The SEED – July 2025 – Share International

The SEED – July 2025

Posted August 8, 2025

In The SEED, The SEED Newsletters of 2025

July 2025

For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
– 1 Corinthians 9:16

STORM-2025 Team
(July 11-24th)

This year’s STORM Team – made up of 21 dedicated participants – ministered in three villages. Two of these had been previously reached by Share, while one was introduced to the Gospel for the very first time.

As is customary, the team divided into five gender- and age-specific groups to deliver tailored ministry teachings: men, women, young men, young women, and children. Meanwhile, two STORMers remained at the SEND Center to lead Bible Pathways Training, equipping local pastors with the knowledge to build and sustain healthy churches.

The response from both villagers and pastors was incredible, marked by deep curiosity and active participation. The impact was mutual, as the STORMers themselves returned feeling spiritually enriched and inspired in their personal faith journeys!

Below are some highlights and testimonies from the trip.

BIBLE PATHWAYS

We were so happy that ALL 12 (minus Peter Ewoton, who has since gone to be with the Lord) of the Pastors who had gone through the Bible Pathways curriculum on expository preaching (from 2015-2018) made it back to Lodwar for our four days of re-training. We worked through all of 1 Timothy and applied the Bible Pathways principles for good interpretation throughout. It was a great feast on God’s powerful Word. So many practical issues came to the surface as we made our way through 1 Timothy – things like dealing with false teachings that threaten the churches in the villages, the importance of selection of elders, how to care for widows and the vulnerable in our churches, and the danger of the love of money. We trust that all the pastors left refreshed in the Lord, and are re-energized to preach and teach God’s Word, particularly 1 Timothy.

– Gary Kirst

Gary Kirst teaching the Bible Pathways participants

Gary Kirst and Mark Benedict with the Bible Pathways attendees

MEN’S MINISTRY

Wayne Wuebbels led the Men’s Ministry Team consisting of Bob Schultz and Tim Worthington.

My experience in this year’s STORM trip was sanitized by my previous STORM in 2018. Whatever my expectations would be, the Lord would exceed them tenfold.
In what we shared with the older men, I saw a high level of engagement, great questions which supported that, and more hunger for the Word. The illiteracy factor still exists, but the solar Audio Bibles will help to provide God’s Word. You could see the smiles on the men’s faces as they were being taught how to use them.
In a 7-year period I can see significant progress with the maturity of the men. But there is generally more need for men in the church body. Realistically, this is no different than in the US; or anywhere else. Our mission to the leaders in the village is crucial!
It was a privilege to serve with Wayne & Bob! Of course, none of this would be possible without the Share Staff, translators, local missionaries and village church leaders.

– Tim Worthington

Wayne Wuebbels ministering to the men

One of the men demonstrating DMM’s ‘3-Circles’ Methodology

WOMEN’S MINISTRY

The mature women of the villages were a true blessing to Jessica Novak, Marilyn Mitchell, and their two translators – Sarah Esekon and her daughter Irene.

Jessica worked with the mature women for the first time, after working with the younger women and children in her two prior STORM trips. She was elated to see so many women attending the teachings and how attentive they were. She loved their curiosity to learn how to reach their families and neighbors for Christ. She thanked God for the many older women who were saved and baptized, knowing she would see them in heaven.

This was the fourth time that Marilyn worked with the mature women, but it was her first time as the leader. She was uplifted by the women, especially those who participated in practicing DMM’s ‘3-Circles’ and ‘3-Walks’ Methodologies. She was excited to work with Lucy, the Women’s Ministry Coordinator from Sopel Zone, as well. Marilyn was overwhelmed with tears in Sike Village (where the team spent the night) when so many women prayed for salvation and were baptized.

Both Jessica and Marilyn would say God is gracious for allowing them to be part of the STORM Team once again! Marilyn, who is on the Share International Board of Directors, hopes there will be more STORM trips in the future.

Marylin Mitchell ministering to the women whilst Sarah Esekon translates

Praying for some of the women to be released from tobacco usage

YOUNG MEN’S MINISTRY

This trip made me realize that you don’t need a lot to serve God and tell others about Christ. Neither a lot of material, wealth, or education, but they all help.

For the two reached villages, I loved to see the people praising God and serving Him for and with the little that they had. Some in the younger men’s group were teachers already, and they weren’t much older than me. It was encouraging and convicting that I should try and serve God more when I get back home. I was glad to see the young men paying close attention to God’s Word.

For the unreached village, they were all kind and welcoming and paid attention. They said that they weren’t saved, but they wanted to be, and most of them accepted Christ. It is amazing to see God work and how soft these peoples’ hearts are to the Gospel.

It is amazing to see the veterans talking and getting the group interacting. I’ve learned a lot about how to teach from my fellow teachers.

From this trip, I learned not to fear what others think. Because I have eternal life, and that is all that I truly need in this life. If I’m here trying to tell others about salvation (what they need) the best thing I can, what should I fear? Failing? That’s in God’s hands. I should have nothing to fear but God. But He is merciful, gracious, and loving; so it’s not a trembling fear.

I thank God I could come on this trip and learn and grow closer to God. I’ll be praying for the Turkana people back home, and who knows, maybe I’ll come back one day!

– Clark Ackland

Danny Kirst ministering to the young men

YOUNG WOMEN’S MINISTRY

STORM-2025 was my fourth trip to Turkana, and I am still amazed by the people and their generosity, kindness, and love shown to us American visitors. They rise early and eagerly to walk great distances to hear the message of the ‘Good News’ we have brought.

On this trip I had the privilege of serving with two first-timers, Sandy Benedict and Candy Stewart. Watching them step out of comfort zones, overcome fears, and gain confidence in their ministry, was a great blessing. We served the young women, and as they became more familiar with us, it was exciting to see early the fruit of our labor. Some could retell the message, several gave their testimonies (my favorite part), and there were a number of them that surrendered their lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and were baptized!
It has been an honor to serve with Share through the years, and I know God is doing a work among these peoples. I will continue to pray and give of my resources, and perhaps if the Lord wills, I will return again.

– Kim Worthington

Sandy Benedict ministering to the young women

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Turkana is full of, what I believe are Umbrella Thorn Trees. The terrain is rolling and sandy, and compared to the Midwest in the U.S., it is hot and dry. The people of Turkana on the other hand are warm, inviting, and wonderful. Everyone we met was welcoming and went out of their way to feed us, answer our questions, and make us comfortable.
I was excited to arrive at our first village. We were greeted with worshipful singing and dancing. It seemed obvious that the Gospel had been shared here. We shared Jesus’ life story all the way from his birth through his death and resurrection. Our team ministered to the children in all three villages: Nayuu Village – Chokchok Zone, Naotin Village – Sopel Zone, & Sike Village – Nayada Zone. By the end of the week many children had given their lives to Christ and were baptized.
It was fun to work and play with the kids and see how, even halfway around the world, kids are still kids. They still laugh, like to play with bubbles, argue with their siblings, and enjoy their friends just like the kids back home, which is why we love them. It’s why it’s so important to share God’s Word with them.

– Deb Smythe

Linda Kirst ministering to the children

Linda Kirst ministering to the children

Deb Smythe watching children during playtime

Camels “camelling”!

PRAISES

Many saved and baptized during STORM-2025
Evident effectiveness of the contextualized DMM/CPM Methodology and Bible Kits used in teaching throughout the ministry regions
Spiritual & educational growth of the pupils attending the Sending Centers
God’s protection for Share Staff, Missionaries/Motivators, Evangelists, and Champions

PETITIONS

Safety and perseverance for the Missionaries/Motivators in Turkanaland, Toposaland, and Nyang’atomland
Finding qualified teachers and providing food and water at each of the Next-Gen Sending Centers
Peace between the Turkana and the Nyang’atom tribes along the Kenya-Ethiopia border
Continued healing for Share Founder, Sammy Murimi; Office Secretary, Doris Abei; and Operations Manager, James Ewoi

“As you Hold Out the Word of Life… Shining Like Stars in the Sky”
(Philippians 2:16; NIV, 1984 Edition)

I can hardly describe the awe of standing under the night sky in Turkanaland—constellation after constellation visible with breathtaking clarity!

A constellation is defined as “a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern, traditionally named after its form or linked to a mythological figure.” That’s exactly how the Apostle Paul describes the local church in Philippians 2:15—only this “constellation” isn’t mythological, it’s ecclesiastical: God’s called-out people. The Church is meant to shine like stars—clearly recognizable and identifiable—in a world that is, as Paul says, “crooked and depraved.”

Sound familiar? Just watch the news.

And yet, in the middle of the darkness, light shines. These hundreds of clusters of born-again believers—these Ecclesiastical Constellations—are shining bright across Turkanaland (Kenya), Toposaland (South Sudan), and Nyang’atomland (Ethiopia), refusing to hide the light of Christ within them (Matthew 5:14–16). They are sharing the Good News, bringing eternal transformation to men, women, and children as they “hold out the Word of Life” to those around them.

This year’s Short-Term Outreach & Relief Mission (STORM) Team of Americans and Africans joined that mission in three remote villages—and hallelujah—lives were changed. But even more inspiring is what the indigenous believers continue to do every day. Through hundreds of churches and cell groups, they are reaching their regions for Christ. And with each Bible Kit we equip them with, they are shining even brighter.

Would you help us provide more Bible Kits in 2025? These kits are powerful tools in the hands of committed believers. They are fuel for transformation—equipping leaders, growing churches, and expanding the reach of the Gospel in places still waiting for the Light.

Thank you so much for standing with us in this calling. Below, you’ll see our Bible Kit fundraising goal for 2025 and what’s been raised so far. Come alongside us! Like the believers in Philippi , let’s shine like stars where darkness still prevails—through the faithful witness of indigenous believers.

Serving the King of kings with you,
Sammy