By John David Smith

More than twenty years ago, my family and I boarded a plane and left Cape Verde after twelve years of missionary service. We left thinking we would be back after I completed more seminary studies; however, that was not God’s plan. Cape Verde became a part of us in those years. It had been our home. It was where my wife and I grew up from our early 20s to our mid 30s. It was where we learned the rhythms of ministry, struggled through learning the language and culture, helped plant churches, invested in future leaders, and watched God strengthen a work that we prayed would ultimately continue long after we were gone.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of returning again. Stepping back onto the island of Sao Vicente after twenty-two years brought a flood of memories and offered a deep sense of being home.  The dry volcanic mountains, the ocean winds, and the sound of Cape Verdean Creole being spoken reminded me of so many past experiences. My heart was stirred by the memories, but what moved me the most was seeing, by God’s hand, the blessings on present ministry.   

Missionaries often leave a field with many questions. Will the churches remain strong? Will new leaders emerge and will the existing leaders be faithful? What will the work look like in a few years? My visit was a great reminder of God’s faithfulness and the absolute necessity of dedicated, prepared local leaders.

One of the most encouraging moments of my visit was participating in the ordination of Helder Ines. Helder trusted Christ during our time in Sao Vicente, and over the years he has been growing and serving to the point that he is now planting a new church. By the way, the examination portion of his ordination lasted three and a half hours! That could be the topic of a future article perhaps noting the thorough nature of the believers and churches in this process. All of this reminded me of the ultimate goal of the missionary enterprise. Missionaries are the scaffolding, not the edifice. Missionaries help to start a work, but the long-term viability of those churches depends on local leaders shepherding local churches.

When everything is said and done in missionary investment, what is the real measure of that effort? I would say that it is measured in the lives and faithfulness of those indigenous (local) leaders.  Evangelism, discipleship, leadership development, and church planting, which are all indispensable in the fulfillment of the Great Commission, will all fade away once the missionary leaves if there are no faithful, prepared local leaders. Seeing these leaders in Cape Verde produce other leaders was great motive for gratitude and joy.

We also celebrated a significant anniversary in the life of the Evangelical Baptist Church in Sao Vicente. Looking back at the 35 years that we have known this church, there certainly have been difficulties. The church’s resilience and fruitfulness under the leadership of current pastor, Eudo Rodrigues, has been noteworthy, as it has grown and helped plant other churches on other islands, as well as send multiple leaders to other countries as pastors and leaders. Anniversaries are powerful moments because they remind us that ministry is rarely about quick results. The work of the gospel unfolds over years and even generations. In God’s mission, we often do not start a work; we grow a work. Like seed in the soil, the gospel takes root and matures through patient investment, faithful discipleship, and time.”

Another important part of this visit was spending time training pastors and church leaders. Leadership development remains one of the most strategic investments we can make in global missions. These leaders do not need outsiders to lead for them. They do desire tools, biblical insight, and encouragement to help them shepherd the people God has entrusted to them. The future of the churches in Cape Verde will not depend on missionaries from outside the country. It will depend on leaders whom God has raised up from within the churches in Cape Verde.

Not every missionary has the opportunity to return to a place where they once served decades earlier. For me, this visit was a privilege. It reminded me that the work of missions has never been about one person, one family, or even one generation. It is about the ongoing work of God through His churches. Those who were there before us laid a good foundation, and BMA churches have faithfully sent and supported the work for many years. Local believers embraced the gospel and began leading their own congregations, and today the work continues.

One key lesson stood out during this visit: the true measure of ministry is not what we build, but who we develop. Buildings age and require lots of maintenance and money. Programs change. But leaders multiply. Seeing the churches in Cape Verde led by capable and committed local leaders was a powerful reminder that investing in people is always the most strategic work of missions.

Cape Verde will always hold a special place in our hearts. It is where we served, where we learned, where we grew up, and where we saw God at work in ways we never expected. Returning after twenty-two years reminded me that gospel work often unfolds slowly, faithfully, and quietly across decades. And sometimes God gives us the incredible privilege of returning to see just a little of the fruit He gives. For that, I am truly grateful.