advent - day 22

ALARM (African Leadership and Reconciliation Ministries) was born in the wake of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. This video explains more history. Their ministry has expanded to include seven other eastern African countries.

ALARM’s passion is to help the African church serve as an agent of change, fostering transformation that goes deeper than superficial, nominal Christianity. In addition to regular conferences for pastors, ALARM trains men and women for church leadership in a variety of venues.

As western missionaries are more and more desiring to hand over church leadership to locals, there is a great need for training. ALARM recognizes that need, and they have conferences and training programs for pastors and church leaders. They also recognize that women have especially suffered as a result of the violence that takes place in Africa. Thus, they have special training programs for women. They also (and this is particularly close to my heart) train kids. They have schools as well as vocational training and discipleship. The vocational training is key for these children to have a more prosperous life than that which they were born into. The discipleship ensures that the next generation will have effective church leaders.

Let's pray that ALARM will be well supported financially in the coming year. Pray that many would be willing to go to conferences and go through training in order to become more than nominal Christians. Pray that this ministry would catalyze the change that is needed.