Community
What began as a conversation about one village became a journey of learning to trust God's direction. Along the way, He reminded us that we weren't called to reach the multitudes all at once—we were simply called to faithfully love the people He placed before us, one by one.
One By One Ministries began in 2021 with a conversation between the two of us about Elijah's home village of Miramba, a small fishing village on the shores of Lake Kivu in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. As we talked about the challenges facing the community—limited access to education, widespread poverty, and the need for biblical discipleship—God began stirring our hearts with a desire to do something.
Our first dream was to help the community thrive from within. We began exploring the idea of a coffee business that would connect local farmers with international markets—not to generate income for the ministry, but to create sustainable opportunities that would strengthen families without disrupting the local economy.
Shortly afterward, we traveled to the United States. While we were there, we spent time researching what it would take to begin exporting coffee and planned to return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with a clear path forward. But as we prayed, we sensed the Lord leading us in a different direction. Although the coffee business had the potential to create opportunity, we believed the Lord wanted to protect the community from the temptation, division, and even danger that money can sometimes bring. Instead, we sensed Him saying,
"Focus on the school and the children first."
That simple redirection became the foundation for what would eventually become Unity School.
Not long afterward, during a time of worship, I poured out my heart to the Lord.
"Lord, I don't know how to go back and do this. There is so much need, and I don't know how to help the multitudes like You."
As I worshiped, the Lord began singing over me the familiar song of comfort He had often sung before:
"Come, come, come to the garden."
The garden had always been a place of peace, rest, and communion with Him.
But then the song changed.
Instead of singing,
"Come, come, come to the garden,"
the Lord sang,
"One by one to the garden."
In that quiet moment, He impressed a simple but life-changing truth on my heart:
"It isn't about the multitude. It's about one person at a time."
What had once felt overwhelming suddenly became clear. We weren't called to solve every problem or reach every person at once. We were simply called to faithfully follow Jesus by loving and serving the people He placed before us—one by one.
From that moment on, the name One By One Ministries was born, and it has remained the heartbeat of everything we do.
As we continued to pray, the vision grew beyond a single project. We began to see a ministry devoted to sharing the Gospel, making disciples, and serving communities through education, entrepreneurship, and practical acts of love. Rather than creating dependence, we long to equip people to flourish spiritually, physically, and economically so that lasting change can take root for generations.
The first step toward that vision became Unity School (Shule Umoja). After years of prayer, planning, and trusting the Lord, we were able to purchase the future school property in 2024. What began as a conversation in a small village had become a tangible step of faith.
To us, Unity School is far more than a building. It is a place where children will receive a quality education, hear the truth of God's Word, and be encouraged to become leaders who love Jesus and faithfully serve their families and communities.
Today, we continue to take each step by faith. We pray that God will use One By One Ministries to build schools, equip entrepreneurs, disciple believers, strengthen families, and serve communities throughout the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond. Whatever He calls us to do, our purpose remains the same: to faithfully follow Jesus, love people, and serve communities one by one.
Our story is still being written, and we are grateful that God has invited us to be part of it. We pray that every life touched through this ministry points people to the hope found in Jesus Christ and that, by His grace, generations will be transformed—one person, one family, and one community at a time.
Following Jesus. Loving People. Serving Communities. One By One.
