Daily Christian Journey

Empowering Gospel Work in East Africa

The Neopolis Network, a global organization, is working tirelessly to equip churches and church planters in East Africa for ministry. Their efforts are focused on providing opportunities for pastoral fellowship, resourcing conferences, facilitating leadership development, and distributing Bibles and biblically sound books.

A Passion for the Word of God

Charles Karuri, a Neopolis partner and church planter in Kenya, shares his story of how he came to saving faith in 2004. His passion for the Word of God and prayer led him to become a youth pastor and eventually a leader in the church’s prayer ministry. Karuri’s experience highlights the importance of faithful expositors of the Word in East Africa, where the health and wealth gospel often dominates the public square.

Neopolis Network’s Impact

The Neopolis Network has made a significant impact in East Africa by:

1. Creating a platform for like-minded pastors: Regular fellowship and support help pastors stay grounded in their faith and ministry.
2. Resourcing pastors: Financial support for conferences and book resources empowers pastors to preach the gospel effectively.
3. Facilitating leadership development: Training and equipping called and gifted men for church planting helps spread the gospel in East Africa.

Challenges and Opportunities

Karuri notes that the greatest encouragement has been the Lord’s reminder that He is building His own church. However, challenges persist, including the need for expositors of the Word and the lack of training and resources for pastors. The answer, Karuri believes, lies in preaching and providing essential tools like study Bibles, commentaries, and sound theological materials.

Top Resources for East Africa

Karuri identifies the top resources needed in East Africa:

1. Bibles: The foundation of Christian faith and ministry.
2. Study Bibles: Essential for pastors and ministry leaders with a regular preaching ministry.
3. Doctrinally instructive books: Short, easy-to-read books like “What Is the Gospel?” and “Expositional Preaching” can challenge ministry paradigms and deepen convictions.

Prayer Requests

Karuri asks for prayer for:

1. Preachers who prioritize rightly dividing the Word: Faithful preaching will straighten out what is crooked in churches and bring life to what is dead.
2. Material provision for church planting: Support for the work in Malindi, Kenya, and other regions.
3. The Lord’s presence in planning and evangelism: Guidance and empowerment for the church planting process.

Gospel-Centered Partnerships

The Neopolis Network’s partnership with Crossway is just one example of gospel-centered partnerships making a difference in East Africa. Other organizations, like The Rafiki Foundation and Faith Comes By Hearing, are also working to equip Christian leaders and spread the gospel in Africa.