AOM FOunders

ALLEN AND JANELLE AVERY

Allen and Janelle Avery were missionaries to southern Africa from 1969-2010. They served the first 10 years in a rural setting in Zambia planting churches among the Tonga people. The focus of their work was church planting in villages throughout southwestern Zambia. During their time in Zambia, both their daughter, Krista, and their son, Allen Wade, were born.

After Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980, the Avery's moved their family to Bulawayo, the country's second largest city. They spent the next 24 years initiating a non-denominational church planting ministry where the primary focus of their work shifted from rural church planting to the planting of a network of both rural and urban churches. The result of this vision is Zimbabwe Christian Fellowship, a fellowship of over 30 churches spread throughout western Zimbabwe in both rural and urban settings.

In 2004, when the Harris family was unable to obtain working permits to enter Zimbabwe to join AOM, the Avery's made the major choice to relocated again, this time to South Africa which would become the new African base for AOM. The Avery's eventually settled in Tzaneen, South Africa, where they reached the 40 years mark of service in Africa.

Allen and Janelle Avery have assisted in planting over 80 churches and training thousands of Christians and church leaders. Allen received a Masters of Arts in Missions from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministries degree in Missions from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Janelle has a Masters of Arts in Educational Ministries from Wheaton College.

In June of 2010, Allen passed away after struggling with a brain tumor. While we miss him and his leadership, AOM is committed to carrying out Allen's dream of spreading the gospel. Janelle continues to be active in leading our orphan ministry.

The Avery Family

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