Connecting Across Continents: Ashwood Church’s 10-Day Visit to Malawi

In April 2025, a dedicated team from Ashwood Church journeyed to Malawi to work with Hope Missions Ministries (HMM) under the Church Connection initiative facilitated through Links. Building on a partnership visit that began in 2019—with training in leadership, agriculture, education, and more—this visit aimed to share experience and help HMM build capacity in key areas of Faith, Healthcare, Education and Justice.

During the 10-day programme, the team focused on practical training sessions and existing programme development. Sessions included Leadership Character development for pastors and local leaders working with both HMM and the Evangelical Alliance of Malawi (EAM), interactive training for preschool and Sunday school teachers, and the SHINE Community Healthcare programme was introduced to a new community HMM work alongside. In addition, Women Empowerment groups addressed period poverty and enhanced their tailoring skills, while Youth Ministry and Sport Outreach supported recent HMM church planting efforts.

The visit began with a joint time of prayer and a clear outline of the schedule between the teams. It is amazing to see the growth of the relationship and connection between the two churches. As an orientation day, the teams visited Lemisi Village to gain firsthand insight into everyday rural life in Malawi, from cooking and community events to water collection and home maintenance. Over the next three days, some sessions were held at Kuwala Baptist Church and in rural churches with EAM, where groups focused separately on Women Empowerment and Leadership Character Development, providing a balanced mix of technical training and practical biblical insights.

A break in the middle of the schedule allowed the team a fun and refreshing safari visit to Liwonde National Park. Returning to work, the Ashwood team served at Kuwala Baptist Church by leading Bible study groups and a main service that brought together three congregations, with over 30 church members receiving time for healing and counsel.

The final few days in the Kayabwa area emphasized Youth Ministry through sports outreach, with additional leadership training, and sessions with community volunteers to launch the SHINE programme in a new village, as well as support for pre-school teachers across 6 HMM schools connected to their church plants.

This visit reinforces that with continued relational development and effective facilitation via Links and our partners, more global Church Connections can be developed to serve vulnerable communities both at home and abroad.

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