Partners in media ministry

By Kerry Allan | Kenya in East Africa

Josh and Hellen.

Although 2020 has been a difficult year for our mission workers and their ministries, the Lord used COVID-19 to further the gospel work of one couple serving in Kenya.

Back in March, God gave SIM UK workers Josh and Helen an unexpected opportunity to partner with church leaders and develop an impactful online ministry during COVID-19.

“The pastors of two Ethiopian refugee churches asked if we could help them record their services so people could continue to worship during the Kenyan lockdown,” recalls Josh.

“As I had my photography equipment and a reasonable knowledge of how to go about this, we began to film their sermons and upload them to YouTube,” he adds.

“That weekly sermon recording turned into an online ministry of podcasts, midweek devotions, worship services and Bible talks, which were used by Ethiopian fellowships across east Africa, as well as in Amharic-speaking communities in the west.

“God provided us with loaned equipment and a recording space on campus that we turned into a studio. Using these things, we produced more than 100 sermons in five different languages.

“Not only did God enable us to give mission workers and pastors a voice they carried back home to their churches, we able to help establish a media ministry that will help to spread the gospel across Africa.

“There are now a number of exciting projects we hope to carry forward, including a series of videos working through the gospels in Sudanese Arabic, allowing Sudanese believers to hear God’s word, even if they cannot safely attend a church.”

Dr Yohannes Sahile, one of Josh and Helen’s professors at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology, and an elder at the Ethiopian Evangelical Fellowship Church, says: “When I told Josh about our problem, right away, he said he wanted to help

“Josh gave his expertise and his time to help us develop this amazing online ministry and enable our church to reach, not just our members, but many Ethiopian who live in Kenya and abroad – even in Europe, America and Australia.

“We are very grateful to Josh and Helen and also thankful to their supporters, whom we pray will continue to partner with them so they can continue their ministry.”

Please pray

• Give thanks for how God was at work to help Josh and church leaders work together to develop a fruitful online media ministry.

• For Josh and Helen as they look ahead to join the SIM Sudan team and make plans for language study.

• That God will clearly guide the couple as to where best he would use the gifts and skills.

Serve with us

Do you have a passion for photography, videography, story-writing, or social media? We are looking for creatives who want to use their interests and abilities to serve God's kingdom. Contact us today to find out how you can get involved in media ministry.

This story first appeared on SIM UK's site on 1 Dec 2020.