OCTOBER 2026

Dustin L. McCarty

22 minutes ago

5 min read

From our West Africa Strategic Impact Team:

Demonstration of Disciple Multiplication

Immersion in the Red Zone: Bringing the Gospel Where Hope Is Tested

“We spent three days in a conflict-affected area of Burkina Faso’s Eastern Region, gathering to share and develop strategies for evangelism and discipleship in a challenging and insecure environment.

The gathering brought together 37 pastors, church leaders, evangelists, and missionaries from various neighborhoods of Fada N’Gourma and different localities across the Eastern Region, as well as a missionary based in Lomé, Togo.

Beyond the training sessions, we went out to share the Good News with internally displaced people (IDPs) and other members of the surrounding communities. Through our outreach efforts, 361 people were reached, and 73 made commitments to follow Christ.

We entered an area where, just a few months earlier, bullets had been flying overhead. Despite the risks and uncertainty, the mission was worth it. We encountered courageous and faithful Christians who continue to stand firm in their faith despite the insecurity surrounding them. Some have chosen to remain in their communities, committed to serving God and supporting others. Others have been displaced and have nowhere else to turn but to trust God for their lives and future.

One inspiring example is Pastor “Daniel” (pseudonym). His son narrowly escaped being struck by a bullet near the neck. Despite the trauma and dangers their family and community have experienced, Pastor Daniel and other believers continue to stand firm in the Gospel.

This mission was more than a training event. It was a strategic spiritual immersion into a conflict-affected area — a deliberate effort to encourage and strengthen local Christians, equip church leaders for effective evangelism and discipleship, and share the Word of God with hundreds of people living amid displacement, fear, and uncertainty.

Our presence was a reminder that the Church has not abandoned these communities. Even in places marked by conflict, faithful believers continue to serve, evangelize, disciple, and bring hope to those who need it most.

We went to strengthen the Church, equip its leaders, and reach the displaced. We came away with a renewed conviction that even in the most challenging circumstances, the mission of God continues. The danger is real, but so is the hope we have in Christ.

In the heart of the crisis, the Gospel continues to bring hope.”

— Ouedraogo & Bamogo

This is just ONE story of so many things happening around the world through the the work of Strategic Impact - and every life that is touched with the Gospel is because of YOU! Without your PARTNERSHIP in the work of the ministry, none of this would be possiblee! THANK YOU

A few other photos of the work:

I have also partnered with the Strategic Impact South Asia team to provide online training for Pastors and Leaders in Pakistan! After our weekly teaching session, the host conducts follow-up training meetings to discuss everything in Urdu.

NEWS FROM THE FAMILY

DUSTIN & TRACY

We have come a long way since this photo just before my leaving the hospital. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I am still “part Tesla” — and have to be attached to electricity 24/7. This means two heavy batteries and a computer control unit all day, and a literal extension cord at night. BUT I am feeling much better physically.

I completed Cardiac Rehabilitation this past week and have gained back much of my strength and endurance. However, my last Right Heart Cath showed the pressures inside my cardiopulmonary system are still too elevated to qualify being added to the heart transplant list. They started me on a new medication, and I will be re-tested in early December.

We are hopeful.

My ministry work with Strategic Impact continues, but without the travel component. It is hard to be away from my teams in Africa. I told Tracy that I feel like I have been constrained to a desk role, but that is only partially true. I have been conducting online trainings, raising funds for field work, developing new tools, and finally getting to a lot of manual translation, which is very needed.

I am still teaching Missions Geography at Denton Calvary Academy and am still pastoring with Denton Community Church, both of which I love deeply. I am exceedingly grateful to be vertical and (mostly) in my right mind! God is good — even and especially through the dark valley of the soul.

Tracy is simply amazing. She continues to serve at Born2Be while keeping me out of trouble and helping me with various health needs. She also keeps track of all the kids’ doings and watches the grandsons regularly. She is a delight. I could not have made it through 2026 without her.

Dustin & Tracy just before escaping the hospital

CODY & DAKOTA (and the boys)

Cody and Dakota are fine. That’s all you need to know about them. BUT Gideon (5 - almost 6) has started school! We now receive regular “what I learned at school” reports attended by various stories from his exciting days! And Reuben (3.5) is not far behind!

TRINITY

Trinity recently completed her 5th year of employment at Medical City Lewisville. She continues to serve as an inpatient Registered Dietitian. A few months back, the hospital approached her with an opportunity to be trained in NICU dietetics — which are pretty complex. She is growing in her new area of expertise and is really enjoying it! She was also nominated for Ancillary staff of the year! AND she bought her first real car! (It has been a big year for Trinity!)

REMINGTON

Remington continues her studies in Kinesiology at TWU. She is absolutely loving it! She enjoys the pursuit so much that she has taken part-time employment at an outpatient Physical Therapy center in Coppell. It is a great opportunity and she has already endeared herself to her patients as well as fellow staff members. She plans to continue to pursue a degree in Physical Therapy.

SIERRA

Sierra is WAY out west in Canyon, TX, at WTAMU. It is about a 6 hour drive out there! She is currently pursuing engineering, but that is likely to change as she discovers more about her interests and passions. SiJ has made it a priority to get plugged in — she has found a local church and an on-campus ministry called IGNITE. She recently traveled to Denver with the Honors Program for a leadership project.