MEA Mozambique

In Mozambique, as in southern Africa, the Church continues to grow at a phenomenal rate. There is a need for sufficiently trained African leaders capable of discipling the many who are coming to Christ. However, only 5% of the leaders in these Mozambican churches know how to read or write, and even fewer of them read sufficiently to teach their people from the Word of God!

As a result most do not really know the Bible. Many also do not completely understand Salvation! For this reason the Brazilian mission that GPM works with (MAEB), is focused on training leaders using oral methods of teaching and a curriculum more applicable to the way people learn in oral cultures. Have you heard of the “trickle down” effect? Well, if you teach the leaders the Bible in an effective way so that their world-view is positively impacted by the World of God – by a Biblical world-view – this understanding will trickle down to the people they serve. This is exciting! The problem we have seen in Africa is that “Christians” did not have their world-view adequately changed from one based on·their animistic beliefs. They continue to consult the shamans for healings, marriage, revenge and a number of issues. Two pastors with the·Baptist Union of churches in northern Mozambique died after taking herbs in a ritual to dethrone rival pastors in the denomination. Many other groups have mixed animistic beliefs and rituals with Christianity. We must impact the Church in Mozambique with the Word of God in an effective way. This is happening. This ministry began by sending a team of 6 Brazilians to Dondo Mozambique in 2004, the first deployment. They began to work with orphans and develop the leaders of the Evangelical Christian Church of Mozambique. Our missionaries worked under the guidance of The Evangelical Alliance Mission who afforded them legal standing before the government, counsel and pastoral care. The experience with this team taught us much. The ministry has evolved and our vision has matured through experience. Today we are rebuilding this team and refocusing the ministry. Our missionaries serve under the umbrella of TEAM but we are in partnership with Global Mission of South Africa in the training of local church leadership.