Kirkwood has established a relationship with Presbyterian mission coworkers Rev. Dustin Ellington and his wife Sherri in Lusaka, Zambia. They have two sons Clayton, age 17, and Christopher, age 13.

Dustin and Sherri teach at Justo Mwale University. The university’s primary mission is to train people to become pastors in Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and other countries. Dustin teaches New Testament, Greek, and Practical Preaching. Sherri teaches English to first year students. Also as the Young Adult Volunteer Coordinator for Zambia she works with adults from 19 to 30 years old for one year of service in an intentional Christian community, deepening and developing their faith while serving alongside local partners.

The church in the Southern Africa has grown exponentially in the last two or three generations and has claimed a central role in solving the region’s societal problems. The enormous growth has also left churches in need of pastors who can lead people to maturity in Christ and equip them for service. The church is filled with life, growth, and promise, but also with danger and vulnerability.

Check out Dustin’s Justo Mwale University Facebook page.