a big week!

 A week ago today we were at the notary overnighting passports and more permission forms to the Nigerian Embassy in Atlanta, and tonight Matt and Sofie have wrapped up their second full day at West Africa Theological Seminary and when I spoke to them last, Sofie was off with a student who's wife was in labor and Matt was bragging on his students. 

I am so thankful for this opportunity for them to share the Gospel.  It is reminding them both so much of Haiti.

Here's a note Matt wrote to our church...

Dear Wellspring Church Family,

Warm greetings from Lagos, Nigeria! I wanted to take a few moments to share a quick update and express my gratitude for your prayers and encouragement as I teach this week at West Africa Theological Seminary (WATS).

It has been an absolutely wonderful experience so far. My class has over thirty students—pastors, evangelists, and ministry leaders from across Nigeria and neighboring nations—and they are hungry for teaching, training, and discipleship. Their eagerness to grow in God’s Word and be better equipped for ministry is both humbling and inspiring. Every lecture turns into a deep exchange of ideas, questions, and testimonies. They are soaking up Scripture with open hearts and a clear sense of calling.

The warmth of their hospitality has been remarkable. From the moment I arrived, I have been met with generosity, kindness, and genuine Christian fellowship. Even in a context where roughly half the nation identifies as Muslim, I have encountered a people filled with the Holy Spirit, steadfast in faith, and overflowing with joy. Their worship is vibrant, their prayers are fervent, and their love for Christ is contagious. I am constantly reminded that the Church is alive and flourishing in places that often face great challenges for the gospel.

Every day brings moments that renew my sense of mission. I see the Spirit of God at work in these students—men and women determined to lead holy lives and serve their communities with courage and compassion. They remind me that the kingdom of God is advancing in every corner of the world, and it is a privilege to play even a small part in strengthening those who will continue to carry that light forward.

Please continue to pray for Sofia and I—that my teaching will be effective, that the Holy Spirit would give clarity and power to every lesson, and that I would have the physical and spiritual strength to finish the task well. Pray also for these students, that the seeds being planted in their hearts would take deep root and bear fruit in their ministries across Africa.

I miss you all deeply and carry you in my heart. Know that your support, prayers, and faithfulness make this kind of ministry possible. Wellspring is a sending church—your love and commitment to the gospel are having ripple effects far beyond our local community.

I look forward to being back with you soon, full of stories, testimonies, and renewed vision for what God is doing among His people around the world.

With love and gratitude,

Pastor Matt