In late August, our president, Dr. Dean Carlson, was in Africa to participate in the Global Roundtable. He reflects on that trip and the huge value of collaboration.

I’ve just come back from Southern Africa with a big smile in my heart. For twenty years my family and I served on One Challenge teams in this dynamic region of the world. And I loved returning to my African home!

Filled with lots of big hugs and heartfelt conversations, the trip could be summed up in the word: collaboration. As the African proverb says, “One hand cannot wash itself. It takes both hands to do a good job.” In the body of Christ, God calls us to live, learn and serve together for fulfillment of the Great Commission.

…at the Roundtable

At the macro level, I participated in the Global Roundtable, a gathering facilitated by the World Evangelical Alliance Mission Commission. It was a joy to gather as peer-learners with 40 network leaders from each continent of the world. We explored how to increase teamwork within the global body of Christ to accelerate the discipling of nations.

…with MANI

At the continental level, I connected with One Challenge teammates and some of the African leaders they serve. This included the leaders of the Movement for African National Initiatives – an indigenous network devoted to mobilizing the African Church to reach the least-evangelized peoples and places on the continent. I interacted with leaders of the Zimbabwe National Evangelism Task, a network devoted to seeing a church within easy walk of every person in Zimbabwe. And I met with a denomination that One Challenge is helping to penetrate a remote unreached people group. These three represent literally dozens of partnering relationships by which One Challenge is serving the African Church.

…among OC workers

In observing the One Challenge workers there, I saw men and women who had forged deep African friendships in the crucible of life and ministry. I saw passionate servants with inquisitive minds and Barnabas hearts. I saw fruitful ministry resulting in disciple-making movements, the multiplication of leaders and the transformation of lives. And I saw cross-cultural workers made better people by those among whom they serve.

Indeed, collaboration in the body of Christ is multi-directional and multi-cultural. God is honored when his people work in unity. One Challenge is devoted to great teamwork, serving alongside God’s people in 102 nations. The stories on this website give a hint of what God is doing. And so much more is going on. Come join us in the action!

Partnering & Bridge Building
One Challenge is an international mission sending agency empowering local church ministry in more than 100 countries around the world. We serve, equip, and connect the body of Christ to advance God’s kingdom among all people. We engage in strategic partnerships out of a conviction that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.