by Clement and Lydia Ior — Nigeria
A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I, the LORD, will hasten it in its time. - Isaiah 60:22
God’s work of redemption is vast, yet it often advances through quiet, ordinary acts of obedience. Again and again, Scripture shows us that God’s purposes do not depend on human prominence or impressive beginnings. He works through people who are willing to trust Him and take the next faithful step.
Jesus entrusted the Great Commission to a small group of ordinary people and called them to make disciples of all nations. The task was never simply to gather a crowd; it was to help people follow Him and equip them to help others do the same. This vision continues to shape our lives and ministry. We are recipients of God’s grace, and we want to pass on what we have received. We depend on Him to help us remain faithful, invest in people intentionally, and keep the chain of discipleship moving from one person to another. Here are some glimpses of how God is working among us in Nigeria.
Laying the Foundation for a Lifetime of Discipleship
At the beginning of the new academic session, we organized a welcome outing at a retreat center for newly admitted university students who had expressed an interest in discipleship following one-on-one conversations and witnessing.
Starting university is exciting, but it also brings new relationships, responsibilities, questions, and decisions. We wanted these students to understand what discipleship means, why it matters, and how following Jesus can shape their university experience. Most importantly, we wanted them to know that they would not have to navigate this season alone. We are ready to walk alongside them, trusting God to use us to offer spiritual guidance, mentorship, encouragement, and support as they grow in Christ.
The outing gave us time to share, teach, fellowship, and dine together. More than a welcome event, it was an opportunity to begin building relationships in which questions could be asked, faith could be nurtured, and practical support could be offered. We hope these connections will grow into a meaningful discipleship journey, helping the students become grounded in Christ and, in time, make disciples themselves.
Our prayer is that this event will mark the start of a fruitful discipleship journey, helping them grow in Christ and, in time, become disciple-makers themselves.
A Visit That Strengthened Fellowship
One of the highlights of this year was the visit of Bart and Craig to Nigeria to encourage us. Although we have stayed connected through Zoom meetings, WhatsApp calls, and emails, meeting in person brought a different depth to our fellowship. We were grateful for the opportunity to welcome them into our home and share time together with many of the disciples.
Our home was full of life, with 21 people, young and old, gathered together in our four-bedroom apartment. Despite the limited space, there was an abundance of joy, warmth, and fellowship. We prayed, studied God’s Word, worshipped, shared stories, served one another in love, and enjoyed spontaneous conversations that brought laughter and strengthened our bonds. The experience reminded us that genuine Christian fellowship is not dependent on perfect conditions or spacious surroundings, but on hearts willing to make room for one another. As we shared our home and lives, we were mutually encouraged, our relationships deepened, and we gained a renewed appreciation for the beautiful family God is building through discipleship.
One Big Family
Investing in the Faithful Who Will Invest in Others
Paul’s instruction to his long-time disciple in 2 Timothy 2:2 provides a clear picture of spiritual multiplication: what we have received must be entrusted to faithful people who will, in turn, be equipped to teach others. This principle is becoming evident in Jos, Nigeria, where God is doing remarkable things through discipleship among University students and people outside the university community. We are encouraged by the examples of Rev. and Mrs. Jacob Joji and Pastor and Mrs. Scout Goje, whose lives demonstrate the impact of faithfully investing in others. Their examples remind us that we do not have to learn everything before we can begin discipling others. What matters is a willing heart, faithfulness to what we have received, and a commitment to walking alongside others as we all grow in Christ. In this way, the gospel is passed from one to another - disciples become disciple-makers, allowing the work of multiplication to continue across generations.
Meet the Jojis
Rev. and Mrs. Joji serve with the Baptist Church in Jos, Plateau State. Although we live in the same community, we became connected through a referral from Pastor Massauso, a Disciplers International Ministry Partner from Zimbabwe. We are encouraged by their intentional response to what they are learning. Rather than waiting until they had completed every step of the discipleship program, they began sharing with others what they were already receiving.
Their location beside a Baptist seminary has opened a natural opportunity to minister to seminary students. After learning the prayer of commitment, some of the students asked for their spouses to receive the training too, so that they could grow together. Rev. Joji reaches out to the men, while his wife, Sarah, intentionally disciples women. Their example reminds us that discipleship can extend beyond an individual to a household and a wider community. We are grateful for their willingness to take what they have learned and put it into practice. We trust God to continue multiplying this investment in His time.
Meet the Gojes
Scout and Suzie Goje serve at Bethany Christian Academy. Scout is a house parent responsible for the junior boys’ hostel, while Suzie teaches in the primary school. Though they are still in training themselves, they are already thinking about the people God has placed within their reach and the legacy they can leave through faithful service.
They are choosing not to bury what they have received while waiting for a greater opportunity. Scout has begun mobilising fellow staff members and friends, following the pattern of Andrew, who brought his brother to Jesus after discovering the Messiah himself. Their example is a practical reminder that multiplication can begin with the people already around us. We do not have to wait until we feel fully equipped or have extensive resources; we can begin with what God has placed in our hands and remain teachable as we continue to grow.
“Greetings to You All!”
Paul’s greeting, “Greet the church that meets in their house,” resonates deeply with our family. We have come to see the home not merely as a private space, but also as a place for hospitality, fellowship, and spiritual growth to flourish. Step-by-Step discipleship in our experience, is far more than a cliché—it is the blueprint of how God works in our lives.
When we married in October 2010, God placed a vision in our hearts: to use our home to serve Him, welcome people, and help shape lives for Christ. We hoped to have a home of our own within the first five years of marriage, but the journey unfolded more slowly than we had imagined. We had to learn that a God-given vision still requires patience, trust, and faithfulness through each stage.
During the first 10 years of our marriage, we acquired a piece of land. In 2021, we took another step by obtaining building plans and excavating. Then, in August 2025, we succeeded in roofing our future home. Progress was gradual, but the vision remained. Disciplers International stepped in with support that helped move the project from a slow, steady process to completion. Today, our home/ministry center is a dedicated space for hospitality, discipleship, and serving God’s kingdom.
We are deeply grateful to Disciplers International for the generosity that helped turn a long-held hope into a practical ministry resource. This support means more than the completion of a building: it helps provide a place where people can gather, grow, and be encouraged in their walk with Christ.
A photograph can show the finished building, but behind it lies a story of prayer, patience, gradual progress, and the kindness of people who chose to walk alongside us.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us move towards the vision God placed in our hearts. We pray that this home will continue to serve His purposes and that the people who gather here will, in turn, invest in others.
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