Applying the Gospel Study Bible
For Teens and College Students
This update is related to the God’s Design for the Church in Africa campaign.
A Need for Biblical Support
When Pastor Richard was given a copy of God’s Design for the Church, he quickly thought of how beneficial the book would be for his entire flock at Kweli Baptist Church in Katesh, Tanzania. He has been faithfully pastoring there since 2008 and has seen God’s Word at work in ways he could not have anticipated. He has also discovered that God’s Design for the Church speaks directly to foundational principles that needed clarification and reinforcement within his church.
Crossway first published God’s Design for the Church in English in 2020 as part of our effort to support global church leaders. The book’s author, Conrad Mbewe, has pastored in Zambia for decades and he regularly interacts with churches and leaders across the African continent. The Lord uniquely equipped him for compiling this “manual” on how to build a biblical church amid the particular challenges of the African context. The book quickly became a valuable resource for theological and ecclesial training across Africa. Then in 2024, because of God’s kindness through donors to Crossway’s Global Ministry Fund, Crossway collaborated with ministry partner Ekklesia Afrika for the translation, printing, and distribution of God’s Design for the Church in Swahili. This has extended the resource to the broader East African community, including Tanzania.
Kweli Baptist Church was founded in 2005 to reach the Barabai tribe who traditionally worships false gods and is weighed down by accompanying religious burdens. The region is also replete with churches that, as Pastor Richard explained, tragically use the Word of God to mislead people into reliance on good works, baptism, anointing oils, or speaking in tongues for salvation.
Pastor Richard and Kweli Baptist Church are regularly up against these realities that threaten to lead the congregation astray. That’s why, in 2024, he was thrilled for his whole congregation to receive copies of the Swahili translation of God’s Design for the Church. They welcomed the words of an older, wiser pastor who is familiar with the spiritual chaos that competes with God’s Word in their context. Pastor Joshua, who led the reading and study at the church, spoke of the profound impact of having read the book in their own language since it addresses foundational but sensitive topics like misconceptions about salvation and the church: “It really grounded our believers. It helped them realize that they are on the right path, especially when they were confused by what other groups are doing.”
To maximize the impact of the book, church members read and studied God’s Design for the Church together, pending almost two years working their way through its eighteen chapters. Pastor Joshua shared that “every student would read one chapter on their own throughout the month, and then we’d come together to dive deeper, ask questions, and make sure everyone really understood the material.” Taking time with each chapter further built the congregants’ confidence in the veracity of the biblical and historical evidence presented in the book.
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Guidance for the Flock
When asked about the chapters that have had the biggest impact, three of Kweli Baptist’s church leaders immediately spoke of those that address, “What is the church?” and “Who is qualified to be a member?” Pastor Joshua said that these chapters “help each person to first look at themselves and ask, ‘Am I truly a member of the body, or not?’” Pastor Richard spoke of these chapters bringing readers back to God’s perspective: “God looks at the church as his children who have been saved and gather with one purpose: to worship him and follow his Word.”
Elias, who serves as a deacon at Kweli Baptist, added, “The church is the people who have believed in Jesus. . . . If I am saved and living as a Christian, what am I supposed to do? I should pray, support others, love one another, and teach the Word. There’s a common idea that once people believe in Jesus and are saved, they just ‘exist’ and have no further responsibility to their local church. But we learned we actually have duties.” Some of these duties are for church members as individuals, and some are for the members together as a corporate body.
They were especially stirred to address the local church’s role in missions. Deacon Elias said, “We felt a sense of conviction that we were so far behind in that area. Our initial understanding was that missions were only for ‘outsiders’ or Westerners. People had various excuses, but it’s a biblical mandate for every church and believer to do missions.” Pastor Joshua added, “My biggest hope is to see the church truly grow. When people understand God’s purpose, you don’t have to keep begging them to go and share the gospel; they realize it’s their own responsibility.”
Another chapter that all three of the church leaders highlighted is the one on church discipline. In Pastor Richard’s words: “God opened the eyes of many to see how church discipline should be handled for the sake of restoration—not to kick someone out, but to pull them back and help them out of their situation. If it comes to removing someone from fellowship, that should be the last resort, not the first.” Pastor Joshua also pointed out that now he understands that, “If someone truly loves you, they will tell you the truth so you can correct your path.” The church is now biblically equipped on this sensitive but foundational topic, aware that discipline is a necessary part of a church’s long-term, healthy growth.
Guidance for the Shepherds
While this book emphasizes the church as a whole, Mbewe also speaks directly to church leaders—those who are often viewed as the ones with the power to initiate the change. Chapter seven asks and then answers the question, “Who should lead the church?” For these church leaders, it has provided a clear picture of why a pastor leads and what correct biblical authority looks like. This perspective has even impacted them personally.
Pastor Joshua reflects that, “It gave me, as a pastor, the confidence to lead effectively because I understood my role through a biblical lens.” Pastor Richard agreed, sharing that, “The book changed my preaching style. I used to think that being a good pastor meant I had to see people change immediately every time I preached or taught. I was trying to use the ‘power of persuasion’ to change someone, when I really only need to do one important thing: preach the Word. Lay the Bible open before them and let God do the changing. This has given me peace and joy in my heart.”
This book has blessed Swahili-speaking pastors throughout Tanzania and other parts of Africa. For many, this is the first time they’ve had the opportunity to read a theology book in their first language. In Deacon Elias’ words: “Getting books like this feels like a miracle. Thank you to Conrad Mbewe for being such a gifted writer. And we are so grateful to those who helped translate it into Swahili, because language is often our biggest barrier.”
Through the support of donors to Crossway’s Global Ministry Fund, it is a privilege to equip these brothers and sisters with wise, theologically sound guidance that reinforces their resolve to faithfully and fruitfully live out God’s Word in their God-appointed kingdom contexts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, lives are being transformed as biblical resources reach those who need them most.
“Pray for us here in Tanzania—that we would be able to spread these truths so that more churches can return to God’s original design for the church.” —Pastor Joshua
Pray that the Lord would work in the lives of those who have received training and resources, that they would be encouraged by the truth of God’s Word and in sharing it with others.