Archive - Africa RSS Feed

A Soccer Mom Changes the World

May 9, 2012 in Africa, Changing Lives, Events, Leadership, Stories, The Global Leadership Summit, Video, Willow Creek Association with 0 Comments

Kristen Chandler thought changing the world meant doing something big. “I didn’t see how one person could possibly do anything to help the millions of hurting people in the world,” she says.

When she attended The Global Leadership Summit in 2008, she was challenged by the words Lead Where You Are. “Where I was most of the time was with my kids at the soccer field,” she says. And youth soccer didn’t exactly line up with her idea of ministry, but Kristen was open to God’s direction.

If You’re Not Failing, You’ve Stopped Dreaming
At the Summit, Craig Groeschel (LifeChurch.tv) said: “If you’re not failing, you’ve stopped dreaming. And if you’re not dreaming, you’ve stopped living.”

“When I heard that,” says Kristen, “it gave me permission to try something…even if it failed.”

Kick for Hope Is Born

She got the idea to hold a soccer tournament to raise money for something life changing. Researching various charities, she found some that didn’t just throw money into a pot, but gave people something tangible so they knew what they were giving their money to. And Kick for Hope was born.

The first year 89 teams with kids between the ages of 8 and 18 participated. The next year, there were 124, and last year there were 134 and more than two thousand children. “We’ve raised $84,000,”says Kristen. That might not sound like a lot, but it has meant a well in Africa that provides clean water, mosquito netting that protects against malaria, aid for Sudanese refugees, and more.

“We got a picture of our well in the mail and it had our name on it,” says Kristen. And she’s been to Africa to see how the money is used and how it has impacted people’s lives. “I’ve met people whose lives have been changed because of Kick for Hope.”

Along the way, Kristen has gained leadership skills and life tools. “Youth soccer is the fastest growing sport, so the potential is huge,” she says. “There are kids all over the world playing soccer—sometimes without shoes or even a ball. Even though their lives are different, kids around the globe are connected through this beautiful game.”

Who knew a soccer mom could change the world?


What ideas are you brewing that might change the world? What’s stopping you?

Register now for best rates

GLS 2011 moments to celebrate

March 14, 2012 in Africa, Asia, Changing Lives, Events, Follow the GLS, Leadership, The Global Leadership Summit, Willow Creek Association with 0 Comments

The Global Leadership Summit is a lifeline to thousands of leaders around the world. Faced with natural disasters, religious persecution, and poverty, these leaders crave the inspiration, encouragement, and practical training the Summit offers. It’s often the one time each year they are reminded that they are not alone and that God still has a plan to use them to transform their communities. These 3 short stories are just a glimpse of how God is using the Summit to renew hope around the world.

900 Junior and Senior High School Students Gather in Japan
2011 Global Leadership Summit in JapanIn the aftermath of the tsunami that devastated Japan, 900 young people gathered for a special evening experience created just for students. Featuring hip hop music, dance, and worship led by local students, the evening featured Blake Mycoskie’s story of leading TOMS. Inspired by this story of generosity these students collected over $3,000 for the tsunami victims. A sense of hope and opportunity to impact the next generation in Japan permeated the room.

Hope in the Midst of Violence
2011 Global Leadership Summit in Kaduna NigeriaDays before the start of the GLS in Kaduna, Nigeria, terrorists entered a church in a nearby city killing 2 women. With tensions high and travel restrictions in place, local leaders decided to proceed as the GLS offered exactly what was needed to bring hope, encouragement, and restoration to this city. In fact, one senior leader purchased 40 Team Edition DVD sets to be given to those that couldn’t attend.

A Capacity Crowd in Myanmar
2011 Global Leadership Summit in MyanmarMore than 1,000 leaders gathered and an additional 200 leaders had to be turned away. One pastor commented that in 26 years of ministry, he had never seen such a large crowd gather for a Christian event. With government restrictions easing in recent months, there is great hope for increased religious freedom. People are hungry and desperate for the kind of inspiration and training the GLS offers.

You can be a part of the GLS movement – watch the webcast and register today!


Register now for best rates

Let’s Open the Doors!

November 29, 2011 in Africa, Changing Lives, Follow the GLS, Video with 0 Comments

This is the time, friends. We can build into leaders, transforming them from the inside out by opening the doors for them to attend a GLS in their country.

Transforming lives. Transforming communities. Transforming the world all for the Glory of God.

Please join us in praying for church and ministry leaders, like Philip Tutu, who will experience the GLS this year. You may also consider giving financial resources so that more leaders can experience training, vision, and resources from the GLS. willowcreek.com/yearend.

What Are You Thankful For?

November 22, 2011 in Africa, Follow the GLS, Video with 0 Comments

In a season of thanksgiving, our team is thankful for leaders like Lindsay Dillman, who work to bring leadership training to a region filled with challenges. Lindsay is a Global Leadership Summit (GLS) leader from South Africa who has been greatly inspired and moved by the needs of the nation of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe is challenged by the polarized political climate where pastors risk being victimized for preaching certain truths from the Bible. In this environment, pastors in Zimbabwe are desperate to be equipped with resources and trained with leadership skills to bring the hope of Christ to the culture.

Even more than the political climate, pastors who lead small churches lack finances. Often leaders have ideas and dreams for their church but lack the capital to turn their dreams into a reality, or lack the exposure to training to go forth with their dreams.

Lindsay is excited to bring the GLS to Zimbabwe as it gathers these leaders from all over the country, from different denominations in one place to work together to gain skills, receive hope, and be encouraged not to give up their work in the church as they reach out into their communities.

One initiative that began from a leader at the GLS in Zimbabwe is a ministry to rescue young girls from prostitution. The ministry takes action to help re-integrate young girls into society by teaching them skills, crafts and ministering to them – instilling hope and transformation.

Please pray for Lindsay and the leaders attending the GLS in Zimbabwe this week! Prayer For:

    -Political breakthrough in the area of good governance

    -Christian leaders to be supported morally, spiritually and financially to enable them to do the work of the ministry without worrying about their housing and next meal

    -The Church to rise above its competitive attitude. Often the Church is as the government – partisan

    -Pray that God would do with our President what he did with the Pharaoh and put his Joseph into position to bring agricultural production and stability back into our nation so that we don’t have to rely on imports and foreign donations to feed the nation

    -That the principles for national leaders, outlined in Deut 17:16, be the qualities required by our government for all leaders

    -That our law courts, judges, prosecutors andpolice apply biblical principles of justice and righteousness in every case and issue they handle

The Church in Kenya

November 1, 2011 in Africa, Changing Lives, Follow the GLS, Leadership, Stories, Video with 0 Comments


The church is growing in Kenya despite the many challenges that church leaders are up against. Politically, church leaders find themselves in a very volatile scenario where they are torn between remaining partisan or nonpartisan. Socially, there is a great need for salvation, but the new age tendencies within the culture are compromising the Biblical standards and norms. In addition, poverty, corruption, HIV/AIDS, lack of formal training and the fast changing community make building and leading the church one tough calling. One of the major challenges specific to this year is the drought in northern Kenya, causing famine and starvation. The church is in a place where they need to be mobilized to reach out into those communities and be the hands and feet of Jesus in such a dire situation.

Church leaders like Steven, Kennedy, and Morris from Kenya are excited about the Global Leadership Summit this year as they are thirsty to be filled up and rejuvenated to continue to lead and reach out into their communities for the glory of God. Though experiences like the GLS, many leaders are having their hearts rekindled to continue their ministry.

    “It is one of those annual events that brings leaders together across the board and enhances unity. The GLS is very deliberate about equipping leaders who, much of the time, are always giving out to their congregations.” – Kennedy

Kennedy went into ministry because of a specific, unique call from God to be a part of transforming people so that they can in turn transform their communities. He is a leader leading leaders, and the GLS has helped him to develop his skills as he interacts with church leaders at the same level. The GLS is thought provoking and inspiring them. Morris has been a part of several different ministries, but has a burden especially for youth and equipping leaders to lead. Like Kennedy and Morris, many leaders and potential leaders are being stirred up to pursue God’s vision for their ministries:

    “Because of the GLS in Nairobi; a pastor’s fellowship has been established where pastors meet regularly and are able to interact with one another on some of the issues that we deal with as leaders in our respective churches.”- Kennedy

    “We have a lady from the southern part of Kenya who, after attending GLS, opted not to renew her contract with her employer in Nairobi, but decided to start an environment conservation ministry in her local community” – Morris

Join us as we pray for the GLS in Kenya this week:
- Pray that God would allow them to be able to open more sites and reach more leaders.
- Pray for leaders to be empowered and able to mobilize to reach out into their communities.
- Pray for unity among leaders as they join together at the GLS.

    “The GLS helps us to be more effective in reaching church leaders to be more effective in our communities. It is the one time that every leader that comes can be rejuvenated. You need somewhere to come and be rejuvenated to lead into the next year. I’m excited about the GLS in Kenya this year.” –Steven, GLS Leader, Kenya

Page 1 of 41234»