00:50:09,82.1712179 Steven. 448 00:50:09,82.1712179 --> 00:50:14,142.1712179 I'll be sure to put that into the show notes for those who would like to find them. 449 00:50:14,952.1712179 --> 00:50:24,86.1722179 final thoughts that you would like to leave with us as we close off the interview? Well, uh, one of my final thoughts would be to say, let's keep praying. 450 00:50:24,206.1712179 --> 00:50:27,186.1702179 When Jesus said, the harvest is plenty. 451 00:50:27,596.1712179 --> 00:50:29,186.1712179 The laborers are few. 452 00:50:29,436.1712179 --> 00:50:34,806.1712179 He says, pray that the Lord may send harvesters into his field. 453 00:50:35,336.1712179 --> 00:50:40,916.1712179 And he also said in Luke 10, I'm sending you a ship among wolves. 454 00:50:41,286.1712179 --> 00:50:45,116.1712179 They would want to encourage us as we pray, pray for Africa. 455 00:50:45,502.6024786 --> 00:50:49,502.6024786 Pray for Africa all the way from North Africa. 456 00:50:50,62.6024786 --> 00:50:53,692.6024786 Africa today, there's a lot of persecution. 457 00:50:53,792.6024786 --> 00:51:04,642.6014786 While the church is growing in a big way, and like mentioned earlier, it's now the center of the global church, but there's a lot of persecution. 458 00:51:04,972.6014786 --> 00:51:08,542.6024786 Nigeria, for example, lots of persecution. 459 00:51:08,942.6024786 --> 00:51:14,902.6024786 This would be what we would call the hidden part of the church, like in the early church. 460 00:51:15,122.6024786 --> 00:51:33,752.6034786 This persecution, North Africa, and not just in countries where Islam is so pronounced, but we are seeing even smaller countries like Burundi or Rwanda, for example, where I do know cases of people that have been persecuted for their faith. 461 00:51:33,952.6024786 --> 00:51:56,982.6024786 So let's pray as the Bible calls on us, Hebrews 13, to remember those in prison Receive in prison with them to remember that part, the hidden church, including all the way from Nigeria, North Africa, the persecuted church where it's on collision with Islam and other, uh, religions and traditions. 462 00:51:56,992.6024786 --> 00:51:59,205.8024786 I would really appeal for prayer. 463 00:51:59,205.8024786 --> 00:52:04,547.5024786 Uh, at the same time, we do have conflicts as I conclude, like Goma. 464 00:52:05,197.6024786 --> 00:52:11,257.6024786 Congo, for example, where massive fighting has been going on for the last couple of days. 465 00:52:11,567.6024786 --> 00:52:21,717.6014786 I would really plead, let's pray for these countries like Congo, Democratic Republic, and other small places where there is, conflicts. 466 00:52:22,42.6014786 --> 00:52:24,562.6014786 in Africa, Sudan, uh, South. 467 00:52:24,874.8865969 --> 00:52:27,4.8865969 so please, I would really appeal. 468 00:52:27,14.8865969 --> 00:52:33,554.8865969 The harvest is plenty in Africa, but like Jesus said, I send you a sheep among hoofs. 469 00:52:33,854.8865969 --> 00:52:35,134.8865969 There are conflicts. 470 00:52:35,264.8865969 --> 00:52:51,4.8855969 Let's pray for this church, the hidden church, which we believe one day, we It will emerge like we've seen in some of the other countries where persecution has been, and a strong church rises that renews the rest of the church. 471 00:52:51,294.8865969 --> 00:52:54,754.8865969 So my prayer is really a call on you. 472 00:52:54,764.8865969 --> 00:52:55,564.8855969 Join us. 473 00:52:55,829.8865969 --> 00:53:01,699.8865969 As we pray for Africa and the hidden church in Africa that is going through persecution. 474 00:53:01,990.3865969 --> 00:53:02,470.3865969 Wonderful. 475 00:53:02,470.3865969 --> 00:53:12,609.3865969 Steven, would you mind closing us off and maybe closing us off in prayer that we can all pray with you for Africa and for what God is doing within this region? Thank you, Jason. 476 00:53:12,929.3865969 --> 00:53:15,319.3865969 I'll gladly pray with us. 477 00:53:15,659.3865969 --> 00:53:20,659.3865969 Lord, we thank you for this time that we've spent with the global church. 478 00:53:20,969.3865969 --> 00:53:31,979.3865969 Through this Lausanne podcast, Lord, I pray for my listeners, and I pray, Lord, for those who will listen to this conversation. 479 00:53:32,509.3865969 --> 00:53:36,599.3855969 I pray, Lord, for them within their context where they are. 480 00:53:37,154.3865969 --> 00:53:40,754.3865969 The ends of the earth or even closer here in Africa. 481 00:53:41,164.3865969 --> 00:53:48,394.3865969 I pray for us Father, just like you pray that we may be one as you are one with the Father. 482 00:53:48,434.3865969 --> 00:53:53,524.3855969 So we may be one with you and the Father and we may be one horizontally. 483 00:53:53,924.3865969 --> 00:54:04,649.2865969 I pray for us as the global church, the Lord, we may have a sense of what you're doing around the world so that we may collectively stand together. 484 00:54:04,689.3865969 --> 00:54:11,679.3865969 With your work in the ends of the earth, we pray for the unreached people groups in Africa. 485 00:54:11,679.3865969 --> 00:54:20,449.3865969 We pray for the church that is right now in the midst of conflict or even facing challenges from the north. 486 00:54:20,619.3865969 --> 00:55:02,394.3855969 From other faiths, we pray for courage for our brothers who live day, day in, day out in such circumstances, we pray further for the young people of Africa, that they may arise to the calling you've called them in this day, that they may not be missing on duty, the duty of stepping up for you from the marketplace to the schools and colleges and even To the enriched parts of this world or even into the diaspora, that they will carry their faith and the Lord with wisdom and skill and with your grace, there will be witnesses for you. 487 00:55:02,834.3865969 --> 00:55:05,244.3855969 We thank you Father for Lausanne. 488 00:55:05,554.3865969 --> 00:55:24,764.3865969 We pray as you've put us together through this movement that we may be faithful stewards of the partnerships you've called us into on such a day you As this, and we thank you, Lord, as we hone and glorify you, our King and coming King. 489 00:55:25,104.3865969 --> 00:55:31,64.3865969 This we pray in the name of our Lord and Savior, thou Jesus Christ. 490 00:55:31,194.3865969 --> 00:55:31,794.3865969 Amen. 491 00:55:33,244.2876062 --> 00:55:37,334.2876062 Well, I hope that you enjoyed this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast. 492 00:55:37,614.2876062 --> 00:55:43,544.2876062 If you did enjoy the show, I want to encourage you to leave us a rating and review and share it with a friend. 493 00:55:44,32.910142 --> 00:55:44,832.910142 Till next week. 494 00:55:45,202.910142 --> 00:55:45,652.910142 Cheers.