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“Children are arrows in a quiver, and they are to be trained as missionaries and shot at the Devil.” — Jim Elliot Charlton and Natasha Sweazy with their children (February 2022) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://strengthtostrength.org/creation-to-new-creation-curriculum/?srsltid=AfmBOorFfOrEBvHKaOARswEgufO7AinXW8eJ_vZxvS8SOvBnn91X4TtQ] Mr. Sweazy is a former professional firefighter who has spent the past decade focused on discipleship and church planting. In 2014, he and his wife, Natasha, moved to East Africa to engage in international Kingdom expansion. While in Uganda, they planted a church in Kampala and established a Christian resource center near the city’s largest university. The center serves as a lighthouse for many to engage with scripture, utilizing Creation to New Creation, a biblical literacy curriculum Charlton developed. A former Sattler College trustee, Charlton has recently transitioned into a staff role at Sattler, where he continues his commitment to Kingdom expansion through education and discipleship. He also remains actively involved with The Bridge English Training Center, which serves the immigrant community just outside Boston, MA. Charlton and Natasha have five biological children and six adopted children from Uganda. As a family, they are passionate about the Kingdom of God and strive to see “His Kingdom come on earth” through loving obedience to Jesus and radical love for their neighbors. |
70 years ago on this date, January 8, 1956, Missionary James Elliot, who was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, an attempt to evangelize the Huaorani people of Ecuador. In memory of those martyrs, I would like to blog about a church planter in Uganda, Charlton and his wife, Natasha Sweazy and their 11 children.
UPDATE: Information is as of January 8, 2026
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A family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you're inside you see that each tree has its place. – African Proverb Yes, the family is like a forest, when you are outside it is dense, when you're inside you see that each tree has its place. When you look from afar the forest appears to be like one compact unit. The same is true of a family. A true family is one. They are united against whatever threatens their bond of unity. Whatever affects one member affects all because they care about one another. The reason they are united is because each member plays his or her distinct role effectively and cooperatively. It's not that they love each member equally. No, they don't. In fact they may even hate what some members do. It's like what happens in an ant colony. When we look from outside at an ant colony we see a beautiful display of teamwork. But a closer inspection, according to scientific findings reveals that the species "hate each other" (source livescience.com). But you see, when there is work to be done, or an enemy to conquer, they put their differences aside to fight for the common good. They have different personalities but one purpose: to work for the common good. We don't have to lose our uniqueness in the quest for unity. We only need to lose our selfishness. Be unique! [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=3812930888780340&set=a.886048424801949] |
Introduction:
Mr. Sweazy is a former professional firefighter who has spent the past decade focused on discipleship and church planting. In 2014, he and his wife, Natasha, moved to East Africa to engage in international Kingdom expansion. While in Uganda, they planted a church in Kampala and established a Christian resource center near the city’s largest university. The center serves as a lighthouse for many to engage with scripture, utilizing Creation to New Creation, a biblical literacy curriculum Charlton developed.
A former Sattler College trustee, Charlton has recently transitioned into a staff role at Sattler, where he continues his commitment to Kingdom expansion through education and discipleship. He also remains actively involved with The Bridge English Training Center, which serves the immigrant community just outside Boston, MA.
Charlton and Natasha have five biological children and six adopted children from Uganda. As a family, they are passionate about the Kingdom of God and strive to see “His Kingdom come on earth” through loving obedience to Jesus and radical love for their neighbors.
https://sattler.edu/blog/team/charlton-sweazy/
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“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.” - Mario Puzo Hi! My name is Natasha Sweazy, and I am a Christian woman, wife, and mother, striving to follow after our King Jesus. My husband Charlton and I have been married for fourteen years. The Lord has given us ten beautiful children, four biologically and six through adoption. We are currently sojourning between Kampala, Uganda and Malden, Massachusetts. (August 6, 2022) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://strengthtostrength.org/the-god-who-sees/?srsltid=AfmBOopaoy4TQds1p5faNJXWThbXtW0zvO99wUMyANa-4Jn2L76E9fsm] |
“Children are the reward
of life.” – African Proverb [PHOTO SOURCE: https://images.app.goo.gl/N5BuVC2A9dWMQ4kr5
...... https://au.pinterest.com/pin/children-are-the-reward-of-life-african-proverb--44121271330385129/]
Four Core Values:
Charlton and Natasha Sweazy are Anabaptist and I can tell they follow the Anabaptist four core values: Faith, Family, Community and Simple Living. If you see their mission work and church planting in Kampala, Uganda, the four core values were being used.
“Make it easier for churches and religious communities to run schools, succor families, and aid the needs of human life. Religion is the best family policy.” ― Catherine Pakaluk, Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth
As a proponent of large families and having more children, I applaud and admire the couple for not only giving birth to children, but also for adopting 6 Ugandan children. I believe that adoption is a good idea for woman, regardless of whether she is infertile or not. They are like the Faroe Islanders who adopt children from all over the world.
5 A father to the
fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. 6 God
sets the lonely in families,[a] he leads out the prisoners with singing; but
the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. – Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://fortheloveofadoption.com/5-bible-verses-about-adoption/] https://www.focusonthefamily.com/pro-life/what-are-some-bible-verses-about-foster-care-and-adoption/ https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-adopted-children-of-faroe-islands.html
As it says in Psalm 127:3 - Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Psalm 127:3 (NASB)
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Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. – Psalm 127:3 (NASB) [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=942438447928075&set=a.563324335839490] |
The couple deserve the John Troyer Memorial Award, for having many children. I wish Charlton and Natasha Sweazy the best in serving God and their family. I will close with the words of Friedrich Froebel:
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Let us protect our children; and let us not allow them to grow up into emptiness and nothingness, to the avoidance of good hard work, to introspection and analysis without deeds, or to mechanical actions without thought and consideration. Let us steer them away from the harmful chase after material things and the damaging passion for distractions... Let us educate them to stand with their feet rooted in God's earth, but with their heads reaching even into heaven, there to behold truth. - Friedrich Frobel [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1276291] |
SERMONS AND LECTURES BY THE SWEAZYS:
Kampala Church Update Charlton Sweazy
Dec 9, 2020
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/ZSXy2z_RM18?si=eSNKTe2M_BqpQuCr
"Engaging in Meaningful Community" - Charlton Sweazy
Apr 20, 2022 Citywide Meetings
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/cmR_HUsS-Ts?si=7o8k1RSGSOF158l8
Shaping Children's Character
Aug 10, 2024 2024 FOTW Conference
Shaping Children's Character Charlton Sweazy
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/I0ZiSNOHYjY?si=aaHiK3pAzbIo2fVs
More sermons by Charlton Sweazy here: https://www.followers-of-the-way.org/messages/preacher/p/18779/charlton-sweazy
The God Who Sees
· Post published: August 6, 2022
Strength to Strength Sisters welcomed Natasha Sweazy to contrast the worldviews from women in the Bible to the world today. From the cries of women saying, “give me children or I will die” to “give me children and I’ll die”.
No matter what stage of life you are in, whether it be women with a lot of small children, a child who has walked away from God, or women unable to have children of her own, God sees us and he knows our heart.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
An interactive question-and-answer period follows.
https://strengthtostrength.org/the-god-who-sees/
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/oe_1FJxDTBo?si=0sikNi0s5qPIfzbr
Why I Started Being Modest. Four Women’s Testimonies.
Go to: https://www.followers-of-the-way.org to learn more about Followers of the Way! Laura Kuruvilla, Becky Baer, Erica Milioni, and Natasha Sweazy share their testimonies regarding Christian modesty, fashion, extravagance, and body image.
https://www.followers-of-the-way.org/
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/zaZijOAGwS0?si=jNYCXV7fTRaAnNhO
Sisters Discuss the Headcovering
Mar 16, 2025
Several sisters from Followers of the Way Boston -- Natasha Sweazy, Laura Kuruvilla, Crystal Johnson, Carol Sweazy, and Erica Milioni -- recently gathered to share their personal experiences and discuss the significance, practical considerations, and challenges of wearing the head covering.
00:00 Stories
39:50 -When do you wear the head covering? All the time or only during prayer and worship? What about at home with your children or sleeping?
48:39 -What style head coverings do you wear? Are trendy head coverings like hats okay? 1:00:32 - How do you tie or style the head covering to get it to not slip off?
1:09:24 - What tips can help reduce sweating or overheating in warmer weather while wearing a head covering?
1:10:32 - How do I wear a head covering comfortably over my thick 4C hair without causing breakage?
1:14:32 - Have you ever felt self-conscious or had opposition while wearing the head covering?
1:28:20 - When do girls start wearing the head covering? Is it just for Christians after conversion?
1:34:00 - What if my husband does not support me wearing the head covering?
1:37:38 - Do you feel like the head covering mars your Christian witness?
VIDEO SOURCE: https://youtu.be/VwZlA8GKbok?si=xdUqmjGlM3T28eR8
RELATED LINKS:
https://sattler.edu/blog/team/charlton-sweazy/
https://kingdomdriven.org/author/charlton
https://www.followersoftheway-ug.org/
https://kingdomdriven.org/a-great-start-to-2015
https://fotw-ug.org/the-sweazy-family/
“Every Christian family ought to be as it were a little church, consecrated to Christ, and wholly influenced and governed by His rules. And family education and order are some of the chief means of grace. If these fail, all other means are likely to prove ineffectual.” – Jonathan Edwards
LEADING FAMILY WORSHIP BY JOEL BEEKE PART 1
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/11/leading-family-worship-by-joel-beeke.html
"We and our families stand in need of blessings in a domestic capacity, therefore in that capacity we should pray for them; in that capacity too we receive many blessings; therefore in that capacity we should return thanks for them; and singing of psalms is the most proper method of thanksgiving." — 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐬, "The Necessity and Excellence of Family Religion" in 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑜𝑛 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑗𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑠, Vol. 2 (1849 ed.), p. 47 [pictured: Jennie A. Brownscombe, 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐹𝑖𝑟𝑠𝑡 𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘𝑠𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎𝑡 𝑃𝑙𝑦𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑡ℎ (1914)]
LEADING FAMILY WORSHIP BY JOEL BEEKE PART 2
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/11/leading-family-worship-by-joel-beeke_27.html
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𝕋ℍ𝕀𝕊 𝕄𝕀𝔾ℍ𝕋 𝔹𝔼 𝕌ℕℙ𝕆ℙ𝕌𝕃𝔸ℝ 𝕎𝕀𝕋ℍ 𝕊𝕆𝕄𝔼 𝕆𝔽 𝕌𝕊 𝔹𝕌𝕋 𝕀𝕋 𝕀𝕊 𝕊ℂℝ𝕀ℙ𝕋𝕌ℝ𝔸𝕃𝕃𝕐 𝕊𝕆𝕌ℕ𝔻 𝔸ℕ𝔻 ℍ𝔼𝕃ℙ𝔽𝕌𝕃 𝕋𝕆 𝕆𝕌ℝ 𝕐𝕆𝕌ℕ𝔾 𝔽𝕆𝕃𝕂: [PHOTO SOURCE: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=25454873220807307&set=gm.1388738015479659&idorvanity=531141674572635] https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/john-troyer-memorial-award.html |
KINDERWELT LINKS:
“I think
that bringing children into the world is like bringing holiness into the world.
Like every soul has a mission that can only be fulfilled by that individual and
we don’t know what that individual’s mission is and even what our own mission
is. We’re all figuring it out as we go. And I think, yes, it is something that
I do for God in a sense of the work component.”
― Catherine Pakaluk, Hannah's
Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth
BOOK REVIEW: Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth by Catherine Pakaluk
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/11/book-review-hannahs-children-women.html
“The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, is in its loyalty to each other.” - Mario Puzo
JOHN TROYER MEMORIAL REPORT 2025
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/10/john-troyer-memorial-report-2025.html
“A father’s holy life is a rich legacy for his sons.” - Charles Spurgeon
JOHN TROYER MEMORIAL AWARD
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/john-troyer-memorial-award.html
The Hebrew phrase for "children are a joy" is "ילדים הם שמחה" (yeldim hem simcha). "ילדים" (yeldim) means "children", and "שמחה" (simcha) means "joy" or "gladness". Israel is the only OECD countries that have the highest fertility rate of 2.91 per woman.
From September 2023 to September 2024, about 183,000 babies were born in Israel, meaning that more than 400 babies were born per day. There was a similar case in 2022, in its annual Amish population study, the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College estimates that 1,450 Amish babies were born in Lancaster County last year. Only 145 Amish of all ages died. That population increase of 1,305 brought the total number of Amish living here to 44,315. There were more Amish births than deaths in that state.
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/12/israels-baby-boom-2024-children-are-joy.html
15 And
he blessed Joseph and said, “The God before whom my fathers Abraham and
Isaac walked, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day,
16 the angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the boys; and in
them let my name be carried on, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac;
and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.” - Genesis
48:15-16 (ESV)
ISRAEL’S CHILDREN WORLD: THE ULTRA-ORTHODOX JEWS ON THE RISE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/06/israels-children-world-ultra-orthodox.html
“Our children are the only treasures we can take to heaven.”
AMISH BABY BOOM PART 1 – PROVERBS ABOUT CHILDREN
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/amish-baby-boom-part-1-proverbs-about.html
Who takes the child by the hand, takes the mother by the heart. – Danish Proverb
AMISH BABY BOOM PART 2 - CANADIAN AMISH ON THE RISE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/07/amish-baby-boom-part-2-canadian-amish.html
11 And she vowed a vow and said, “O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall touch his head.” – I Samuel 1:11 (ESV)
Our home joys are the most delightful earth affords, and the joy of parents in their children is the most holy joy of humanity. - Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/05/2025-mothers-day-sermons.html
Honor the house in which you were born, the tree that gave you shade, and the village where you were raised. – Swedish Proverb
THE FAROE ISLANDS: CHILDREN’S WORLD IN EUROPE
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-faroe-islands-childrens-world-in.html
Children are a poor man’s wealth. – Danish Proverb
THE ADOPTED CHILDREN OF THE FAROE ISLANDS
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-adopted-children-of-faroe-islands.html
Beyond 2050 the world population may start to decrease if women across the world will have, on average, less than 2 children. But that decrease will be slow. - Hans Rosling
BIRTHGAP – CHILDLESS WORLD DOCUMENTARY FILM
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2025/09/birthgap-childless-world-documentary.html
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Uebrige Brocken - A circle of stones at Hutter Park in Innsbruck, Austria, commemorates 12 Anabaptist martyrs. — John E. Sharp [PHOTO SOURCE: https://anabaptistworld.org/history-stones-of-remembrance/] |
MENNONITE HISTORICAL SITES LINKS:
https://inoldcities.com/how-to-visit-mennonite-history-sites-in-europe/
https://hutt-writevoice.blogspot.com/2015/10/more-on-huttererpark-opening-in.html
http://www.religionen.at/151016_uebrige_brocken_englisch.pdf
https://anabaptistworld.org/history-stones-of-remembrance/
https://sattler.edu/the-reformation-at-500-timeline-of-the-free-church-movement/
https://blackforestproject421.blogspot.com/2024/10/100-years-ago-four-horsemen-of-notre.html
