Meeting in Central African Republic

Central African Republic

The Africa Child and School Initiative reached a milestone June 2025 when Awana executive vice president of global ministries, Stephen Maphosah, met with Central African Republic (CAR) Minister of Education Mr. Aurelian Simplice Zingas to strengthen the future of child discipleship in CAR schools.

Stephen Maphosah and CAR Minister of Education

This first-of-its kind meeting nurtured seeds of partnership sown between Awana global leaders and the CAR government and was a continued effort to share the impact of Awana child discipleship in schools while strategizing how to serve children in the CAR.

“The minister of education is trusting Awana to be fast and give every child an opportunity to hear the Gospel and be discipled,” says Maphosah. Leaders in the CAR have underscored this need consistently, not based on personal preference, but on history. Approximately every 10 years, war breaks out in their country, resulting in shifts that leave policies, ideology and religious organizations vulnerable. Boys’ and girls’ access to biblical learning could vaporize any moment.

For now, we praise God for this opportunity, no matter how fleeting. Awana can now bring materials duty-free into the Central African Republic and has been invited into 3,000 schools!

Awana ministry partners in CAR

The generosity of disciplemakers like you is what fuels our swift movement through these open doors. As God continues to move across Africa, your ongoing partnership helps make it possible to equip leaders, deliver resources and disciple children with the Gospel in places where time is short and the need is great.