It ’ s been said , quite accurately , that “ the only constant is change .” One Mission Society ( OMS ) is experiencing several changes in our Africa ministry region .
Within the past six months , we have seen several transitions in the Mozambique field . We have a new team leader , and we have two new missionaries who arrived shortly after the first of the year . We praise the Lord for this !
Jeff Acton graciously accepted the role of team leader for Mozambique . He brings a collaborative style of leadership to this multi-national , multi-cultural team . Lots of changes are underway there . Another significant change is the transition of the everyday leadership of Christian Academy in Mozambique from OMS to Teach Beyond . This is going well ; OMS still has representation on the school board , while Teach Beyond now has responsibility for staff , curriculum , and operation of the school . This frees up our missionaries to focus on their areas of calling in alignment with the updated OMS framework .
New OMS missionaries Eli Filho and Kara Lantrip have begun their service in Mozambique . Both persisted through many governmental complications while trying to get to the mission field during a pandemic . We rejoice in their talents and obedience .
Meanwhile , our Village Church Planting ( VCP ) ministry is also thriving in the midst of many transitions . VCP has expanded into several new countries over the past two years , bringing our total number of nations to 31 ( out of 54 countries in the African continent ). The number of training centers has increased to almost 600 . We have made major updates to both the VCP curriculum and the training methodology . A completely new curriculum is being written under the leadership of veteran OMS missionary Dean Davis . We are implementing a training methodology whereby adult students will learn more effectively because they learn from one another .
At this point in the process , five of eight terms of training materials have been completed in English . Translation teams are also working to make these materials available in French , Swahili , Amharic , Chichewa , and Portuguese .
Yes , change remains a constant in the OMS Africa region , all with the goal of bearing much eternal fruit in our kingdom labors . “ By this my Father is glorified , that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples ” ( John 15:8 ).
photo , page 14 : African women enjoy market day . page 15 , top : Comissioning prayer is held for Jeff and Courtney Acton in Mozambique . middle : Students pose at a VCP training center in Uganda . bottom : Ugandan VCP students worship on Easter Sunday under a jackfruit tree .
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