All Posts By

Geoff Holder

July 2026: Highlights and updates

By Impetus, Kenya, Uganda, Zambia

Read about some of the key highlights from recent months, offering a glimpse of how APF partners are training leaders, strengthening communities, and helping the church in Africa to flourish.

From Trainee to Trainer

Earlier this month, Pastor Oliver Ogusegere brought together church leaders for two eVitabu workshops in the Mumias and Teso regions of western Kenya. Oliver first connected with APF a few years ago when he attended a similar training event in Mombasa. Now, he is passing on what he learned to others. Around 100 church leaders took part in the workshops and, despite some initial challenges with technology and internet connectivity, many successfully installed the eVitabu app, giving them ongoing access to a growing library of theological resources to support their ministry.

A Bumper Harvest

In Zambia, Lawson Limao has been training rural communities to produce organic fertiliser and compost. With the cost of synthetic fertiliser rising sharply in recent years, it has become unaffordable for many small-scale farmers. Using resources available on eVitabu, Lawson has been teaching communities how to make effective organic alternatives from locally available materials at little or no cost. Participants have reported bumper harvests as a result.

Digital Theology in Uganda

At Bishop Stuart University in Mbarara, western Uganda, Revd Charles Okidi has recently been appointed Head of Theology and Religious Studies, overseeing around 150 students. He told us how APF has inspired him to incorporate digital theology into the curriculum, helping future church leaders reflect theologically on the opportunities and challenges technology presents, both in their own lives and in the communities they will go on to serve.

July 7, 2026
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Supporting Youth Mental Health in Malawi

By Children and Youth, Malawi, Training

In June, APF was delighted to support a mental health outreach led by Malawi partner Faith Walk, attended by around 100 students from Ngabu, Chikwawa District. Faith Walk’s Johanna Chizenga explained what happened:

Recognising the growing challenges facing young people in Malawi, the Ngabu workshops combined practical mental health education with Christian teaching and pastoral encouragement.

A professional mental health nurse led sessions on common mental health issues affecting students and shared practical advice on maintaining emotional and mental wellbeing. Alongside these sessions, students explored questions of faith, identity and purpose, and heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

Students also received learning materials to support their education. These simple gifts were received with great joy and will help encourage them in their studies.

The outreach highlighted the significant need for this kind of ministry among young people in Malawi, bringing together practical support, hope and the transforming message of the gospel.

We are grateful to everyone whose generosity made this event possible and pray that it will be the first of many similar events in the months ahead.

July 6, 2026
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Strengthening Ministry in Challenging Times

By eVitabu, Rwanda

Churches across Africa continue to face many challenges, from periods of disruption to limited access to training resources. In May, pastors and church leaders from across Rwanda gathered to explore how resilient ministry, intentional discipleship and the eVitabu app can help churches remain strong in every season. Victor Imanaturikumwe told us all about the gathering:

It was a privilege to welcome around 50 pastors and church leaders to Rubavu in north-western Rwanda for two days of training focused on strengthening ministry in challenging times.

Our theme, The Resilient Shepherd, encouraged participants to think about how churches can continue to disciple believers, nurture home-based fellowship and care for their congregations, even when circumstances make traditional church gatherings difficult.

One of the highlights of the training was introducing participants to eVitabu, APF’s offline digital theological library.
Together we installed the app on participants’ devices and explored how it can support sermon preparation, discipleship and home-based ministry. By the end of the training, every participant had installed eVitabu and was confident in using it as part of their ministry.

The event was also memorable because of the diversity of those attending. We were joined by a pastor from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, who shared the realities of serving the church in a region affected by ongoing conflict. His testimony reminded us of the importance of equipping pastors with resources that remain available even in difficult circumstances.

We were also delighted to welcome representatives from Rwanda’s deaf Christian community for the first time, supported by sign language interpreters. Their participation was an important step towards ensuring that APF training is accessible to all and highlighted the importance of building churches where every believer can grow and serve.

We thank God for these encouraging days together and are grateful to APF for making the training possible. Please pray that the pastors who attended will continue to use eVitabu and the other ministry tools they received, strengthening discipleship and helping their churches remain resilient for years to come.

July 6, 2026
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Equipping the Deaf Church in Zambia

By eVitabu, Zambia

Access to Christian teaching can be especially challenging for deaf believers in Africa. Lawson Limao explains how eVitabu is making biblical resources accessible to deaf Christians in Zambia.

In June, it was a joy to gather with 76 delegates from deaf churches across Zambia for an eVitabu training event in Kitwe. Church leaders and representatives travelled from different regions, united by a desire to discover new ways of helping deaf Christians grow in their faith.

Many deaf believers across Africa have limited access to Christian teaching and Bible study resources that are accessible to them. eVitabu is helping to change that. The app provides a wealth of biblical resources that can be used on a smartphone, making it easier for deaf Christians to study God’s Word, prepare for worship and deepen their understanding of the Christian faith.

During our time together, we explored the app’s features, shared practical ways it can be used in local churches, and discussed how leaders can introduce it to their congregations. It was encouraging to see the enthusiasm of those attending as they realised the opportunities eVitabu offers for discipleship and teaching within the deaf community.

We are thankful to APF for making this training possible. Please pray that everyone who attended will return to their churches equipped and confident to use eVitabu, and that this resource will help many more deaf Christians across Zambia and beyond to know Christ more deeply through His Word.

July 6, 2026
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Hands at Home, Hearts Worldwide

By UK

During the Spring, Dave travelled up and down England, from Torquay to Stockton-on-Tees speaking about APF and eVitabu. He also spent a weekend as keynote speaker at the Mission Assist annual conference in Swanwick where the theme was ‘Hands at Home, Hearts Worldwide’.

Mission Assist comprises a network of dedicated volunteers throughout the United Kingdom and elsewhere, helping mission workers advance the gospel and make scripture accessible wherever they are in the world. Working in their own homes, Mission Assist volunteers use their skills and experience to provide many services and resources.

The network provide services for Christians who have been sent out from their own churches and are working overseas in various aspects of Christian mission. These services range from the practical to administrative and academic.

APF has worked closely with Mission Assist in recent years and Mission Assist has contributed hundreds of Shell Books for publication within eVitabu. Shell Books cover topics from health and hygiene to crafts, as well as farming and practical issues like simple construction techniques. There are also Bible studies and booklets about animals and food in the Bible, which are often used to support adult literacy programmes.

At the Mission Assist conference, Dave delivered four sessions, taking delegates on a journey through Acts 1:8, beginning with the reminder that mission starts close to home. He then explored God’s heart for the nations, celebrated the many and varied ways that disciples and communities can participate in mission, and concluded with a reflection on Romans 10:13–15, highlighting that the rhythm of 21st-century mission is no longer “from the West to the rest”, but “everyone to everywhere”.

In addition to the teaching, Dave made some excellent connections with inspiring and dedicated people, and we look forward to seeing how APF’s partnership with Mission Assist grows as we seek to enable effective ministry in Africa.

If you would like to book Dave or Geoff to speak at your church or event, we have some dates available later in 2026 and are accepting invitations into 2027. If so, get in touch by emailing me or calling 01227 681186, we’d love to hear from you.

July 6, 2026
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July 2026 newsletter

By Impetus

July 2026 Impetus.

At the recent Trustee’s Meeting in late April, we bid farewell to John Chambers who has retired as a trustee after serving for 22 years and 5 months, many of which as treasurer. John brought a wealth of experience, financial wisdom and the ability to ask critical questions with grace and humour. We will miss him. Thank you, John, for your service to APF.

We have also seen Revd Richard Tucker and Revd Andrew North retire as trustees in the past year, so we are actively seeking to appoint new UK based trustees.

Having carried out a simple skills audit, we have identified particular need in the following areas:

  • Business and Finance
  • Legal and Governance
  • Fundraising and Marketing
  • Information Technology

Perhaps you, or someone known to you, have skills or experience in one of more of these areas? Would you, or they, be willing to explore what it means to be a trustee of APF?

As a regular reader of Impetus, I hope you are already enthusiastic about our mission to enable effective ministry in Africa and have seen the pioneering development of the charity in recent years. Being a charity trustee is a big responsibility but also an exciting opportunity to serve global mission in a strategic way.

I would be delighted to hear from you!

Thank you,


Revd Dave Stedman
CEO

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July 6, 2026
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April 2026: Highlights and updates

By Impetus, Malawi, South Sudan, Uganda, UK

Read about some of the key highlights from recent months, offering a glimpse of how APF partners are training leaders, strengthening communities, and helping the church in Africa to flourish.

Grant to Rural Diocese

APF provided a grant to the ACK Kapenguria Area Bishopric in Kenya to support their relief and mission programme in remote Konyao. The funds covered costs for missioners serving rural communities and builds on recent joint mission work with the Karamoja Diocese amongst the Lorow–Alale region. Dave met with Kapenguria’s Bishop, Samson Tuliapus, while visiting Kenya during March.

Dave met with Kapenguria’s Bishop, Samson Tuliapus, while visiting Kenya during March

eVitabu Development

Jonathan Haddock, APF’s eVitabu app developer, is undertaking a major rebuild of our African church leader online library and resource hub. When finished, the new version will run on Apple iOS and Windows devices as well as on Android. In April, Jonathan will dedicate a full week to working on the rebuild – the biggest update since the app’s launch in 2018.

A new eVitabu user from South Sudan

Growing Greener Monitoring

In Malawi, the team from New Life Christian Church in Blantyre have been busy monitoring how well the communities have been adopting their conservation agricultural training and the impact on this year’s crops.

Mr Ndasalapati from Balaka says his crop only survived the recent the dry spell because he followed the team’s advice.
Project leader Hunta Faita visits a participant whose maize was well mulched and fed with compost and home-made liquid fertiliser.
March 27, 2026
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The “Africanisation” of APF

By Training

From new African trustees to a growing network of Training Partners, APF is intentionally embedding African leadership and insight at the heart of its mission. In this article, Dave Stedman reflects on the progress made over the past few years in this important area of change for the charity.

Two years ago, I wrote an article for Impetus in which I posed the question, “How African is APF?” Since then, we have sought to become even more intentional about this. Some highlights include:

  • A bi-annual conference for our most committed and active African Training Partners (ATPs), providing an opportunity to listen and learn from one another, share experience, identify challenges, and find solutions together. The bi-annual ATP conferences also help formalise previously ad hoc relationships and provide an opportunity for the wider APF team to enjoy inspiration, fellowship and worship together. The next of these will take place in Nairobi in September.
  • Two Africa-based trustees have joined our board, bringing valuable cultural insights and perspectives to our discussions and decision making. Rose Mugabi from Uganda brings deep expertise in enabling women’s leadership in Africa and Kingston Ogango has recently accepted the role of vice-chair of the board of trustees. Personally, I greatly value Kingston’s advice as an informal sounding board.
  • A network of ATPs across multiple countries now receives annual grants that enable them to deliver pastor training programmes and other initiatives that support local Christian leaders. While this approach has proven very cost-effective for the charity, reducing travel expenses for UK personnel for starters, it also helps our partners plan better, draws on their local knowledge and creativity and gives them more confidence in our commitment to support their work.
  • Increasingly, ATPs (and our Africa-based trustees) are conducting in-country and cross-border monitoring and evaluation visits that were previously carried out by UK personnel. This shift has both reduced costs and enhanced cultural understanding.
  • ATPs are also exploring and establishing local partnerships that would previously have been unlikely because APF lacked any permanent presence on the ground. For example, Lawson Limau in Zambia is pioneering a link with the Christian Broadcasting Network Southern Africa to introduce the Superbook discipleship training programme for children in Zambian churches.

Trustees: Rose Mugabi and Kingston Ogango
  • Likewise, Daniel Deng Bol in South Sudan is able to mobilise volunteers to assist in coordinating and delivering eVitabu workshops. This would not be possible without Daniel’s local connections and visibility.

For a long time, as I mentioned in the conclusion of the article in 2024, my aspiration has been to see an African Director of Operations (or similar) working alongside the existing UK-based team. Such a role would help secure these gains in the long-term, embed them in the DNA of the charity, and accelerate the ‘Africanisation’ of APF.

Beyond strengthening the leadership and support of our ATP network, I am convinced that despite the reality of widespread poverty across the continent, there is also considerable resource within Africa itself.

In the long-term, APF could be substantially resourced from within the continent. That is a healthy ambition if we are to increase the reach and influence of the mission – especially eVitabu – in the years ahead. Realistically, however, this potential can only be fully realised by a senior African leader set apart to develop it.

By empowering African leadership, APF is not just working in Africa, it is growing from Africa.

March 27, 2026
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More Than a Title: What is a Pastor?

By Kenya

 Drawing on a conversation with Edith Wamalwa in Nairobi, Dave Stedman reflects on a simple but important question: what does it really mean to be a pastor?

Allow me to introduce my good friend Edith Wamalwa. Edith was the first person I met when I landed in Nairobi on my very first trip to Africa after I had started working for APF in January 2015.

At that time Edith was the manager of the CLC Bookshop in Nairobi. She really wanted APF to remove the rusting container full of children’s books, picture sets, and other literature that APF had printed and had been storing in the bookshop compound for several years.

Since then we have worked together on a few projects and remained in regular contact through the APF WhatsApp prayer group. Edith currently serves another organisation, but today she is helping me with some administration for the conference APF will be running for key African partners in Nairobi in September.

It has actually been several years since we last spent time together, so we had a lot to catch up on during the few days I have in Nairobi this March. I knew that the pastor of the church where Edith had been a long-serving and very active member had sadly died prematurely a few years ago, and that Edith did not enjoy the same rapport with his successor. Edith shared that, with regret, she had felt it was right to find a new church in which to worship.

Edith Wamalwa is helping APF organise a key partners conference in September
“I doubt the new guy would even notice I have gone,”

I asked Edith whether she had spoken with the new pastor about how she felt. She explained that she had discussed her feelings with her trusted friend, the previous pastor’s widow. Then she added, “I doubt the new guy would even notice I have gone,” and said that he had “not allowed the church to grieve and heal” before moving on with new programmes and ministries. The church was still strong with new people, but the “elderly”, as she described herself, largely felt unwelcome and many had left.

This is sad, but it is also, sadly, very familiar. I could name several churches in the UK and elsewhere where the same is true. In the rush for new initiatives and pioneering projects, the actual people can get overlooked. I may even have made this mistake myself in the past.

Pastors come in many shapes and sizes, with diverse and eclectic gifts, but the clue is in the word. “Pastor” is derived from pastoral and means shepherd: someone who cares for sheep, who protects and guides them; a person who knows their sheep by name, sees when they are lost or hurting, cares for them individually and collectively, and actively seeks them out, sometimes even at personal cost.

There are sometimes good reasons for leaving a church and going elsewhere, but it should never be because “the new guy wouldn’t even notice.”

March 27, 2026
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April 2026 newsletter

By Impetus

April 2026 Impetus.

It is that time of year when APF’s Coordinator, Geoff, is working hard with the independent examiner to prepare the charity accounts for the AGM. I help where I can, but most of that responsibility falls to him. Meanwhile, I write the text that forms the Trustees’ Annual Report.

I am a “words person” and find numbers a bit bland. But sometimes the numbers tell the story very well, and 2025 was an encouraging year.

eVitabu

Since launch, there have been more than 3,000 unique eVitabu registrations. Currently, nearly 2,500 active users across 37 African countries are using the app, collectively reaching perhaps as many as 2 million people as they share its resources with their church congregations and communities.

African Training Partners (ATPs)

In 2025, twenty-four training grants were awarded for formal academic programmes and informal in-service conferences across 11 countries. This included eVitabu awareness events in Cameroon and Zimbabwe for the first time.
During 2025, our ATPs engaged with up to 4,000 pastors and community leaders through both in-person and online training, with an estimated indirect reach of around 400,000 people.

Church and Community Initiatives

Twenty-five larger grants supported projects including study Bibles, bicycles, children’s ministry initiatives, computer hardware, agricultural training, tree planting, and income-generating activities. Many smaller grants also met medical and pastoral needs. Together, these initiatives reached an estimated 85,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries.

We believe this level of impact represents an excellent return on the resources entrusted to us by supporters.

If you are encouraged by these numbers, you can help share the story of APF’s mission to enable effective ministry and community transformation in Africa:

  • Ask your church to invite Geoff or me to speak – we would love to come.
  • Request additional copies of Impetus to share with family and friends.
  • Follow, like, and share our regular social media updates.
  • Pray that the Lord will continue to establish the work of our hands, and those of the dedicated but often marginalised pastors we serve.

Thank you,


Revd Dave Stedman
CEO

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March 27, 2026
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