The Africa Region\u2019s Engagement and Equipping team, together with the Personnel and NMI team, recently held its first Explore event since the COVID-19 pandemic. The team was especially excited to hold an in-person event. <\/p>\n
Explore is an assessment and training event to help those preparing for cross-cultural ministry be better equipped for missionary service. This was the first Explore event for Collin and Shireen Elliott, the new Engagement and Equipping facilitators for the region. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs more and more missionaries are being called from the various countries on the African continent, we see that Explore events are essential to preparing missionaries to serve \u2018from everywhere, to everywhere,\u2019\u201d said Brent Hulett, global Engagement and Equipping director. <\/p>\n
The event brought together four couples and two individuals from five different countries to explore their call to serve in cross-cultural ministry. <\/p>\n
\u201cI attended the event to get clarity about my call to missions,\u201d said Faraja, a participant at Explore from Tanzania. \u201cI was so encouraged by the word that was shared to us during our devotion time. That was a clear voice of God to me and a confirmation. The message was, \u2018Remember, it is God who calls you. It is His assignment, and He will give you power and grace to do it; obey and trust Him.\u2019 This was all I needed to hear.\u201d<\/p>\n
During the three-and-a-half day training, the participants were engaged in teachings, conversations, and exercises about culture, worldview, team building, conflict management, sharing each other’s stories, and self-reflection. The diversity of age, life experience, and cultural backgrounds created an atmosphere for meaningful interaction.<\/p>\n
\u201cThrough the relationships that were built with the facilitators as well as the other attendees, I gained clarity and an overwhelming sense of support,\u201d said Shaun, an Explore participant. \u201cExplore equipped me in such a way that no matter where God sends me, I\u2019ve made connections to help me and, if according to His plan, help others also answer their call going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
The attendees came away from the event with insights into their own personalities, gifting, and viewpoints, as well as a new appreciation for other cultures and worldviews. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe were challenged to see beyond our biases and confront our comforts,\u201d said Lebogang and Portia, a couple from South Africa. \u201cThe sessions were organized in a brilliant way where group exercises made us see what we could\u2019ve never got from reading about missions; to see how people\u2019s worldview informs their actions\u2019 and how missions is not about changing people\u2019s cultures but incarnating the love of God with humility and patience.\u201d<\/p>\n