Technology in Service of the Great Commission
My name is Nicholas Kelderman, and I recently stepped into the role of Operations Manager for Campus Crusade for Christ South Africa. As part of my preparation for this role, I had the opportunity to travel to Douala, Cameroon, in December to attend an African technology and operations conference. The gathering brought together technical and operations leaders from across the continent with the aim of strengthening how we use technology to support ministry, staff, and collaboration in our local contexts.
Equipping Leaders Through Technology
The primary purpose of the conference was to equip African operations and technology leaders with a deeper understanding of the global systems used within Campus Crusade for Christ, and how these can be applied effectively and responsibly within African ministries.
A key focus was on how technology can better support staff through improved communication, collaboration, and access to resources. This included practical training in tools such as email, chat platforms, shared documents, calendars, and the wider Google ecosystem. Used well, these systems help teams work more efficiently, plan ahead, and reduce administrative load — freeing up more time and capacity for ministry.
Data, Reporting, and Stewardship
Significant attention was also given to data, measurement, and reporting — how we capture what God is doing in the field and communicate it clearly, accurately, and responsibly. Alongside this, we explored security and privacy, learning how to protect data, phones, and laptops, particularly when traveling or working on unfamiliar networks.
Collaboration Across the Continent
We were greatly supported by colleagues from our global head office, including John Velakot, Andy Kellogg, and Mark Olson, who guided us through the technical aspects of the systems. We were also encouraged by Rafael Saki, our African Operations Manager, who cast a compelling vision for alignment, shared platforms, innovation, and collaboration across the continent — all aimed at building sustainable capacity for the future.
Technology as a Tool for Ministry
Beyond systems and software, the conference challenged us to grow in problem-solving, communication, and contextual thinking — learning how to work within our limitations while still finding effective, creative solutions in our local environments.
Ultimately, technology is just that: a tool. Like the Four Spiritual Laws — the booklet we use to share the Gospel — it can be used well or poorly. Our goal is to use technology intentionally and wisely so that we can better support our staff, strengthen our community, care well for our ministry partners, and ultimately see lives transformed through the Gospel.
An Invitation to Connect
If you are interested in the technology or capacity-building side of ministry — the behind-the-scenes work that enables frontline ministry — I would love to connect. Even if you are not directly on the front lines, there is meaningful Kingdom work in helping the Great Commission move forward.
Nicholas Kelderman
Operations Manager for Campus Crusade for Christ South Africa