SAFARI 2012

One of World Missions Ministries’ most significant programs for prospective missionaries over the last five years has been SAFARI—Semester Abroad For A Radical Impact. The word safari in Swahili means “journey,” and each year, a group of students from across the USA embarks on this journey. They live, study, minister, travel and experience missions first-hand, together. Under the leadership of missionaries Joe and Maggie Delport, the students encounter multiple ministry scenarios that sharpen and hone their ministry skills.



Beyond the field experiences and assignments, this year’s students participated in classes taught by a first class lineup of instructors: Dr. Garnet Pike, Matt Bennett, Tim and Beth Salley, Harold Presley, Jonathan Shirey, Joe Arthur, Joe & Maggie Delport, Max Barroso, Ernest Turner and Kevin and Summer Sneed. These individuals made themselves available to share their experiences, answer questions and mentor these students and future missionaries. Not only are SAFARI students provided an educational, classroom-like structure, but each student also has the opportunity to serve for a month’s time under the direction of a current IPHC missionary on a foreign field. This year’s students’ field assignments included destinations such as Bangladesh, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Malawi, Thailand and Southern Sudan, just to mention a few.


During the first week of April, I had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the impact of this program on the lives of the students. Sitting down and talking one-on-one with every single student, gave me a pretty good grasp of the depth of their experience with the Lord and the mission field. Expressions like “this has literally changed my life,” “God has truly awakened a desire for the nations in my heart,” and “I now understand the great commission and my role in it” demonstrate a common theme among this year’s SAFARI participants. Nearly all spoke of how they have been stretched and seen distinctive growth in their lives and ministries.

It is both refreshing and encouraging to know that such a unique program within our IPHC family is available to anyone interested in exploring God’s calling for their life.