Ryan and Jody Faber

Vision

God is calling His children from every tribe, tongue, and nation, that they may know His saving love and grace, and praise Him, as Psalm 86:9 describes: "All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name." Living in Zambia provides our family with tangible experiences of this global nature of the church as we participate in local churches and international communities within Lusaka. Here we have opportunities to both encourage fellow believers and serve our neighbors.

The growing church in Africa is a big part of the fulfillment of the verse above! Some predict that within a generation, Africa will have the largest Christian population of any of the world’s continents. The church in Africa is growing, but it is also struggling. Estimates are that 80-90% of African pastors lack biblical and theological training. The church is also threatened by the growth and spread of Islam, and by a resurgence of African traditional religion.

Mission Work

Ryan serves as a theological education developer with Theological Education by Extension Zambia (TEEZ), an ecumenical partnership of Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches. His role includes assisting with programs for pastoral training and theological education, coordinating their online Bachelor of Theology program, offered in partnership with the Oxford Center for Religion and Public Life, and teaching at several theological colleges in Zambia. In this work, he seeks to obey Paul’s instruction to Timothy: “The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Tim. 2:2)