Arizona pastors meet to discuss missions opportunities in Africa

Twenty-one ministry leaders from 13 Arizona Southern Baptist churches met to discuss the Arizona Mission Network’s partnership with the International Mission Board in Sub-Saharan Africa on December 16, 2024.

“The meeting was a chance to continue to expand the Arizona Sub-Saharan Africa partnership to more Arizona churches by sharing prayer opportunities, church volunteer opportunities, and short term opportunities for service with IMB,” said John Dina, an International Mission Board missionary from Arizona who serves as the training leader for Sub-Saharan Africa. “It was done as a follow-up for the group of pastors who came to Africa in July on a vision trip to meet IMB personnel on their fields of service and discuss with them how Arizona churches could enhance work in Africa.”

Rachel Joy, IMB missionary from Arizona to West Africa, was another presenter.

“It was, overall, so encouraging to hear all that the teams encountered on their vision trips and to hear how excited they were to move forward in partnering with IMB missionaries in these areas,” she said.

“One thing that stood out to me that the attendees mentioned was how the need was great and that the variety of opportunities for going were more than they thought,” she continued. “Many of them seemed surprised and pleased that anyone from one of their churches — no matter their background, experience, or passion — could connect with the missionaries on the field and find ways to partner and further the kingdom of God together.”

Dina said one moment of the meeting was particularly meaningful.

“The highlight was praying for Rachel as she left the meeting [to go] directly to the airport to return to Africa,” he said. “To me, there was not a more powerful demonstration of submission to God’s call to the nations by an individual nor an example of why

Arizona Baptists have chosen to work together for the sake of the gospel.”

Sub-Saharan Africa exports more young professionals around the globe than any other area.

“When we impact Sub-Saharan Africa, we impact the world,” said Monty Patton, AZMN associate executive director.
When churches participate in the Sub-Saharan Africa partnership, they are living out part of the Great Commission.

“We’re told to go into Jerusalem and the uttermost part of the earth, and this [partnership] is for churches that may not have an ‘uttermost part’ strategy,” Patton said. “Our hope is that, no matter what size the church, they can partner together to minister to Africa.

“We want every church in our network to have the opportunity to serve as missionaries overseas,” Patton continued. “If churches are active in missionary work, they’ll be missional in their own community. Going to the uttermost part of the world, they’ll end up serving in Jerusalem.”

Learn more about the Sub-Saharan Africa partnership and specific ministry opportunities at azmn.org/africa/. For more information contact Patton at mpatton@azmn.org.

Claudia Macdonald, a freelance writer living in Phoenix, is a member of First Southern Baptist Church at Sahuaro Ranch, Glendale.

Story modified after initial publication.