Major 2026 Advances for Songs for Saplings in East Africa

As many of you know, Levi Dannayo has been working on the Saplings team in Malawi for over 16 years. He works teaching the Questions with Answers in Malawi in the native language of Chichewa. He teaches teachers in public schools, leads music at camps with hundreds of kids, and trains church workers around the country.

Over the last two years our focus has increasingly been forming partnerships and sharing Songs for Saplings resources with churches and ministry leaders across East Africa. 

Recently we have had breakthroughs with several East African ministry leaders and organizations, opening doors for the continued spread of Songs for Saplings throughout Africa. 

We have 4 major news items for you to know and pray about:

1. Acceptance of Songs for Saplings Malawi as a “Malawi Council of Churches Affiliate”.

   
   

In February, we saw a long-time prayer come to fruition when Saplings gained affiliation with the Malawi Council of Churches (MCC). MCC is an umbrella organization representing churches throughout Malawi. There is so much false teaching spreading throughout East Africa, and MCC stands as a bulwark against this by carefully vetting organizations before accepting them to be partners.

This partnership gives us even more credibility and allows us to easily connect with even more churches across the country.

“We met the General Secretary of the MCC, Reverend Chikondi, and had a lengthy discussion about Songs for Saplings and its request to become a member of MCC.  Now, by the grace of God, our request was granted.

Levi with Reverend Chikondi, General Secretary of MCC

During our discussions Rev. Chikondi told us how happy he is that there is an organization in Malawi focused on children’s discipleship through music, and that the music is purely based on Scripture. He knew of no other program like this.’”

Our next step with MCC. MCC has invited Songs for Saplings to participate in the upcoming African Council of Churches conference where Levi will have the opportunity to meet church leaders from across Africa and share the resources, vision, and testimonies of Songs for Saplings.

2. Kenya’s Assemblies of God Children’s Program

   
   

In early April, Levi was invited to lead more than 2,600 children and pastors at the annual Assemblies of God (AOG) children’s camp in Kenya. During his session, he taught the songs in Swahili and introduced the AOG children' s pastors to the Questions with Answers music in English and Swahili.

Levi teaching Songs for Saplings music in Kenya at the Assemblies of God national children’s conference.

Following the session, Levi met with over 50 AOG ministry leaders to discuss ways the music could be used in Kenyan churches through teaching and discipleship. The Songs for Saplings music was then distributed to everyone at no cost for their use!

Introducing New East African Staff and Opportunities in Kenya

We are excited to announce that Patrick Korash is joining the Songs for Saplings team in Kenya. Patrick will teach Songs for Saplings music, distribute resources, and continue building ministry partnerships throughout the country. Over the past months, Levi has been training and working closely alongside Patrick, helping prepare him for this role.

Levi and Patrick on the road in Kenya

In May, Levi and Patrick met with Pastor Theu, the National Director of Children’s Ministry for the Assemblies of God in Kenya, along with his wife. 

During this meeting, Patrick was formally introduced as the Songs for Saplings representative in Kenya. Together, they scheduled a Songs for Saplings teacher training for August in Kenya as well as teaching the music in Swahili in district camps.

Levi, Patrick, Pastor Theu, and his wife following their meeting 

3. Working with Scripture Union in Kenya

   
   

Scripture Union is one of the world’s oldest evangelical Christian ministries focused on Bible engagement, evangelism, and discipleship, especially among children and young people. 

It began in England in 1867 and has since grown into a network of autonomous ministries operating in more than 130 countries. Its core mission is helping people encounter God through Scripture and grow as followers of Christ.

Most exciting for us, Scripture Union works in more than 7,000 schools in Kenya!

Levi and Korash recently met with Mr. Ezekiel, the National Director of Scripture Union Kenya. He expressed interest in using Songs for Saplings resources to help children learn Scripture through music in their programs. 

Since then, we have formed an official partnership! As part of this partnership, Levi will participate in an online staff meeting introducing Songs for Saplings to more than 500 volunteer teachers! 

They are also discussing the possibility of using our solar-powered audio devices to help bring these resources to children in areas with limited internet and electricity access.

Levi, Patrick, & the National Director of Scripture Union 

What a year!

We are deeply thankful for all the great growth in Malawi and Kenya, and are grateful for your prayer and financial support as God continues to provide and for the work Levi and Patrick are doing in East Africa. 

When you think of us, please pray that these relationships continue to grow and bear fruit for the Gospel!

Also, if you ever hear of anyone working with Malawi (Chichewa) or Kenya (Swahili) who would appreciate knowing about our free resources, please introduce them to us.

We believe that the future of the Christian church will be Africans. It is predicted that Africa will have over 800 million baptized Christians by the end of this decade. But African leaders tell us that the faith and knowledge of their people is mile wide and an inch deep.

They see our scripture-base and truth-saturated music as the key to raising the next generation Christians in Africa with a deep understanding of Scripture and theology. If you want to support this work. You can give to our ministry here,

and access our resources here. 

- James Dirksen, Executive Director for the whole Songs for Saplings Team