There are seasons in the life of the Church when growth becomes visible. Not only in numbers, buildings, or programmes, but in confidence, maturity, and vision. Our recent visit to Sierra Leone reminded us that this is increasingly true across the Internal Province of West Africa (IPWA).
James Stileman, our Regional Relationship Manager for West Africa, and Doug Ingram (our CEO) recently travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone to take part in the Anglican Mission Africa (AMA) evangelism training running in the diocese, as well as to meet with church leaders and strengthen partnerships
AMA’s approach to ministry formation is inspirational, grounded, practical, and shaped by the realities of African church life. Rather than relying on imported models, the training is contextual and designed to equip leaders for the communities they actually serve. There is a seriousness about discipleship, evangelism, and local leadership development that strongly resonates with Relay Trust’s own vision for Flourishing African Anglican Churches.
AMA is led by Rev Canon Richard Mayabi, whose leadership, clarity of vision, and commitment to faithful grassroots formation is remarkable. While there are some differences between our organisations, there is genuinely clear alignment in values and purpose. It left us excited about what future work and shared learning might look like.
Indeed, one important opportunity emerging from this visit is to deepen our understanding of discipleship and training models in some of Africa’s larger Anglican Provinces, including Kenya. Across the continent, there is much wisdom to share, and we believe healthy interdependence between churches is essential to long term flourishing.
But the visit was not only about training. It was also about a Province growing in wisdom, confidence, and maturity.
The IPWA has developed remarkably in recent years. In Sierra Leone, we have seen a renewed focus on evangelism, particularly within the Diocese of Freetown, alongside substantial investment in governance and long term sustainability. The strengthening of Provincial structures, including the offices at Anglican House in Freetown, reflects a growing confidence in the future.
The development of the Mount Zion Training Centre stands as a visible sign of this commitment. With world class facilities to enable ministry formation in West Africa, Mount Zion represents a serious investment in leadership, discipleship, and theological education. Discussions during the visit explored several exciting possibilities for its future, including vocational training alongside theological education, helping ensure the centre can serve both church and community for generations to come.
Across the Province, there are also many signs of growth. In Cameroon, investment in diocesan infrastructure and AMA training is strengthening ministry. In Liberia, missionary dioceses continue to grow in confidence and reach. In Bo, the investment in Kenema reflects a commitment to underserved regions. Guinea has seen exciting expansion through missionary infrastructure and evangelism training, while Guinea Bissau represents a bold new frontier for Anglican witness. In The Gambia, wise investment and the development of a new youth training centre point to a hopeful future for the next generation.
There is also excitement in Ghana, where preparations continue for a new Province within the Anglican Communion. Alongside the continuing maturity of the IPWA, this reflects something deeply encouraging. African Anglican churches are growing not only spiritually, but institutionally, with stronger governance, healthier structures, and clearer vision for mission.
For Relay Trust, this is deeply encouraging. We are convinced that Kingdom partnership matters. Not dependency, but interdependence. Churches learning from one another, strengthening one another, and standing together in Gospel mission.
Our work with AMA, the IPWA, and church leaders across West Africa is rooted in this conviction. We are not simply supporting programmes. We are walking together with brothers and sisters in Christ, helping nurture faithful leadership, deeper discipleship, and Flourishing African Anglican Churches.
Please pray for the Province, for the continuing development of AMA’s training work, and for wisdom as future plans take shape. We are genuinely excited about what lies ahead.