In many parts of Africa, people live in fear of evil spirits. They see evidence of the spirit world in their lives and, with no biblical understanding, react with fear. Their animistic religions teach that spirits are dead ancestors who must be placated with worship and sacrifices.

Felix Niba prayed to his ancestors until he was 20 years old. Then a friend invited him to church in his hometown of Limbe, Cameroon, Central Africa, where a missionary was preaching. Without hesitation, Felix went to the service, for the first time heard the gospel story, accepted the truth of Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice, and gave his heart to the Lord. It was, in his words, “a transforming encounter.”

He was hungry for more of Jesus, and two weeks later he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Felix then began to experience a series of dreams where he envisioned God using his life. His leadership helped him understand that through his dreams God was calling him to ministry.

Only four months later, a new Bible school opened in the city of Bamenda, and Felix eagerly enrolled as one of 10 young men in the first class. For two years, as he studied, he put his growing understanding of the Bible into action, preaching and ministering to his countrymen at every chance. God worked in his life powerfully, growing his leadership skills and biblical understanding.

Imagine Felix’ thrill to be invited after graduation to pastor the church in Limbe where he was saved! He led that church to plant three new churches in the surrounding area.

In time, Felix realized that the way to more quickly advance the church was to help train others to fulfill the call of God on their lives. He returned to Bible school and, with the help of scholarships, earned a bachelor’s degree. He then began a master’s degree program at the West Africa Advanced School of Theology (WAAST) in Lome, Togo. There, Felix became one of my students and a lifelong friend. As soon as possible, we recommended that he return to Cameroon and begin teaching potential young leaders at the WAAST extension school.

Today, Felix is director of that school having been mentored by one of our missionary educators, Jim Lemons. He has helped train 159 new ministers/graduates and has helped plant more than 200 churches.

Scholarships were key to Felix’ growth in leadership! When he first enrolled in Bible school, he had limited resources and no support from his unbelieving family. Generous donors like you made it possible for this bright, young leader to develop and become a teacher of leaders. Africa’s Hope provides scholarship to scores of students each year, and your partnership with this ministry ensures that called and gifted men and women gain access to quality Bible School training.

I ask you to consider giving a Christmas gift today that will help scholarship more African pastors and leaders like Felix Niba.

Your gift of $50 will scholarship a student for a month. A gift of $100 will scholarship 2 students for a month; $200 will scholarship 4; $400 will scholarship 8, and so on. You can help scholarship as many pastors as you wish.

Thank you for doing what you can. I appreciate your heart for Africa and our leaders there. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

Yours for an increasingly redeemed Africa,

John Easter, Ph.D.

Director, Africa’s Hope