Christ First Forum

Spreading the gospel: Woman moves to Africa to run church and help poor
By HELEN T. GRAY
McClatchy Newspapers

Rosemary Gibbons Phiri is not a missionary for a few weeks or for a few months or even for a few years. The former Kansas City resident is in the southeastern African country of Malawi to stay.

As a child in Slater, Mo., she knew she'd become a missionary. Fulfilling that dream took a long path and many years.

After graduating from Central Missouri State University, she taught in several school districts. She then worked for public television in Kansas City and for the Kauffman Foundation.

Along the way, she married, had four children and divorced.

She also started a consulting business called We Are One in the early 1990s, which later became a nonprofit. The business provided leadership development and helped people to become self-sufficient using principles from the Bible.

While attending Sheffield Family Life Center, she went on a mission trip to Malawi in 1997 for 10 days. The next year she was invited back to teach a five-week leadership course.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/07/01/29 ... z1QyNfLDPb