The Doorway to Africa
By Bart Physioc
Disciplers International was established as a non-profit ministry in 2006 while I was still serving as an Army Chaplain. In fact, I continued on active duty for eight more years before retiring in 2014. During those years, almost all of those receiving discipleship training had some connection with the military, so the ministry was not yet International in practice. Then, just two years before I retired, a pastor in Malawi, Africa, discovered our website and contacted me with a request for training. Was a doorway opening to Africa? I had no idea at that time. My ministry colleague, Michael, followed-up taking Pastor Patrick through our discipleship training online over a two-year period. Then, immediately after I retired, Michael and I flew to Malawi to meet Patrick and his wife, Mervis, see their ministry in operation first-hand, and find out where this door that God had opened might lead. That was nine years ago, which was when the photo of me with Patrick and Mervis was taken way back in December of 2014.
Patrick, Mervis and Bart
Since then, the door has opened wider, with Patrick and Mervis using our discipleship materials extensively to train pastors and church members in over 30 churches they have planted in Malawi and Mozambique. Very recently, another pastor in Malawi contacted Disciplers International with a request for training. Patrick, our indigenous missionary in country and well-trained disciple-maker is following-up, which is exciting!
Flavien and Naomi
The door to Africa opened wider still when a minister from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and his family began to “attend” the online Haus Church service that my wife and I started when Covid restricted in-person gatherings. Since then, Flavien and Naomi have become a vital part of Disciplers International, and are fully trained and well equipped to disciple others, which they do in and around the city of Goma. Then, just a few months ago, a pastor from Zambia contacted Disciplers International with a request for training. Since Zambia borders the DRC, it made sense for Flavien to follow-up with Edward directly. I’m thrilled to say these two mission minded men have been getting well acquainted via Zoom calls with Flavien taking Edward through pre-discipleship training before going through the Step-by-Step training of Disciplers International.
And yet the doorway to Africa is opening still wider! Recently I was contacted by two pastors from Tanzania requesting discipleship training. Since then, I have met with both via Zoom to get acquainted and learn more about their interest. Only God knows where these two connections are going, but I’m excited about the possibilities. It also makes me wonder what door might open next!
