While in South Africa, we are going to be with an organization called Thrive Africa which Colorado Christian University has partnered with in the past. They have been wonderful in handling so much of the planning and training for us. It certainly has been a blessing working with them.

Since they are the main contacts in Africa, I figured it would be helpful for those of you following our trip to know a little more about them.

Niel and Alece van Rensburg are the founders and directors of Thrive Africa. They have nine people whole work full time for the ministry in a variety of roles and positions. Alongside these people, is the indigenous staff that works at the reserve as well as out in the field as translators and coaches in the schools. In addition to this, several interns come out to Africa for the year or the summer to serve as well.

Thrive Africa is all about raising up leaders in South Arica to make an impact in that community. Their mission statement is: “to equip and mobilize indigenous leaders to become strategic, Godly influences in their cultural communities. Our model of ministry is based on II Timothy 2:2: ‘…Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.’”

A main focus of Thrive Africa is to get into the schools in Africa and begin teaching the students about abstinence, raise awareness about AIDS/HIV, and spread the Gospel. Their website says that 90% of pastors in South Africa have no formal training, so training of these leaders is important to Thrive Africa as well.

This organization has been working in South Africa for 10 years now and they have been blessed with a 2,500 acre reserve. We will be staying on this reserve while in South Africa and will be very blessed by the people and facilities there.

Thrive Africa has truly been advancing the Kingdom in South Africa and I just can’t wait to get over there an experience it all. If you are interested in learning more about Thrive Africa, you can go to their website at thriveafrica.org. The site is a great resource and has tons more information for you.