Our African Enterprise South Africa (AESA) team, under the leadership of Theuns Pauw, has hit the ground running this year with two new mission staff members that have joined. The team has a great dynamic and the members are skilled in the various areas of ministry, from conferencing and team building to community development and missions.
Charlene, Theuns’s wife, is making good headway with the AE Legacy project where she is helping Michael Cassidy with editing his books and content for the Michael Cassidy and Friends website.
The team is in full preparation for the 60th anniversary this year. They will be commemorating the anniversary with a gala dinner followed by the “Mission to Maritzburg” in partnership with the local churches. The Gospel will go out in every area of Pietermaritzburg and our founder, Michael Cassidy, will also be part of this exciting mission. Back to where it all started with the first “Mission to Maritzburg” in 1962.
The vibrant and energetic foxfire team has just finished their training and are ready and eagerly waiting to bring their unique and dynamic youth ministry to schools and churches as they proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This godly team is still busy with COVID-19 relief actions and has already distributed 160 food parcels this year.
Another focus for the year is the Ngezandla Zethu sewing project, which has been running since 2018. The AESA team are excited to announce that 2022 looks brighter and better as the project opened its doors for skills training to 30 participants enrolling this year, up from 20 when they started. By the Grace of God some of the graduates from this sewing and fashion design course have successfully formed Community Transformation groups. (CTG’s). The AESA team is hoping to form another two CTG groups for 2022.
“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5b
Please pray:
- for our Foxfire youth team as they conclude their initial training and prepare for their commissioning service and subsequent ministry
- for our 60th anniversary “Mission to Maritzburg” planned for 12-21 August, that we will be able to secure the funding and venues required, and that the training and ministry will have a great impact on our city
- for our community upliftment projects, especially the NgeZandla Zethu sewing project where 30 women has been enrolled this year.
- that the gospel may spread quickly during this time of uncertainty, bringing hope to the hopeless.
- that AESA will financially continue to sustain through the pandemic.
- that our documentary “The Threatened Miracle of South Africa’s Democracy” may reach multitudes through social media in South Africa and beyond.
- for our 60th anniversary preparations for this year and unity on the steering committee.
“Every good and perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17),
As we draw towards the end of 2021, we want to thank all our faithful supporters for donations, prayers and partnerships that has enabled us to take the Gospel into Africa this year. Thank you to everyone who shared our mission with your church, small group, friends and on social media and who encouraged us along our path. We could not have done it without you. At AE we give thanks for countless blessings received and rejoice in the impact you have helped make in the lives of thousands of people.
As we move into the new year, we value your prayers and support over Christmas and the new year to help all our teams plan missions with certainty. Our 60th anniversary missions planning processes are well underway, including establishing mission outreach in Togo, Zambia and South Sudan. This is a significant move forward for AE to reach out into more countries and cities of Africa, and your support is vital to mobilise churches for mission in each of these areas. Africa is one of the youngest continents on earth, so strengthening our Foxfires youth evangelism teams is vital. Our development programs are assisting hundreds of vulnerable women and children to move off the streets and provide for their families, and water and sanitation programs are saving lives of the very young in slum areas.
In the past year we have seen 2,700 enrollments in the pastor training program. Praise God that through your support we are able to provide online theological education with the support of local and Australian teachers.
We Thank God for:
- faithfulness to the Great commission, equipping workers in Africa within God’s harvest field
- the readiness to share the Gospel in word and deed to the glory of God, every single day in Africa
- Our partnership in Christ to reach out to all nations in Africa, through all challenges, recognising the very great needs and doing something about it.
- Our supporters, and raising up of support and prayers to fund mission and development in Africa
Please pray with us for:
- Those reached with the Good News, who have made a decision for Jesus, to be faithful in meeting together for church, discipleship and outreach.
- Funding of all our future missions, development, and for the AE coordinators and evangelists
- For all those suffering through conflict, poverty, disease, economic and environmental issues – that God will show a path through of hope, certainty in Christ and healing.
- The leaders of Africa, through the love of God, that all Christians can live a godly and peaceful life dedicated to glorifying God.
- For all team leaders, support office staff, boards and volunteers that they might be blessed in the love of God and sow peace in Christ for a harvest of righteousness
Reflections on the hope of Africa’s youth.
Africa has the youngest population of any continent – nearly 60% of its population is under the age of 25. In a country like Niger, the average age is just 15 years! One of the main reasons for Africa’s young population, is the continent’s high fertility rates, combined with declining child mortality.
Having such a young population leads to both challenges and opportunities. Youth carries with it potential for innovation, creativity and productivity. But if the hope of youth is deferred, it can lead to restlessness and violence.
Africa’s young population could lead to a “window of opportunity” for rapid economic growth for the continent. However, unemployment is one of the biggest challenges facing Africa’s youth.
A recent World Bank survey found that around 40% of young people who join rebel movements, describe unemployment as their main reason for joining these groups. And disillusioned young people have been a source of political unrest in many African countries.
In the face of economic hardship and disempowering politics, many young people in Africa are at a crossroads. They are looking for direction and leadership. At AE, our hope is to present the Gospel in a way that is relevant to them. Our Foxfires youth programs share the message of Jesus, and provide role models that young people can relate to, while our vocational training programs provide youth with viable career paths.
Caroline Mutheu, assistant supervisor of the Foxfires youth programs, explains that,
“Bringing the love of Jesus helps youth make the right choices… And right choices affect our destiny.”
The destiny that God speaks over Africa is one of hope. The only hope that has the power to transform a young person – or a continent. Jesus.
“For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
Africa has the youngest population in the world – its average age is just 19 years.
At African Enterprise, we know that the key to the continent is its youth; this is how the dream for the Foxfires, the youth arm of AE, was born. Foxfires play a vital role in AE city-wide and university missions each year, as they reach their fellow youth with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The program’s name comes from Judges 15 – where Samson ties torches to the tails of foxes and releases them into the fields of the Philistines. The name is symbolic of youth who, set ablaze with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, carry His fire into the world.
AE currently has Foxfires teams in Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Malawi, with each team made up of around 10 young Africans. Many of our Foxfires come from difficult backgrounds, but they have a passion for the Gospel, and they choose to devote a year of their lives to Christian ministry.
After 2 months of training, the Foxfires visit schools, children’s homes and youth groups, using energetic dance and drama performances to share the Gospel message. They also mentor younger leaders and present programs that help young people to contribute positively to society, while navigating issues such as peer pressure, drug abuse, crime, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
Julie Kibie, a social worker at Bro Beausang Education Centre, was overwhelmed by the effect that the Kenyan Foxfires have had on pupils at the school, describing the Foxfires as “the change agents that we so need for this generation!” One of those pupils, Lizzy, lost her mother at birth, and suffered from low self-esteem due to ongoing rejection by her stepmother. Speaking of the Foxfires, she describes:
“I have learned that my background does not dictate my future or how I should view things… Furthermore, my decision to welcome Christ in my life has had a difference since I can now speak my heart to God. I am forever grateful for the new me that the Foxfires program has carved”.
With COVID-19 having affected the Kenyan Foxfires’ schedule this year, the team are determined to continue shining their light in the midst of dark and seemingly hopeless circumstances. One team member, Brandon, encourages fellow youth around the world not to lose hope during this challenging season:
“Have hope and be positive. See the best that can be done to improve your skill as a young person during this period. Let your dreams keep hope alive. God honours his child’s heart’s desires. He will ensure that it happens in due time. Focus now on the talent, the gifting or the strength you have always passed over or ignored… Be that unmoved change agent for a better life tomorrow. God bless!”
Discipleship in the midst of a pandemic.
The Kenya Foxfires Youth Empowerment Program 2020 started off with great expectations and zeal. Before the covid-19 epidemic, the team completed their induction training and then participated in the following:
- A mission in Kawangware, Nairobi with Open House Global Mission Church. The team conducted one on one evangelism, open air meetings and outreach to street children. In this mission, 301 people were reached with the Gospel with and 45 making commitment for Christ.
- Reaching the teens at Nairobi Chapel Karen on Sundays. They have so far reached 250 Teens with 4 giving their lives to Christ.
- The team has also participated in community work at Soweto Kayole Clinic that is run by AE in one of the slums in Nairobi.
- School and University ministry, the team has reached 2011 students with 123 committing their lives to Christ.
As in any other part of the world, the Foxfires 2020 has also been affected by the Covid-19. The team had to move back to their homes and schools and churches were closed by the government. This resulted in the team having to find ways to reach out and make a difference in their communities through online platforms.
“We maintain contact as a team via zoom every Wednesday to pray together, strategise for ministry, encourage each other and remind each other that God is still in control.”
Here are some examples of how the team is continuing with their discipleship:
Lydia, an intern in Eldoret is making a difference by reaching out to university students on Whatsapp. A lot of students are feeling anxious and Lydia reminds them that God is in control. She encourages them to do online courses to keep busy and she also spends time in prayer for these students.
“I am very excited that at such a time I am making a difference among my fellow youths. Let’s all make a difference wherever we are.”
Branden is wisely spending his time back in Kakamega by learning new skills online and spending more time with God. He also reaches out to his friends with a message of
“Have hope and be positive”
Denis chooses to be a beacon of hope in his community of Thika where he lives with his mother. The own a shop and Denis have made it his mission to disciple to the customers.
“I credit the great efforts of the Foxfires Program into making me fearless in passing the message of hope to many.”
With this approach: Ministry from a Distance, God will still minister to his people through this team.
- Pray for the Foxfires, that they will keep the fire burning.
- Pray for their protection and safety in this period of time together with their families.
- Pray for provision of everything they need that their parents will lack nothing.
- Pray for the country of Kenya and the world as a whole.
- Pray for the youth. That they not fall but will anchor their hope and faith in Christ.
What changed his “bad guy’s” heart?
Dear friend,
At 15 years old, Alexis Gezani (pictured 2nd from the right above) from Zimbabwe was not on the right path.
“I was a bad guy who took pleasure in bullying others,” Alexis remembers.
But something changed the path of Alexis’ life forever: a group of young men and women visited his school assembly and spoke about the love of God.
Alexis had never heard these things before, but they touched him deeply:
“I was brought up in a family that did not know Christ or ever talk about God. The message of Christ’s love for me, leading to the point of dying on the cross for my sake, was amazing. I was embarking on a new journey that I had never travelled before.”
There are so many other people across Africa – young and old – like Alexis, who need to be transformed and led to a new life by the love of Christ. And that’s why I’m writing to you today.
Mission 2020 is committed to reaching 1.6 million people this year, so that 100,000 people make personal commitments to follow Christ!
You can play a vital role today in reaching every single strata of society, so that every single life can be reached with the Gospel. 100,000 commitments means there’s 100,000 reasons to give.
The group that visited Alexis at school was the AE Zimbabwe Foxfires – a team of young evangelists trained and equipped to share the Gospel with teens and young adults.Three years after the day when Alexis committed his life to Christ, he himself became an AE Foxfire at the age of 18!
Today he travels the country as an evangelist, reaching more young people with the Good News of the Gospel – and he also has big plans for the future:
“I have made a choice to serve God as His full-time servant. Once I complete my one-year Foxfire contract, I want to enrol in a Bible college full-time to prepare to be a pastor.
“It is my prayer that God by His grace will make it possible for me to be His servant. I look forward to going back to my people and preaching to them the Good News of Jesus Christ!”
Alexis now has such passion for God’s Word that he is constantly looking for more opportunities to pass the Gospel on to others.
With your gift today, you can help other young people like Alexis – and people of all generations and ages – discover the same passion and joy in following Jesus.
Your gift will provide training, resources and ongoing support to mission teams across Africa, including the Foxfires teams, as they preach God’s Word to everyone God puts in their path.
Through your support, Mission 2020 will take the Gospel to African cities, equipping mission teams full of evangelists who, like Alexis, are on fire for Jesus to reach every stratum of society.
From servants to CEOs, prisoners to politicians, infants to immigrants – God’s Good News is for all of Africa.
So please give generously today to help 100,000 more people like Alexis discover how wonderful and life-changing it is to follow Jesus!
God bless you and thank you for your prayerful consideration.
Ben Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
African Enterprise Australia
