The Story of Debbie and David Miller, Longtime Supporters of World Impact
“Our church has been praying for you. Our church is 10,000 people here in Africa.”
Long-term World Impact supporter David Miller shared this quote in a recent interview. David and his wife, Debbie, have been connected to World Impact for over 30 years, having been introduced through their church, First Evangelical Free Church in Wichita, Kansas.
How did a couple from Wichita, Kansas, have a church of 10,000 in Africa come to pray for them?
How David and Debbie Connected with World Impact
David, a now-retired family medicine doctor, volunteered with World Impact’s Good Samaritan Clinic starting in 1987, where he also served on the board. During his time volunteering, he built a relationship with Al Ewart, who has been serving on staff with World Impact for over 52 years.
Debbie and David grew more connected to World Impact as Al shared more of the vision that World Impact had in serving communities experiencing poverty across the United States and around the world.
Today, David attends a Zoom call every Thursday morning with a team from South Africa and other World Impact staff and ministry partners. He enjoys hearing the excitement in their voices as they report on how God is at work in their countries, sharing, “It’s not just a job for them. It’s definitely a calling. God has raised those people up to do this. And then you think about all those people that they’ve trained under them.”
David attends these weekly prayer gatherings because he built relationships with several of these East African leaders during a trip to Malawi with World Impact. This trip was a result of the Millers’ many years of volunteering and financially supporting the training and resourcing of the ministries of World Impact.
“I’ve had the privilege to go to Malawi and meet with some of the people we support and work with. My encouragement would be, if there’s any way to go and see these missionaries in their environment, it’s amazing.”
The Glocal Impact: From Kansas to Africa
Debbie and David Miller have faithfully served communities locally and internationally through service, prayer, presence, and financial gifts.
But, by God’s grace and provision, they’ve built relationships centered on the love of Christ and fulfilling the Great Commission.
One of these relationships was with Bishop Sentozi, the pastor of the East African church with 10,000 members. It was Bishop Sentozi’s church that prayed for Debbie as she navigated a recent cancer scare. The Millers met the Bishop when he was in Wichita, Kansas, visiting World Impact and sharing ministry updates with staff and supporters.
David shared, “And just that he (Bishop), across the world, would have his church, a very praying church, pray for my wife here. I mean, just that kind of relationship. That can happen over WhatsApp. That can happen over the phone, whatever. But to have it happen in person is a very special thing.”
“We are fortunate to have volunteers and supporters like Debbie and David who have walked in humility and service and touched the lives of countless people. I have watched their selfless service with World Impact in Wichita and East Africa, where they helped establish our partnership in Malawi, which has since moved into other African countries,” said Al Ewart.
Do you feel called to support ministry in communities experiencing poverty in the United States or around the world?
David suggests, “The first thing to do is to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit about what your involvement is.”
He pointed out that there are many opportunities you could pursue with so many different organizations. He suggested letting the spirit guide you, perhaps to relationships like those with Al Ewart and World Impact that the Millers experienced.
