{"id":27282,"date":"2025-06-13T10:38:53","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T08:38:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/?p=27282"},"modified":"2025-06-20T20:03:39","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T18:03:39","slug":"visions-dreams-serving-with-purpose-in-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/visions-dreams-serving-with-purpose-in-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"Visions &amp; Dreams: Serving with Purpose in Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"ghostkit-video ghostkit-custom-Z10nQld\" data-video-type=\"yt_vm_video\" data-video=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/hc5wvVhnOtA?si=5FR1xqEOoDUNYJQp\" data-video-aspect-ratio=\"16:9\" data-video-volume=\"100\" data-click-action=\"plain\"><div class=\"ghostkit-video-play-icon\"><svg class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M5 4.83167C5 4.0405 5.87525 3.56266 6.54076 3.99049L17.6915 11.1588C18.3038 11.5525 18.3038 12.4475 17.6915 12.8412L6.54076 20.0095C5.87525 20.4373 5 19.9595 5 19.1683V4.83167Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/svg><\/div><div class=\"ghostkit-video-loading-icon\"><span class=\"ghostkit-svg-icon ghostkit-icon-spinner\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201c<em>In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Acts 2:17 (NIV)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For the past few years, Dr. Mark and Lin Ottenweller have been leading a special group of mature disciples \u2013 a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amaafrica.org\/visionsanddreams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visions &amp; Dreams<\/a> team \u2013 on life-changing trips to Africa. These 10-14-day journeys are all about meeting both physical and spiritual needs in communities across the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Each trip brings together brothers, sisters, and their friends who are eager to serve. Whether it\u2019s through their spiritual gifts, professional expertise, or natural talents, everyone plays a meaningful role in addressing needs identified by local leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently, the team traveled to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they worshipped with the local congregation, taught practical, skill-based lessons, and partnered with local charities to serve the poor. Of course, it wasn\u2019t all service without joy. The group also enjoyed the richness of South African culture\u2014tasting local dishes and marveling at the wildlife in Big Five country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visions &amp; Dreams<strong> <\/strong>is part of the African Missions Association (AMA<strong>) <\/strong>and helps support the AMA\u2019s mission of equipping and resourcing<strong> <\/strong>ICOC churches throughout Africa. Their next mission trip will take place in Ghana from October 3\u201313, 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want to be part of something bigger or simply learn more? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amaafrica.org\/visionsanddreams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">AMA website<\/a> for more details and upcoming opportunities to serve. Or email <a href=\"mailto:Mark.Ottenweller@africavisionsanddreams.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mark.Ottenweller@africavisionsanddreams.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Mark and Lin Ottenweller lead short-term mission trips to Africa, serving spiritual and physical needs through the Visions &#038;&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":27295,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[71],"tags":[51],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-27282","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-africa"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ottenwellers-visions-and-dreams.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"Sunday Awolowo","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/sawolowo\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-762","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5127,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/first-international-youth-and-family-conference-in-west-africa1\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":0},"title":"First International Youth and Family Conference in West Africa","author":"dtadmin","date":"August 23, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"The Lagos church held their first ever International Youth & Family Conference in West Africa entitled, \u201cBuilding Strong Families.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Families&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Families","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/families\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/west_africa_bldg_strong_families_Vd7yQoq3TMqH8p94uxLb-560x747-1.jpg?fit=560%2C747&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/west_africa_bldg_strong_families_Vd7yQoq3TMqH8p94uxLb-560x747-1.jpg?fit=560%2C747&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/west_africa_bldg_strong_families_Vd7yQoq3TMqH8p94uxLb-560x747-1.jpg?fit=560%2C747&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":158,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/remember-your-visions-and-dreams\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":1},"title":"Remember Your Visions and Dreams","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"August 19, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"One of the greatest blessings of being older is to have so many \u201cstones of remembrance\u201d that remind me of the powerful ways God has worked in my life.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/08\/baird_family_-_7-3-08.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2270,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/beam-missions-foundation-global-connect-forum\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":2},"title":"Beam Missions Foundation Global Connect Forum","author":"dtadmin","date":"September 22, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Recently the Beam Missions Foundation hosted a first of its kind event. The BMF Global Connect Forum, entitled \u201cThe Young will See Visions, The Old will Dream Dreams\u201d brought together teachers, directors and students from its schools worldwide. Participants were able to share good news, dream for the future, and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/BMFForum-Directors-teachersandalumnifromLatinAmericaSchoolofMissionsinMexicoCity-MexicoCityEldership.png?fit=600%2C424&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/BMFForum-Directors-teachersandalumnifromLatinAmericaSchoolofMissionsinMexicoCity-MexicoCityEldership.png?fit=600%2C424&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/BMFForum-Directors-teachersandalumnifromLatinAmericaSchoolofMissionsinMexicoCity-MexicoCityEldership.png?fit=600%2C424&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":82,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/lets-get-it-started\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":3},"title":"Let\u2019s Get It Started","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"September 17, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"On Friday, August 29th the Singles Service Team (SST) met face to face for the first time at the inaugural International Singles Conference (ISC), Dreams & Visions, in Dallas, Texas.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":171,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/turning-points-for-the-icoc-at-the-2010-international-leadership-conference\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":4},"title":"Turning Points for the ICOC at the 2010 International Leadership Conference","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"September 28, 2010","format":false,"excerpt":"The 2010 International Leadership Conference marked significant turning points for the International Churches of Christ. The beginning of a new decade marked a new Spirit of focus on the Mission and faith for the future. Thousands of disciples from around Florida joined the 2,000 ILC participants from over 60 countries\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/2010-ILC-Sunday-screen-web-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/2010-ILC-Sunday-screen-web-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/2010-ILC-Sunday-screen-web-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/2010-ILC-Sunday-screen-web-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/09\/2010-ILC-Sunday-screen-web-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C799&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1924,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/london-church-40th-anniversary-celebration-this-september\/","url_meta":{"origin":27282,"position":5},"title":"London Church 40th Anniversary Celebration this September","author":"dtadmin","date":"July 5, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The London Church turns 40 this year! We will be celebrating this on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September 2022. In the past 40 years God has done great things amongst us and taught us many lessons. We\u2019ve also seen God stir many hearts and inspire both the new and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;News&quot;","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Londonbridge.jpeg?fit=700%2C546&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Londonbridge.jpeg?fit=700%2C546&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Londonbridge.jpeg?fit=700%2C546&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Londonbridge.jpeg?fit=700%2C546&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/ottenwellers-visions-and-dreams.jpg?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27282","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27282"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27282\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27313,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27282\/revisions\/27313"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27295"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27282"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27282"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27282"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=27282"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}