During Sunday services, Blacknall heard a Focus on Mission message from Canon Dr. Timothy Olonade, a visiting international ministry partner from Nigeria. For more than 40 years, he’s been involved in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting in the country. Most recently, he’s worked to build the Africa Mentoring Initiative, which is growing the Christian church in Africa while teaching Christ-centered leadership skills to young leaders.

Across the country where violence and terrorist activity are common, Dr. Olonade said that "God is calling his people to take a stand for Him,” and that begins by caring for those in need. He highlighted how support from Blacknall has helped the Initiative minister to hundreds of widows and young people, while also ensuring students complete schooling.

“Your contribution, your prayers, and your passionate commitment to the Lord has also helped us to extend the frontier of mission to places where sometimes we are held hostage,” he said. “Everywhere is a mission field now and everyone is a mission force."

Watch Dr. Olonade’s remarks: