Growing Gospel Partnerships In Africa

Update from Doug Hayes, Pastor in Covenant Fellowship, PA, and Executive Director of Covenant Mercies…

In my capacity as Executive Director of Covenant Mercies, I have the immense privilege of visiting our partners on the ground in Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia three times in a typical year.  “Covenant Mercies exists to serve orphans in collaboration with indigenous local churches in the developing world,” our mission statement reads.  While there is not a 1:1 correlation between Covenant Mercies partners and Sovereign Grace partners, there is much overlap and much opportunity for me to push forward the mission goals of Sovereign Grace even as I focus most of my energies on the mission of Covenant Mercies.  On all these levels, I count it a tremendous blessing to work hand-in-hand with the godly, competent, and mission-compatible partners the Lord has connected us to through the years. 

One such partner is Wilbroad Chanda, lead pastor of Christ Community Church (CCC) in Ndola, Zambia, and the first African pastor ordained by Sovereign Grace.  My visit to Ndola in early February marked my first opportunity to address the church since Wilbroad’s official ordination last November, so I decided to surprise him with a presentation of his framed ordination certificate and a beautiful leather-bound Bible from Sovereign Grace.  It proved to be a meaningful family moment in a church whose relationship with Sovereign Grace is ever-deepening.  

Welcoming CCC into the Sovereign Grace family also means welcoming beautiful music.  While I love the musical traditions everywhere I travel, I must admit that there is something special about the Bemba choruses we sing in Zambia.  Though I frequently have only a rudimentary understanding of the lyrics I’m singing (dangerous, I know… but I trust my Zambian friends!), these songs move me deeply and help me anticipate the day when people from every tribe, nation, and tongue will worship together around His throne.  

The video clip below is of Pasha Magaba, worship leader at CCC and also the lead caseworker for Covenant Mercies’ Orphan Sponsorship Program in Ndola, singing one of those songs (with yours truly on backing vocals).  Perhaps it will affect you as it does me.

Also on my itinerary was Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I had the pleasure of sharing a lunch with Michael & Kenean Granger and family.  It was encouraging to get an update from Michael on plans for a soft launch of their church plant this spring, and hear about their prospects for renting a building in a very strategic part of the city.  Whether I’m wearing my Covenant Mercies hat or my Sovereign Grace hat, these are exciting developments on the African continent that we pray will yield much fruit to the glory of God in the years to come!