Our Mission | Our History | What We Believe | Our Staff | Our Board
 Our Mission
To equip church leaders through a multiple track model of training for multiplication impact.
To train and equip primarily African church leaders who are untrained, through a grassroots level, non-formal model of training, so that they in turn can train other untrained church leaders.
Vision
"A trained pastor in every church in Africa."
Philosophy
Philosophy and Values of AFMIN:
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National leaders are more effective in ministering to their own people. We must empower them. |
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Our presence is temporary; nationals must learn to train other church leaders. |
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Mentoring and discipling must be built into the genetic code of everything we do. |
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Planting churches is the most effective strategy for evangelism, therefore we must equip nationals to aggressively plant new churches. |
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We love the whole Christian church and want to equip and serve them all. |
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The most effective strategy to impact the unreached 10/40 window is to train and deploy believers in bordering countries. |
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Strategically we want to form a bridgehead of trained church leaders with strong churches, reaching from East Africa to West Africa, to stop the southward expansion of Islam, and to aggressively evangelize Islam. |
AFMIN training addresses three major areas in the lives of our students:
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Spirituality and character development. |
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Ministry skills and theological understanding. |
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African contextual issues, such as Aids, poverty, etc. |
Our History
AFMIN started as a cooperative effort between Chris de Wet and Karel Sanders in 1991. Since then, the executive staff has grown and AFMIN's efforts are now training and equipping over 50,000 pastors in 16 African nations.
Timeline
| 1991 |
Equip Ministries and Karel Sanders African Ministries begin working together |
| 1993 |
Official merger, AFMIN is birthed
Training events in Malawi and Zambia. |
| 1994 |
US Office is opened in Colorado Springs, CO USA
First leadership schools in Tanzania
Start of On/10 Advanced Pastoral Training schools in Malawi and Zambia |
| 1995 |
AFMIN receives first grant
Schools held additionally in Kenya and DR Congo |
| 1996 |
Training begins in Mozambique |
| 1998 |
New training begins in Tanzania, Zimbabwe |
| 1999 |
First trip to Refugee Camps |
| 2000 |
On/10 Advanced Pastoral Training begins in Tanzania
Over 20,000 pastors trained in ten nations |
| 2001 |
Radio School of the Air begins
Outreach to three refugee camps
Ministry to United Church of Zambia
Schools in Madagascar, Angola
24,000 pastors trained in 14 nations |
| 2002 |
30,000 pastors trained in 14 nations |
| 2005 |
AFMIN's training reached 50,000 pastors and church leaders in 16 nations. |
| 2006 |
AFMIN has entered into a relationship with South African Theological Seminary (SATS), whereby you can complete AFMIN's Advanced Pastoral Training Institute (Track 1), and enter directly into a distance study program where you can earn a completely accredited BTh degree from SATS. |
| 2007 |
First courses on DVD are produced, new Advanced Pastoral Training Institutes begin. |
What we believe
Statement of Faith
AFMIN's statement of faith coincides with that of other organizations such as the National Association of Evangelicals.
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We believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is infallible and authoritative in the original writings. |
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We believe in one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. |
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We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His vicarious death and atonement through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, in His personal return in power and glory. |
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We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Spirit are essential. |
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We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. |
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We believe in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life eternal. |
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We believe in the spiritual unity of the Church, which is the Body of Christ, composed of all who are regenerated through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. |
Our Staff
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Dr. Karel Sanders – Co-founder, President Emeritus, Missionary-at-large
Born in Holland, but an ‘adopted son' of Africa , Karel Sanders has an incredible testimony of God’s “amazing grace.” A mine manager for many years, he came to Christ and began to lead many to the Lord, particularly among the African people groups. During the past 25 years, Karel has criss-crossed the African continent countless times and is widely loved by thousands of African pastors by whom he is affectionately known as “Papa Karel.” In 1992, Karel combined his efforts with Dr. Chris de Wet and AFMIN was formed so together they could multiply their impact upon Africa. In 2005, Karel’s efforts were recognized by Azuza Pacific University when he was awarded an honorary doctorate (D.D). Dr. Karel along his wife, Vivia, continues to mentor African leaders and is focusing on the AFMIN alumni association. |
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Dr. Chris de Wet – Co-Founder, CEO International
A native of South Africa, Chris has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and has dedicated his life to training pastors and leaders throughout Africa. He holds advanced degrees in theology and missiology, earning his Ph.D from the University of Cape Town. Chris and his wife Catharine (who also has a Ph.D from the University of Connecticut!) have three daughters and are now the proud grandparents of a new granddaughter! Chris and Catharine currently live in Alabama, where Catherine is a professor at the University of Alabama. |
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Andre’ Lottering – President - Francophone Countries
Andre’ Lottering is a South African who has been a pastor and church planter in South Africa and Belgium. Andre’ and his wife, Doreen recently returned to Europe after living in the USA where he was Chief Operating Officer for AFMIN’s US office. Andre’ provides leadership over AFMIN’s extensive projects in high risk areas, including the D.R. Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. He is also developing AFMIN Leadership Institutes in major European cities. |
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Pastor Kobus Grobler – CEO, Africa
Kobus is married to Teresa and they have three children. After several successful pastorates, Kobus joined AFMIN in February 2000. Since that time he has trained thousands of pastors throughout Africa and now serves as director of AFMIN’s offices in South Africa. Kobus is ordained in the Apostolic Faith Mission, the third largest denomination in South Africa where he also received a degree in Theology.
After his devotion to Christ, and his love for his family, Kobus has an unexplainable love for both Biltong (South African dried beef) and his beloved rugby team, the Gauteng Lions. He is a gifted preacher and teacher, and along with his leadership responsibilities, loves to travel into remote parts of Africa in order to minister! |
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George Mkandawire – Chief Operating Officer – AFMIN South Africa
After pastoring a vibrant church in Blantyre, Malawi, George and his wife, Felie moved to South Africa to join the AFMIN staff at the Johanneburg office. George is a graduate of AFMIN's On/10 Advanced Pastoral Training school and travels frequently as one of the AFMIN teachers at our various schools. George is assuming more responsibility in coordinating ministry in Southern Africa. |
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Steven Todd
DR. STEVEN TODD served as a local church pastor for over 20 years and has worked in a mission capacity since 1999. Drawing from his years as a church planter and pastor, Steven travels frequently between the US and African to teach at AFMIN's training events, Steven also focuses on writing and developing training curricula. He is currently directing the training efforts in Congolese Refugee Camps in Western Tanzania He also teaches and lectures as an adjunct professor for several seminaries and colleges and is often a guest preacher / teacher in American churches. Steve is married to Linda, a public school teacher and his partner of 31 years. www.steventodd.org |
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Daffa – General Secretary, AFMIN Tanzania
In addition to pastoring a growing church in Arusha, Tanzania, Pastor Daffa coordinates AFMIN's extensive work in Tanzania. He helps organize the multiple On/10 Advanced Pastoral Training programs, the Refugee Camp Outreaches, and oversees the translation of teaching materials into Swahili. |
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Melanie Stephens – Office Manager – AFMIN, USA
Melanie is from Linden, Alabama. The mother of two children, ages 16 and 18, Melanie loves gardening, scrapbookings – and fishing! After starting to work in AFMIN’s Tuscaloosa, Alabama office, Melanie responded, “
“I have been both awed and humbled with the dedication the Afmin staff have toward seeing their vision come to fruition. Their drive and focus never waivers. I can truly say I am proud to be a part of this team.” |
Our Board
Board of Directors
U.S. Board
Mr. Randy Welsch, Chairman
CEO, Master Solutions
Mr. Keith Mondy, Secretary/Treasurer
Vice-President, Bowers and Associates
Major, USAF RET
Directors
Dr. Chris R. de Wet
CEO International, AFMIN
Dr. Karel Sanders
Founder / Director AFMIN, South Africa
Mr. Barry Farah
President, The Personnel Department
Mr. David Kennedy
President, Kennedy & Assoc.
Dr. Veroni Kruger
Executive Director, The Word for the World
Dr. Ed Murphy (Honorary member)
Retired Senior Advisor, AFMIN
Mr. Peter Greyling,
VP, Bowers and Company
Mr. Martin Rediger
Accounting Director, Compassion International
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South African Board
Rev. Deryck Stone, Chairman
Senior Pastor, Maranatha Community Church
Mr. Danie Nell, Secretary/Treasurer
Executive Director Finances, Wenkem
Directors
Dr. Chris R. de Wet
CEO International, AFMIN
Mr. Phillip Kuypers
President, PBR Investments
Dr. Karel Sanders
CEO Africa, AFMIN
Mr. Wim Smit, P.O.
President, Brokers 2000
Pastor Cobus Scheepers
Senior Pastor
Mr. Johan van Rensburg
President, Rensburg Motors
Mr. Johan vd Merwe
President, Pro Aman |
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