Network of African Mission Leaders (NAMIL)

13 years ago the need to have a platform where African mission leaders will meet and have fellowship with one another, share resources and compare models that have succeeded as we confront the challenges of the unfinished task of missions became very strong in our hearts. As we ponder over these need, we felt the need to assemble leaders from different churches, mission groups and other Para-churches.

The response was overwhelming. We had what we tagged the “first African Missions Summit”. Since then we meet annually to share resources, pray together, have key leaders present provoking papers and missions report as it relates to their progress and challenges. The summits have been progressively refreshing. In 2005, we had one of the summits at Soweto, Republic of South Africa. It was a huge success despite few challenges. South Africa will host us for the second time next year in Durban.

Early this year, the need to go beyond just meeting annually became very obvious. We also have at the back of our mind that mission leaders are very busy people and cannot afford to meet frequently. That led to the birth of an electronic group through which we have consistently share information. Despite the African leaders’ low level of literacy in information technology, we have had very good response.

The year 2008 promises to be a very demanding one for the continent as the need to accelerate our role in world evangelization cannot be overemphasized. We trust the Lord to moblise more leaders to network as that is the best means of achieving greater result with lesser stress for the kingdom. There are so many associations and network groups across the continent, some political in nature while others are genuinely concern for the advancement of the kingdom. We don’t intend to duplicate existing networks. It is however clear that we need something more organic where everyone, especially upcoming mission leaders like us will have a sense of belonging. We don’t only receive but contribute our own resources to the central pool of African missions no matter how small. We need a network where as leaders we will be one another’s keeper. The time that we are in, in God’s agenda is what the sporting world call injury time. We need one another more than ever.

Come March 12-16, 2008 God will have us come together for the 14^th African Missions Summit in Jos, Plateau State Capital, Nigeria. One of the few areas we plan to deliberate on is The Network That Really Works. God has prepared several of his servants who will be facilitating. Joseph Egwuda has consistently selflessly served as a father to hundreds of missionaries in the African sub region; he presides over an assembly that is a model for local church role in missions. We trust the Lord to have him as a key facilitator. A frontline Angolan Missionary, Louis Kapongo plays leading role in African missions and currently heads the Southern Africa region of the World Missions Centre. He has gladly accepted to serve as one of the leading resource persons.

Ron and Charlotte Meyer are seasoned American missionaries. God have used them tremendously in various nations of the world and later rose to head the the MA missions program of the Oral Robert University. They have shifted base to Africa so as to play more role in preparing Africans for the global harvest. They have gladly accepted to serve speakers at the summit. Peter Vumisa heads the research department of Inserve and the South Africa Research Network. He will be on ground to give us update on the remaining unfinished task and what we can do finish up the work.

We consider your place in African missions to be very crucial. We need you at the summit not just as a delegate but to also let us know what you are doing so we can learn from you. We believe that through your report, God may initiate new friends and partners you can network with to accelerate what God is already using you to accomplish. You will also be privilege to listen to others. Your contributions to our brainstorming sessions and prayers will also be meaningful to us. We value our time of syndicate group discussions. We also believe that you represent a significant constituency of the body of Christ where you live. We will appreciate if you can help mobilize leaders who can serve as think tank in your constituency to attend the summit. We will let you know of more roles you will likely play as the day draws closer.

Meanwhile, do not forget to brainstorm on the need for an organic network for African Mission leaders and how it will work well as God will help us to look into that when we assemble. We will love to have you join us at a pre-summit launch exclusively for 30 selected leaders of like mind we are persuaded we should network together on March 12, 2008 by 12noon prompt so we can have some chat. You are welcome to bring along your spouse.

We love you and look forward to hearing from you soon. We need your response to prepare to receive you.