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Ranja Ramaromanana – Reaching the youth and the deaf community with the gospel
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From Participating in On-demand Courses to Promoting Impact in the EPSA Region
Serving as an ordained pastor with the Assemblies of God Church in Nairobi, Kenya, I have dedicated my life to equipping youth leaders and nurturing a generation of godly young people across the region. My passion for spiritual care also led me to serve as a chaplain with Beacon of Hope, where I provided pastoral care and discipleship to staff, beneficiaries, and the wider community, fostering hope, resilience, and spiritual growth.
My journey with Global Trust Partners (GTP) began in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people explored new opportunities for learning and growth online. I enrolled in the Journey of Empowerment (JOE) course, which deeply inspired me through both the richness of the content and the passion of the facilitators.
That experience ignited a desire to explore GTP more deeply. Through the Teamwork program, I discovered peer accountability groups (PAGs), including the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) in the United States and the African Council for Accreditation and Accountability (AfCAA) in Africa. Discovering these networks broadened my understanding of how biblical accountability can strengthen churches and Christian organizations worldwide.
Stephen attending the When Money Goes on Mission course
Later that same year, I participated in the When Money Goes on Mission course, which significantly expanded my perspective on biblical stewardship, financial accountability, and transparency in church and organizational leadership. Motivated to continue learning, I enrolled in more GTP courses, including The Sower, The Council, and The Choice. Together, these courses transformed my understanding of resource mobilization, governance, leadership, and Kingdom impact.
One of the most profound lessons I learned was that ministries do not have to depend exclusively on foreign funding. Instead, they can cultivate a culture of local generosity by inspiring communities to faithfully give from the resources God has already entrusted to them. This biblical perspective sharpened my leadership, strengthened my decision-making, and inspired practical expressions of generosity. Rather than asking only for financial contributions, I began encouraging people to donate tangible items that could be redistributed to individuals and families in need. This simple yet powerful approach has mobilized local communities to become active participants in caring for the vulnerable.
The leadership principles I gained through GTP, particularly from When Money Goes on Mission, also awakened a passion for writing. Since then, I have authored four books: two devotionals and two leadership books, with two additional publications currently awaiting release. Through these resources, I seek to equip believers and leaders to embrace biblical stewardship, servant leadership, and faithful discipleship.
Stephen with the other course moderators of The Sower during the April-May 2025 Global Cohort
As my involvement with GTP deepened, I was invited to serve as a volunteer course moderator. I gladly accepted the opportunity, not only because it allowed me to serve others but also because it enabled me to continue growing through the extensive learning resources GTP offers. Beyond my own participation, I encouraged my wife, fellow pastors, ministry leaders, and colleagues to enroll in the various GTP courses. Many have since shared inspiring testimonies of how these programs have transformed their ministries, leadership, and personal lives.
I also became an active participant in the GTP Monthly Global Prayer Hour, a remarkable gathering where believers from around the world unite in prayer for nations, ministries, and the advancement of God's Kingdom. This global fellowship has continually reminded me that we are part of one Body of Christ serving one mission.
In 2024, while attending the Fourth Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Incheon, South Korea, I had the privilege of meeting several key GTP leaders, including Gary Hoag (then GTP President and CEO), Trevor Lui (then Deputy CEO), and Ruthie Cristobal (then VP of Partnership & Communications). Establishing these relationships strengthened my connection with GTP and reinforced my desire to contribute more intentionally to its mission.
The following year, I attended the GTP Global Gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Shortly afterward, I also participated in the GTP English-, Portuguese-, and Spanish-speaking Africa (EPSA) regional gathering in Uganda. These experiences gave me a deeper appreciation of both the global vision and regional impact of GTP, while allowing me to connect with passionate stewards committed to advancing biblical stewardship across diverse cultures.
Stephen (far left), his wife Ruth (middle), and other participants from Kenya at the GTP Global Gathering 2025 in Malaysia
While in Uganda, I participated in onsite facilitator training for both Stations of Generosity and Journey of Empowerment. This became one of the most life-changing experiences of my leadership journey. Upon returning to Kenya, I began replicating these trainings among churches, ministry leaders, and community groups. I already see the lessons transform individuals, strengthen ministries, and inspire communities toward greater generosity, accountability, and faithful stewardship.
Taking inspiration from Stations of Generosity, my family made a deliberate commitment to live out these biblical principles daily. We placed two boxes in our home: one for thanksgiving and another for prayer, and committed ourselves to giving something to God each day as an act of gratitude. What began as a simple family practice has become a lifestyle that has transformed our household and overflowed into our community.
Today, groups we have influenced have organized outreach initiatives to children's homes, prisons, and vulnerable communities while responding quickly and compassionately to urgent local needs. Witnessing this ripple effect has reaffirmed my conviction that genuine generosity begins in the home before transforming communities.
Around this time, I was invited to become a candidate for the role of GTP Regional Facilitator for EPSA. After completing the selection process, I was honored to be offered the position. Following prayerful consideration with my wife, I joyfully accepted the role with humility, gratitude, and a willingness to continue learning from the exceptional GTP team.
Stephen participated in Stations of Generosity during the GTP EPSA regional event in Uganda, 2025
In this role, I desire to champion the four programs of GTP: Teaching, Training, Teamwork, and Toolbox. I want to see these resources become widely embraced by grassroots churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations throughout EPSA. I pray that these tools will strengthen leaders, build healthy organizations, and foster a lasting culture of biblical stewardship, accountability, and generosity.
My long-term vision is to see GTP in every country within EPSA. I desire to see churches and Christian organizations become PAG-accredited and consistently uphold biblical standards of accountability, transparency, and stewardship. Equally important, I hope to see a growing movement of trained volunteers, equipped and empowered to replicate the transformative work of GTP in their local contexts and multiply its impact across Africa.
Paul's instruction to Timothy continues to resonate deeply with me: we are called to put God's household in order. When churches and ministries embrace biblical stewardship and faithful governance, they become healthier, stronger, and more effective in fulfilling God's mission. May a generation of accountable stewards and servant leaders who will help churches, ministries, and nonprofit organizations rise and flourish for the glory of God and the advancement of His Kingdom.
