Building Disciples and Stronger Communities: Inside Friends of Africa’s Vision for a Missions and Training Center

In a world facing deep spiritual, economic, and social challenges, Friends of Africa (FOA) has responded to God's call with a powerful vision: to establish a missions and training center that not only spreads the Gospel but also equips individuals with the tools to thrive. This center will be a beacon of hope, providing discipleship, leadership training, and economic empowerment for new Christians and unreached communities across Africa. In this post, we take a closer look at how FOA's vision is shaping the future of missions and community development on the continent.

The Genesis of the Vision

The vision of the Friends of Africa training center began on the mission field, where the spiritual and material needs of the people were evident. During outreach efforts, it became clear that many converts lacked continued support and discipleship after coming to faith. FOA recognized a deep need for ongoing spiritual mentorship and practical life skills training to build resilient, self-sustaining Christian communities.

This realization sparked a God-given vision: a centralized space where new believers could be discipled, equipped, and sent back to serve their own people. This vision is rooted in Matthew 28:19-20, the Great Commission, which commands us to "make disciples of all nations" and teach them to obey all that Christ commanded.

Purpose of the Missions and Training Center

The FOA training center will be a multi-functional campus designed to meet spiritual, educational, and practical needs. It will serve as:

1. A Discipleship and Evangelism Hub

New Christians will undergo intensive discipleship courses that strengthen their faith, build biblical knowledge, and prepare them for ministry. These trained disciples will then return to their villages and towns to continue the work of evangelism and church planting.

2. A Church Planting Base

The center will be instrumental in planting churches within unreached and underserved communities. Equipped with foundational teaching and support, graduates will be able to start and sustain churches that are locally led and contextually relevant.

3. A Resource Development Center

FOA aims to produce and distribute biblical teaching materials, tracts, audio/visual resources, and study guides in local languages. These resources will enhance outreach efforts and support local leaders in teaching their congregations.

4. A Training Ground for Practical Skills

In addition to spiritual development, the center will teach employable skills such as:

• Carpentry

• Masonry

• Computer literacy

• Sustainable agriculture

This dual-focus approach ensures that students leave with the ability to support themselves and uplift their communities economically.

5. A Venue for Christian Conferences and Workshops

FOA plans to host seminars and workshops on topics like evangelism, leadership, youth ministry, and women in missions. These events will equip the wider body of Christ for effective ministry.

6. A Research and Information Unit

The center will develop a department focused on gathering and analyzing data on missions, cultural dynamics, and community needs. This will help FOA and its partners make informed decisions and target unreached people groups more effectively.

Training the Whole Person: Spiritual and Practical Empowerment

FOA believes that transformation happens when the whole person is reached – spiritually, mentally, and physically. Many African communities struggle with unemployment, poverty, and lack of educational opportunities. As part of FOA's holistic mission, the training center will address these challenges head-on.

Biblical Training

Students will receive thorough biblical instruction on:

• The life and teachings of Jesus

• The mission of the church

• Discipleship and evangelism principles

• Christian leadership and ethics

Life Skills and Economic Empowerment

Students will be taught:

• Business and entrepreneurship basics

• Sustainable farming methods

• Construction techniques

• Computer skills for the digital age

This comprehensive training ensures that students can both preach the Gospel and live it out practically in their communities.

The Long-Term Impact

1. Self-Sustaining Communities

Graduates of the training center will return to their communities equipped to lead churches and create economic opportunities. This creates self-sustaining Christian communities that are spiritually strong and economically independent.

2. Multiplication of Disciples

By focusing on training trainers, FOA's model leads to exponential growth. Each disciple is empowered to disciple others, creating a multiplication effect that spreads the Gospel rapidly and effectively.

3. Cultural Relevance and Contextual Ministry

Because students are trained to minister within their own cultural contexts, the Gospel is shared in ways that are relevant, respectful, and powerful. This approach leads to deeper transformation and long-term faith commitments.

4. Leadership Development for the African Church

The center will serve as a pipeline for developing future pastors, missionaries, and community leaders who can shape the spiritual landscape of Africa for generations.

Mobilizing African Americans for Global Missions

Friends of Africa also sees this center as a platform to inspire and mobilize African American Christians to take their place on the global mission field. With less than 1% of North American missionaries being Black, FOA is working to change that narrative.

Why Representation Matters

When African Americans serve in Africa, cultural and historical connections can open doors and build bridges. FOA encourages African American churches to:

• Send mission teams

• Support the training center financially

• Sponsor students and missionaries

• Share the vision in their own congregations

This shared responsibility builds a stronger, more inclusive global church.

Partnering for the Future

Friends of Africa invites churches, ministries, and individuals to partner in making this vision a reality. Building and sustaining such a center requires:

• Financial support for land, facilities, and resources

• Skilled volunteers for construction, teaching, and administration

• Prayer partners committed to interceding for the mission

• Sponsorships for students and missionaries

Testimonies: Lives Already Being Changed

Even before the completion of the center, FOA’s commitment to discipleship and economic empowerment has already changed lives. Past short-term mission teams have seen firsthand the hunger for the Gospel and the impact of hands-on training. One young convert, trained through an FOA program, returned to his village and led over 50 people to Christ within a year.

These stories are just a glimpse of what God can do when vision meets action.

Conclusion: A Vision Worth Building

The Friends of Africa missions and training center represents more than just a building; it is a launching pad for transformed lives, restored communities, and revived nations. By combining biblical discipleship with practical empowerment, FOA is fulfilling the Great Commission in a way that is sustainable, reproducible, and deeply rooted in local cultures.

location: Edgewood Maryland 21040

Contact: 443-460-8768