Donate

Connecting Across Continents: Ashwood Church’s 10-Day Visit to Malawi

May 1, 2025

In April 2025, a dedicated team from Ashwood Church journeyed to Malawi to work with Hope Missions Ministries (HMM) under the Church Connection initiative facilitated through Links. Building on a partnership visit that began in 2019—with training in leadership, agriculture, education, and more—this visit aimed to share experience and help HMM build capacity in key areas of Faith, Healthcare, Education and Justice.

During the 10-day programme, the team focused on practical training sessions and existing programme development. Sessions included Leadership Character development for pastors and local leaders working with both HMM and the Evangelical Alliance of Malawi (EAM), interactive training for preschool and Sunday school teachers, and the SHINE Community Healthcare programme was introduced to a new community HMM work alongside. In addition, Women Empowerment groups addressed period poverty and enhanced their tailoring skills, while Youth Ministry and Sport Outreach supported recent HMM church planting efforts.
The visit began with a joint time of prayer and a clear outline of the schedule between the teams. It is amazing to see the growth of the relationship and connection between the two churches. As an orientation day, the teams visited Lemisi Village to gain firsthand insight into everyday rural life in Malawi, from cooking and community events to water collection and home maintenance. Over the next three days, some sessions were held at Kuwala Baptist Church and in rural churches with EAM, where groups focused separately on Women Empowerment and Leadership Character Development, providing a balanced mix of technical training and practical biblical insights.
A break in the middle of the schedule allowed the team a fun and refreshing safari visit to Liwonde National Park. Returning to work, the Ashwood team served at Kuwala Baptist Church by leading Bible study groups and a main service that brought together three congregations, with over 30 church members receiving time for healing and counsel.

The final few days in the Kayabwa area emphasized Youth Ministry through sports outreach, with additional leadership training, and sessions with community volunteers to launch the SHINE programme in a new village, as well as support for pre-school teachers across 6 HMM schools connected to their church plants.
This visit reinforces that with continued relational development and effective facilitation via Links and our partners, more global Church Connections can be developed to serve vulnerable communities both at home and abroad.
"Thank you so much for the opportunity, what an incredible experience. I can't wait for God to send me again!" Abby Clark
"We're delighted as a church to be continuing to work through Links with Hope Missions, and also the ongoing partnership with Links itself. A sense that the church is making a difference, in a tangible way and that we are connected with our brothers and sisters in Christ too is wonderful." Matt Bell
"I enjoyed working as a team and seeing everyone doing so well. Also meeting old friends and making new ones! Lots of laughing!" Mandy Walker

We are so grateful for our amazing partnerships with Hope Missions and Ashwood Church! We are in it together!

Comunidad Mosaic in Tierra Grata

June 30, 2025

Recently our partners Comunidad Mosaic travelled to Tierra Grata in Colombia to input into the community. With the support of Links, a fledgling new church plant has begun.

Read more

The Power of Regular Giving

June 30, 2025

Here are a few reasons why giving regularly to Links is so important to us and the work we carry out around the world.

Read more

Links Church Connect

June 2, 2025

Have you and your church family ever wanted to connect with local church and their communities around the world? Here at Links we have decades of experience connecting with local church and faith based organisations globally.

Read more

Thank You, Volunteers - The Heart of Our Mission

June 1, 2025

At the heart of everything we do are the incredible people who choose to give their time, energy, and compassion to help others.

Read more

Trauma-Informed Mental Health

June 1, 2025

This past month in Malawi, one of our Act4You accounts and partner ministries, 360Life with Helen Harrison, facilitated training on the trauma-informed approach to mental health.

Read more