Annual Pastors’ Conference: Engaging, Equipping, and Empowering Pastors and Next Generation Leaders
June 2025 Impact Report
HopeCo’s Vision: Transformed Lives, Flourishing Communities
HopeCo exists to rescue children in East Africa from abuse, hunger, and exploitation. We are dedicated to helping them reach their full potential and become leaders and changemakers in their own nations. And we are passionate about seeing individuals, families, and whole communities transformed forever by the power of Jesus Christ!
2025 Pastor’s Conference theme:
STEWARDSHIP…God’s Plan to Provide for Your Life
On May 7, 2025, over 400 pastors filled the City of Hope multi-purpose facility to hear the Word of God, enjoy rich fellowship, and worship the Lord! Most had traveled 20-30 miles since the early morning hours, and a few had traveled from far-away Tanzanian cities and were accommodated at City of Hope. The three-day pastors’ conference hosted by City of Hope and sponsored and led by Good Shepherds Fellowship International (GSFI), affiliated with Love and Faith Christian Fellowship in Greensboro, NC, was a beautiful reminder of the hunger for God’s Word and the unity among spiritual leaders.
We thank our City of Hope staff who transported the pastors and leaders in our school bus to and from the event each day. Our local Good Shepherd’s committee organized church volunteers who cooked and served a delicious noon meal for all. Fifteen to twenty different denominations were represented. Our City of Hope worship team and other musicians from Kenya and Tanzania led in Spirit-filled worship and praise, and special music was provided by church choirs of attending pastors as well as our City of Hope choirs.
Bishop Michael Thomas was Dr. Chacha’s best friend. Through this friendship and through traveling and doing conferences together, Dr. Chacha helped Bishop Thomas develop a mission’s vision. Now, Bishop Thomas is carrying out a similar vision as Dr. Chacha originally had, but under the new banner of Good Shepherds Fellowship International. Our Annual Pastors’ Conference is another opportunity to encourage godly leadership.
This year’s conference was led by Bishop Michael Thomas, founder of GSFI, and Love and Faith Christian Fellowship. Others on the team included: Senior Pastor John Goins, Love and Faith Christian Fellowship, Pastor Leonard Miller, Love and Faith Christian Fellowship-Kernersville Campus, Apostles Solomon and Mina Ocran, GSFI Coordinators, and Apostle Harriett Dennis, GSFI Leader. The team led in teaching sessions, prayer, and question-and-answer sessions. On Sunday, they shared in various local churches and Pastor John spoke to our children.
These conferences help us encourage local pastors and stay connected with them. They also play an important role in building unity in the Body of Christ. Between these annual conferences, Zoom meetings with GSFI keep everyone connected and encouraged.
