21/03/2026
Dear Friends and Partners,
Greetings from South Africa! Time has flown by, and as we approach the end of March, I am filled with gratitude. The first 70 days of this year have been a powerful testament to God’s faithfulness, revealing His amazing plans for me personally and for our ministry. I’m excited to share with you how the Lord is strengthening our team, adding new members, and setting a clear course for the future.
Committed to the Cause: Our 2026 Vision
A key focus for us this year is our theme: “Be Committed,” rooted in Romans 12:1. This conviction grew in me during the second half of 2025—that we, as missionaries and as a ministry team, must be wholly dedicated to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20).
For us, “Be Committed” means moving beyond a task-oriented mindset to embrace a lifestyle of discipleship. Our aim is two-fold:
Everyone on our team makes disciples.
We make disciples in every ministry we are involved in.
We are not just running programs; we are building a sustainable, disciple-making ministry focused on seeing young people take their next step in Jesus.
Building a Stronger Team: New Faces, Unified Vision.
One of the greatest encouragements has been witnessing how God is actively building our team. He is not just adding numbers, but the exact people we need.
A Unified Start: In January, our team gathered for a dedicated week of prayer, equipping, and fellowship. This time was vital for casting vision, reviewing our course, and solidifying our unity and love for one another.
New Missionaries & Staff: The Lord has significantly strengthened our ranks.
Filipe & Nayara Neves have joined us after 10 years of service in Mozambique and about 1 year in Uganda. Their leap of faith to join our team has been a blessing from day one.
Ari visited South Africa as on a short-term student mission in 2025, and has now joined us through the WOL Launch program. She is a gift, revitalizing our social media presence and telling our story with over 20,000 views in February alone.
Grace is our new national staff member. We have long needed a female discipler, and Grace’s decision to join us for the long term is a direct answer to prayer.
Simiso & Topollo, our 2025 interns, have chosen to stay as national staff. We have mentored them since their time at our Discipleship Training Centre, and we are thrilled to see them step into leadership, with a vision to become career missionaries.
Each of these members is a divine appointment, arranged by God to equip our body for the work He has called us to. Apostle Paul teaches that “But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.” (1 Corinthians 12:18 NASB).
From Cape Town to Durban: Highlights of Impact
With a stronger, unified team, we have been actively serving and building partnerships across South Africa. Our pace has been intense, but the fruit is evident.
Strengthening Partnerships: Lucy and I have been visiting churches in Johannesburg, neighboring provinces, and our main partners in Cape Town. These visits are about listening to the challenges and opportunities local churches face, and finding ways our team can serve them.
Youth Leader Gatherings:
In Johannesburg, we hosted 87 youth leaders from 23 churches. This led to individual follow-up meetings, potential new Bible clubs, and a collective agreement to collaborate on evangelism and discipleship.
In Durban, we gathered 15 leaders from 5 churches. One church has already begun using our curriculum, with our missionary Joshua training their leaders. We’ve also created a WhatsApp group to share resources and prayer requests.
On-the-Ground Ministry:
S’bu led a youth leadership training at a church in Johannesburg South.
In Cape Town, Lucy and I trained a local church’s children’s and youth leaders, and I had the privilege of preaching and discipling young adults from our January camp.
Oliver and Emma successfully led a local church’s teen camp on our property for the first time—a great step in their growth.
During a 6-day trip to Durban, I preached at two churches, and one church has already mobilized with us to host a discipleship strategy meeting on May 9th.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps & How You Can Partner
This is only the beginning. Our vision remains clear: to see South African young people take their next step in Jesus. To that end, our next steps are:
Equipping Our Team: We are seeking good training to help our national staff grow as fruitful disciple-makers.
Developing Leaders: We will support our CCIers and Launch team member, Ari, in their growth and service.
Filling Key Needs: We are praying for:
One person to serve in Admin & Finance.
One person to help maintain our property and buildings.
One or two people to serve with our Durban operation.
Prayer Requests:
Funding: For our national team members to be fully funded.
Projects: For wisdom as we get quotes for upcoming projects and begin raising funds.
Our Travel: For Lucy and I as we prepare to visit Hong Kong, China, and the US soon. More details to come!
How to Support Our Team:
If you would like to receive newsletters from or support our individual missionaries, please feel free to email me at [email protected], and I will connect you directly.
Thank you for your faithful prayers and partnership. We are grateful to be serving our King together with you.
For His Kingdom,
Arthur Yang
Field Director, Word of Life South Africa
Please follow our IG account: woroflifesouthafrica, for immnediate ministry updates.
or follow our FB page: https://www.facebook.com/login/?next=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fwolsouthafrica
Photo links:
A local church camp at WOLZA: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolza/albums/72177720332317788
Tuesday's soccer ministry: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolza/albums/72177720332202612
Wednesday;s Larsens ministry: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolza/albums/72177720332220427
Thursday's Zandspruit ministry: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wolza/albums/72177720332283294
