Our history
Whilst visiting missionary friends in Africa back in 1980, Revd Derek Blundell saw the great need for pastor training in Africa. Back in the UK, he set up the African Pastors’ Fund, placing theological literature in local African languages, bicycles and other tools in the hands of African pastors.
Renamed African Pastors Fellowship, the charity quickly built a committed UK supporter base, diversified its training and ministry portfolio, forged strong inter-denominational links and developed partnerships with church networks across East Africa.
With a reputation for working in pioneering ways, APF has always targeted support at church leaders in the most isolated and remote regions.
“Derek Blundell came with the aim to assist pastors through teaching, transport and literature. During the time of Ralph Hanger cottage industry workshops were added which greatly benefitted pastor’s wives to generate income to support the ministry. The emphasis on literature, especially in our local languages and encouragement to local authors has been greatly appreciated.”
Bishop Francis Ntiruka (retired), Former Bishop of Tabora, TanzaniaAPF today
Where we work
APF work with church partners from across East Africa.
Our UK staff
CEO Revd Dave Stedman
Dave worked in the print, publishing and marketing industry for several years before training for Baptist ministry at Spurgeon’s College. Whilst minister of Canterbury Baptist Church, Dave served APF as a trustee for APF until taking up the newly created CEO position in January 2015. He is married to Cyra and they have three grown up children.Contact Dave
Programme Coordinator Geoff Holder
Geoff has a background in African development, firstly with a UK-Uganda school partnership charity, then in community development in Mozambique. He is currently studying a part-time MSc in Sustainable Development and is married to Christine, they have two children. Contact GeoffFinancial Coordinator Michelle Anderson
Michelle has been a primary school teacher and leader for most of her career and is also a special needs coordinator in a local Kent primary school. She has worked with charities in the UK and Africa and loves to travel, both at home and abroad.Contact Michelle
Patrons
Bishop Godfrey Sehaba
Bishop of Morogoro
Bishop of Morogoro
Rt. Revd. Christopher Cocksworth
Bishop of Coventry
Rev Dr Michael Okwakol
President of the All-Africa Baptist Alliance
Trustees
Revd. Richard Suffern (Chair)
Mr John Chambers (Treasurer)
Revd. John Martin
Revd. Richard Tucker
Revd. David Howard
Miss Nelly Lukwo
Revd. Andrew North
