But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. – Acts 1:8

Young Chad Fagerland with Burkina children

In 1979, young missionaries Dale and Judy Fagerland with their two sons Chad and Eric set out to bring the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to the impoverished people of northern Burkina Faso. For 8 years they lived in the arid Sub-Saharan village of Djibo in the northern area of the country – a predominately Muslim area that formerly had been unreached. Thanks to years of tireless work by Dale, his family, and other missionaries in the area, and thanks to the goodness of God, the news of Christ was spread throughout the remote areas of the country, and many national churches were established almost eliminating the pressing need for foreign missionaries.

23 years later, Dale’s son Chad (now the lead pastor of Gateway Community Church in West Chester, Ohio) shared with his young congregation his developing vision and heart for the people of Burkina Faso. Excited by his vision and the opportunity to serve, the people at Gateway eagerly accepted the opportunity to partner with Central Assembly of God in Djibo, Burkina Faso, as a sister church.

On a recent trip back to the village where he had spent his childhood (see video from that trip here), Chad discovered that one of Central Assembly’s immediate needs was to double the size of its building – the church was overcrowded and bursting at the seams during services with people desperate to hear the teaching of Christ.  The cost to expand? $15,000.  The pastor and congregation of Central Assembly in Djibo did not have nearly enough funds to even begin to cover the expense.

After returning to the United States, Chad presented this need to his congregation, and although small, they readily accepted the opportunity to raise the funds necessary to expand the church over in Burkina Faso. Additionally, several people expressed interest in travelling to Burkina Faso to aid in the construction project. From this, a mission was born.

From left to right, Pastor Chad Fagerland, his father Dale (former missionary to Burkina Faso), and his brother Eric along with some of the residents of Djibo.

It did not take long before the news spread to other churches in the Cincinnati area.  Gateway’s other, more local sister church, Central Assembly of God in Over-the-Rhine (downtown Cincinnati), offered to help raise funds for the project and even send volunteers over on the trip to help construct the expansion.  Several other churches caught wind of the mission and offered assistance as well, giving Pastor Chad the opportunity to share the vision for Burkina Faso to other congregations in the greater Cincinnati area.

A Burkinabe child holding a photo of the Gateway Community Church congregation, which sent supplies and donations on a previous missions trip

Currently the people of Gateway and its partnering churches are working together on a grassroots level to raise $15,000 to assist 10 pastors in 10 villages complete their churches by proving them with a roof.  The interest level from friends and neighbors has been overwhelming, and those involved have been greatly humbled and amazed at God’s movement in what began as a small project among a single congregation.

In addition, many individuals from several Cincinnati-area churches plan to join Chad and his father Dale on a missions trip to the village of Djibo in the winter of 2012, where they will assist in projects such as construction, repairs, HIV/AIDS training in the schools and the annual Pastor’s Training Seminar. They will also be involved in adminstering basic medical attention to the people and distributing school supply packets to students.  Dale, who continues to train workers around the world to minister cross-culturally, has signed on as trip leader and will be providing us training in ministry, particularly to the people in Burkina Faso.

While the word has gotten out to many, we still need help in raising $15,000 for the “Raise the Roof” Campaign.  Furthermore, many individuals who feel God has led them to take the trip need outside assistance in raising the funds required to do so.  If you feel that God has impressed upon your heart to contribute to this cause, please see our “How you can help” page for more information on how to contribute. We are trusting God that He will work in a miraculous way in this undertaking, and we have already begun to experience His miracles!

“I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” – Isaiah 49:6