“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Psalm 46 calls us to be still even in the midst of chaos. Even when there’s gunfire echoing in the streets.
In November, African church leaders and our World Impact Mobilization Team experienced how hard that command is to obey, and the fruit of that obedience, as they held a Listening Summit in Nairobi during the Tanzanian election protests and violent response.
A Listening Summit is meant to be marked by stillness. By attentiveness. By leaders listening together for the voice of God. That was the intention as World Impact gathered regional ministry leaders inside a walled church building in Tanzania. Pastors, bishops, and church planters had come to pray, open Scripture, and discern how the gospel might take deeper root in their communities.
Because of your partnership, World Impact was able to come alongside what God is already doing: strengthening leaders, equipping churches, and advancing the gospel in communities experiencing poverty. This is not work we initiate from a distance. It is work we enter humbly, listening carefully, and walking with local leaders as they seek God’s direction for their churches and communities.
What no one expected was the soundtrack that day.
In the distance, gunshots echoed; unmistakable, jarring, and sobering. Outside the church walls, unrest was spreading. Roads were closing. Communication networks were shut down. Fuel was scarce. Fear was real. And yet, something remarkable happened.
The seats remained full.
People came. And people stayed.
They were hungry. Hungry for training, for guidance, and for gospel-centered leadership that could withstand uncertainty. In a moment defined by instability, these leaders leaned in, choosing to listen for God’s voice together rather than retreat in fear. That moment would come to define much of what unfolded over the next 24 days across four East African countries.
Twenty-Four Days. Four Countries. Eternal Impact.
This was not a typical short-term missions trip.
Over the course of 24 days, a three-person World Impact team, led by David Estrada, Senior Ministry Developer, traveled across Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya, and Ethiopia, partnering closely with trusted local leaders. Together, they came not to direct from the outside, but to listen, equip, and strengthen what God is already doing through his church in these regions.
Because of your partnership, this team was able to help facilitate:
- Three Listening Summits with more than 170 leaders
- Two TUMI graduations celebrating 60+ graduates
- Two Church Planting Dean Schools training 110+ deans
- A water well dedication in Tanzania honoring longtime World Impact volunteer Ray Dorsett
- World Impact’s first teen-focused Trauma Healing training in Africa
- The first Church-Based Seminary (CBS) mentor training ever held in Ethiopia
- Prayer gatherings and church services reaching more than 2,000 people
But numbers only tell part of the story. To understand the depth of what took place, you have to start where the trip began.
Tanzania: Listening in the Midst of Uncertainty
The team’s journey opened in Tanzania, where leaders gathered for a Listening Summit and a TUMI graduation. These were not abstract theological discussions. Leaders came carrying the weight of political tension and uncertainty about what tomorrow might bring.
Outside the church walls, protests and demonstrations disrupted daily life. The internet was disabled. Roads were blocked. Gas stations shut down. A planned women’s conference had to be canceled—not for lack of interest, but because travel had become unsafe.
Inside the church, leaders stayed.
They prayed. They listened. They spoke honestly about the challenges facing their congregations and communities. Together, they sought God’s wisdom for shepherding his people in a fragile moment.
The TUMI graduation that followed was a celebration of perseverance. These graduates had completed rigorous biblical training not because it was easy, but because it was essential. They returned to their communities better equipped to teach Scripture faithfully, disciple others, and lead with courage.
And in a quiet but powerful moment, a new water well was dedicated, honoring the legacy of Ray Dorsett, a a World Impact volunteer and longtime board member, whose faithfulness continues to bring life to communities in tangible ways. Clean water flowed as a visible reminder that the gospel speaks to both spiritual and physical needs.
Malawi: Equipping Leaders for Multiplication
In Malawi, the focus turned toward multiplication.
Local leaders gathered for Evangel School of Church Planting dean training, followed by a Listening Summit. These deans are not merely administrators; they are multipliers—leaders responsible for training and mentoring future church planters who will carry the gospel into new communities.
Here, the hunger was palpable. Leaders asked thoughtful questions. They wrestled with how to plant churches that are both biblically grounded and deeply rooted in local culture. They shared challenges and insights with one another, strengthening a network of leaders committed to long-term gospel impact.
Because you give, these leaders are not working in isolation. They are being equipped, encouraged, and connected, building a foundation for churches that can thrive for generations.
Kenya: Firsts and Faithfulness
In Kenya, God did something truly historic.
Among the highlights was a TUMI graduation among the Maasai people—the first-ever Maasai TUMI graduation. The Maasai people are often regarded as one of the oldest Indigenous groups in Africa; celebrated for their vibrant traditions and semi-nomadic lifestyle. At graduation, men and women who had faithfully completed their theological training stepped forward, celebrated by their communities and affirmed as leaders equipped to teach God’s Word.
Alongside the graduation, the team helped lead a two-day Listening Summit, where regional leaders came together to discern next steps for gospel ministry. They also conducted church planting dean training, continuing the work of leadership development and multiplication.
The team also visited Mission of Hope, serving in the slums. It was an opportunity to listen, learn, and bear witness to the resilience of communities where the church continues to be a source of hope.
In Kenya, the fruit of your generosity was unmistakable: leaders trained, cultures honored, and the gospel taking deeper root in places often overlooked.
Ethiopia: Worship, Training, and a New Beginning
In Ethiopia, the trip reached another milestone.
At an Assemblies of God church, more than 1,500 people gathered for worship. The space filled with gospel singing—joyful, reverent, and unrestrained. It was a reminder that the global church is vibrant and alive, praising the same God across languages and cultures.
And for the first time ever, World Impact conducted a Church-Based Seminary (CBS) mentor training in Ethiopia, held during the Ethiopian Evangelical Fellowship of Churches conference. Fifteen leaders were trained to mentor others: an investment that will ripple outward as these mentors walk alongside future pastors and church leaders.
This is how sustainable ministry happens: leaders equipped to equip others.
A First for Africa’s Teens
One of the most significant moments of the trip took place quietly, without fanfare.
For the first time, World Impact conducted a Trauma Healing training in Africa specifically focused on teens. In regions marked by poverty, instability, and loss, young people often carry wounds that go unseen.
By equipping leaders to address trauma through biblical truth and compassionate care, this training opened the door for healing to begin earlier—before pain hardens into hopelessness. It was a small group, but its impact will be lasting.
Also read: Stella’s Story: Healed Hearts Heal Others
Why This Matters—and Why You Matter
Across four countries and 24 days, one theme emerged again and again: hunger.
Hunger for God’s Word.
Hunger for training that is accessible and faithful.
Hunger for leaders who listen well and lead with humility.
Despite unrest. Despite long travel days. Despite uncertainty.
The leaders who gathered inside that walled church in Tanzania are now back in their communities. The graduates are teaching. The deans are training others. The mentors are mentoring. And the church continues: steadfast, faithful, and hopeful.
Thank you for making this work possible.
Read next: Fire Seeds of Revival in Africa
