Youthful Decisions Almost Changed his Path

At just 19, Admire was named pastor of his church in southwest Zimbabwe. His father was a pastor and he became a believer at a young age.

“My father was a church leader, so he became my first evangelist,” Admire says. “My foundation of knowing Jesus came from him.”

Fueled by his passion for the Lord and his father’s encouragement, Admire gladly took on the post as pastor. But he was still so young, and young people often make detrimental decisions.

Admire’s girlfriend became pregnant.

Down but Not Out

The news took the church by storm.

“It caused commotion in the church, but it affected me more,” he remembers. “It extinguished the fire that was in me. I felt discouraged and downhearted, unworthy to stand boldly with the truth when I couldn’t live a righteous life.”

Though he felt unworthy to continue the path before him, Admire relied on the Lord and took encouragement from his family to keep going. He took time away from the ministry to grow and learn. Admire and his girlfriend were married, and today they have a family with two beautiful children. Now 31, he has stepped back into the role as pastor, and is firmly committed to his faith and the mission to which God has called him.

Spreading the Word

Admire has dedicated his life to sharing the Gospel in his community and surrounding areas. “The devil deprives people of the true Gospel,” he says passionately. “When one gets the true Gospel, one should hold on to it tightly. I hold onto the truth and guard against it with my life, and I will do so until my mission on earth is accomplished.”

His devotion has poured out into his ministry. Admire has started three churches and runs a campus ministry, all using Bible League’s Project Philip Bible studies , small group discipleship-focused study materials. Leaders from all three congregations were trained to use these materials. His churches have never been the same since.

“We now have the effective and practical skills to win and nurture more souls,” he says. “Since the introduction of Project Philip Bible studies, the church has grown spiritually and statistically.”

Many in Admire’s community did not finish school beyond seventh grade; the small group Bible study materials are written in a way that is easy to understand and helps them engage with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Still More Work

Though he has started several small groups and has growing congregations, Admire shares there’s a desperate need for more materials and more Bibles to reach even more. In one of his churches, less than half of the members have a Bible of their own. “We need more biblical materials to engage more people as they give their lives to Christ,” Admire explains. “They need the Gospel to grow spiritually.”

Though the opportunities seem daunting, we know we serve a God of abundance who is able to do more than we can think or imagine!

Many people in this area have strong backgrounds in cultic churches; it is hard for leaders like Admire to reach them with the true Word of God. “Salvation is possible for them, but changing their views happens gradually as they engage with the Gospel,” he says. Though his early challenges in leadership threatened to stop him from his calling, Admire is more determined than ever to share the love of Christ.

He relies on the Word to guide his steps, and when asked a verse that reflects his journey and church, he responded with a beautiful Scripture from Romans:

“Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.”  Romans 12:2 ERV

What a wonderful response from a man who has matured in Christ and is now serving his community!

Dreams for the Future

Admire has big dreams for his ministry in the community. “In the next five years, I see the church being established in about five or more locations with a great need for sound doctrine,” he says. His ministry has grown thanks to your support, and with your continued faithfulness, Admire can continue to obey the Lord in his calling.

“My heart swells with appreciation for the Bibles, training, and booklets you provided,” he says graciously. “You have made my work as a pastor more effective. I am genuinely overwhelmed with immense gratitude. Thank you!”