The Africa Region’s 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. 

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. 

“As 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 ‘from everywhere, to everywhere,’” said Brent Hulett, global Engagement and Equipping director. 

The event brought together four couples and two individuals from five different countries to explore their call to serve in cross-cultural ministry.  

“I attended the event to get clarity about my call to missions,” said Faraja, a participant at Explore from Tanzania. “I 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, ‘Remember, 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.’ This is all I needed to hear.”

During the three-and-a-half day training, the participants participated in teachings, conversations, and exercises about culture, worldview, team building, conflict management, sharing your story, and self-reflection. The diversity of age, life experience, and cultural backgrounds created an atmosphere for meaningful interaction.

“Through the relationships that were built with the facilitators as well as the other attendees, I gained clarity and an overwhelming sense of support,” said Shaun, an Explore participant. “Explore equipped me in such a way that no matter where God sends me, I’ve made connections to help me and, if according to His plan, help others also answer their call going forward.”

The candidates 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.  

“We were challenged to see beyond our biases and confront our comforts,” said Lebogang and Portia, a couple from South Africa who participated in Explore from. “The sessions were organized in a brilliant way where group exercises made us see what we could’ve never got from reading about missions; to see how people’s worldview informs their actions’ and how missions is not about changing people’s cultures but incarnating the love of God with humility and patience.”

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region