Emily: Welcome to the 4:18 podcast. God is moving through partners, pastors, and entrepreneurs in African countries. This podcast shares the untold stories of what God is doing through the ministry of Possibilities Africa and testifies to the power of Jesus as described in Luke 4:18, which reads…

Doug: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recover the sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” I’m Doug Reed and today, Emily and I have the pleasure of sitting down with Martin Simiyu and Merrell McIlwain. Though they have very different backgrounds, Martin and Merrell’s friendship began at Moody Theological Seminary with a foundation on Christ. 

Emily: Many of you are likely familiar with Martin, the International Executive Director for Possibilities Africa. But if you have yet to meet Merrell McIlwain, allow me to introduce you. Merrell is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and Vanderbilt University School of Law. After practicing law for 25 years, he transitioned to a new chapter in his life by earning a master’s degree from Moody Theological Seminary and becoming the director of the legal department at Focus on the Family. Merrell also served as director of Possibilities Africa. Merrell lives in North Carolina with his wife, Cheri Lyn. The couple is celebrating 50 years of marriage and share two children and two grandchildren. 

Doug: If you’d like to learn more about Merrell’s life and learn about God’s will for your life, you can read about both of these things in his new book, It’s Not Complicated. You can get it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at merrillmcilwain.com. Martin and Merrell, welcome. Merrell, you have a rich perspective since you’ve been part of Possibilities Africa from the very beginning. Would you start by telling us about the mission trip from Moody that started the ministry?

Merrell: When I first got to Nairobi, I was really surprised. It was much more modern and more like a typical city you could go to with cars, buses, lights, big buildings. And I thought, this looks pretty normal. You know, it wasn’t too long until we started looking around the rest of the city and the rest of the country and we got to what they call a slum and it was a Kibera slum. And there are half a million people that live in Kibera and they live in little, I would say sheds or little rooms that they made out of corrugated metal. They have cardboard floors, and we’re getting into the overwhelming part of the trip because, for me, it was just totally new, totally unexpected, totally a surprise to see how these people were living. You could just feel it, the pain of it. So there we felt some of the pain and the poverty. We went into an AIDS clinic and saw some people who were affected by that. But we also saw the kids who were excited. We saw the natural resources surrounding us. We saw people who were so nice, kind, and friendly. And so it was a lot to take in. The next day we went to an orphanage. I’ll never forget that they divided us up. Each person on the trip, 18 of us, went off with a couple of the kids from the orphanage. So I got off with these three boys. We go to look at their chicken coop and they’re so proud of it. We were in Cameroon and we saw a lot of tough situations. And at the end of the meeting, at the end of the trip, Martin and I were sitting out in front of the guest house talking. And Martin saying to me, if he had been thinking about this and talking to others, he knew we can make a difference in the lives of people. I felt like, hey, we cannot just go back to the U.S. and say, hey, this has been an interesting trip. We had a good time. Now, I mean, I don’t see how; I didn’t see then, I don’t see now how we could have ever just turned our back and gone back to the U.S. and not tried to do something about it. So we were talking about that. Martin said he was convinced we could sort of minister to change the people’s lives. So I said, well, let’s go ahead and tell the rest of the group. So we went in, and Martin talked about what he was dreaming about, thinking about, praying about. And we all prayed about it. And honestly, that was really sort of the start of the ministry. People were just passionate and thinking and praying about the possibility that we could do something. What could we do? 18 people, graduate students, and really no resources or significant money or funding or any of that. And how would we ever make a difference? So we got back to Moody, started praying about it, had meetings and things like that. Eventually, we’re able to start a ministry.

Emily: I am curious, Merrell, how did a group of 10 graduate students with no money or influence start an international ministry that has lasted 20 years and has been so successful since it began 20 years ago? 

Merrell: It was not easy, I would say. I mean, Martin is one incredible person, one incredible worker, and he casts a great vision. And we all definitely loved him and followed him and his leading. We all felt like it was something that we could do. So we were trying to start and trying to find funding. And that was a whole different game. I mean, it’s hard to figure out. how would you ever get–you’ve got nothing. I mean, you want to start a ministry? Well, go ahead. I mean, go ahead and start it. But you know, there’s no money, there’s no resources to do so. It started slow and we didn’t have a lot of money, but we did find various people who had known Martin or who were touched by the story. We had some pastors in Nebraska. Thankfully, there are some members of the church in Nebraska who were cattle farmers. They actually raised cattle. And the very first video that Martin and I made was about a program that we had to help people get a cow. And so these farmers and cattle farmers in Nebraska saw this video and were moved by it. And some of them were because big cattle farmers have big bank accounts. Some of the guys were fairly rich. So they were able to give us enough money and things like that just kept happening and it grew. So that was one side of it, the funding. 

The other is the approach PA takes to ministry. I bet Martin can talk about this much better than I can. There is a distinction I would say between what Possibilities Africa does and what other ministries generally do. And most Western ministries develop a program and they have something they do well and they want to give it to people in other countries. So they go into, say a village in Africa, and they’ve got an idea about maybe malaria so they pass out the small things that could go over the beds to keep the mosquitoes out at night so people don’t get bitten and don’t get malaria. But then the people leave the nets there and they go back to the US. The people in Africa don’t really want those things. So they develop another use for them. So some of those nets are actually used to keep varmints out of their gardens. That’s more useful and one that they really want, but not what they got. So that’s the idea that maybe it’s well, maybe it’s advice, maybe it’s something else that they come in and do for the people, but that’s not their primary need or want. 

So, Possibilities Africa doesn’t do that. We don’t have a program. We don’t have a thing to give with that sort of Western giving mentality that many ministries have. There is a perception that develops that they need to wait for the next ministry to come to give them something else. So, they get one thing, they wait for the next one. And it develops what we call a handout mentality, where people are always waiting for the next thing to come along and they’re not thinking or developing what they really need. And so that was really, I would say to me, that is the beauty of what Possibilities Africa does. We don’t do that. Here in the U.S. we didn’t have an idea of what we were going to develop. And so Martin is the one that came up with this approach to ministry. So I think the answer to the question is we were just a diverse group of people who came into ministry at the right time, but who could have known what God was going to do with this ministry? We had a big dream. We had a small team, but we were believing that God would work things out. Much is impossible for man but with God, all things are possible. If you can explain it, and tell why you’re doing it and tell why it’s successful, you know God didn’t do it. And over time we’ve seen God bless the ministry, bring people in, give us resources. We’re still growing and God is still blessing our work. So we’re thankful for that. 

Doug: One of the things that’s been so interesting for me as I’ve started working with Possibilities Africa now, it’s been five years, but one of the things that attracted me to the ministry was just some of the longevity of the board. When I started, there was three board members that were Moody graduates. We currently have a former Moody professor who taught you guys on our board. And there’s no one, in my opinion, that has invested more time and energy on the U.S. side, than you have, Merrell. And it’s just impressive to see just your passion and your commitment to this ministry. And what’s fun to see for me is just your friendship with Martin and just how that is just so deep over 20 some years. So that’s pretty fun to see. But here’s a follow-up question. You know, I can tell you’re not doing this out of duty or like, you know, sucking it up and just grinding it out. You seem to really enjoy being a part of this. Maybe just speak to that a little bit on what you find enjoyable about this ministry or just being a part of it? 

Merrell: It’s a part of my life. It has been ever since that first mission trip. I don’t know if it was just the fact it was the first mission trip and I was relatively speaking so old, although much older now, but it’s always just been exciting and fun. Martin and I–he would come over–there wasn’t a big group to meet with, but we would meet and then there were board meetings. I developed a total trust in Martin. I knew we had an honest person, we had a great game plan, we had a great mission, and God was blessing it. And we just needed to be faithful and continue to work, but it’s still fresh. It’s like I can still see us sitting there. I can still see us going into that meeting and then what happened when we got back, every bit of it. So it’s very fresh and very much on top of my mind. 

Doug: Yeah, that is so fascinating that you mentioned that, Merrell. I know my experience with mission trips, my first start with Africa was back in 1987, and I remember some of my feelings and thoughts and even some of the smells that were a little strange to me. But God uses those circumstances to fuel a passion that I’ve seen in you that has lasted over 20 years. And that is just so cool how God can put something in your path that will influence or challenge or in a lot of ways just bring a great amount of joy as God invites us into his story of what he’s doing. And you step into that moment. I mean, I can only imagine back when you went on that first mission trip, you had no idea how this was gonna take really a large part of your life and a lot of your time, but not in a, I don’t want to say grungily or a bad way, but something that gives you life. And so that’s really cool just to stand back and look at, look at what God’s done in your life and how you’ve enjoyed that process. 

Merrell: Yeah, I think the last thing on my mind when I got on the plane to go to Africa was I want to come back and start a ministry. I never thought I would come back and say, let’s start a ministry. And I’m totally amazed that, even after all these years, God has used it. It’s a miraculous thing. When God gets a hold of you and He does what he wants to do with your life, it just opens new doors, new visions, new horizons, and you’re able to do things you never expected to do, never expected you could do. So it’s been amazing to be part of it. 

Doug: Well, and you think of just from a theological perspective, the sovereignty of God. I mean, I just totally believe that God has everything planned out. And so this was not a surprise, like oh Merrell liked Africa or like oh we could use Merrell, it’s like no this was God’s plan and as you stepped into it and said yes I’ll move forward, then you got to see the next thing that God had already planned and that’s pretty cool. 

Merrell: I think God has plans like that for each one of us. 

Doug: Absolutely.

Merrell: It’s not just this trip it’s not just possible in Africa. It’s everything. that if you give God a chance and honor Him, He’s going to use you in ways that you right now cannot and would not ever expect or anticipate. And they’re always better, they’re always better than anything you can on your own, bigger, bolder, better. 

Doug: You know, as I think about this, Merrell, a couple of different ways my mind goes, as people listen to this and maybe would join us on a mission trip to Africa, how that could change their life in the future. But also, I got a random message on my phone this morning from WhatsApp from a pastor in Uganda that I’m not sure if Martin met with two weeks ago and I’m not sure how he got my name, but he just said, I’m so excited to start training under Possibilities Africa. And so it also affects all these pastors and leaders and church members that on the other end, as they step into God’s will and see what God has for them through the training. So it’s both here in the United States as we partner with Possibilities Africa, but also the ministry in Africa as they step into God’s plan for their life. And again, it’s not about us, this is God’s ministry and it’s God’s story and we just get to be a part of it. Yeah, so that is so cool. Well, hey, Martin, we haven’t forgot about you. I don’t know if you have any questions for Merrell. If not, I got a question for you. But do you have anything you want to ask Merrell? 

Martin: No, I’m actually just happy to sit in and to listen to you guys talk. We can do this the whole hour. I’m comfortable that way. But I just need to really appreciate Merrell and everything he has said and definitely everything he has done. Merrell is extremely humble, just always looking for opportunity to serve and to give and to make things better. You know, Timothy had Paul, and I think for me I have had many Pauls in my life as I have sought to grow in ministry. And I consider Merrell to be one of my Pauls through the journey of building Possibilities Africa. Just how he has held my hand and corrected me and encouraged me and pointed me in the right direction. Those things that he does in the background and also in the front, that Possibilities Africa would not have been without. His encouragement that started right from that bench in Nairobi in May 2002, when we had that first conversation. So very grateful to Merrell and his devotion to the work of God. He has encouraged us to know that if we give our lives to God, he will make things great in our lives and he will cause the things that he desires for us and for his kingdom to happen through us. I think exactly that is who Merrell is and has been. And really that is what he communicates through his book, “It is Not Complicated” so it would be nice for those who have not read it to read that book. 

Doug: Well, Martin, as he’s holding your hand, with his other hand, he’s been holding my hand. So over the last five years, I have called Merrell more times than he probably would like. Sometimes it’s like weekly, like Merrell, hey, what do we do here? And he just has so much experience and wisdom and insight into the ministry. So I am very thankful for Merrell as well. Hey, Martin, I got a question for you. What’s the main ministry message in the heart of Possibilities Africa today? 

Martin: That’s a question we’ve been answering ever since Possibilities of Africa started. What are you trying to do? What is your main message? What are you trying to build? And it can be difficult sometimes to help people understand what that is. But over the years, we’ve been able to be very clear on what it is that we want to see God do. And therefore, what is then the message? And for those who have interacted with Possibilities Africa, I think one of the things that normally comes out very strongly is the economic activities of the people who are in our programs and what they do. And it’s like if you make people excited about something, the thing that they will put on the banner, on the front banner, will really be that particular thing that excites them. But it probably is not the only thing that is happening and in our context, if you’re reading the Gospels, you’ll probably think of the woman with the issue of blood who came and touched the hem of the garment of Jesus. And you will think probably that was the only issue in her life, you know, all that she cared for is to be treated, to get healed, and that’s the only thing that happened. But beyond the healing, I believe, there was a spiritual ministry, a spiritual transformation, and even just service to ministry that happened in her life. 

And so Doug, if you looked at the ministry of PA and if you met the people that have gone through our program, whether the pastors or people from their churches or communities, sometimes what you see them excited about is the economic activities that are happening. And the reason why that is so is because poverty seems to be their huge thing. It is their big problem. And so in the excitement of what is it that is happening in their lives, they will always go and talk about their poverty and the things that relate with money and economic activities. But the message of PA is beyond material poverty, is beyond economic poverty. And the impact we are seeing is beyond material impact and economic impact. And so the heart of our message is almost like what Ezra, what is said of Ezra in Ezra chapter seven verse 10, where the Bible says that Ezra devoted himself to the study of the Word, to practicing it, and to teaching it. And so the heart of our message is that we help our people to understand that it is the Word of God that if it is understood through studying, if it is practiced, and if it is taught that brings the transformation, the change that people decide. God speaking to Joshua told him not to be fearful, not to be discouraged, not to look to the left or to the right but to focus on meditating on the Word of God and doing everything that is commanded in the Word of God. Because from that, God will say to Joshua that he will find success and prosperity in all his aspects of life. And so the Word of God is for us the center of our message of what we teach, what we help people to understand and to appreciate that the change that we are looking for is the Word of God becoming central to your life. 

The Bible will tell us in 2 Peter 1:3 that we are reminded that God’s Word, which is really His divine power, has given us everything that we need for life and for godliness. So the center of our message is that it is going to take the gospel to bring the transformation that people in our context and on our continent need. Most of the time focus on Africa as a poor, behind, dark continent. But we are saying that for that to be reversed and to be changed, it is not enough to do projects. It is not enough to build highways and modern infrastructure. While those are important, it is critical that people experience true change. And that true change comes from the Word of God. And so we have given ourselves a tagline that says, “The whole gospel transforming the whole person and impacting the whole community.” When the gospel of Jesus Christ, when the Word of God becomes central to human life and it changes one person, that person then brings that change to the community, and then the whole community changes. So our message, our approach, our ministry focuses on taking ministry beyond just getting people born again, but helping people who are born again to make the Word of God the standard, the basis for their lives, and therefore what brings transformation and change. So I’ll summarize it in that way, Doug. That is the heart of what our ministry and message is, that we need to learn the Word of God, we need to practice it, then we need to teach it, because thereby we get the transformation that we are looking for on the continent of Africa. 

Emily: Thanks for tuning in. We will be back for another episode soon, so stay tuned for new content coming soon. Until then, you can connect with us by going to our website, usa.possibilitiesafrica.org and subscribe to our email newsletter list. This is the best way to stay connected with us if you want to hear the latest updates of how to pray, how you can partner, and untold stories of what God is doing beyond this podcast. Until next time, God bless.