As we said last week, there is only one way to reach the billions of people around the world who do not yet believe in the Gospel: every believer must be engaged in God’s mission together. And this is what PLI is all about: training, encouraging, equipping, and empowering leaders to go back home and release tens, hundreds, and even thousands of baptized believers into God’s mission.
Our work in Africa has also taught us a lot. We’ve learned that the Church is growing rapidly in Africa due to several key factors:
- Unreached Peoples – In places like Tanzania, many are hearing the Gospel for the first time with little resistance.
- Challenging Life Circumstances – Economic hardships make people more open to the hope of Jesus.
- Healing and Miracles – Many experience supernatural encounters with God, leading to conversions.
- Obedience to God’s Word – As Ethiopian church leader President Yonas says: “We believe Jesus meant it when He said, ‘Go and make disciples.’”
- Community Influence – When one influential person in a household comes to faith, the Gospel spreads through extended family.
- Spiritual Fervor – New believers are passionate and willing to sacrifice for Jesus.
- Willingness to Suffer – Many African Christians accept suffering as part of following Christ.
PLI’S Impact in Africa
As PLI’s leadership training continues to expand, the impact is being felt deeply in local communities. The following testimonies highlight the transformational power of this work, as individuals and churches experience renewed purpose, spiritual growth, and a stronger commitment to spreading the Gospel.
Burundi
“The training of PLI is great and it is bringing a spiritual explosion in our minds and our hearts. It is totally new ideas, inspiring and life giving. I do not know how to say thank you. Every couple left the conference venue with a new mindset and a revived heart. With PLI our lives and ministries will not be the same. I went through many trainings but this one is unique and life transforming. I heard a testimony of one of the ladies saying the same. ‘One thing I understood with PLI is that before transforming others you must be transformed first. It all starts with ME and YOU before reaching others. A leader must be able to lead himself before leading others.’”
Uganda
“The leadership of the Lutheran Church of Uganda and the Local Trainers that we have trained, have shared with PLI that they know who has been trained in PLI just by looking at them! The mission focus, humility and character, way of interacting with others, and approaches to spiritual leadership are visibly evident in all those who have been trained in PLI, and is resulting in healthy, growing congregations!”
Rwanda
“Kugenda bitera kubona, meaning traveling makes someone see. Attending PLI training with my wife made me realize the importance of the family in disciple-making, church planting, and growth. Our church is closed, but after hearing pastor Joel Kubwimana share how we can build strong churches based on our home, my wife and I have started to worship together with our children and relatives in our home. We hope to continue even when our church is reopened.”
Next week we’ll conclude this series with a look at multiplication in action and how our work in Africa will impact our work in the USA and Canada.
