SEARCHLIGHT IN AFRICA

1995 The English edition of "Light for Life" begins to be distributed in Nigeria by Samuel Emeruwa and his twin brother, Allen, who is a pastor in southern Nigeria.

Samuel and Irene Emeruwa with Anne Barton

1997 "Light for Life" begins to be distributed in Ghana, including the Evangelical Christian Students' Fellowship, reaching universities across the country.

2000 After nearly five years of repeated delays due to conflicts between Muslims and Christians, Bruce Garrison and Mike Barton are finally able to travel to Nigeria for two interdenominational teaching conferences (just weeks after 3,000 people are killed in violence in the city of Kaduna). "Light for Life" circulation increases significantly as a result of this visit.

Pastors conference in Bida, Nigeria

2000 Mike Barton and Bruce Garrison make a return visit to Africa, this time going much further south to Malawi and Mozambique in central Africa. They travel into the "bush country" on the border of the two needy countries, usually visiting three or four churches each day. Seeing the enormous need for discipleship in faith and practice, Searchlight commits to publishing a Chichewa translation of Andrew Murray's book for new Christians, Living the New Life.

2001 The French edition of "Light for Life" is published and begins to reach 13 African countries.

2002 A visit by Mike and Anne Barton to Nigeria results in Searchlight establishing affiliates in that country. This will mean greater cooperation and coordination in use of Searchlight resources, and teaching and training.
»read more about Nigeria affiliates

Mike and Anne Barton present a
Certificate of Achievement to a student
at "Christ House Trust," Searchlight's
affiliate in Jos, Nigeria

2002 A visit to Malawi and Botswana results in a new affiliate being established in Malawi. This results in Searchlight becoming involved in the building of a church, supplying water wells for two villages, sending 50 goats for villagers to maintain, supporting several high school students, and beginning work on a medical clinic for the village and surrounding areas. All this is done through the faithfulness and specific gifts of Searchlight supporters.
»read more about Searchlight in Malawi

During this same visit, Kubadwa Kwatsopano, the book by Andrew Murray is taken to Malawi to be distributed in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe for use as a discipleship course for churches in those countries.

Young people and pastors in Malawi
proudly display their new books in their
own Chichewa language.

2004 Searchlight begins work on reprinting and expanding "Life on the Highest Plane," a three-part Correspondence Course originally written by Ruth Paxson in 1928 for Moody Bible Institute and several missionary organizations. Searchlight and their affiliates will use this to strengthen the spiritual life and understanding of pastors and church leaders across Africa and other parts of the world.

2005 Searchlight begins to receive requests for work in Kenya. This is followed by contacts from Tanzania asking for a Swahili translation of "Light for Life" for Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi. As finances are available, Searchlight will pursue this wonderful new opportunity in east Africa.

God willing, Searchlight's future in Africa will involve more training of church leaders, further conferences, producing literature in new languages, and developing affiliates to help strengthen the spiritual life of Christians across the continent.

» to read more about Searchlight's activity in Africa

» back to Searchlight History