You have a part to play in our church plant in Botswana!
Fill out this online form to let us know how you want to be involved:
https://gcfhillsboro.churchcenter.com/people/forms/636124
Grace, meet our church planter in Botswana: Robson Chinembiri!
We are excited to partner with FEC's Africa Church Planting Initiative (ACPI) to help plant a church in Botswana!
Robson was identified by the ACPI team as a potential church planter and then he was put through a credentialing process. After passing that evaluation, Robson was paired with us! Robson has already begun doing evangelism using the Jesus film and working toward starting Otse Christ for Salvation Church.
Keep reading to learn more about Robson and the Africa Church Planting Initiative:
Who is Robson Chinembiri?
Robson is on the left in the attached picture with his mentor, Pastor Moses Mbazo. Robson and his wife Dikeledi live in Gabarone, Botswana—right near the border of South Africa—where they have three children, ages 22, 20, and 17.
Robson came to faith in Jesus and was baptized in 2000 and has since faithfully attended his local church and received mentorship and training from Pastor Moses, all while working in the local Toyota garage.
Robson's vision for the new church plant is to "preach to the lost people, bring them to Christ, and disciple them." The church will be part of a local "cluster" of 4–6 churches who will partner together under the leadership of Robson's mentor, Moses Mbazo.
What is the Africa Church Planting Initiative?
The ACPI is a global initiative of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches—the church network to which we gladly belong.
The mission of the ACPI is to capacitate indigenous leaders to establish sustainable reproducing churches in rural African villages. The ACPI is currently active in five countries in Southern Africa—Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, and Botswana—with a vision of expanding to more countries.
How does our partnership with the ACPI work?
We have pledged to give $10,000 over two years, which will pay for Robson’s salary, equipment (like chairs, sound gear, maybe a simple structure), Bibles, and business training for Robson so that he can sustainably support his family and the church for the long haul.
The goal is that in two years Otse Christ for Salvation Church will be fully established and self-sustainable and they will be able to carry on for the Gospel, while we move on to support another church plant.
Can I visit Pastor Robson and Otse Christ for Salvation Church?
Lord willing, yes! We are in the initial phases of planning a trip to visit Botswana during Summer 2024.
If you are interested in more details as they come available, please send an email to infogcfhillsboro@gmail.com.
Can I give directly to Robson and Otse Christ for Salvation Church?
Not at this time. All giving to the ACPI goes through FEC and is distributed from there to ensure accountability.
The first half of our $10,000 commitment is already in this year's budget, and your giving here at Grace is what makes that gift possible.
During the next two years, if special needs arise (such as the need for a vehicle for transportation) they will be shared with us and we will pass those opportunities along to you.
If you wish to support the Africa Church Planting Initiative above and beyond your giving here at Grace, you can do so through FEC's online giving form into one of these funds:
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Benevolence: Funds to be administered at the discretion of the ACPI directors in response to an emergency need of a believer or pastor of an ACPI church plant
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General Fund: 100% goes to church planting in the rural areas of Africa
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Sustainability Projects: Invest in a planter's bi-vocational business project (up to $2500 for a single project) or invest in a cluster of churches' sustainability project (up to $5000–7000 for a single cluster project)
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Theological School Tuition Scholarships: Sponsor a church planter in a 2-year theological education program ($112.50/month)
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US Administration: All administration, salaries, and international travel costs
Where can I learn more about the ACPI?
Visit the ACPI website (https://africachurchplanting.org/) or the ACPI page on FEC's website.
You can also follow the Initiative on Facebook to get real-time updates on the many different church plants happening across Southern Africa.
Thank you!
Thank you, Church, for your interest and involvement in helping to develop biblically-grounded followers of Christ over 9,000 miles away!