Strengthening churches in Africa

The gift of books

Back in October, we were delighted to share news of a new partnership with Jon Butt and his wife Jackie, who are part of the Regions Beyond network in Central London and were preparing for a six-week mission trip with a clear purpose: to strengthen relationships, encourage local leaders, and equip churches with practical teaching resources.

Their journey took them to three locations across Tanzania and Malawi. 

More recently, Jon and Jackie returned from a Regions Beyond international conference in Clarens, South Africa, which brought together church leaders from 30 nations. As part of their travels, we were able to support their ministry by supplying 46kg of books, carefully packed into their baggage allowance, to be shared with pastors and leaders they would meet along the way. 

During the conference, Jon and Jackie reconnected with church leaders they had previously met in Tanzania and Malawi, and were able to place much-needed preaching and teaching resources directly into their hands. Additional books were distributed to leaders from Zambia and Lesotho, while others were donated to a growing conference library, ensuring that the impact of these resources will continue long after the event. 

The accompanying photo shows church leaders from Zomba, Malawi, joyfully holding some of the gifted books. One leader shared this encouraging response:

 â€œWe are well-equipped and ready to strike for the gospel advancement in Zomba and beyond. We really appreciate the huge investment that has been done towards this advancement.”

Jon also received heartfelt feedback from a Zambian pastor overseeing eight churches, who wrote: 

“I shared the books with other churches, though the need is huge, especially for preaching through books and booklets. Whenever there are resources for theology studies, please continue remembering us. May God richly bless you.” 

Stories like these remind us that supplying sound teaching and preaching materials is far more than a logistical exercise; it is an investment in the spread of God’s Word. Each book placed in the hands of a pastor equips not just one leader, but entire congregations and future generations of believers. As these resources travel from country to country, shelf to pulpit, and church to church, they continue to proclaim the gospel, strengthen faith, and build the Church far beyond what we can see. 

Together, by equipping those who teach and preach, we are helping God’s Word go further, transforming lives and communities for His glory. 

Photos

Top: a pastor from Zomba, Malawi, is delivering some of the books to a fellow church leader, who plans to plant a church in a nearby village very soon. 

In text: elders in Zomba, Malawi.