Mission & vision, Africa

It is always so encouraging to hear from old friends and new; to learn about how our partners across the world are continuing in their mission and adapting to challenges and change.  Grant Neuper and the team from Publications for Africa have been partners of Sovereign World Trust for many years. In the past they have distributed thousands of books into Africa on behalf of the Trust targeting under resourced pastors. The focus has been on supplying titles from the very popular Preaching Through the Bible series by Michael Eaton. 

 Historically Publications for Africa have taken opportunities to place books in almost every sub-Saharan nation, with the biggest distribution in the English-speaking nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and into local regions within South Africa. Methods of distribution have been varied. Most books are placed in the hands of a contact person when they are visiting South Africa. They ‘carry’ books with them back to their nation. Road transport is used to get material to Zimbabwe and Zambia. 

 In his latest update, Grant Neuper tells how distribution of books is has been continuing from the cupboard in his office last year and, as of this year, from his garage at home:

 â€œThe books which SWT have provided have been an amazing resource for so many pastors and leaders,” explains Grant. “Many books have been placed into pastors' libraries through the Leadership Development Partnership in Kenya. This is headed up by Brian Keel from Lincoln in the UK and he works with a team who train and equip local pastors and place libraries in many communities. 

Another active group of recipients has been students in the Africa Leadership School. This training has been presented to groups in East London and some of Michael Eaton's material is used as part of the course. Many of the students then want all they can get of the Preaching Through the Bible commentaries! We have also assisted a church in Cape Town who used Preaching Through the Bible, Ephesians for training throughout their congregation. Distribution has continued in Zimbabwe through a pastor who keeps a supply of books with him. Others training groups of leaders and Bible school students have also been able to receive books from us. A number of pastors have been assisted directly on a personal basis.” 

Grant is looking forward to a broader collaboration between partners in South Africa, and the exciting developments in materials and courses that are being developed in conjunction with Calvin Eaton (Michael Eaton’s son). As Grant wrote in a recent email: 

“All of us share the same heart for greater Kingdom impact through these resources and that is really exciting! Many believers and leaders that we have not yet reached will be assisted. Thank once again to SWT for making all of this possible!” 

(The title photograph above shows a gathering of leaders to whom books were distributed.)