Africa's Hope Invites U.S. Fellowship to Go On Journey of Discovery

Over the past few years, Africa's Hope has worked with African leaders and missionaries to develop the Discovery Series, a 38-title curriculum designed to equip Pentecostal ministers in Africa.

By 2020, Africa's Hope wants to provide the complete Discovery Series in a total of 10 languages spoken in 45 African nations. Thousands of African pastors are untrained or undertrained and will benefit from the Discovery Series in their mother tongues.

"This [Discovery Series] curriculum is very powerful and is transforming our lives, our churches and our communities," says Rwanda AG pastor Sylvan Uwiringiye (OO-weer-in-GEE-yay).

The English Discovery Series is used in dozens of Bible schools across the continent, and demand is increasing continent-wide. "We are experiencing a high volume of requests from our African national churches to have the Discovery Series translated into their heart languages," says Dr. John Easter, Africa's Hope director.

Biblically sound training materials that are easily understood assist African pastors in correctly teaching Scripture and becoming effective leaders. False teachings, syncretism and unhealthy leadership habits and practices negatively affect many churches because the pastors are not trained.

The most immediate priority is to translate the Discovery Series into French and Portuguese. "A very large portion of Christians in Africa speaks those two languages-exceeding the number of English-speaking Christians." Easter says.

Other priority languages are Amharic, Arabic, Mòoré, Omoro, Malagasy, Lingala and Swahili.

Dr. Greg Beggs, Africa regional director for Assemblies of God World Missions, says, "The Discovery Series has been sorely needed for many years. I believe this tool will empower and enable national churches towards growth and maturity."

Africa's Hope partnership with the greater U.S. Assemblies of God Fellowship will be an integral part of this five-year campaign called the Journey of Discovery.

The cost to translate, produce, print and deliver one of 38 Discovery Series titles to a pastor in Africa is $5 per book. Churches and individuals who want to sponsor one or more of the language translations of the Discovery Series are encouraged to contact the Africa's Hope office.

"This investment in tens of thousands of African ministers would not be possible without our partners who are helping equip African leaders with the tools they need to be effectively disciple," says Easter. "This will be an exciting journey over the next few years, and it is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the continent to impact leadership development for generations to come."

Amber Weigand-Buckley