The highlight of the retreat was the final service, featuring a powerful message delivered by Pastor Abraham. His teaching centered on what truly pleases the heart of God and how church leaders can effectively respond to this calling. Drawing from John 21:17, where Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him and commands him to take care of His sheep, Pastor Abraham underscored the crucial role of leaders in guiding and nurturing their congregations. He emphasized that leading God’s people is a responsibility that requires dedication, love, and a commitment to bringing them closer to the Kingdom of God.

Pastor Abraham also stressed the importance of church planting as a vital aspect of Christian leadership. Referring to Matthew 16:18-20, where Jesus declares Peter as the rock on which He will build His Church, Pastor Abraham reminded the leaders that creating new communities of faith is essential not only for the spiritual growth of believers but also for reaching those who have not yet encountered the Gospel. This call to “make disciples” is a core mission for church leaders and aligns with Jesus’ vision for spreading the Christian faith.

The leadership training program concluded with a time of reflection and sharing, where participants expressed the grace and insights they had gained throughout the program. Many testified to receiving profound spiritual growth and leadership guidance. To further strengthen the bonds of friendship and unity, participants also engaged in recreational activities, including a friendly football match. This helped to reinforce camaraderie and reminded everyone of the importance of unity, teamwork, and joy in the Christian journey.

From small villages in Africa to bustling cities in the Americas and quiet towns in Europe, WOA churches hosted special services to mark Pentecost Sunday. The celebrations were characterized by vibrant worship, heartfelt prayers, and a collective yearning for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

In the Book of Acts, Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit’s power. This historical event, celebrated on Pentecost, serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Many WOA congregations echoed this sentiment, gathering with a shared desire to encounter the divine presence.

Across the WOA network, numerous members reported profound spiritual experiences during the Pentecost services. Many testified to feeling an overwhelming sense of love and peace, attributing these encounters to the Holy Spirit.

Inspired by their encounters with the Holy Spirit, many WOA members expressed a newfound readiness to witness for Christ. This year’s Pentecost has sparked a renewed commitment to evangelism, with believers eager to share their faith and spread the message of Christ’s love.

“The Holy Spirit has equipped us to be bold witnesses for Christ,” stated one pastor in the UK. “We are ready to push forward with a new wave of evangelism, bringing the hope of the Gospel to our communities and beyond.”

The Pentecost celebrations within the WOA Church Network have ignited a global revival, uniting believers in a shared experience of the Holy Spirit’s power. As members recount their encounters and embrace their mission with renewed vigor, the impact of this Pentecost promises to extend far beyond the day’s events, fostering a lasting movement of faith and evangelism.

As the WOA Church Network moves forward, the testimonies and transformations witnessed during this Pentecost serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring promise of the Holy Spirit and the unyielding commitment to spread the Gospel to all corners of the earth.

Today, we reflect on the heart-wrenching sacrifice Jesus endured on the cross, bearing the weight of our sins upon His shoulders. Yet, as the sun rose on that glorious Easter morning, death was defeated, and the grave could not contain our Savior. His resurrection fills us with hope, for just as He conquered death, we too are raised to new life with Him. (Romans 6:4)

For those who have felt defeated with fruitlessness, may Easter bring the assurance that in Christ, there is hope of bearing abundant fruit. And for those who have felt bound by sin, may this day bring the promise of liberation and freedom in the resurrected Christ.

In the midst of a world filled with sin and despair, Easter reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Sin and death may attempt to weigh us down, but they hold no power over those who place their trust in the risen Lord. Through His resurrection, we are granted the promise of renewal and restoration, forever alive with Him.

Let us rejoice in the power and glory of the resurrection, knowing that the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead now dwells within us. May this Easter fill your hearts with joy and your spirits with hope, as we celebrate the victory of our risen Savior.

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Easter filled with the presence of our resurrected Lord.

Churches have already begun distributing materials for the “Path of the Cross” journey, outlining reflection plans and recommending various spiritual practices to their members. These practices include media-fasting, bible verse memorization, dedicated prayer times, and other means of spiritual enrichment.

Undoubtedly, the path of following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ is not without its challenges, laden as it is with suffering and burdens. Yet, believers are encouraged to persevere joyfully along this path, drawing strength from the promise and power of the resurrection.

As the Lenten season unfolds, it is our hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit will work deeply within the hearts of all churches and their members, renewing their spirits and fostering a deeper understanding of God’s love. May this sacred time be a catalyst for collective spiritual growth and a shared experience of the transformative power of the resurrection.

The training featured a diverse lineup of approximately 10 pastors who shared their insights and teachings, representing various branches of the Olivet Assembly worldwide, including OA Europe, OA USA, and OA Oceania. Alongside fundamental teachings on Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God, participants engaged in enlightening seminars covering topics such as shepherding, faith and family dynamics, financial stewardship, the history of WOA (World Olivet Assembly), and even news writing.

Facilitated by Elim International, the training sessions were punctuated by powerful prayer gatherings, while a special worship night provided members with an opportunity for spiritual rejuvenation. The culmination of the event saw participants coming together for a nature excursion to Thomson’s Falls, celebrating the wonders of God’s creation.

Notably, the training wasn’t limited to OA members alone; Olivet Fellowship (OF) Africa members, including representatives from Youth Evangelical Fellowship (YEF), Apostolos Missions (AM), and Gospel & Information Technology (G&IT) fellowship, also actively participated. Following the main training, these groups held their own specialized sessions, further fostering spiritual growth and community engagement.

Throughout the training, a central theme resonated: the transformative power of living in accordance with the atoning love of Jesus Christ. Echoing the words of Christ, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” attendees were reminded that genuine discipleship is defined by a life steeped in love and service to others.

As the event concluded, participants left renewed in their faith and commitment, poised to embark on a mission of greater expansion and impact in the new year. With hearts aflame with the love of Jesus, they stand ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, united in their shared vision for spreading the message of hope and redemption.

Despite boasting over 500 million Christians, Africa lacks basic doctrinal teachings. In the past year, OA Africa conducted an in-depth study of the book of Romans and the four spiritual laws, enriching the faith of many youth. The exploration of the book of Acts further ignited a fervor for global missions among numerous individuals.

In 2024, OA Africa is poised for expansion, aiming to extend the reach of Gospel messages to numerous young lives through a combination of online Bible studies and church planting.

In our digital era, where millions can be reached with a click, online teaching holds unlimited potential. However, purely online interactions lack the depth of in-person connections. Church planting initiatives are essential to bridge this gap and bring online education efforts into fruition.

Church planting is not merely a method to broaden outreach and enhance discipleship; it is also a means of providing ample opportunities for new members to engage in the mission and varied services of the church. Renowned missiologist C. Peter Wagner stated, “The single most effective evangelistic methodology under heaven is planting new churches.”

Newly planted churches hold immense potential to witness the fruits of evangelism quickly and are more adept at reproducing and establishing other churches. As born-again Christians embark on the journey of discipleship and sanctification, the local church community assumes a crucial role as a space for encouragement, support, and inspiration.

OA Africa envisions tens of thousands of young disciples rising to carry forward the Great Commission to its completion, echoing the biblical verse, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” – Matthew 24:14.

At the beginning of the week, they set goals and plans and end the week with a sharing and wrap-up meeting to see how God is leading each of them. Since they come from different countries, they have different languages, different food and culture. In the training time, some of them get challenges about language and other brothers said though they speak mother language is more comfortable, they have willing to speak more English. One brother shared this kind of communication that everyone wants to listen to others carefully is a communication of love. How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in unity!

They’ve seen their lives change since they’ve been in Olivet Assembly. Zacharias shared he used to hardly go to church, but his life changed completely after he came Kigali Emmanuel Church of Olivet Assembly, even his friends asked him why he goes to church service on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday to pray. And he learned to prepare himself well before the service and offer the service as a separate and holy service.

Eddy shared how he experienced God in his whole life, and he was determined to serve Him. He came to our church to study the Bible for a period of time but because his work was quite tiring, he didn’t come to study the Bible for more than a month, but during that time God always reminded him not to forget his promise to God. Then he fasted and prayed for three days and decided to spend more time studying God’s Word and serving Him. He said that Olivet is God’s answer to his prayer.

Pacific shared how his focus in life changed after coming to Olivet Assembly. He used to focus on trying to get more money. In Rwanda young people preaching gospel is considered a foolish thing to do, but when he came to Olivet Assembly he was amazed to see many young people are living a lifestyle in the Lord, and through studying the Bible his focus gradually changed, and he also wanted to share God’s love to many souls.

Thank God for His grace in leading many young people to come here for training and bringing them up. May God continue to raise up many souls in East Africa who are willing to go for Him and courage them bring the pure gospel to many souls who are waiting on God!

The membership training in Rwanda was opened on August 30th and lasted until September 4th, members from Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar attended. Then the Leadership Institute in Kenya was held during September 8-14, members from Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda attended.

The training covers the major topics of the 4 spiritual laws, special lectures on justification by faith alone without the works of the law, path of discipleship, biblical marriage, etc. During the training, Members of those countries responded positively to God’s call, they all had the passion to serve mission full time.

Praise the Lord for sowing the Great Commission in the heart of African young people, may God bring about a great revival through them!

The training covers the major topics of the 4 spiritual laws, special lectures on justification by faith alone without the works of the law, path of discipleship, biblical marriage, etc. During the training, 2 members from Ethiopia, 1 member from Kenya, 5 members from Rwanda, 2 members from Burundi and 1 member from Tanzania were set up as new leaders in church, they all had the passion to serve mission full time.

Praise the Lord for sowing the Great Commission in the heart of African young people, may God bring about a great revival through them!

1. OA Africa Held 1st OLI Leadership Training and 2nd Membership Training of 2023.

In June, native African members and leaders from 7 countries participated in the East Africa Membership Training and OLI. They listened to sermons and practiced evangelism and led students in Bible studies during the training. And native leaders grew spiritually by participating in all the sermons and presentations in the additional sessions.

2. 7 Native Leaders were set up from Different Nations

In the membership training, 7 native members from Ghana, Rwanda, Burundi and Zambabwe were set up as leaders.

3. OA Africa General Office Strengthened With The 5 Native Leaders.

5 native leaders joined departments of OA Africa General Office to enhance communication and effectiveness of mission work.

4. Two churches in Madagascar and DR Congo were Pioneered By Missionary And Native Leader

Missionary Hope was dispatched to pioneer a church in Madagascar and a leader of Burundi was sent to pioneer Bukavu, a city with many universities in DR Congo.

Thank God for all the guidance and progress. May God bring greater revival in Africa.