Newsletters

WHY WE WANT TO PLANT A CHURCH IN THE US

by Isaac Chitibwi, Lusaka, Zambia (December 16, 2025)

Our desire to come to the United States is more than a personal wish; it’s a story of obedience. Sombo and I are driven by the scripture, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel.” This is not just words to us; it is the Great Commission, and we must obey it.

We first visited the US in 2023. We loved seeing the development, the order, and the rule of law in the States. But it was sobering to see the reality of human sin. We realized people everywhere, regardless

of economic status, need a savior. Behind the beautiful buildings were stories of deep brokenness. We visited some churches and saw how the church is advancing, but we also noticed an opportunity. It felt as though God was showing us how our own experiences in Africa could be a blessing in the United States. 

In Africa we know that prayer moves things. We learned to operate with faith as our currency and the Word of God as our absolute authority. By God’s grace we have planted several churches from scratch, often without any outside support. Through prayer, we have seen God change hearts, rebuild families, and strengthen communities. Faith became our foundation. God forged in us a testimony of absolute dependence on Him.

Here in Zambia, we met four teenage boys from broken homes. They carried hurt, anger, and confusion. Their fathers were absent. By eighth grade these boys had already started drinking. We chose to walk with them. We prayed with them, taught them scripture, and created a place where they felt seen. God changed their lives. They grew into young men with purpose. Some finished university and are now working, the first in their families to reach that level. Through them, we learned how God moves when young people encounter Jesus and receive consistent discipleship.

These experiences built our burden for the next generation. Young people respond when someone invests time, listens, and believes in them. We believe the same is true in the US. We want to build a church that walks with people as they discover purpose, healing, and spiritual clarity. We want to guide those who feel lost, and we want to raise leaders who will serve others with integrity and maturity.

Our Hope

Our hope is to bring this testimony with us. We see the spiritual darkness and we are willing to confront it with prayer. We are so grateful for the training we have received from Kairos on church planting and cultural differences, and we are thankful for their continued support as we step out in faith. 

Nothing is more satisfying than seeing that new life in Jesus begin. When a new person comes to faith, a light turns on in a dark room. God replaces confusion, burdens, and brokenness with a new peace and a new identity. 

The hope we find in Jesus is total, not just a hope for heaven, but a hope for today. Your past does not have to define your future. Your sins can be truly forgiven. Your life can have eternal purpose. Hope moves us from a life of striving to a life of obedience and grace. This is the hope that transformed our lives. It is this hope—this story—that we feel called to share in the United States.