A STORY OF FAITH, VISION & GOD'S UNWAVERING FAITHFULNESS

How God’s Kingdom works — small beginnings, unlikely sources, invisible activity, irresistible growth that is the Petros Network story. Pastor Ray Noah, CEO, President
In 2002, the president of the Benishangul-Gumuz Region of Ethiopia contacted the Blair Foundation, led by Charles Blair, to help bring transformation to his region. The only Christian in his administration, the president believed the gospel was the hope of his region and that through trained leaders and energized local churches (biblical life-giving faith communities), his region could be transformed spiritually, socially, and economically. Within a few months of that important meeting, Ray Noah became the foundation's president and worked alongside his mentor and friend, Charles Blair, to begin the dream of transforming Africa.
Miraculously, within two years, the Blair Foundation raised enough money to launch 1000 churches in rural Ethiopia. However, it wasn't long after reaching that incredible goal, Charles Blair became ill. Ray Noah had worked closely with Charles Blair for several years and set his heart to honor his legacy and complete the project. It was at that time, Ray and Linda Noah formed Petros Network, and began carrying the financial and oversight burden to fulfill the vision to launch and disciple 1000 church planters in Benishangul-Gumuz, Ethiopia.
Since those early years Petros Network has grown to partner with 90+ Christian denominations and organizations to launch efforts in Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, and Myanmar, training and empowering a network of over 6050 in-country leaders serving in underserved, unreached communities. Today, over 5 million have heard about the unconditional love of Jesus, with over 1 million followers — and those numbers are growing.
The communities Petros Network serves typically practice Islam and/or traditional religions with harmful cultural practices such as female mutilation, early marriage, nutritional taboos, magic, or the spread of hatred, tribalism and extremism. Petros Network’s holistic approach trains the indigenous leader to put the gospel into practice person-by-person, village-by-village, and in such a way that all of life in the village will be lifted for the better. The result is communities are lifted through long-lasting spiritual, social, and economic transformation. We call this Redemptive Lift. God has helped us to be so effective that we are invited into new areas by church denominations and local governments.
Our approach to community development and empowerment includes activities through the local church in:
