For most of his life, Josephat knew hardship far better than hope.
Growing up in the rural village of Kithimani, Kenya, he was the oldest of five children in a struggling family. Poverty, hunger, and instability marked his childhood. When his parents traveled in search of work, Josephat was left with relatives, where he often faced rejection. By seventh grade, financial pressures forced him to leave school and begin working to survive.
He desperately needed the hope that you hold in your hands.
As a young man, Josephat searched for spiritual meaning, moving away from his Catholic upbringing and attending various churches. He married Felistas, and together they worked hard to support their growing family. But in 2022, tragedy struck. While working on a construction site, Josephat fell three stories, suffering severe injuries to his arm, leg, and back. Although surgeries saved his life, he never fully recovered. The physical labor that once provided for his family became impossible, leaving them in a desperate situation.
Then God intervened in an unexpected way.
You gave out of love for your neighbor, and God sent an Amazing Facts Prophecies of Hope evangelistic series to Josephat’s village. He heard the messages from a distance and felt compelled to attend. Night after night, he limped to the meetings on crutches, carefully listening to Bible truths that transformed his understanding of God and His Word. The teachings on Scripture, baptism, and Christ’s soon return stirred his heart deeply.
One promise became especially precious: the hope of a restored body when Jesus returns. For a man living with constant pain, the promise of a future without crutches filled him with joy. Convinced by the Bible’s teachings, Josephat surrendered his life to Christ and was baptized.
Today, despite his limp and physical pain, he walks with joy in Jesus. Thank you for giving him hope!
Contentment in Christ at Last: Martin’s Story
Martin grew up in Mabaiku, a small village in South Sudan, in a devout Roman Catholic family. As he grew older, however, he became frustrated with his circumstances. He dreamed of escaping poverty and finding success, but he sought answers in the wrong places.
He, too, urgently needed the truth you hold in your hands.
A friend introduced him to witchcraft’s promise of power, protection, and prosperity. Soon, Martin was living a dual life—attending church while secretly practicing black magic. Success eluded him, so he turned to alcohol, but that path quickly led to broken relationships, isolation, and imprisonment.
Martin began to recognize the painful truth that power, money, alcohol, and witchcraft could not bring lasting peace.
Shortly after his release, you made it possible for Martin to meet an Amazing Facts evangelist, Alison, through your caring gifts. Alison invited him to study the Bible. Martin accepted. As they studied, Scripture came alive. He was deeply moved by the realization of God’s love and the urgency of the gospel message.
When the invitation was given for baptism, Martin was the first to respond. His relatives opposed his decision, but he chose to follow Christ wholeheartedly. His life changed dramatically. Alcohol and witchcraft lost their hold on him, and he experienced a peace he had never known before.
Today, Martin openly shares his faith with others. Family members who once opposed his decision now affectionately call him “pastor” because of his love for the Bible. Once trapped in darkness and searching desperately for meaning, Martin has found lasting contentment in Jesus Christ—the only One who could truly satisfy the deepest needs of his heart.
AFCOE Africa Relaunches in Kenya
AFCOE Africa first launched in Kenya about 10 years ago, before political unrest forced the program to relocate to Uganda in 2018. In January 2026, however, God opened doors for the ministry to return to Kenya.
Recently, when Pastor Doug Batchelor’s travel plans to the Middle East were canceled due to war, he was able to spend a week in Nairobi. His presence was an encouragement to AFCOE students and leaders as the program reestablished its presence in the country.
“The AFCOE Africa program is really strong,” Pastor Doug reports. “The students learn evangelism. They go door to door, learn to preach, and do evangelistic meetings. And God blesses their work with many conversions and baptisms.”
The week also created additional opportunities for ministry. Pastor Doug preached the Streams of Light revival series, which was broadcast across the continent via Hope Channel Kenya and AWR Nairobi. He also spoke with theology students, local pastors, Muslim leaders, and more than 500 young people at the University of Nairobi, where a planned testimony meeting became a four-hour conversation about faith and biblical living.
“The unexpected appointments, the ones we had no idea were going to happen, were especially exciting on this trip,” says Pastor Doug. “The Lord blessed.”
Thank you for giving so that Martin and Josephat—and so many like them—could find hope in Jesus. Your generosity and loving prayers restored their hope and gave them a new lease on life. Thank you, too, for making it possible for AFCOE Africa to lead thousands to Christ every year. Your loving co-laboring gifts are truly making a difference in Africa.
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