2025 was INCREDIBLE, expecting God to move in 2026!

God was with us, as ever, in very tangible ways! He kept us safe. He provided for us and our Fulani friends. As we continue to build schools, clinics, and rotational grazing, God continues to make a way for His people there! Despite persecution and difficulty, we are following the Lord together into 2026.

James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 

We built Enugu Secondary School.

A former ICCM School, Enugu had a primary school, and started a secondary school. They ran out of money, and the project sat unfinished. We came alongside and finished the project! The childrens' educations can now continue!

We built a church for Pastor Elijah and his congregation. 

Phyllis was driving by this tiny church, and the Lord told her to pull in! The Lord told Phyllis to build this Godly man, Pastor Elijah and his congregation a new church! And so she did!

SFA Secretary Carisa Haven and friend Carol Barrett visited Phyllis.

We drove safely throughout the country, visiting existing schools and new school sites. We were encouraged to be together, and saw many amazing things!

We built Partners In Progress Primary School and Bauchi Clinic.

This community is SO THRILLED to have a school and clinic, they threw us a huge party! The government has offered to pay teachers salaries! This school is FULL, and we already need to add on!

We purchased land in Port Harcourt for a new Fulani village.

After being suddenly displaced from their homes, our Fulani friends had nowhere to go! Our school was torn down with very little notice! We have purchased new land, and will build a forever home!

Port Harcourt MOVING FORWARD...

Our team is there now, in Port Harcourt. They will begin to build the wall around the perimeter of our property, to protect it from hostile neighbors. Please pray for the safety of our police officers and our team - they are our dear friends and family!

Gospel Spreads From One Fulani Man to a Whole Fulani Village

Obed* wanted to go deeper in his Muslim faith. His search took him all the way to a neighboring country, where he found a teacher. After spending six months with him, he found that he had gone no deeper in his understanding. But God, the Good Shepherd, was just getting started.  

Still in pursuit of deeper understanding, the Lord directed Obed to a chief in another village. After spending a week there, he was confronted with the question: “Do you want to know Islam more, or are you looking for salvation? What are you looking for?” The answer came somewhat naturally. “I am looking for salvation,” Obed replied. God was moving.  “If it’s salvation, you must believe in Jesus Christ.” He accepted then and there.  

After some time, Obed returned home. His father, a Muslim, said somewhat prophetically that Obed’s life would change. It was indeed the beginning of a new life.  Obed got married. The foundation of marriage was also different from what he was accustomed to in his culture. It didn’t depend on dowry, but on love and was underpinned by prayer.  

After they welcomed their first child, the Lord directed Obed to Bible school. He graduated three years later and began holding church services in his friend’s house. The services weren’t just about studying the Scriptures and praying; they were about presenting this new life holistically. He not only taught people how to read the Bible and pray, but how to take the sick to the hospital, how to practice good hygiene, how to save money, and much more. Just as a shepherd cares for all aspects of his sheep’s life, Obed was caring for the whole person. 

Obed’s new life translated to a new community. Today, if you visit Obed you find Christians and Muslims living together in an integrated community. If there are tuition needs among the children of Muslim families, the church helps pay for them. If there is a medical need, they will raise money in the church, whether beneficiaries are believers or not. It is truly a community, in which the church loves its neighbours as itself.  His Muslim neighbours have asked why Obed chooses to work with them, when he has found a new faith. He answers that it’s the power of Jesus that compels him. 

It is moving to hear these stories of compassion in action. It’s moving to hear how a shepherd’s heart can impact the life of an entire community.  It shows how God can change entire communities and that He can do that through just one person.   

God shepherded one man’s heart and through that, a whole community. The Good Shepherd is transforming the Fulani community. 

Please pray:

  • For Obed, that he would continue to be light and salt to his neighbors, no matter what they believe

  • That those neighbors would see the light of Jesus in Obed and want to learn more about the Good Shepherd

  •  For the Fulani church to grow, both in numbers and in the impact it makes in the community

Copied with permission from Fulani Prayer Focus, Epistle

Our own *Obed!

We have an *Obed, a chief who wants to come to Jesus. He has been quietly asking questions, and has been given resources! Over time, he has become afraid to say more. There is SUCH terrible persecution for Muslim Nigerians who want to come to Christ...

IF this man comes to Christ, he will bring his whole HUGE family to Christ as well. He will bring his whole village to Christ. We will hold church services in his school for the surrounding community!

Lord Jesus, you know the man I speak of. You know his heart. Please continue to pursue him. Help him find a way to give his heart to you! Give him courage, and protect him and his family from persecution. Oh LORD, how we want them in our family!

And A Happy New Year!

God Is Good, ALL THE TIME!

From Phyllis: I just marvel, every blessed day, at the goodness of God. Why? I'll tell you. We were on our way to the airport in Lagos, so that I could fly home for the holidays. Our car broke down. A specific part was needed, so one of our team took a motorbike and went to Abeokuta to find it. 

Far away in Enugu, at Bright Hope Christian Academy, Manager Lawal was ordering building materials, pipe, cement, lumber etc, for the big project we're undertaking, that of draining the field between the primary school building and the high school. Lawal orders the parts, then snaps a photo of the order, sends it to me along with the vendor's account details, and I transfer the money.

Here's the miracle. Internet network is very tricky here in Nigeria. To transfer while driving along in the car is impossible. So, God had it that we break down right here (see pic below!), where there's a lovely shade tree and bench for the guys to enjoy, a woman with lunch to sell, and EXCELLENT network! While sitting there I was able to send off four payments to four different vendors, for all the various materials needed, plus salary advances for the workers, amounts totaling well over nine million naira ($6,500)!

AND our guy found the needed car part, I transferred that money to the shop, and he's on his way back to us here! I was able to catch my flight to the US on time! Thank you, our dear Father in Heaven! You are so good!

Here is the work we've been able to start in Enugu, because our car broke down!! We are draining the swamp between the primary and secondary schools, so that they can have a proper play yard. Schools can't be legally registered without a play yard!

Port Harcourt MOVING FORWARD,

Exactly NINE MONTHS Later!

On March 13th we paid for and received ownership of 99 hectares of land near Port Harcourt. Our goal is to build a forever homeland for the Port Harcourt Fulani. On December 13th, exactly nine months TO THE DAY, we received the news that we now have legal permission to begin work on that land!!

To God be the glory! Great things He has done!

We will begin with perimeter fencing, starting immediately! Phyllis is sharing about NEW TOWN at churches this month, so you will hear more details ALL ABOUT it very soon!

We Wish You a Merry Christmas!

We WISH you a Merry Christmas!

We WISH you a Merry Christmas!

We WISH you a Merry Christmas!

And a Happy New Year!

Reflections from the Nigerian Countryside

When I (Carisa) was in Nigeria this year, we did a LOT of traveling. We drove across a lot of the nation of Nigeria. We saw MANY new and interesting things.

We saw fences made of live cacti! They are VERY effective in keeping cattle and people IN or OUT!

We saw live chickens and goats tied to motos for transport, along with more people than you could imagine!

We saw trucks loaded in ways that are JUST NOT SAFE! lol

One day, we passed a goat tethered along the side of the road, similar to the goat pictured above. He had lots of greens all around him to eat, yet he was STRETCHING and PULLING at his tether, trying to get to what was just beyond his reach. The Lord used that goat to teach me a lesson! We often think that the grass is greener on the other side. The truth is that God has set our boundary lines, and He has put us right where we are for a purpose.

Psalm 16:5-8 Lord, You alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With Him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

We are set in this place by the Lord Himself! How humbling that feels, and how very safe and good. Thank you Lord! Merry Christmas, dear friends! Carisa Haven, SFA Secretary

Port Harcourt STILL WAITS...

No news to report from Port Harcourt, where Phyllis is waiting to begin work on a large piece of land for the Fulani. The king is very happy about our plans to set up a model rotational grazing reserve and upgraded cattle market. Our dear friend, Mogodi, will help us, as a member of the National Assosiation of Cattle Dealers. We are trusting the Lord to see us through!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor is coming home for Christmas! If you can't join us in person, click on the links to watch the live stream from home!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church, 3200 3rd Ave W., Seattle, WA! Service is at 10am.

https://ffmc.org

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA! Services are at 9:30 & 11:00.

https://www.wbfmc.org

*Services are recorded and posted by noon, same day.

Sunday, January 11th, Phyllis will be sharing briefly at

Northlake Christian Church, 19029 North Road, Bothel, WA! Service is at 9:30am!

https://www.northlakecc.org

Sunday, January 18th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Senior Community at 10am! Join us at 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA, in Beachwood Lounge.

Sunday, January 25th, Phyllis will be sharing at Shoreline Free Methodist Church, 510 NE 175th Street, Shoreline, WA! Service is at 9:45.

http://shorelinefm.com

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church, too! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

Persecuted Christians In Nigeria

Romans 12:21: "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good".

On November 21st, 2025, gunmen abducted 315 Nigerian Christians from a Catholic school, St. Mary's School in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. The victims included 303 students and 12 teachers. The kidnapping has been described as one of the worst mass abductions in Nigeria's history. The abduction at the school was the third to hit Nigeria in a week.

More than 1,500 children have been abducted from Nigerian schools since 2014, when 276 girls were taken during the infamous Chibok mass abduction. The kidnapping of people for ransom by criminal gangs, known locally as bandits, has become a major problem in many parts of Nigeria.

Because of these recent kidnappings, the Governor of Niger State has ordered the closure of all primary and secondary schools in the state. We have closed all seven of our primary schools there, and our new secondary school in Niger State. We have also closed our schools in Plateau State and Bauchi State.

Kidnappings are rampant in schools and churches. We need prayer for our dear ones in Nigeria. Will you join us? Lord, HELP!

Port Harcourt WAITS...

Phyllis and team are in Port Harcourt now. They have made some progress, but still no building permits. The Barrister phoned Comrade about this, last evening; Comrade's response was, "It's not easy." He's obligated now, due to his acceptance of the advance payment, and eventually must bring forth those permits. It's really hard to wait. Time is precious, but we are trusting the Lord for His timing and successful outcomes!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor is coming home for Christmas! If you can't join us in person, click on the links to watch the live stream from home!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church, 3200 3rd Ave W., Seattle, WA! Service is at 10am.

https://ffmc.org

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA! Services are at 9:30 & 11:00.

https://www.wbfmc.org

*Services are recorded and posted by noon, same day.

Sunday, January 11th, Phyllis will be sharing briefly at

Northlake Christian Church, 19029 North Road, Bothel, WA! Service is at 9:30am!

https://www.northlakecc.org

Sunday, January 18th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Senior Community at 10am! Join us at 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA, in Beachwood Lounge.

Sunday, January 25th, Phyllis will be sharing at Shoreline Free Methodist Church, 510 NE 175th Street, Shoreline, WA! Service is at 9:45.

http://shorelinefm.com

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church, too! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

Making Port Harcourt SAFE!

Port Harcourt WORK BEGINS!

Phyllis and team are in Port Harcourt now. Because of the danger here, especially for the Fulani, and for us, we're going to fence the perimeter of the land and build a safe house there for our staff and teachers. The safe house will have twenty foot walls and a wire fence as well. THANK YOU to our faithful donors, who have met this financial need!

Grab your tissues for this heartbreaking story! Recent email from Phyllis:

Greetings, friends, from the Agate Hotel in Port Harcourt! (Pronounced Ah..Gah..Tay Hotel!!) So, another delay in our working on our land. Yesterday we were so excited as we drove to meet the surveyor we'd hired to confirm boundaries of the 99 hectares. This needed to be done in order to put the boundary wall in the right place. First of all, the surveyor didn't show up. Instead we met ten or so young men from the community - they had said they knew the boundaries - but it turned out they did not. Anyway, they were peaceful and promised their availability when work commenced.

Then we embarked on the required visits to the local District Police Officer, the local Army Commander, the local Police Commander and finally, the Chairman of the local government. These visits are expected of newcomers to the area. All these men, except for the last one mentioned, were friendly, interested and welcoming. But that last one - definitely not friendly. In fact, I left that office seething at his behavior. We had introduced ourselves: Manager Lawal, two Fulani friends, and myself. The Chairman rudely announced that he had recognized that 2 of our number were Fulani, and hoped our project would have NOTHING whatsoever to do with Fulani, who, 'as it was well known' (according to him) were the cause of ALL the trouble and problems in Nigeria, and he wasn't going to have ANY of this trouble in HIS local government!

I couldn't believe such blatant rudeness and prejudice! He turned to me and said he expected written details of what our project entailed, that he would do findings and would get back to us as to whether we could proceed or not! He said all work should stop until that time. Hopefully by Monday, he said. No words to express my disgust at such behavior. Lawal assures me that once our wall is built, whatever we do on our land is our business; no one, not even that Chairman, can stop us.

The next morning, Mogodi came over to meet with us at the hotel. We, or rather, he... talked and talked about the terrible thing that had happened at the Chairman's office yesterday. There were SO MANY insults and hate inflicted on our Fulani friends - for being who they are - Fulani. 

Then Mogodi, Lawal and I drove to the main road where we picked up our Fulani friends and drove the 30 minutes or so to the palace of His Royal Highness, the King of the area in which our land is located. We told the King exactly what the Chairman had said and done. I wish you could have seen our friends' faces while this story was being told. So sad, embarrassed, humiliated. For what? Being a Fulani man?

The King asked some pertinent questions, which we answered, then leaned back in his chair and said, "Don't worry. I will phone the Chairman immediately and tell him to allow you full access to your land. I will take care of this problem for you. Don't worry. I'll let you know, this very afternoon, when this problem is resolved. After all, as King, I can remove this difficult Chairman from office, replace him with another. And he knows that. He will drop this matter immediately!" It was with big smiles on our faces that we all thanked the King for his help! He kept saying, "Don't worry. Don't worry!" Now we're waiting for that important phone call!

This morning, as Mogodi and I walked back to our car after our meeting with the king, he held my hand as we walked, as friends do in this country. I told him, "You and your people coming to settle on this land, quietly, peacefully, raising your cattle and working your farms... this is our opportunity to show the world the true nature, the goodness, of a people called the Fulani."

He smiled at me, squeezed my hand and said, "Yes. This is what we will do. God will help us." And God will do exactly that. 

Please pray for us. God IS faithful and true. He loves the Fulani and even loves that miserable Chairman! But pray. Trusting that we can start again on Monday! God bless! Phyllis, at AHGAHTAY!!

Please enjoy the email below, from our dear friends at WATS, West Africa Theological Seminary! Dr. Gary Maxey and his wife, Emma Lou are living near Phyllis in Imala, Ogun State. Pictured above, left to right, is SFA Secretary Carisa, Missionary Phyllis, Dr. Gary Maxey, his wife Emma Lou, and our beloved friend Carol Barrett.

The Global Crisis of Christian Persecution Is Focused Primarily on Nigeria

3 November 2025

As never before, West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS) needs your help to respond to the ongoing and horrific crisis unfolding in northeastern Nigeria. The scale of persecution is staggering. According to a recent Fox News report:

  • 18,000 churches have been burned since 2009

  • 50,000 Christians have been martyred since 2009

  • 5 million people have been displaced since 2009

  • 7,000 killed so far in 2025 alone

Fox News further reports:

“Jihadist organizations, including Boko Haram, have carried out religiously motivated killings over the last 16 years, massacring 125,009 Christians. . . . 19,100 churches have been sacked. According to Open Doors, more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than anywhere else in the world.”

For the past three years, West Africa Theological Seminary intentionally reached out to churches in northeastern Nigeria most devastated by this modern-day genocide—Global Methodist Church (GMC), Church of the Brethren (EYN), Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), and Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN), among others.

Today, WATS is training more than 150 students from northern Nigeria, including 112 Global Methodists and 25+ from the Church of the Brethren, along with others. Every one of these students is a pastor, evangelist, or missionary preparing to return home and strengthen churches in regions where hundreds of pastors have already given their lives for the sake of Christ. Despite unimaginable loss, their resolve remains firm: they refuse to bow the knee to Islam.

Yet the need is growing. There are hundreds more in northern Nigeria longing for the solid theological training WATS provides—but we cannot meet this need without your partnership.

Urgent Needs

1. Scholarships for 200 students – covering full tuition, fees, and a modest monthly stipend for living expenses.

  • $150 per month or $1,800 per year per student.

2. $150,000 for campus infrastructure, renovation, and expansion.

3. $100,000 for faculty recruitment and training.

We can only accomplish this vital mission through the help of Almighty God and the generous support of friends like you.

How You Can Help

  • In the USA: Send checks to Friends of WATS, 609 E. Main Street, Duncan, SC 29334.

  • In Nigeria: Transfer your Naira donation to Zenith Bank Account #1010290423 or #1310069521.

Thank you for your prayerful engagement and generous support.

Prof. Gary S. Maxey, Founder

Dr. Olufemi Emmanuel , Provost

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor is coming home for Christmas! If you can't join us in person, click on the links to watch the live stream from home!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church, 3200 3rd Ave W., Seattle, WA! Service is at 10am.

https://ffmc.org

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 20815 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA! Services are at 9:30 & 11:00.

https://www.wbfmc.org *Services are recorded and posted by noon, same day.

Sunday, January 11th, Phyllis will be sharing briefly at

Northlake Christian Church, 19029 North Road, Bothel, WA! Service is at 9:30am!

https://www.northlakecc.org

Sunday, January 18th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Senior Community at 10am! Join us at 20420 Marine Drive, Stanwood, WA, in Beachwood Lounge.

Sunday, January 25th, Phyllis will be sharing at Shoreline Free Methodist Church, 510 NE 175th Street, Shoreline, WA! Service is at 9:45.

http://shorelinefm.com

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church, too! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film, and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

The Rumors Are True!

Now HERE Is Some Exciting News!

The Rumors Are True!

Mission Aviation Fellowship will soon be flying again in Nigeria! The airplane pictured below will be used! President and CEO of Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), David Holsten, shared 2 weeks ago: "Exciting progress is underway—we have a plane at our headquarters preparing for service in Nigeria, donated by a very generous partner of MAF. Last year, MAF began exploring the process of launching a new flight program in Nigeria. In addition to other ministry opportunities, this program will position us to provide flight support to the Egbe Hospital, where we will provide medical-related flights to a local hospital. There is still much work to be done before the program gets up and running, and we would appreciate prayers as we work through important details like permissions, staffing, and facilities. We’re grateful for the faithful partnership of so many who make it possible to extend help, hope, and healing to isolated communities."

MAF is a Christian organization planning to expand its operations in Nigeria to provide aviation services for humanitarian efforts, medical evacuations, and aid to remote communities. The organization's work in Nigeria aims to reduce long travel times and deliver essential help to isolated people in the country. 

There is still much work to do! MAF faces numerous challenges operating in Nigeria, including significant security risks, extensive regulatory complexities, logistical and infrastructural deficiencies, and funding hurdles. Please pray for them as they build their ministry in Nigeria!

MAF's initial location in Nigeria will be Abuja, enabling them to serve the hospital there at Egbe. We are hoping to partner with MAF, too, so we will be eager to watch them build their ministry! We are so thankful for their upcoming presence in Nigeria!

How's It Going In Bauchi State?

ALL DONE!!

354 children were registered for classes! The team had to go to the lumber store to buy more wood for desks! The Headmaster is begging to close registration, because the children just keep coming! We will have to hire 2 more teachers immediately.

The healthcare clinic is stocked with medicines and supplies, and two nurses have been hired. They are already treating patients!

Large metal soccer goal posts have been installed on the play field, and a brand new soccer ball provided!

This is a FIRST for Phyllis!! The Two Villages Mungyar community has organized a special event to commemorate the opening of the first school in their community, Partners in Progress Primary School.

At their own expense they hired a large canopy and chairs, and prepared a feast for everyone! They invited many dignitaries, including chiefs, members of the local government and education secretary with his entourage! This is the first time that this has been done at the opening of any of our schools! Phyllis is especially happy, as this is an indication of how they will value and protect this gift of a quality education for their children! Praise God!

Partners in Progress, Bauchi State, was given a whoppin' good welcome by the Chairman of the Local Government, Education Secretary, Chairman of SUBEB, (Universal Basic Education Board,) many other officials, chiefs, villagers and kids! The Chairman of SUBEB announced that they were so happy with this school that they will enter our teachers' names into the government system, pay their salaries and their retirement pensions!! And they're asking for similar schools in the three other local government areas! They'll pay those teachers salaries too!

The Fulani Ardo (Chief) gave Phyllis a cow!!

What an amazing day. What an incredible welcome.

Classes have officially begun!!

If you love cows, you would love Bauchi State! There were hundreds of cattle on the road today, at least three hundred in this herd alone! We stopped and asked one young Fulani herdsman where they were headed. He said they were going to Benue State looking for greener pastures!

WHAT IS NEXT?

Phyllis and the SFA Team have traveled to Port Harcourt!

Friends of SFA bought land outside of Port Harcourt for a large group of homeless Fulani, but they've not been able to take possession of this land due to continuous attacks from neighboring villagers. Phyllis will meet our Fulani friend and colleague, Mogodi, who's coming to discuss the land issues! We are going to take possession of the land. Pray for us please!

The roads to Port Harcourt were indescribably bad. According to Google, it's a 9 hr drive, but it took two days! "But hey", Phyllis says, "We're all fine.. the car's running okay, so we thank God!! We'll get there when we get there!!" The team made it to Port Harcourt, safe and sound! Thank God! Stay tuned for more details!

Please pray for Phyllis, our security guards, and the whole team. They are stepping into a volatile situation, to help bring peace between the villagers and the incoming Fulani. Pray for their safety! Pray for resolution! Pray for God's wisdom to find a solution!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor IS coming home for Christmas!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church in Seattle, WA!

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church in Stanwood, WA!

Sunday, January 11th, Phyllis will be sharing briefly at Northlake Christian Church in Bothel, WA!

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but she DOES have some availability in January still! SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church, too! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film, and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

Holy Spirit, Open Their Eyes!

God is moving in Nigeria. People are coming to God! He invites us to join Him in this work, but it is the work of the Holy Spirit ALONE to move in people's hearts! Will you join us in praying for Holy Spirit revival in Nigeria?

God is on the move, HALELUJAH!

How's It Going In Bauchi State?

It's Going GREAT!!

Phyllis brought two SFA teachers, Head Master James (below left) and Mr. Timothy (below right) with her to Bauchi (from Solid Rock School in Plateau State) to help kick start this new school. Mr. Timothy will be the new head teacher here in Bauchi State, at Partners In Progress School. He's well known to us, experienced, a strong Christian - someone we can trust!

God BLESS your new work, Mr. Timothy!

Phyllis hired Abubakar (below), the man whose dream of a school has come true, to be office manager and assistant to Mr Timothy, who will be head teacher at Partners in Progress Primary School!

ENROLLMENT WAS AMAZING! When we drove through the gates of our new Bauchi primary school, Partners in Progress, we were instantly met by both the Jarawa and Fulani chiefs, scores of men, women and children, so, so excited and happy to see us, as our coming meant that CLASSES WOULD SOON BEGIN! We enrolled nearly 300 children!! I don't remember such joy and gratitude for a school as we've seen here in Bauchi State!

This precious boy pictured below has an opportunity to receive an education AND healthcare! YOU have an opportunity to help support this child and the 300 others enrolled in this new school. Monthly support goes directly to Nigeria to pay the salaries of teachers and nurses!

See below to GIVE!

Here are some pictures from our parents' meeting at Partners in Progress Primary, Bauchi. We have 300 children enrolled so far, and over 30 applicants for the teaching jobs! Although there are 8 regular classrooms, we're considering using the 3 smaller rooms in the storehouse as classrooms as well. Just sooo many children - A GREAT problem to have! We try to keep class sizes under 30 students.

The Fulani women were SO thankful and grateful, they brought many gifts to show their appreciation! Included were decorative bowls, gourds, and three live chickens! They prepared the chickens for us to eat immediately. NOW THAT IS FRESH CHICKEN!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Sunday, October 19th, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing at Oroville Free Methodist Church in Oroville, WA!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor IS coming home for Christmas!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church!

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church!

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but she DOES have some availability in January still! SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church, too! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film, and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

Seattle Missions Fest

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Friday/Saturday, October 10th - 11th, Missions Fest Seattle will be hosting MANY ministries, including SFA! See the flyer above, get more info HERE!

Sunday, October 19th, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing at Oroville Free Methodist Church in Oroville, WA!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor IS coming home for Christmas!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church!

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church!

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church! We can share our Kidnapped Redemption Film, and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! We are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. Email us for more details!

Email us!

How's It Going In Bauchi State?

With Annual Conferences complete, Phyllis will soon return to Bauchi to enroll children, hire teachers and a nurse, buy school and clinic supplies, etc!! Partners In Progress School is COMPLETELY finished and ready to OPEN!! The roof is complete, and the dirt moved! :)

In The News This Month...

Grazing reserves are in Nigeria news this month! We are praying that the plan for proposed grazing reserves in each state will be realized and that the cattle owners will be willing to change their roaming lifestyles to settled lives of peace. SFA will put schools in each reserve, adding educated young people to a new and peaceful lifestyle. God is on the move!

Would you like to see what it's like at a market in Nigeria? Click on the button below for a 30-second clip! Warning - IT'S LOUD! :)

GO TO MARKET!

Say HELLO to Officer Jacob, Head Of Security!

Officer Jacob is experienced at keeping our team safe in Nigeria. He is also very kind, and very funny! Click HERE to see a sweet video greeting from Officer Jacob!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

THIS Saturday, September 20th, 6:30-8:30pm, Sage Hills Church, Wenatchee, WA in the Fireside Room, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing about SFA, and her recent trip to Nigeria.

Friday/Saturday, October 10th - 11th, Missions Fest Seattle will be hosting MANY ministries, including SFA! See the flyer below, get more info HERE!

Sunday, October 19th, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing at Oroville Free Methodist Church in Oroville, WA!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor IS coming home for Christmas!

Sunday, December 28th, Phyllis will be sharing at Seattle First Free Methodist Church!

Sunday, January 4th, Phyllis will be sharing at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church!

*We would LOVE to share at YOUR church, wherever you are! Phyllis's time in the states is limited, but SFA Secretary Carisa would be happy to travel to your church! We can share the Kidnapped Redemption Film, and updates on what God is doing in Nigeria! Email us for more details!

Email us!

**Although our base of support is from Free Methodist Churches, we are a non-denominational ministry. We are happy to partner with ALL bible-believing churches. :)

How's It Going In Bauchi State?

Phyllis is on her way to prepare for Annual Conferences in Nassarawa, Enugu and Akwa Ibom states! She is looking forward to Rev. Mike Reynen's arrival and the fun of seeing friends all across Nigeria! Below are progress photos taken at Mungyar Village; she will return here after conferences to enroll children, hire teachers and a nurse, buy school and clinic supplies, etc!! Partners In Progress School is almost finished! Below you can see the school getting a roof! The clinic is nearly complete!

God's INCREDIBLE FAVOR!

From Phyllis: I spent a great day in Abuja with my Fulani son, Mogodi (ABOVE, the tall one in white). He and I had been invited to meet with the President of the National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (pictured in the black cap). We've been asked to work with them, to convince Nigerian President Tinubu and the state governors to recognize the Fulani as human beings, apportioning land for their cattle in each state. We'll do training for herdsmen in planting good grass and rotational grazing. Mogodi suggested that we set up the 99 hectares we own in Port Harcourt as a location and model for this.

President Ilyasu asked if we would go on a visit with him to several European countries to see how they feed and care for their cows. Mogodi said he would go, but only if I went with him. I said I would go. Exciting times ahead! President Ilyasu is calling himself my #2 Son, since Mogodi is #1!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY

Partners In Progress!

SFA ON THE ROAD!

Saturday, September 20th, 6:30-8:30pm, Sage Hills Church, Wenatchee, WA in the Fireside Room, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing about SFA, and her recent trip to Nigeria.

October 10th - 11th, Missions Fest Seattle will be hosting MANY ministries, including SFA! See the flyer below, get more info HERE!

Sunday, October 19th, SFA Secretary Carisa Haven will be sharing at Oroville FMC in Oroville, WA!

Missionary Phyllis Sortor IS coming home for Christmas, and will get to share at a church or two! We'll keep you posted on those dates!

A New School In Bauchi State!

Phyllis went with Wheelchairs For Nigeria to Bauchi state for a wheelchair distribution. While there, a government official invited her to come build a school there. They met in July to discuss the details, and a PARTNERSHIP was formed! So began Partners In Progress Primary School in Mungyar Village, Bauchi State. There are MANY Fulani in the area, living peacefully with other tribes just across the street! The chief is thrilled with the opportunity to educate his children, and the surrounding community!

Below is the Fulani chief in Mungyar Vilalge. His name is Ardo Gudel. Gudel means 'short man'! So he's Chief Short Man! He's a super nice guy - he'll be taking Phyllis around to the various Fulani camps to talk with the parents about sending their children to school.

Work began on the school and clinic last week! Phyllis walked the boundaries with the village elders again. There are children EVERYWHERE! There were also cows everywhere! Those cows will soon have to relocate - the school and healthcare clinic will go up quickly!

Phyllis and her team waited two whole days for the engineer to arrive at our new school site with his well drilling machine. He never showed. He kept saying he was 'coming'! In Nigeria, "I'm coming" gives a LOT of leeway. It could be in an hour... or a day... or a week. "I'm coming ON THE WAY" however, is a different story! We stand up and peer down the street at "I'm coming on the way"!!! He finally arrived, and the whole village celebrated! He was quickly successful at finding water, Praise God!

The government has given the team their guesthouse, free of charge, for as long as they need to stay while they build the school. They each have a luxurious bedroom - food is delivered - and there are two lounges, very nice. The only channel available on TV is football! (In Nigeria, 'soccer' is known as 'football'! But who's complaining??

Phyllis hired laborers to build block on site. Foundations were poured in concrete, and the blocks were already placed for the clinic building! Work on the clinic roof has begun!

The red portions on the map above represent the highest concentrations of Fulani people in Nigeria. Find JOS on the map and BAUCHI. Bauchi is the capital city of Bauchi State. We are building this very large primary school in Mungyar Village, within the red zone of Bauchi.

We also MUST initiate the establishment of schools in Gombe, where reside the highest concentrations of Fulani in Nigeria. Fortunately, Phyllis has a very good friend in Gombe, Alhaji Bello Mahmud, retired government official, who is ready and eager to assist.

There are over 6 MILLION Fulani living in Nigeria, and only 10% of them have ever been to school. Will you support our endeavor to provide every Fulani child with the opportunity to learn?

UPDATE! We just met with the Bauchi State representative and three other Bauchi representatives - they want SFA to establish schools in their constituencies as well. They are arranging a meeting for us with the State Governor! God's work is moving ahead!

We Have Some Needs...

At Lafiya 2 Grazing Reserve on Ero Mountain, Kogi State, we are working on a model grazing reserve. We are partnering with World Bank to refine the grass types that are best for our cattle there. We need beacon stones all around our large reserve, almost 1,000 acres! These beacon stones are used to mark our boundaries against encroaching neighbors. It is important, but also costly, at $10,000. The investment will safeguard our land for the long term. This work in rotational grazing is becoming more and more important for the Fulani, as the population is exploding in Nigeria. They are really beginning to recognize the value of staying in ONE PLACE!

Another need is that our schools are doing SO WELL that more classrooms are needed to meet the demand! TWO SCHOOLS, Good Shepherd Primary in Ogun State and Solid Rock in Plateau State need more classrooms! It will cost $15,000 to add more classrooms to one school.

Check out the story from School Supervisor Victoria, at Solid Rock School: We admitted so many children in Solid Rock Good Life Academy that the school is full! We have limited classroom space, and we even converted the headmaster's office for another class! As more and more children came in, we had to refuse to admit more until the next class graduated. Some Fulani children came to school in the morning, but because they were refused, they would sit outside the fence until school was over, then go home. This continued untill the local chief came and pleaded with us. He said he could not rest while the young children were sitting outside the fence. Once they are in, his mind will be at peace. We relented, creating another class for them since they are very young. Thank you, Supervisor Victoria Jwantu

At Good Shepherd Primary in Ogun State (below), Phyllis lives on a large river with over 100 Fulani families. There are SO MANY Fulani children, and our classrooms there are FULL! More classrooms are needed to squeeze them all in! Schools For Africa will hire additional teachers as soon as the classrooms can be built.

Can you help to fund this good work? Click the button below to give! To save on fees, please mail checks to SFA, c/o Don Standley, Treasurer, 1010 Silver Springs Way, Stanwood, WA 98292. Designate the funds for CLASSROOMS or BEACON STONES.

Click Here To Give!

As the Lord pours Himself into Nigeria, it is an absolute delight to be His hands and feet there. We see the Lord moving mightily! God certainly doesn't NEED us, but He does INVITE us to join Him. Would you care to join us by supporting the work financially?

GIVE ONE TIME

GIVE MONTHLY