TEAM UPDATES

July 25 | ZAMBIA & SOUTH AFRICA

While some of the team transitioned to South Africa earlier this week, Deepak and Nico stayed in Zambia in order for Deepak to teach students at Central Africa Baptist University (CABU) for a 5-day class. Deepak was able to engage with the students and strengthened the gospel work in congregations all over Zambia. Today, Deepak and Nico joined the team in South Africa and had dinner with their host, Tommie VanderWalt (Imprint Ministries) and discussed the work they do in training of pastors all over Africa. Next, Deepak will work with the elders and their wives from Mr. VaderWalt’s church, he’ll preach on Sunday at their church, and the team will finish their time in South Africa before heading back to the states.

From Deepak:

“We are grateful for your prayers. My prayer: ‘Teach us about what you're doing through Imprint Ministries, and grow our heart for gospel work in Africa. Bless my teaching this weekend and sustain us to the very end. In Jesus' name, Amen.’"

JULY 21 | Zambia

On Sunday the team transitioned from Kenya to Zambia where they attended church with members at Faith Baptist Church Riverside. Deepak taught the congregation of 150 believers and the team shared lunch with several families. On Monday, the team toured local churches with the VP of Central Africa Baptist University (CABU) where they saw the work of many pastors doing gospel work in places with no running water, poor road conditions, and high rates of crime and unemployment. Deepak taught another group of pastors Monday afternoon on the first of the 5-day class he will be teaching.

A message from Deepak Reju:

“Dear beloved congregation: It's distinct privilege to teach these pastors, and the class was very engaged, asked good questions, and showed that they're eager to learn.  My prayer: "Lord, grant me strength and help me to communicate the truth of your Word to these pastors. Help me to help them be better shepherds. We know they're mere undershepherds of the greatest Shepherd, Jesus. Grow our faith and our trust in Jesus, as we learn to care for sinners and sufferers. It's in Jesus' beloved name we pray these things. Amen."

JULY 16 | KENYA

An update from some of our team members:

Rocky: “This trip has been an amazing experience for me to see the different cultures and how every church evangelizes and supports other public organizations. For example, helping kids with no family find their relatives while in the process sharing the gospel with them.”

Zoe: “This trip has been really eye opening for me when thinking about how the church is operated and how different cultures embrace the gospel. As an upcoming junior, college and my future have been topics I’ve been praying about a lot recently and this trip has opened up many different and new opportunities I never thought about, and some I didn’t know even existed. This trip has helped me see and get to know many amazing role models of people living their entire lives for Christ, and I am forever thankful for this opportunity and experience.”

Chris: “We’re having a wonderful time in East Africa. We’ve been able to see not only the beautiful country but befriend pastors and missionaries who are sharing the gospel and starting churches in the most difficult parts of the planet. And what an honor to do it with my children and members of my church.”

Henry: “It’s been an eye opening experience full of visiting ministries, engaging  with brothers and sisters in Christ as well as seeing and taking in areas in Africa.  It so encouraging to know the gospel is going forward in this part of the world.  There has been lots of laughs along the way, truly grateful to be traveling with this group.”

Nico: “It has been an honor and privilege to learn from local believers. The Lord has been faithfully building his church and it is exciting to dream about how Ogletown can join in on the action!”

JULY 14 | KENYA

A message from Deepak Reju:

“Dear Beloved Congregation:  We made it to Kenya safely at 1:30am on Sunday morning. Yesterday (Sunday), we went to church with James and had lunch with his pastors. Today (Monday) we spent the majority of the day learning about James' work. It was good to see how well acclimated James is to Kenya. We got to meet his co-workers and the team leader for the IMB in Nairobi, and tour the IMB's largest facility in Nairobi. Tomorrow we'll meet with the elders of Emmanuel Baptist Church and then meet the director and students of the Nairobi School of Theology. Here's my prayer: "Thank you for how you are using James to honor you and do all of the support work for the missionaries in Kenya and beyond. He's both faithful and fruitful, and for that we give you great praise. We pray this in Jesus' magnificent name, Amen."

JULY 12 | ETHIOPIA

Our team arrived in Ethiopia and spent two days with Pastor Yadete Nigussie who provided much insight into the culture and religious history of the country. Pastor Nigussie shared his personal story of faith and the call on his life to be a church planter for Ethiopians. He planted his church in Addis Ababa just one year ago and already has 46 members and several men rising in leadership as elders. Additionally, Deepak was able to teach about 30 people from Pastor Nigussie’s congregation during their visit. Next stop, Kenya to be with James Edinger!

JULY 10 | Arrival in ETHiOPIA

The team safely arrived in Ethiopia (around 3am) after a short stint in Egypt.

JULY 8 | DEPARTURE FROM Washington D.c.

Join us in praying for our team as they board their first flight en route to Egypt!

OUR PURPOSE

The purpose of this trip is to discern and build gospel partnerships with missionaries who share Ogletown’s theology, ministry philosophy, and commitment to healthy church planting. We aim to form relationships marked by trust, doctrinal unity, and a shared vision for the long-term health of local churches.

We seek to evaluate potential partners in the field through firsthand observation and conversations, understand their context, calling, and approach to gospel ministry, and encourage missionaries through meaningful engagement and fellowship. We will assess how we, as a sending church, can best support their work in a way that is biblically faithful, relationally intentional, and strategically wise.

We go not only as evaluators, but as learners—ready to be shaped by what God is doing among the nations and to return better equipped to mobilize our church for missions that matter.

THE TEAM

TRAVEL

Pray for safe travels from the US to Africa, that the Lord would protect us from the unrest in the world.  

Ethiopia | JULY 10-12

Nigussie Yadete (Addis Ababa) Church Planter, Christ Covenant Baptist Church

Pray for Nigussie:

• That he would faithfully proclaim the gospel in a city saturated with prosperity theology.

• For the spiritual and numerical growth of Christ Covenant Baptist Church.

• For God's provision of jobs and stability for people in the church and community.

• That Nigussie would be strengthened in joy, wisdom, and perseverance in ministry.

Pray for the OBC Team in Ethiopia:

• For discernment as they evaluate the health and fruit of this new church plant.

• That conversations with Nigussie would lead to clarity about potential partnership.

• That the team would be an encouragement and blessing to a brother laboring in a challenging context.

Logistics Services Consultant, IMB

KENYA | JULY 13-14, 17-20

James Edinger, Logistics Services Consultant, IMB

Pray for James:

• For grace in the details as he manages housing, visas, and logistics for missionaries.

• That his behind-the-scenes work would greatly support the advance of the gospel.

• For favor with government authorities and wisdom in complex situations.

Pray for the OBC Team in Nairobi:

• That they would see the strategic importance of support roles in mission work

• For insight into how churches can help sustain and bless logistics missionaries.

• That James would feel refreshed and valued through their visit.

Kenya | JUly 15

Ken Mbugwa, Emmanuel Baptist Church / Ekklesia Africa
Mike Christ, Director, Nairobi Institute of Reformed Theology

Pray for Ken and Mike:

• For faithful gospel ministry and discipleship through EBC Nairobi.

• That Ekklesia Africa’s resources and NIRT’s training would equip many leaders.

• For the multiplication of healthy churches grounded in sound theology.

Pray for the OBC Team in Nairobi:

• That God would make clear if this training-focused ministry is a good fit for partnership.

• For rich theological conversation, doctrinal unity, and a shared vision for the African church.

• That their interactions would spark long-term collaboration and prayer.

Kenya | JULY 16

Ronald Kogo, Pastor, Crosspoint Bible Church / Cohort Leader, Church in Hard Places

Pray for Ronald:

• For wisdom and endurance as he plants and pastors in Nakuru.

• That leaders in hard places across East Africa would be equipped through his mentorship

• For gospel light to shine in spiritually dark and economically hard areas.

Pray for the OBC Team in Nakuru:

• That they would understand the unique challenges and joys of ministry in under-resourced regions.

• For clarity as they consider if this cohort and church model aligns with OBC’s mission philosophy.

• That they would be an encouragement to Ronald and his network.

Zambia | JULY 21-25

Philip Hunt, President, Central Africa Baptist University

Pray for Phil:

• For continued effectiveness in training pastors, church leaders, and missionaries.

• That CABU would stay faithful to God’s Word as it grows.

• For strength as Phil balances leadership in the church, school, and orphan care ministries.

Pray for the OBC Team in Zambia:

• That they would wisely assess CABU’s vision, theology, and regional influence.

• For conversations that reveal whether OBC could play a meaningful long-term role.

• That their visit would bless the CABU team and spark mutual encouragement.

• For Deepak's seminary class at CABU, he'd equip, build up their faith, and challenge the pastors.

South Africa | JULY 26-28

Tommie Van Der Walt, Pastor, Brackenhurst Baptist Church / Director, Imprint

Pray for Tommie:

• That he would lead with humility and courage in shepherding Brackenhurst Baptist Church.

• For the growth and reach of Imprint's biblical publishing ministry.

• For strategic partnerships that help multiply gospel-centered churches across southern Africa.

Pray for the OBC Team in Johannesburg:

• For discernment in assessing both church ministry and the publishing work.

• That the team would understand how theological resources impact church planting.

• For God to guide potential partnership that advances biblically faithful ministry across the region.

• For clarity, wisdom, and encouragement as Deepak teaches and preaches