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Writer's picturePastor Alfred (RTH Malawi Staff)

Combatting Spiritual Ignorance & Idolization

"Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;" (Acts 17:22-25)



Combatting Spiritual Ignorance & Idolization


The Book of Acts tells us that Paul saw the people of Athens as superstitious and ignorant of what they we worshipping — so much so that he found an altar with the inscription, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD". The same can be said for the country of Malawi. It's an area covered with a lot of churches and the people are often very "religious" but ignorant of what & who they worship. That is why Reaching The Hungry hosts Discipleship & Leadership Trainings in Malawi that emphasize the relationship between man and God — not man and his/her denomination. It's so easy to be in a "good" relationship with your church yet not with God. There are many churches here that allow men marry multiple wives while also convincing them that they are "Christians" living righteously. RTH Malawi takes a unique approach in discipling others because our Discipleship & Leadership Trainings are they're rooted in the truth of God's Word so that we can equip & mobilize local Bible Study Group Leaders to reach these religious (worldly) strongholds throughout the country.


Furthermore, mentorship & fatherhood are vital in ministry but it is painful to watch when mentors & fathers become idols to their followers in Malawi. Even Jesus had to show His disciples that He came TO SERVE by washing their feet. Some fathers will think of large church gatherings as masses for themselves, not for God. This results in religious stunts where leaders "show off" to prove who amongst them is more influential. It's clear there is a need for men & women of God to stand tall, proclaim the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and put Jesus at the center of Biblical teaching. Reaching The Hungry conducts its training with this in mind — bringing together people of different denominations into Bible Study Groups throughout Malawi so that they can help free their communities from spiritual ignorance.


RtH Ministry Partner Martha Training Women's Bible Study Group Leaders
RtH Ministry Partner Martha Training Women's Bible Study Group Leaders

On January 15th, 2024, the RTH Malawi Team led a Discipleship & Leadership Training in the Mtakataka area, T/A Kachindamoto, Dedza District, Malawi, Africa. Mtakataka is an area in Dedza District covered by a tribe called Ngoni. In Ngoni culture, there are some beliefs that go against the Word of God. They believe, "Where a man is there must be beer, a woman and meat," and their encourage to engage in polygamy as a means of becoming "great" and having many children. Our training helped combat spiritual ignorance and idolization and we received instant positive feedback after it ended! Participants said that "Reaching The Hungry's training is more practical, appetizing, and encouraging."


We give praise to God that our team was able to train 60 leaders from 12 Bible Study Groups in an effort to increase their multiplication of disciples. RTH Malawi Ministry Partners Martha, Brenda & Tiwonge worked hand in hand on Women's & Children's Ministry Training. RTH Malawi Staff Joshua, McDonnex, and myself, along with ministry partners Daniel & Geoffrey, taught on Shepherd Leadership. Finally, our local zone leadership team and community partner Michael helped mobilize the community. We conducted the training with several aims in mind:


  • Encourage fellowship among leaders & community members despite their different religious denominations and beliefs.

  • Emphasize spiritual discipline amongst leaders and the importance of standing out as role models in their respective communities.

  • Equip leaders to shepherd their communities in line with the Word of God and make more disciples of Jesus who are fully connected to God.

  • Dismantle cultural barriers and practices that stand against the will & Word of God.


60 Bible Study Group Leaders attended our training in Mtakataka
60 Bible Study Group Leaders attended our training in Mtakataka

Our Discipleship & Leadership Training in the Mtakataka area was more than just a training — we saw people giving their lives to Christ at the end of the day. The Bible Study Group Leaders we served that day are thankful to Pastor Carlos, as well as to Reaching The Hungry and its donors, for making this most recent Leadership & Discipleship Training possible!


Want to help us expand the reach of our ministry in Malawi?



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