God, why? Fifteen African pastors re-learn God’s answer

“God, why?”

You ask that. We ask it in Africa too.

Why this hardship? Why so much woe? Why does progress seem so slow? Our recent bachelor of divinity (BDiv) cohort wrestled with such questions.

In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading. That year, experienced African pastors started studying together. The graduates had hoped for BDiv degrees from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary. All in the group held theological diplomas.

Our cohort came from five countries—Cameroon, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Zambia. We began with gratitude. God had expanded the program beyond two countries. He had brought together pastors from across Africa. Yet concerns followed.

Why couldn’t we meet in person at first? Why did some pastors drop out? Why did some participants face serious hardships along the way?

Paul knew. He and Timothy thought they would die. God, why? Paul wrote, “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Corinthians 1:9).

Paul was describing God’s stunning way. By letting our strength fail, God leads his children to depend on his grace alone. Our African brothers learned that lesson repeatedly during six years of study.

Twice each year we gathered for short courses. Paul Nitz helped us become better listeners. Seminary professors Dave Bivens, John Schuetze, and Brad Wordell guided us into God’s Word. Al Sorum led us in street evangelism. Ken Cherney Jr. helped us see better the Spirit’s power.

We clapped and sang together. We prayed together. We studied together. We became brothers.

Along the way, we shared each other’s burdens. Ministry in Africa presents many challenges. Pastors face alcoholism, polygamy, syncretism (combination of forms of belief or practice) and tribalism in their communities. God, why? Financial pressures abound. God, why?

Some of our brothers endured especially painful trials. One pastor needed a second hip replacement after the first surgery failed. Another graduate’s wife nearly died from severe bleeding. God, why?

We kept seeing it. “This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.” Then, on May 28, 2026, we saw more.

Fifteen graduates processed into the Lutheran seminary chapel in Lusaka, Zambia. We belted out, “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Skip Goetzinger, director of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary’s Pastoral Studies Institute, urged us, “Preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2).

A local youth choir sang in Bemba, and the congregation worshiped in Chewa, English, and Swahili. Church leaders from Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zambia swelled our joy.

Soon afterward, the graduates boarded buses and planes for long journeys home.

To easier ministries now? No. As Paul says, there are still “conflicts on the outside, fears within” (2 Corinthians 7:5). Yet these pastors return home with love for each other. They have greater biblical knowledge, stronger skills, and new confidence in Christ.

One Kenyan graduate expresses the cohort’s gratitude: “Every day, as I prepare sermons and Bible study lessons, I am reminded of the invaluable knowledge and wisdom you imparted to us during our bachelor’s studies.”

These graduates are more ready when others ask, “God, why?”

In every hardship, God teaches his children not to rely on themselves, but on him, “God, who raises the dead.”

The same Shepherd who carried these pastors through six challenging years now sends them out again to preach Christ crucified, risen, reigning, and returning.

God’s answer to every “Why?” is Jesus.

Written by Dan Witte, missionary for the One Africa Team in Lusaka, Zambia