Why South Africa?

This is a great question! For most people, the country of South Africa isn't the first thing that comes to mind when we think Africa. Other places like Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, or maybe even North Africa and the recent violent political strife's are the first things that resonate. When taking the Gospel to the nations, it is these areas that seems to be in the most desperate need of it. I mean, come on, South Africa is the most developed country on the entire continent! Why do we need to go there? Well actually, it is for that very reason that we go.

Now let me first bust one myth that you are probably thinking... American students going across seas for two months... that's a long time... they need to be safe so... developed country equals safety, right? On some level, that's true. However, just because it's developed doesn't mean that it's the safest. We have to realize that when we think developed and safe, we picture America. As shocking as it may seem, we stand alone from a majority of the rest of the world. Most foreigners visualize America as a land flowing with milk and honey when it comes to developed and safe. Yes, safety is very important to us this summer, but this very reason is not the number one appeal to us. So now let me tell you the real reason we go to South Africa!

We believe that the continent of Africa is the least developed continent on earth, and that it is also one of the biggest doorways into the Middle East. There is nothing wrong with sending American teams straight into areas like Rwanda, Kenya, etc., or into northern countries like Morocco, or Egypt. There is a place for that, and that calling is being fulfilled. Also, we cannot forgot that South Africa has enough problems of its own considering the widespread acceptance of the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel, and a Jesus+ancestral worship gospel that is so prevalent. But what we've realized is that strategy is important! Can God, and will God, use Americans to directly impact the remotest parts of Africa and the most centralized Islamic Communities? Most certainly! But who do we think can be more effective quicker? An American or an African? This is where our strategy lands! South Africa is the most developed country on the continent in every way. In other words, as different as it is from America, it's the most like America meaning Americans can be more effective in South Africa than possibility anywhere else in Africa. If we can reach South Africans with the Gospel, train them up to be laborers for the Kingdom so that they would go share the Gospel with other Africans, the Gospel will move north reaching Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and eventually Morocco, Libya, Egypt, and ultimately the world! Our vision is to start small, think big, and then go deep!

We believe that the vision we get to be a part of this summer is an opportunity to impact not only South Africa, but all of Africa and the entire world. It all flows out from the word's of Jesus:

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20

First Trip Update :)

Dear friends,

Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support. I am so excited to share this opportunity with you all.

In high school, I’d always dreamed of going to Africa to help those less fortunate than myself. At that point, not yet understanding the full weight of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, I never imagined serving a greater purpose in Africa--going to share the good news of Jesus, that God loves sinners so much that he would send his perfect and holy Son, Jesus Christ, to give His life on the cross, so that sinners may come to know Him and have life in Him. While meeting people’s physical needs are an important part of our trip, a large part of what the Cross Cultural Project involves is being able to share with South Africans the joy that is found in Christ (Matthew 13:44). Jesus has dramatically changed my life over the past year and a half, not because of anything that I have done, but solely because of God’s love for me and His abundant grace. How could I not share that with others?

I’m learning so much already and I haven’t even gotten to South Africa yet! The support process has been so joyful for me (something that is clearly a gift from the Lord). I’ve enjoyed sharing with others the vision for the trip and what God has been doing in my life. He is so faithful and it has been so sweet to see His provision with support over the past few months. The more opportunities that I have to share about my trip, the clearer and more powerful the gospel is to me. What a blessing from the Lord!

Here are some prayer requests for my team and myself:

-That God’s glory would be known throughout the World and that He would continue expanding the team’s vision for the ministry

-Unity for our team

-That the Lord would prepare the hearts of the students at the University of Johannesburg to hear the Gospel and that we would be bold and faithful in sharing it

-That I would be faithful with raising support and dependent on the Lord’s provision

Thank you again for all of your support. I will update you again soon on what I’m learning, the details of the trip, and everything that the Lord is doing!

With love,

Lauren

“He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad.” -John 11:51-52

Setup Trip

Jeremy left with one of our other staff guys, Tom, today to spend the week in South Africa.  They'll be catching up on the ministry with Campus Outreach Johannesburg and getting everything set up for our trip this summer!  We're excited to hear about their trip and to have more details about our summer nailed down.