Malawi Mission Trip Report

You prayed—and God answered!

I am so excited to tell you about our trip to Africa. Thank you for holding the rope through your prayers, encouragement, and support. Our team truly felt it every step of the way!

Our American team traveled to Malawi to join our African partners in training pastors, church leaders, and church planters. The focus of our time together was Evangelism, Discipleship, Leadership, and Marriage. Over the course of three conferences, more than 800 leaders gathered—and God moved powerfully in every session.

As with every mission trip, we were reminded that our plans are not always God’s plans. On our connecting flight to Malawi, Dr. Mark Fenn and Caleb Bauer missed their flight and arrived in Malawi 24 hours late (missing the first conference). I must admit, I was discouraged at first and asked God what He wanted me to do with this unexpected time.

That’s when He stirred my heart to introduce D-Groups—a discipleship initiative that’s now becoming one of the most exciting next steps for the churches in Malawi. In 2026, 50–60 churches will launch D-Groups as a pilot program, with a shared vision to see 5,000 churches equipped for disciple-making within the next five years. *If Mark and Caleb hadn’t missed that flight, I might never have considered D-Groups for the churches—God truly works all things together for good!

On Sunday, Pastor Mark Fenn, Pastor Brad Marchman, and I each preached in different churches. At the church where I spoke, attendance was light at first, so I went outside into the village and invited people in personally. Normally, about 60–70 attend, but that day we filled the church with over 100 people.

When I invited people to come forward, bow, and confess Jesus as Lord. One came, then another, and another. By the end, 36 people became new followers of Christ.

The ONE Focus strategy has changed the way thousands of African churches do evangelism (it is more effective and less costly).

On our last day, we hosted a Business Leader Conference with over 150 in attendance. Our goal was to help businesspeople grow as leaders and share the Gospel. By God’s grace, over 40 people accepted Christ!

Church Catalyst, BridgeWay Church, First West Church, and other supporters have been partnering since 2018 to train, coach, and equip churches through the One Focus Evangelism Initiative. In just seven years, over 22,000 churches across Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Tanzania have been impacted!

Because of your faithful prayers and giving, we were not only able to go—we witnessed incredible fruit and saw God move in mighty ways. The people of Malawi are hungry to know Jesus and to grow deeper in their faith. They have so little, yet their hearts overflow with gratitude and the joy of the Lord.

“The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” — Luke 10:2

Thank you again for standing with us. Your investment in the Kingdom is making an eternal difference!

With gratitude,

Scotty Sanders