In many parts of Africa, churches are growing rapidly, but trained leaders remain few. In rural communities, it is not uncommon for churches to go months or even years without a consistent pastor.

Yet even in these difficult conditions, believers continue gathering, worshiping, and praying that God will raise up leaders from within their own communities.

Vimbai has faithfully served in her rural church in Zimbabwe for many years. She loved her church deeply, but like many believers serving in under-resourced communities, she often felt the weight of leadership needs around her without feeling fully equipped to step into them.

A few years ago, Vimbai joined Global Action’s Foundations program, Global Action’s non-formal biblical training program designed to equip church leaders with strong biblical understanding and practical ministry skills. Through Foundations, Vimbai began to grow in confidence as she studied Scripture and learned how to teach, disciple, and lead others more effectively.

For the first time, she began to truly believe that God could use her to help lead within her church. And God did.

As leadership gaps continued in her rural church community, Vimbai stepped forward to help encourage and disciple others. But she also sensed God calling her deeper.

Wanting to continue growing, she joined the inaugural cohort of Global Action’s Formation program. While Foundations gave her biblical roots, Formation challenged her to actively live out what she had learned through discipleship, mentorship, and real ministry leadership.

Through a competency-based approach, participants are challenged to apply their learning directly within their own ministry context by discipling others, mentoring believers, and developing practical leadership skills.

For Vimbai, this meant stepping outside of her comfort zone and intentionally investing in women within her church.

She identified three women who loved God deeply and faithfully served in the church through singing, sharing, and helping in ministry programs, yet they often felt overlooked and lacked confidence in their ability to lead.

Instead of letting their potential go unseen, Vimbai began walking alongside them personally.

Week after week, Vimbai discipled these women, teaching them how to prepare lessons, study Scripture, pray with confidence, and connect biblical truth to everyday life. She encouraged them to step into leadership roles they never imagined they could fill.

One of the women eventually taught in Sunday school for the very first time. Church leadership noticed her gift, encouraged her, and affirmed her ability to lead.

What began with one woman being equipped is now multiplying into the lives of others.