Little by little: A story of generosity from Sub-Saharan Africa
In 2016, when I first began serving with Community Bible Study (CBS) in Sub-Saharan Africa, all of our funding came from the United States. That was simply the way the ministry operated, from January to December each year.
We often heard stories about the generosity of our brothers and sisters from overseas in our CBS classes, of believers who faithfully prayed and gave financially to support the work in Africa. We were deeply grateful for them. Many CBS ambassadors even travelled across the U.S., raising funds, while others contributed from their own savings to support the ministry in their countries.
So in my mind, and I’ll speak personally here, it was like, “Wow, those brothers and sisters are really generous!” Generosity felt like something they did, not something we in Africa could lead.
Steve Omoding, CBS Leader, Sub-Saharan Africa
That was the status quo… until 2022.
That year, we welcomed a new director for CBS Sub-Saharan Africa: our brother Prosper Isichei from Nigeria. He came with a fresh perspective on generosity and giving to missions. He believed that we, too, in Africa, could be part of CBS’s mission, not out of a need for independence, but as co-workers in the gospel. He told us, “Africa is capable of generosity,” and he shared powerful stories to prove it.
I was among the first group of leaders to hear this message directly from him. We listened as our brother Kehinde Ojo spoke on biblical foundations of giving and local generosity, and I remember thinking, “Wait a minute—so we can do this too? Well… that’s fine.” (I’ll admit, my heart wasn’t fully convinced yet.)
In 2023, Prosper launched the SEED4SEED, a movement to raise funds from across the Sub-Saharan Africa region to provide Bibles and study materials to people in prisons and poverty-stricken areas. SEED4SEED takes place every May; it is a time when we reach out to believers and churches who are part of our CBS community and invite them to give to our mission work. You’re warmly invited to join us!
That first year, I gave, but reluctantly. I think I gave about $50.
A transforming encounter
Later that same year, I had the opportunity to travel with Prosper to Uganda. Throughout the trip, he kept talking about generosity. We visited the South Sudanese refugee camps, and there I encountered a story that both challenged and inspired me.
These brothers and sisters live in extremely difficult conditions, yet they gave generously, not because they had much, but because their hearts were full. Some gave chickens, others clothes, goats, or even portions of their daily food.
From that day onward, I purposed not only to become a SEED4SEED advocate but also to give more faithfully myself.
A personal commitment to give
Soon after, during one of our gatherings, I made a simple decision: I would give $1 a day. And for the past two years, by God’s grace, I’ve kept that commitment.
Through this journey, I’ve learned that generosity isn’t about how much you have; it’s about how open your heart and mind are to giving. Everyone, everywhere, can give.
There’s a Swahili proverb that says: “Kidogo kidogo, ujaza kibaba.” (Little by little, you fill the container.)
Today, across Sub-Saharan Africa, SEED4SEED continues to grow. In CBS, we’re not just raising funds, we’re cultivating a generosity attitude. And every May, during our Month of Generosity, we see giving rise steadily.
Even more importantly, by inviting Bible study participants and churches to give through our campaign, we have created a sense of ownership and belonging among CBS leaders, our church and school partners, and other well-wishers. We no longer feel like passive recipients; we are active participants in God’s mission right here in our region.
And let me testify: I have not lacked. Neither have our brothers and sisters who have given. We are seeing God’s hand supply what we need in ways that often surprise us. His faithfulness is real.
That’s why I can say with full confidence: It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Pastor Stephen Omoding at our Africa Roundtable Event in Limuru, February 2026
A story by Pastor Stephen Omoding, Community Bible Study (CBS) leader, Sub-Saharan Africa. Stephen was a participant at the Africa Roundtable on the Theology of Generosity and Fundraising, which took place in Limuru, Kenya, from 2 – 6 February 2026.
