2025 July Newsletter

📖 From the Field: Why Pastoral Training Matters

Across Africa, thousands of pastors serve faithfully in remote communities—often without any formal theological education. In fact, it's estimated that 90% of pastors have never received even a single day of training. This leaves churches vulnerable to confusion, false teachings, and spiritual stagnation.

That’s why pastoral training is so important. It equips leaders to teach the Bible clearly, disciple believers, and guide their communities through real-life challenges like poverty, illness, and conflict. Trained pastors become anchors of truth and hope—multiplying impact far beyond the pulpit.

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16–17, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness… so that God’s servants may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

✈️ Upcoming Mission Trip: Equipping Pastors Across East Africa

This September, Pastor Paul Ravesteyn will travel to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, joined by Pastor John Iuliano from LifeSource Christian Church and a support team. Their mission? To strengthen and encourage local pastors through workshops, leadership training, and spiritual guidance.

These gatherings are more than events—they’re moments of live connection, where rural pastors receive biblical teaching, practical tools, and renewed vision for their ministries. In regions where many pastors serve without formal training, this trip is a lifeline of encouragement and empowerment.

We invite you to pray for safety, wisdom, and spiritual impact as the team travels and ministers. Pray that each workshop would be filled with God’s presence, and that the pastors attending would leave equipped and inspired to lead with renewed courage and compassion.

🙏 Pastors needing Partners

Pastor Jonathan recently lost his Live Connection partner and is now in urgent need of someone to stand with him in ministry. Perhaps God is stirring your heart to be that person? Meanwhile, Pastor Chinyem has a half partnership and still requires additional support to sustain her ministry. If you feel led, maybe you have the capacity to sponsor half a pastor and help carry the load . Your partnership could be the answer to prayer for these pastors and a powerful way to invest in the Kingdom.

🔍Spotlight on Malawi

Malawi is a small, landlocked country in southeast Africa bordered by Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania. It’s often called the “Warm Heart of Africa” because of its friendly people and rich cultural traditions. The country is home to Lake Malawi , one of Africa’s largest and most biodiverse lakes, which supports fishing, tourism, and local livelihoods.

Most Malawians live in rural areas and depend on farming to survive —growing crops like maize, cassava, and groundnuts on small plots of land. But farming has become harder in recent years due to unpredictable weather, droughts, and rising costs. Food insecurity is a major issue, and many families struggle to grow enough to eat. The country is preparing for important elections in September 2025, and many citizens are hoping for leadership that can bring stability and support to struggling communities.

Have you ever wondered what a typical day looks like for someone living in a rural village in Malawi?

🌅 Early Morning

The day begins before sunrise. Adults and older children head to the fields with hoes in hand, ready to tend to maize, cassava, or groundnuts. Others walk several kilometers to fetch water from hand-dug wells or streams—often shared with animals and prone to contamination.

📚 School or Work

Some children walk long distances to attend school, though many stay behind to care for siblings or livestock due to lack of school supplies or family needs. Adults may work on small farms or participate in community projects like tree planting or savings groups.

🍲 Midday Meals

Lunch typically consists of nsima (a thick maize porridge) served with vegetables or beans. Meals are cooked over open fires, and ingredients are sourced from home gardens or local markets.

🌿 Afternoon Activities

Women often gather for chores—washing clothes, preparing food, or attending church groups. Men may continue farming or work on construction projects. Children play with homemade toys or help with errands.

🙏 Evening and Faith Life

As the sun sets, families gather for prayer or Bible study. Churches play a central role in village life, offering spiritual guidance and community support. Pastors often lead evening services or visit homes to pray with families.

🌌 Nightfall

With limited electricity, evenings are quiet. People wind down by candlelight or solar lamps, sharing stories or listening to the radio. The day ends early, preparing for another sunrise of hard work and hope.

Here are a few short glimpses from our pastors’ reports in Malawi—real stories of faith, resilience, and the impact of your support in action:

“The children ministry as indicated in the previous report, it is progressing very fast. So far 267 children under our care every Saturday. It is my vision to accommodate at least 500 children within our community. May His grace increase.” Pastor Mishack Nguleti

“I have just introduced home based care ministry within the community. Once every two weeks we go around the community to give care for old people who stays alone without anyone to care for them. We sweep in the house, clearing the surrounding, draw some water, wash the clothes and body if necessary then give some basic needs. God is faithful. We have seen great change in the lives of these old people.” Pastor Hezekiah Macheka

“With joy I would like to share with you that we had a wonderful crusade in April. We managed to reach 713 people with the gospel. Among them 131 were saved.” Pastor Harold Ching’oma

📬 Have your contact details changed?

We are updating our records. If your contact details have recently changed, we’d love to hear from you so we can stay connected and keep you informed—just drop us a quick note with your updated info.

Remember that our contact details are:

New Email: admin@liveconnection.org

New Mobile: 0402 776 467

We’re updating our accounting system. Starting this month, credit card payments will receive receipts confirming successful transactions.

🫶 Bible Fundraiser 2025

For many of us, access to a Bible is as simple as reaching for a shelf or opening an app. But for some of our pastors, that access remains a deep longing. By giving generously to our Bible fundraiser , you provide a doorway to hope, a resource for ministry, and a light in spiritual darkness.

Thank you to everyone who has donated in support of this appeal, but also to those who contribute to bibles over the course of the year. We’ve added $1,857 to our bible fund—what a wonderful beginning! Let’s keep the momentum going toward our $3,000 goal—so even more can access the life-changing power of God’s Word.

As we continue to invest in training pastors across Africa, we’re reminded of God’s design for leadership in the Church. “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” Ephesians 4:11–12 .

Your partnership is building more than knowledge—it’s shaping lives, strengthening churches, and advancing the Kingdom one leader at a time.

Blessings,

The Live Connection Team