Our Story
Chris and Sue Willis and George and Pat Bushney are the founders of Equip & Send Africa—four lifelong friends and veterans in God's army who, together, carry decades of experience in Christian ministry, church leadership, missions, and leadership development. Their shared journey has taken them through church planting, pastoral and church leadership, short-term mission initiatives across several countries, and the establishment of a permanent mission base in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Today, George and Pat are based in Perth, Australia, where they continue to advocate for the work in Zambia—building partnerships and mobilising prayer, financial, and practical support for the ministry. Chris and Sue, meanwhile, relocated to Zambia itself, stepping into leadership on the ground to oversee the development and implementation of the ministry's vision.
As Chris crossed the border into Zambia on his 70th birthday, he felt God speak that he needed to be exactly this age. Now, it's time to lead from the back rather than from the front—something that would have been difficult to surrender to, had Chris been his younger self. Taking on the role of a mentor, he now leads the base by equipping others to lead well in their areas of responsibility, with excellence and integrity. Focused training is going out to five main local leaders, integral to the sustainable running of the base and its reach in the future.
After two years of building both in structures and relationships, God added two more couples to Equip & Send Africa's team of outside missionaries. Step by step, what began as the undertaking of one couple sent out by God is turning into an organisational entity and a strong structure — one that seeks to equip and send not only Zambians into ministry, but also others with a heart for missions. Individuals and teams, experienced and novel, are welcome to live life with us and be transformed as they experience the Kingdom of God unfolding in Zambia.
Meet the Team
Chris and Sue Willis
Founders
George and Pat Bushney
With the desire to equip and send believers into ministry, Chris and Sue cheer on their champions as each one serves in the area God has given them passion for. Where needed, they are ready to support and lift up.
With an equal desire to equip and send believers into ministry, George and Pat cheer for those in Zambia from their home in Australia, through dedicated prayer and honest feedback.
Co-Founders
Local Leaders
Robson, Nchimunya, Harrety, Abey and Acklos serve the bigger team with their daily leadership, each in their own area of passion and calling.
About 20 local 'champions' are being equipped and sent into our areas of influence from schools ministry to various discipleship programmes, serving as the force of our ministry.
Local Team
Kevin and Carine Brand
International Team
Niek and Loïs with Havilah Stam
With a heart for both people and the gospel, Kevin and Carine serve our neighbours in Mboole with practical love.
International Team
With a desire to not only expand but also deepen the understanding of the Kingdom of God, Niek and Loïs serve by bringing teachings and structure. Their daughter Havilah adds to them by bringing joy and connection wherever she goes.
Meet our Partners
Our partnership with Wave Church surrounds everything to do with our Bible Training Centres and the Biblical Training in the local primary and secondary schools.
Not only are we grateful for the training manuals given for ministry, but also are we thankful for our partnership in missions through the regular sending of teams.
As the head of an arrow breaks through its target first, Wave's Teams break open new areas for ministry that our local team then steps into. Wave's congregation offers the missions' backbone through prayer.
As a non-profit, our partnership with Gathering Together (GT) is one we deeply value. With years of mission experience globally, their wisdom and experience help guide our strategy and decision-making. Their other bases have been set up and, after a period of training, handed over to local leaders — ensuring durability for the long run.
Our partnership with Gathering Together surrounds all to do with strategy and sustainability — allowing us to be challenged in building a missions base that endures.