True Greatness is Serving: Lessons from Africa
But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. — Mark 10:44-45
I recently returned from a two-week trip to Africa—first to Nigeria, then to Zambia for the second time this year. This was my first visit to Nigeria, a country the U.S. State Department lists as unsafe for travel. You’ve likely heard of the many Christians who have been persecuted or even killed, especially in northern Nigeria.
When we arrived in Abuja, we were met by our partner on the ground, Dr. Albert Samson, along with a full security detail—two armed Nigerian police officers and two armed private security contractors. It felt excessive at first, but it was their way of ensuring my safety.
The next afternoon, when we arrived at King’s Worship Chapel in Kaduna for their celebration service, we were greeted by paparazzi, press, and church members taking photos and videos. So much for a “low-profile” missionary trip!
The worship was beautiful, and I was blessed to teach from the pulpit to a crowd of about 350 people. Afterward, I was escorted outside to give media interviews about Nigeria, business development, clean water projects, and vocational training through the Theo-Tech College’s sewing and tailoring programs for young women. It felt surprisingly high-profile—and honestly, a bit uncomfortable. I share this not to dramatize the experience, but to express the tension I felt. As a servant of the Lord, I became uncomfortable with how much attention was on me instead of on the ministry—and certainly not nearly enough on our Savior, Jesus Christ, who makes all this possible.
Despite the warm hospitality, I wrestled with the feeling that somewhere along the way, the focus had shifted from serving others to honoring the visitors. Albert and his team were considerate and thoughtful—they wanted us to be secure and respected. But the verses from Mark 10 began to resonate deeply: “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve.”
We were in Nigeria to share hope and love—through water wells that now serve nearly 30,000 people, and through the Theo-Tech College, which was built through our shared vision and funding. Yet even as I reflected on these blessings, God was teaching me again what true greatness and true leadership mean. Jesus redefined leadership as humble service. Albert and his pastors wanted to honor us, but what they were really doing—serving others with such care and dedication—was exactly what Jesus modeled. To lead like Him is to serve those considered “the least,” not to seek position or praise.
That truth became my greatest takeaway from the trip. Usually, when I return from the mission field, I feel grateful for how I’ve been able to serve those less fortunate. But this time, I was struck by how much the people we met wanted to serve and learn. They were hungry for guidance—not just spiritual, but practical. When we left Nigeria, we carried with us 27 business plans from pastors—each seeking small investments to launch sustainable enterprises. The total funding requested for all of them combined was just over $100,000 USD. What a testimony to their vision and faith!
As believers, we must define success differently. Community, wealth, and recognition are not measures of leadership. Humble service is. Real ministry is done not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of those we serve.
Looking back a week after returning home, I can’t shake how powerfully God used me to preach and teach on vision, mission, and leadership. I delivered seven talks in nine days—not as the “star of the show,” but as a servant sharing what God placed on my heart.
What did I gain?
The honor of serving God and His people in Africa. Jesus told His followers that He would be crucified, yet He still led them forward. His selfless service empowered others, engaged the human spirit, and brought out the very best in those who followed Him.
As we approach the end of 2025, I ask you to consider: How can you serve others you may never meet—through your time, energy, and resources—to create a brighter future?
Because ultimately, I want to serve—
not for recognition, but because it’s the right thing to do.
To God Be the Glory
Byron
Visit to the Widows Center where a water well and drilled and installed by HIM.