Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James 3:1-2
“Earlier, James had said that ‘everyone should be … slow to speak’. Now he expands that command beyond speaking in the general sense to apply it to the speaking that is inevitably involved in teaching the people of God: Not many of you should presume to be teachers. The reason that we who teach will be judged more strictly is that the more we say, the more likely we are to stumble and make mistakes. teachers are not perfect and will make mistakes just like everyone else. But their mistakes may have destructive consequences.”
Solomon Andria (Madagascar) in “James” in Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006).
Today marks the start of my second of two weeks in Africa. I am mentoring our newer staff this week, and while it is exhausting, it is going well. We have already battled sickness, delays in the arrival of our luggage, cockroaches (ask me about them sometime but you may not want to hear my story), and more. Thanks for your prayers.
Let me introduce the team so you see why I am taking this work for which I will be judged more strictly. I have worked with two of them for 3 years. Let’s start with them.
Samuel Mujyanama lives in Rwanda. He serves as GTP Global Prayer Coordinator and Multimedia Specialist for GTP. He’s got a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication, a master of divinity degree. Samuel helps with all GTP communication and social media. He and I will release a 30-day devotional entitled, Surrender, in 2026.
Tionge Chile lives in Malawi. He serves as GTP Project Manager for Africa. We launched Palmful of Maize together in 2022. Imagine that more than 1 million children participate across his country in only three years. I love hearing Tionge speak about how GTP has turned dependency to discipleship among the children and their families in Malawi.
Now meet the other three with whom I have served only in 2026.
Romeo Nkongnou crushed it in Cameroon. He serves as GTP Global Trainer and French Programs Manager. He lives there and convened some of the top Christian workers in both the country and the continent, including the head of the Evangelical Alliance for Africa. No kidding. Romeo gives me hope for Francophone Africa!
Anita Mulwana runs point this week. She lives in Uganda. We have safely arrived in Kigali. She serves as GTP Global Trainer and English Programs Manager. She’s got good administrative skills coupled with training capacity. God has raised Anita up to mobilize an army of trainers for the English, Portuguese, and Spanish speakers of Africa.
Emmna Pervaiz lives in Jhelum, Pakistan. So, what is she doing here? She’s worked with me in Pakistan and Nepal and offered to help me help the Africa staff understand how to do the logistical work necessary to support onsite program work. Emmna is here to mentor all four of the Africans in the administrative aspects of program work.
Now you have met the five solid stewards with whom I am serving for two weeks.
I mentioned them because my focus has been to teach them content and empower them to participate with me in delivering it. By this way they have confidence to replicate and spread it to others. And I have made it clear that their lives must exhibit the content otherwise the entire training is a waste of time. They get it.
What we teach and how we deliver it matters. Our words and actions must match. The administration of our work must align with the content we deliver! By caring for both points, we prepare to give an account for our teaching. Are you ready to give an account? Or really the question is this: Have you made those you serve ready to give an account?