How This Began

In 2023, I was introduced through social media to a man named Edwin who lives in Kenya. Edwin would share short videos of the labor work he was doing, offering glimpses into daily life and the effort required simply to provide for himself and those around him. Over time, I felt led to reach out to him, not with an agenda or expectation, but simply to ask how he was doing.

That initial conversation became a friendship, and through it we began to understand more of Edwin’s circumstances. He was living in a constant state of survival while also attempting to support his grandmother, who was caring for children who had lost parental support. As we listened and learned, it became clear that the situation was complex, fragile, and deeply human, requiring patience rather than immediate response.

At that stage, we did not feel led to step in financially. Instead, we felt led to begin with Scripture, encouragement, and prayer, focusing first on the people themselves rather than the circumstances surrounding them. We were reminded that provision without discipleship is incomplete, and that care must begin with attention to the soul. Scripture teaches that faith cannot be separated from action, but it also teaches that action must flow from obedience rather than impulse.

My wife and I spent time in prayer, asking not what we could do, but what God was asking us to do. That prayer continually returned us to the conviction that the first and foremost priority is the soul. Everything else must follow that order. We were reminded of the truth expressed in Scripture: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15–16). This passage helped clarify that faithful care holds together both truth and provision, neither standing alone.

As conversations continued, Edwin introduced me to Pastor Henry, a leader at a nearby church. Through ongoing discussion, it became clear that Pastor Henry’s heart was anchored not only in sharing the gospel, but in teaching people how to live faithfully within the ordinary rhythms of life. His leadership reflected a commitment to Scripture, community accountability, and shepherding that extended beyond words into daily practice.

After further discussion with Pastor Henry and the local church, White Oak Community, a shared understanding began to form. Rather than approaching needs independently, we agreed that any work undertaken should be led through the local church. This ensured that the gospel remained central, that discipleship was woven into every effort, and that the work strengthened the body of Christ rather than operating alongside it.

Together, we began identifying barriers within the community that were interfering with people’s ability to participate fully in the life of the church and live faithfully. The focus was not on doing more, but on removing what was hindering obedience. Each effort was shaped by the conviction that the church should lead, model Christ-like behavior, and work collectively to address these burdens.

The first major effort that emerged from this approach was the clean water work. Members of the community had been walking long distances to retrieve water from polluted rivers, often needing to sanitize it with chemicals when they were available. Working together, the church and community established access to clean water, relieving a daily burden that had consumed time, energy, and health.

As this burden was lifted, something meaningful unfolded within the community. People began stepping forward to serve in other ways, participation increased, and responsibility was shared more broadly. The church soon required additional chairs to accommodate those gathering together, which became a quiet but powerful reminder of what can happen when barriers are removed and the body of Christ is able to function as it was intended.

Over time, other needs became clear. The church had been attempting to care for children whose circumstances had left them without adequate support, but the facility they were using was no longer sufficient and faced closure by the state. Without intervention, the children would have been displaced with nowhere to go. In partnership with the church, a safer and state-approved facility was secured, providing greater stability for the children, though at significant ongoing cost.

As relationships deepened and trust grew, the work continued to expand naturally into the areas described throughout this site. Each step followed the same pattern of prayer, discernment, partnership with the local church, and careful attention to stewardship rather than urgency.

After three years of walking in this work, it became clear that what began as relational obedience had taken the shape of an ongoing responsibility. To steward this faithfully, we have now taken steps to establish Sustain Discipleship as an official organization recognized in the United States and to pursue nonprofit status. This step is not driven by ambition or scale, but by accountability, transparency, and the long-term care of the work God has entrusted to us.