African American Missionaries
Less than 500 of the missionaries on the field are African American. Here is one man’s story.
Henry Joseph was born to Pastor Henry & Jennie Joseph in Los Angeles, CA. His father was a Baptist minister who instilled in Henry kingdom principles of serving the needy at a very young age. Henry remembers his father’s passion for the elderly, widows and downtrodden and the effect it had on him. Minister Joseph said of his father, “My father was a strong and compassionate man who would spend time ministering to people who were retarded, elderly, disabled and unable to care for themselves. Though he was a fiery preacher he had a great compassion for people.” Minister Joseph’s father died when he was only twelve years old, but those twelve years made a tremendous impact on his life.
Minister Henry Joseph’s mother was and still is a prayer warrior who prayed Henry through growing up without a father in South Central Los Angeles. Her uncompromising Christian principles were and still are a source of strength and encouragement to Henry.
Minister Henry Joseph married his beautiful wife in 1985 and they have grown in the Lord together. Minister Joseph accepted the call to ministry in 1995 under the discipleship of Bishop Ronnie C. Crudup, Senior Pastor of New Horizon Church. His gift and passion is teaching the deep truths of God’s word in a way that any Christian can grasp and comprehend. He has also been involved in Men’s Ministry, serving in several positions including Promise Keepers State Field Ministry Coordinator.
In His Own Words
In 1998 I had the privilege to go on my first short-term mission assignment in Africa. After returning several times to Africa in October 2003 I again had the privilege of joining a distinguished group of pastors on a short-term mission assignment to Malawi, Zambia and South Africa, providing Christian leadership training for hundreds of pastors and Christian leaders.
As in prior years I expected to fulfill this mission and return to my routine and ministry back home in the United States. But the Lord had other plans. While in Malawi the Lord did a work in my soul. He gave me a compassion for the people of Malawi, to serve and shepherd them. I love them and care for them deeply. Though I returned home to a loving family my heart remained in Malawi and with the great potential for ministry and souls being saved and discipled. I felt like the Lord was calling me to return to Africa to minister full-time as a missionary pastor.
After being home only eight weeks, my wife and I returned to Malawi by invitation to consider a long-term commitment to minister in Malawi. During that visit through the preaching of the word of God many were saved and many re-dedicated their lives to Jesus. This, along with God answering other prayers confirmed my calling to be a missionary pastor in Lilongwe, Malawi.
I have accepted the call of God. We thank God that He would give us the privilege of serving in Africa and giving us the faith and courage to accept His call. My family and I relocated to Africa in March of 2004.
Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The average salary for those that can find work is less than one dollar a day. Malawi has the 6th highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world. One of the consequences of the AIDS epidemic in Malawi is the increasing number of orphans. By the end of the year 2000 it was estimated that 1,230,947 children would be left orphaned in a country with a population of 12,000,000 people.
Henry and family have now been ministering in Malawi for over 2 ½ years. In 2005 they added a blessing to their family, Deborah Heminsi-Joseph, an abandoned baby they have adopted. She has livened our home with great joy and energy.
The Ministries
Christian Heritage School
The need for quality education at a level competitive with world standards has been an issue in this country for quite some time. The class structure in Lilongwe has one major dividing line – educational level. The key to advancing and stopping the cruel cycles of poverty and oppression in countries such as Malawi is to educate the generations following.
Committed to this end, Minister Joseph will continue to bring leadership and vision to Christian Heritage School which is dedicated to educating the children of Malawi in a Christian setting with the advantage of world-class facilities, instructors, and curriculum. In addition to formal education, the children are taught the principles of the Word of God. Located on the campus of Capital City Baptist Church, this school is a thriving example of the heart of missionary work in Lilongwe. Situated on a landscaped acre, fully staffed with qualified teachers and workers, and bustling with 260 happy, healthy children, Christian Heritage School is making a difference in the lives of Malawian’s by strategically investing in our most precious resource – the children.
ADZIWA Orphan’s Ministry
ADZIWA, meaning ‘He knows’ in one of the Malawian languages (Chichewa), is a positive expression of hope in God for the future of orphans.
For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Kauma village, an urban slum on the outskirts of Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, has a population of 25,000 people and an average of five funerals a week. Most of the deaths are AIDS related. Therefore the number of children being orphaned in abject poverty continues to grow. A child’s future is dramatically influenced by their environment, therefore improving their environment will positively impact them. ADZIWA supports the extended family of orphans as they care for the orphans by providing for them new housing, education and training. So instead of being placed in a large orphanage with several hundred other children the child is raised in a home with extended family. The family is nurtured through local churches that ADZIWA partners with.
Church Planting
There are still places in Africa that need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. The same is true in Malawi especially in the rural villages. In these villages witch doctors and demonic traditional religions are still very common and accepted practice. The main reason this is true is the ignorance that exists in the absence of the truth of the gospel. One of the biggest manifestations of the darkness that exists in these villages is HIV/AIDS. 1 out of every ten adults living in the rural villages is infected with HIV/AIDS. It will take more then a brochure and a condom to reverse the traditional practices of many generations; it will take Jesus and His Good News coming and residing in these villages.
In 2006, two churches were planted in the Central Malawi region. One church was planted and built in a village called Mwambakanthu. This Chichewa word translated means, “We have started something.” When I hear this name translated I knew it was prophetic in nature. Indeed something has started in this village now that the gospel has reached them. Another church was planted in Bunda Village about 30 minutes from the capital. What started as an outreach has now turned into a fellowship of 80 adults and 40 children. We built a church that seats 300 people as the church continues to grow.
Henry and his family are supported by individuals just like you who have a desire to see the gospel proclaimed in Africa and the needy cared for. We pray that you will join us in supporting Henry by praying for him and supporting him financially.
By Victor Upton
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