Pray for Zimbabwe: Growth is Tangible!
Zimbabwe in southern Africa has a difficult history of political unrest, extreme poverty and societal hardship, but the supernatural power of the Gospel can heal even the deepest wounds. And God’s church in Zimbabwe is flourishing! In Harare and Bulawayo, the country’s two biggest cities, believers are boldly evangelising in their communities, believers and leaders are being discipled, churches are being planted, and the Body of Christ is growing. Tangible growth is unfolding – and you’re invited to be part of it through prayer.
Accepting the Call
At the launch of Harvesters’ pastoral training programme, known as a Kick Off, students are challenged to plant at least one church before their next phase of training. When Harvesters returned to Harare and Bulawayo six months after their Kick Offs for Phase A training, we were excited to find that pastors had pursued this call relentlessly. The fruit of their obedience was tangible: new believers had come to faith and fresh church plants were being blessed with growth.
Pastor Zongoro, ministering in the rural region of Mondoro, has already planted two churches and helped lead 57 people to salvation – many of whom were formerly caught in addiction. Now, they are being discipled in Christ. But his mission is not finished. “I am [hopeful] that God himself will help us plant… more churches,” he declares. “I have a vision that the area can be [liberated] from worshipping idols to worshipping Jesus Christ.” Let’s pray into that vision together.
The Spirit Sparks Growth
Other pastors were also keen to share the stories of growth they had experienced since the Kick Off. Big or small, one could clearly see the Spirit at work. One lady from Seke, on the outskirts of Harare, shared that she has planted a small but growing church – proof that no act of obedience is too small when the Spirit is involved.
Pastor Emily Tigora is another powerful example. Through one-on-one evangelism in Chinhoyi, a small town northwest of Harare, 15 people were brought to Christ. They will soon start services in a nearby school. Along with Pastor Stephen Mashaga, she also planted a church in Harare that grew to over 80 members in just one month. “We are seeing God in it,” says Pastor Emily with joy.
Pastor Josephat has seen similar growth – from just 15 members to 80. He gives all glory to God, declaring: “We thank God for that church in Jesus’ mighty name!”
Churches Planted, Society Transformed
Not only are pastors seeing supernatural growth, but they also testify of societal transformation and new leaders raised thanks to the power of the Gospel.
Pastor Josephat is discipling two emerging leaders to shepherd two future churches, and Pastor Bigboy Haswell from Harare is doing the same – mentoring leaders for two churches he’s already planted. Pastor Zongoro knows that raising leaders is the key to advancing further, saying more pastors must be trained for him to “move on to plant some more churches.” These leaders can sow seeds of change in a society plagued by addiction and poverty.
In Masvingo, Pastor John planted a church in an unlikely setting: a former bar. Today, that beer hall has been repurposed as “a church hall to worship Jesus,” explains John, where entire families, even those struggling with addiction, are hearing the Gospel.
Pray for Zimbabwe
These are but a few of the overwhelming testimonies that have reached us from Zimbabwe, where Christ’s servants are making a significant difference. Join us in praising God for the growth and praying for the continued commitment of His faithful servants in this ripe harvest field.
- Join Pastor Patricia Matsatse from Murewa in praying for small groups of new believers that might grow into thriving churches.
- Join Pastor Zongoro, who is praying for social transformation in Mondoro and Zimbabwe as a whole.
- Join Pastor John in praying for pastors to be trained to lead the churches that have been planted.
- Pray for continued church growth with Emily and Stephan from Harare.
- Join Pastor Josephat in thanksgiving for the growth that is already apparent.
Major Obstacles in Church Planting Today—and How Harvesters Responds
An Article by Founder and CEO, Steven Loots
Church planting is a spiritual and strategic endeavor that is increasingly challenged by complex global realities. However, Harvesters Ministries is uniquely positioned to respond with scalable, biblical, and contextually appropriate solutions through its Hub Church Model and 4-year curriculum.
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Cultural Barriers and Worldview Conflicts
Challenges:
- Miscommunication due to language or cultural misunderstandings.
- Deep-rooted traditional beliefs (e.g., animism, ancestor worship, caste systems).
- Resistance to Christianity perceived as a “foreign religion.”
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Local Leadership Development: Harvesters trains indigenous leaders, who understand their culture and language, to reach their own people.
- Contextual Evangelism: The evangelism tools used are adapted to cultural realities while remaining biblically sound.
- Discipleship Emphasis: The 4-year curriculum walks new believers through biblical truth, helping them abandon syncretism and develop a biblical worldview.
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Spiritual Opposition
Challenges:
- Spiritual warfare, fear, demonic oppression.
- Persecution from dominant religious groups (Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, etc.).
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Prayer-Covered Expansion: Every church planted is supported by a network of intercessors.
- Training in Spiritual Resilience: Pastors are trained to expect persecution and are equipped biblically to stand firm.
- Community Multiplication Model: Rather than isolating pastors, Harvesters works through Hubs and Streams, so leaders are part of a relational and supportive network.
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Legal and Political Restrictions
Challenges:
- Government hostility to Christianity and church gatherings.
- Surveillance and harassment in restricted nations.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Underground and Low-Profile Church Planting: In closed countries, Harvesters equips leaders to operate within legal limits while still multiplying believers through house churches.
- Modular Training Delivery: Training can happen discreetly through Hubs in homes, shops, or remote areas without requiring formal institutions.
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Financial and Resource Constraints
Challenges:
- Many pastors lack income, resources, and church buildings.
- Bible materials and discipleship tools are expensive or scarce.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Hub Church Model: By training multiple pastors at once, the cost of planting a church and training a pastor is reduced to approximately $200—one of the most efficient models in the world.
- Free Bible Training Curriculum: Pastors receive a complete 4-year theological and discipleship course at no cost.
- Bivocational Encouragement: Leaders are equipped to sustain ministry alongside basic livelihoods.
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Leadership and Discipleship Gaps
Challenges:
- Lack of trained, biblically sound leaders.
- Immature churches lacking spiritual depth.
- Burnout among isolated planters.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Comprehensive Pastoral Training: The 4-year curriculum covers evangelism, discipleship, church planting, pastoral care, and leadership.
- Mentorship Through Streams: Leaders walk alongside each other, fostering peer accountability and encouragement.
- Multiplication Strategy: Each trained pastor is equipped to train others, creating a self-replicating leadership pipeline.
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Community and Social Challenges
Challenges:
- Extreme poverty, substance abuse, lack of education or healthcare.
- Suspicion or resistance from traditional community leaders.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Holistic Discipleship: Discipleship includes teaching biblical stewardship, community health principles, and ethical living, which elevate communities over time.
- Transformation Through the Gospel: When churches multiply, crime drops, forgiveness increases, and villages change from the inside out.
- Bridge-Building Approach: Harvesters teaches leaders to serve communities with humility, which often wins over hostile leaders.
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Urbanization and Population Mobility
Challenges:
- High turnover of people in urban or slum areas.
- Distractions of materialism and secularism in cities.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Flexible Church Models: Training includes how to plant churches in informal spaces like apartments, schools, or workplaces.
- Focus on Disciples Making Disciples: Even when people move, they carry the gospel and model to new locations, continuing the multiplication.
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Safety and Personal Risk
Challenges:
- Violence, conflict, and disease in many regions.
- Long travel distances with poor infrastructure.
Harvesters’ Solution:
- Localized Training Hubs: Training happens near pastors’ homes, minimizing travel risks.
- Empowering Nationals: Because leaders are locals, they can navigate dangers with greater wisdom and lower risk than foreign missionaries.
Practical Examples
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Malawi: From One Church to Over 100 in Three Years
Background:
In a rural area of Malawi, a single passionate pastor was trained through a Harvesters Hub. With no formal education, he received the 4-year biblical curriculum and mentorship through the Streams training process.
Transformation:
- Within three years, over 100 new churches were planted in surrounding villages.
- Several church members were trained to become pastors themselves.
- Communities once dominated by witchcraft and alcoholism reported drastic social change.
Result:
An entire regional network of churches emerged, led by locals, with gospel impact stretching into neighboring Mozambique.
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East Asia: Secret Hubs in Closed Nations
Background:
In a highly restricted Muslim-majority area, believers met secretly in homes. A covert Hub was established using discreet training sessions and digital resources.
Transformation:
- Six underground pastors completed their training and began discipling small house churches.
- Despite surveillance, churches multiplied, and over 60 people were baptized within a year.
- One former radical became a passionate evangelist, now training others.
Result:
A network of house churches formed, discipling believers in a region hostile to Christianity—proving the model works even where faith is illegal.
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East Africa: Gospel in War Zones
Background:
Amid ethnic conflict and poverty, a team of national missionaries trained through a Harvesters Hub in a war-torn country in East Africa began planting churches in refugee camps and tribal villages.
Transformation:
- Pastors started addressing not only spiritual needs but community trauma and forgiveness.
- Former combatants converted and reconciled with their enemies.
- Churches became centers of peace and aid, helping distribute food and medical aid through trusted networks.
Result:
Harvesters-trained leaders are planting churches where few outsiders can go, reshaping war-torn areas with the gospel of reconciliation.
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Brazil: Multiplying Churches in Urban Slums
Background:
In the favelas (slums) of a major Brazilian city, a single urban church became a Hub for training lay leaders who had come out of gang life and addiction.
Transformation:
- Over 40 micro-churches launched in drug-infested neighborhoods.
- Discipleship and biblical ethics led to the formation of job programs and addiction recovery ministries.
- Crime rates fell in the areas where these churches were planted.
Result:
A grassroots movement of indigenous evangelists transformed a violent region through gospel-centered community engagement.
Final Thoughts
Harvesters Ministries is not just addressing obstacles—it’s pioneering scalable, indigenous solutions to global church planting. Through its Hub Model, Streams training structure, and biblical discipleship focus, Harvesters is enabling rapid, healthy, and cost-effective church multiplication even in the world’s most difficult mission fields.
Is Seminary Training the Answer to the Declining Church in America?
An Article by Founder and CEO, Steven Loots
The emphasis on seminary or university training in the USA is a given. There are few churches with over 500 members that would even consider calling someone who does not have at least a Ph.D. Many smaller churches demand a master’s degree. Never in history has the clergy been so well-educated; however, the church is in decline. More churches close each year than new churches are planted. Attendance numbers are down, and the influence of the church is at a historic low. In addition to this, there is a swing toward Progressive Christianity, Catholisism, and the Prosperity Gospel is spreading globally, and cults and bad theology abound. Fewer people identify as born-again, and few believers consider themselves to be disciple-makers.
Ed Stetzer recently published a list of Full-Time Equivalent students at the top 16 seminaries in the U.S. The entire list totals 18,610 students. If we expanded the list to the top 25, it is doubtful we would reach 25,000. Not all of these students intend to become pastors, and many will drop out along the way. This is the future workforce that must fill existing posts as older pastors retire or pass away. This is the workforce that is supposed to take up the task of fulfilling the Great Commission.
In contrast, multiple non-academic institutions are producing tens of thousands of “less-qualified” ministers and missionaries. One example is Harvesters Ministries. Harvesters is a rapid-multiplication church-planting ministry that trains a pastor for each new church planted, using a “plant-and-train” model rather than the traditional “train-and-send” method. Harvesters alone has over 40,000 current students globally.
Let’s compare the two methods for a moment. On one hand, the academic model is far superior in terms of the level of education its students receive. No one doubts the important role seminaries play and how all denominations need highly trained theologians. On the other hand, the practical approach of the mission world requires each student to pay no tuition but mandates that they plant three churches in their four years of study.
The question is this: What does the church really need? What does the world really need? Do we need more certificates hanging on walls or more people winning souls for Christ and planting multiple new churches?
This is not a criticism of the individuals involved. They do what they are required to do. They study the required materials and complete the practical work assigned to them—on both sides of the equation. Whether you are at the top seminary or being trained by a “Hub Leader” somewhere in the Amazon jungle, you follow the guidance of your mentors. Thus, the problem lies within the system. The seminary system is heavily dependent on funding and student fees. It is expensive and must answer to accrediting agencies. It teaches what the denomination requires, and students are prepared to become maintainers of the status quo.
Here is an easy way to assess this. How many of the 25,000 seminary students will win even one person to Christ during their student years? How many churches—if any—will the 25,000 seminary students plant in the next three to five years or even in their lifetime? In contrast, Harvesters (and many other organizations’) students will evangelize many people and plant at least three churches each with new believers in the next four years. They will continue to do so for the rest of their lives. They will be prepared not to defend a thesis but to do the work the Kingdom requires, and they will have no student debt at the end of it.
Formal theological training requires a rethink. We need to ask, “What does the Kingdom and the Church need?” We must not focus on what the seminary needs, which invariably ends up being “more students.” Informal theological training should be viewed differently, especially when connected to outcome-based curricula such as those provided by Re-Forma. Instead of looking down on such training or trying to merely turn it into a feeder system for seminaries, we should learn from it. There will be no real gospel impact in the USA unless there is a return to a more biblical system for training future church leaders and infusing in them a passion for the Great Commission. There will always be a need for higher education; Masters and PhDs have a place, but they should not be entry level requirements to ministry.
New Nations, Same Mission: Reaching Denmark and Ireland
In recent weeks, Harvesters has taken exciting steps forward in Europe, launching our very first Kick Off trainings in Denmark and Ireland. As we continue to pursue the Great Commission, we’re thrilled to see doors opening and hearts igniting in these spiritually strategic nations. From the reflective streets of Denmark to the passionate churches of Ireland, the Gospel is moving – and local believers are stepping boldly into their callings.
Denmark: Bold Faith in a Cautious Culture
Our Denmark Kick Off revealed something both poignant and beautiful: in a culture known for restraint and self-sufficiency, there’s a quiet hunger growing for real, active faith. Over several days of training, Danish believers confronted deep personal questions – fears of stepping out, perfectionism, and the belief that they needed to “wait for the right moment.” But as the training progressed, so did their courage.
One participant put it plainly: “What am I so afraid of?” Another, Michelle, shared how she picked up the phone to call someone she hadn’t spoken to since 2017 – and that call led to a heartfelt prayer and an encounter with Jesus. Others began to look to their neighbours and communities with new eyes, ready to share their stories and disciple others.
Another attendee, Tobias, captured this fresh sense of purpose when he said, “I look very much forward to speaking with my neighbours… and to talk about Jesus and tell my story… so I can try to make them disciples as well.” His excitement reflects the broader shift taking place, a community moving from contemplation to action.
The tone in Denmark was reflective, thoughtful and deeply authentic. But the shift was unmistakable: a new sense of ownership and readiness is rising. One seed at a time, a movement is beginning.
A New Fire in Ireland
Ireland has now officially joined the Harvesters movement, with our first-ever Kick Off held in the town of Navan, just outside Dublin. The church community of Joshua, led by Pastor Liam, opened their doors and hearts wide as Regional Director Paul O’Neill delivered core disciple-making training. From the outset, the hunger was clear. Leaders, evangelists and everyday believers embraced the opportunity to be equipped, and their bold response reflected a nation ready for something new.
The weekend was filled with testimonies of transformation and commitment. Joe, a participant with a powerful story of redemption, shared how he had been set free from addiction and depression through a radical encounter with Jesus. “If He can save me,” he declared, “He can save anyone.” His passion to now bring that same Gospel to others encapsulates the very heart of the training. One lady from County Cavan shared how the experience reignited a love for the Gospel and brought new clarity to what it means to disciple others: “It’s not so complicated, it’s simple. And now I’m just excited to see what God’s going to do.”
Pastor Liam described the weekend as a divine continuation of their church’s journey. Providence, another participant, reflected, “The course reignited my passion to win souls and plant churches.” What stood out was not just the openness of the people, but their readiness to run with the vision. As Paul O’Neill said, “This is a miracle day in Ireland. The sun is shining, and so is the light of Jesus.” It’s clear: God is stirring something powerful in the Irish Church.
One Mission, Many Expressions
What we’ve seen in these two nations is both deeply encouraging and strategically important. While Denmark and Ireland are culturally unique, the fruit of disciple-making looks remarkably similar: lives changed, courage found and communities stirring with spiritual hunger.
Harvesters is committed to walking alongside the local church in nations across the world. In Denmark, this means continuing to build trust, encourage authenticity and equip believers to act even when it feels unnatural. In Ireland, it means fanning the flames — giving leaders the tools and confidence to multiply what God is already doing.
Europe is ready, the Gospel still active. And wherever there are willing hearts, disciples will be made.
Disciple Makers: Lessons in Fishing
South African churches are re-awakening to their true calling as Harvesters’ Disciple Makers gains momentum. Increasingly, congregations across the country are seeking solutions for challenges such as a declining attendance and influence. Disciple Makers is guiding Christians back to the solution found in Matthew 4:19 where Jesus commands His disciples to follow Him and learn how to fish for people.
Disciple Makers is a journey that realigns churches with the Great Commission. Leaders and members alike are joining this movement and rediscovering their purpose.
Casting the Net
Harvesters has already presented more than 40 Disciple Makers trainings in South Africa since launching the new version in 2023. The eight-hour training is the start of a discipleship journey that lasts a lifetime. It equips church leaders and members to evangelise their communities and to disciple those who are desperate for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
Churches nationwide are finding Disciple Makers useful and necessary. Pastor Reggie Strauss from Vredendal Full Gospel Church shared that his congregation has found “a refocus… and a realignment to what is really on the heart of the Father for His Church: The Great Commission connected with the Great Commandment to love.”
This March, we had a record breaking 94 believers attending one Disciple Makers event in Welkom, Free State. Pastor Roemien Joubert says that the seed has been sown and they are eager to keep the momentum going. We trust the same for upcoming Disciple Makers as we keep on casting our net as widely as possible.
Nets Breaking with Fish
In the book, Disciple Makers, author Steven Loots writes: “Every believer needs to live and grow as a disciple of Jesus. But every disciple also needs to be a disciple maker.” Disciple Makers motivates and equips ordinary people to allow the Spirit to do extraordinary work through them.
Patience, a believer from a town called Bronkhorstspruit in Gauteng Province, is one such an ordinary person. She was already obeying God by evangelising in her community but Disciple Makers led to a drastic change in her approach. “I used to lead people to Christ and then after that I leave them behind,” she recalled. “When I came here, I remember they taught us, if you lead somebody to Christ and then leave her without teaching her the right way to live, it’s like a giving birth to a baby and just leaving her. That touched me so much and I started to pray that God must restore them. That is why now I’m having 133 disciples.”
One hundred and thirty-three disciples! Patience’s story echoes Simon’s experience in Luke 5:5-6. When Jesus instructed him to cast his nets again, Simon obeyed and they caught “such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.” Obedience to Christ’s call yields incredible results.
Anybody Can Fish: The Right Tools
Although we hear amazing testimonies like Patience’s, it remains daunting to get out of the boat and become fishers of men. That’s why Disciple Makers provides a practical evangelism tool as well as a book called Transformational Discipleship, designed to guide new believers in their faith.
Louis, a believer from Gees en Waarheid Church in Phillipstown, found these tools invaluable. He explained how they helped his church to progress “step by step” and to show the love of God to people. “I really feel in my heart that [Disciple Makers] can work for you as well,” he shared.
We thank God for this growing movement of fishers-of-men and disciple makers. We join Louis in encouraging you to embark on the Disciple Makers journey with Harvesters and other churches. Together, we can cast our nets and bring in a harvest for Christ.
Newsletter May 2025
Download your copy of our latest newsletter today. Inside, learn how Harvesters is addressing a global need in remote places like Kenya. Plus, discover the principals of multiplication being learned in Malawi, and church expansion in Mongolia!
Download the May 2025 Newsletter – USA
Download the May 2025 Newsletter – UK
Download the May 2025 Newsletter – South Africa English
Download the May 2025 Newsletter – Afrikaans
Download the May 2025 Newsletter – International
30 Million Unreached! Pray for the Mission in the Philippines
The Philippines is a vibrant nation of over 110 million people, scattered across more than 7,600 islands. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, warm hospitality and deep-rooted Christian heritage, it is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia. Yet, despite the strong presence of churches, a spiritual crisis remains. Millions still do not have a personal relationship with Christ, and many communities are hungry for discipleship and access to the Word of God.
Harvesters is on the frontlines, addressing these needs through church planting, discipleship and pastoral training. As we launched our first church-planting movement – known as a Stream – with a Kick Off in Cebu, we shared our vision and strategy for rapid church multiplication through evangelism. Over one hundred pastors from Cebu, Leyte, Butuan and Manila committed themselves to the mission of church planting and discipleship.
The country, predominantly Roman Catholic, is in desperate need of churches planted among the rural poor, and of local leaders trained and equipped for ministry.
Bishop Noel Santino from Cebu shared about the urgency of the Gospel mission in his country. “We have quite a [number] of churches, but not to compare with the number of the lost that we are looking at,” he said. “When we were hearing how the Gospel needs to be preached, declared all over, we just felt that we are just scratching the surface of this need. This is not just a need; it’s a must!”
The opportunities for church planting in the Philippines is huge, but there are also many challenges, including limited resources and remote areas with little to no Gospel witness.
As part of the Kick Off event, pastors participated in a mapping session, revealing that out of 42,000 barangays (the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines), 23,000 have no evangelical church. These areas represent a staggering 30 million people who have little to no access to the Gospel!
But thankfully Noel and other pastors are committed to spreading the Gospel throughout their beloved nation. He reminds us of the power of church planting in fulfilling the Great Commission:
“Church planting connects with the very grain of our hearts’ desire—to reach out, win them, evangelise them, and disciple them. Through church planting, they have a space, they have room to grow and develop.”
As the church in the Philippines rises to this challenge, we invite you to stand with them in prayer. Together, we can be part of this great movement to bring the hope of Jesus to every island and community.
As Bishop Noel so passionately expressed, “Let us hold hands together and make this country and the countries of the world one for Christ.” Thank you for your prayers and support in this mission. May the Lord continue to bless the work being done in the Philippines and beyond!
How You Can Pray for the Philippines
- Pray for the lost – That millions who have yet to hear the true Gospel will encounter Christ and experience His saving grace.
- Pray for pastors and church planters – That they would have strength, wisdom, and perseverance as they labour in the harvest fields.
- Pray for resources – That Bibles, discipleship materials, and training opportunities would be abundant for those answering the call to ministry.
- Pray for the unreached areas – That the Gospel would break through in remote islands and communities where there are few or no churches.
- Pray for a mighty revival – That the Holy Spirit would move powerfully, transforming lives and drawing the Filipino people closer to Jesus.
Bibles for Lesotho: Mountains, Miracles and Horses
Lesotho, known as the Mountain Kingdom, is renowned for its spectacular hilly landscapes. Its people, the Basotho, are proud of their ability to live and thrive in the extreme conditions that result from the high altitudes and rough terrain of the Maloti mountains. Recently, thanks to Biblica and other supporters, we were able to deliver 800 Bibles to believers in newly planted churches nestled deep within these mountains.
Taking God’s Word to those longing for it involved treacherous roads and vehicle breakdowns, but we praise God for brothers and sisters willing to do whatever it took. Twice, when all seemed lost, God opened the way through unexpected means.
A Horse, a Maize Bag and Answered Prayers
The Bible placement team was eager to meet fellow believers and present them with Bibles in their own language. But as they ascended one of the highest mountains in Lesotho, their excitement turned to concern. Their vehicle’s gearbox gave out, smoke billowing from the engine. Stranded with no way forward, the team feared the believers at the mountaintop would be left empty-handed.
But, when serving an almighty God for whom all things are possible, trials often turn into testimonies of His faithfulness. The Student Pastor of the church heard the news, jumped on his horse and grabbed a bag that had been filled with maize meal. Downhill, the team members, almost ready to turn back, were surprised to see this friend coming down the mountain road on horseback – an answer to their prayers.
Soon enough, disciples at the top of the mountain were holding their own copies of God’s Word in their hands – Bibles delivered not by human means but by God’s provision, and received by joyful recipients who faithfully put their trust in Him. How the team and their vehicle made it back is another testimony of God’s grace, but one thing is certain – the mission was accomplished.
Once Again, God Sends a Horse
The very next day, another group from Team Lesotho found themselves in a strikingly similar position. They had gone as far as their truck could carry them up a steep and rocky road in Mohlakeng. Heading towards expectant believers waiting to receive their Sesotho Bibles, the team navigated the winding path, dodging donkeys and cattle. Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of screeching brakes filled the air – the road had claimed another vehicle!
In a coincidence that can only be considered providence, a man on horseback approached. This time he was a stranger, but it did not require much convincing for this Samaritan to load the precious cargo onto his horse and transport it up the hill to the waiting church members. Not long after, the delivery of the Bibles was confirmed by a phone call. Thanks to the supernatural provision of our faithful God, His servants had received their Swords with which they can continue to fight His battle in Lesotho.
Equipped and Ready to Do Whatever it Takes
These miraculous deliveries demonstrate God’s provision and faithfulness to His people. Providing Bibles to 30 churches planted through Harvesters’ Hub Model inspired awe at the dedication of Christ’s servants in Lesotho.
Julia, 83 years old, received a Bible in her own language, but in spite of her age, its impact will not stop with her. “I’m going to teach other people. My neighbours, my children… everybody in my community,” she rejoiced.
Pastor Ntebo Mosenye, who has recently planted a church, echoed Julia’s fervour for discipleship: “We don’t just get saved to be just a congregation, but we go and make disciples, we go and plant churches.”
And Mamolemo Tikiso from Ha Nkoebe Village declared, “We shall continue to read the Word of God… we shall continue to tell others that Jesus is Lord and He saves people from their sins.”
We praise God humbly for His provision and for devoted followers willing to do whatever it takes.
Testimonies of Hope and Multiplication in Egypt
Amidst ongoing challenges in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), God is powerfully at work. Through the faithful discipleship and church-planting efforts of pastors trained by Harvesters, the Good News of Jesus is reaching new communities –advancing in places once considered unreached or hostile.
This region, marked by both incredible opportunities and deep struggles for Christians, remains a critical area for advancing the Gospel. Let us lift them in prayer, as we celebrate their testimonies and support their work with intercession. You will find prayer points below.
Testimonies of Hope: Sudanese Refugees in Egypt
In Egypt, Harvesters is training a group of Sudanese refugees. Reflecting on his experience, Pastor Marco expressed deep gratitude for the “true discipleship” training he has received. Coming from a difficult background, he had searched for solid, Biblical teachings but found many programmes lacking in depth and practicality.
“This is the best discipleship school I have experienced because it teaches true Biblical truths and texts. It transforms the Christian life,” he said. “May the Lord bless and use us to win many souls.”
Pastor Simon, another Sudanese leader, echoes Marco’s sentiments, praising the simplicity and applicability of Harvesters’ teachings.
“This study has made a significant difference in my life,” he shared. “The book and its steps are very clear. It helps anyone disciple others. We pray that we don’t just learn and remain silent but share these teachings with those in need.”
Pray today for these leaders that God is raising up, some of whom will return to Sudan and South Sudan with the teachings they’ve learned and expand the Kingdom in their home countries.
Multiplication Across the MENA Region
From another group being trained in Egypt, one pastor shared the “profound impact” of receiving Harvesters’ training and how it became the catalyst for church planting in his home country – a North African nation closed to the Gospel.
“By God’s grace, we have now started planting churches – seven so far – and have appointed seven leaders to pastor them,” he shared. “The Harvesters programme is truly unique in how it facilitates expansion and multiplication in God’s Kingdom, resulting in real and tangible growth. Your training has been wonderful for us.”
Despite operating in a region where Christianity faces intense challenges, leaders like this are bold in their faith and unwavering in their commitment to God’s mission, but they cannot do it alone. Your prayers are vital to strengthen and sustain them.
How You Can Pray
As we celebrate these incredible testimonies, we also recognise the ongoing need for prayer and support. The work in MENA is far from easy, but the fruit is real and growing.
- Pray for Sudanese Refugees in Egypt: For their spiritual growth and ability to disciple others amid hardship, and for provision as they face challenging social and economic conditions. Pray many will return to Sudan and South Sudan to share the Gospel.
- Pray for Church Planting in North Africa: For protection and courage for leaders in closed countries, for the seven new churches to thrive and bear fruit, and for wisdom and perseverance for pastors leading these multiplication efforts.
- Pray for the MENA Region: For an outpouring of the Holy Spirit to transform individuals and communities, for peace and stability in conflict zones, and for God to open doors for the Gospel to reach the unreached.
A Sick Cow and the Gospel Open Hearts to Jesus
In a remote, Muslim-majority village in South Asia, where the name of Jesus had never been heard, a church planter arrived with a mission on his heart. His goal was to find a community where he could plant a church, guided by the Holy Spirit and equipped with the tools he had received during his training from Harvesters.
A Family, A Cow and the Power of the Gospel
As he walked through the village, he encountered a couple in distress – their cow, their only source of income, was gravely ill. They asked him to pray for the animal and, sensing an opportunity to show God’s power, he agreed. Afterwards, he shared the Gospel with them using the Heart of Man Chart, a powerful evangelism tool. The Heart of Man illustrates the state of a person’s heart before and after knowing God, making it an ideal way to share the Gospel with those who have never heard it.
He explained their need for a Saviour, highlighting the spiritual condition of every person apart from God: ensnared by sin and unable to rescue themselves. “You need Jesus,” he told them. He explained the profound price Jesus paid on the cross and the promise of eternal life through His sacrifice. They listened intently, visibly moved, but asked for time to consider his words.
The very next day, the couple reached out to him with open hearts. They were ready to commit their lives to Christ and be baptised – not only the husband and wife but also another lady they had prepared.
Baptised and Commissioned
As the pastor prayed blessings over them during their water baptism, he reminded them that this commitment wasn’t only for their own salvation. “Now it’s your duty to go and tell others about the Gospel,” he said, commissioning them to spread the Good News that Jesus died, was buried and rose again on the third day.
In the following months, the impact of their decision radiated across the village. The new believers faithfully shared the Gospel, and 30 people accepted Christ and were baptised in Jesus’ name.
From among these new converts, the pastor identified a young man filled with passion and potential, whom he began to train as a Student Pastor with Harvesters. This Student Pastor quickly took up the call to evangelise further, travelling to neighbouring villages and planting house churches where new believers could be discipled and baptised.
Growth and Multiplication
Today, this movement continues to grow. Together, the church planter and his Student Pastor have already established three house churches in unreached villages. Transformation is spreading as each new church brings spiritual change – all because a family asked for prayer for their sick cow. The Lord has opened the way!
This is just the beginning. In this closed nation, Harvesters has already established two church-planting movements, known as Streams. Each Stream consists of pastors committed to evangelising unreached villages, planting churches and training new pastors – creating a cycle of rapid multiplication.
The vision of Harvesters is to see Streams multiply across this nation and into the surrounding regions of Asia, carrying the light of the Gospel to those who have never heard it. Let us pray for more Streams to open, for the Gospel to penetrate hearts and for the Good News to spread across Asia, transforming lives and communities for God’s glory.
Pray for Madagascar: Seeds of Sacrifice Ready for Harvest
We are excited to share an update from Madagascar, where we’ve recently launched a second church-planting movement. The Lord has shown us that the harvest is ripe, and we are grateful to be a part of it. This is a place where the Gospel has been fought for in ways few can understand, with many paying the ultimate price for Christ. Now, we reap the fruit of their sacrifices and ask for your prayers as we continue this important work – prayer points are listed at the end of the article.
The Heavy History of Madagascar
Madagascar has a rich yet painful history, especially in its relationship with Christianity. While the Gospel first arrived in the 16th century, it’s spread was severely hampered during the reign of Queen Ranavalona I in the 1800s. She saw the spread of Christianity as a direct threat to her authority and responded with horrific violence, forcing the Church underground. Thousands were martyred and many more suffered for their faith.
As we continue our mission here, we are entering fields that have been tilled by the blood of martyrs. God is moving, and He is answering the cries of His people. We encourage you to join us in praying for Madagascar’s transformation, both spiritually and materially.
Poverty And Access to Training
Madagascar is one of the world’s poorest countries with over 70% of its population living in poverty. Despite the struggles, the people are resilient and hungry for ministry training from Harvesters.
A unique aspect of Harvesters is we take training directly to pastors in their villages, enabling them to stay and plant churches in remote communities that desperately need them. This approach allows us to reach those who might otherwise not have access to training. And the best part? The training is provided free of charge. The contribution of enrolled pastors is to plant at least three churches during the programme.
Currently, almost 300 pastors are in training across two church-planting movements in Madagascar, known as Streams. Eager to reach their communities with the Gospel, many have prayed for this opportunity for years. As Pastor Alain, Harvesters’ Country Leader for Madagascar, said: “These are the things we prayed for.” God is at work in this land and our prayers can have an impact.
Unreached People and Need for Churches
Today, around 40% of the population profess to be Christians. But with 11 unreached people groups still on the island, there is an urgent need for evangelism and churches. Furthermore, there’s a deep need for discipleship, as many believers are mixing traditional practises in with Christian teachings.
During the launch of our second Stream in Tamatave, an area increasingly influenced by Islam, the pastors applied their new evangelism methods. In one afternoon, 60 people came to faith in Christ! Pastor Alain shared, “Harvesters teaches us an easy way to present the Gospel.”
Hope for the Future
The harvest is indeed ripe – and there are more pastors waiting to get involved. Perhaps most encouraging of all is the rising passion of young people in their 20s who are eagerly signing up for church planting training. There is even the potential for seven more areas across Madagascar to launch new Streams!
In the words of Thinus Botha, Continent Leader, “There’s a need for church planting, there’s a need for discipleship, there’s a need to share the Gospel… That’s why Harvesters came to Madagascar!”
Prayer Points
- Pray for the protection and boldness of pastors as they plant churches and evangelise.
- Pray for the 11 unreached people groups to encounter the Gospel.
- Thank the Lord for faithful leaders who want to see their nation won to Christ.
- Pray for the physical and spiritual healing of the people of Madagascar.
- Pray for young people in training to become bold leaders for the Great Commission.
Newsletter February 2025
Harvesters’ February newsletter is filled with exciting updates and powerful moves of God. Inside, be inspired by the passion of Zambia’s leaders, be amazed at the miracles of God in Eurasia, and be challenged by questions from Southeast Asia.
Download your copy below.
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – UK
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – US
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – South Africa English
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – International
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – Afrikaans
Download the February 2025 Newsletter – Dutch
The Joy of God’s Word for Malawi
Early in September 2024, 8,500 Bibles reached the cities of Zomba and Lilongwe in Malawi. These Bibles, supplied by Biblica, were earmarked for disciples in churches planted through Harvesters. Putting God’s Word into the hands of these believers required the help of 23 volunteers, divided into four teams.
The fruit we discovered in churches in and around Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Bangula and Zomba is a testament to the power of the Spirit at work in these communities. So, let’s pray for every disciple who received a Bible and to thank God for all He is doing. Prayer points are included below.
The joy of the Lord is their strength
Gloria, a headwoman (a community leader role similar to a village chief) from Mkhucke in southern Malawi, shared a testimony that evokes humble awe at the joy sparked by the simple gift of a Bible. “When I heard that you were coming, I left home before I ate anything. Before you arrived, I was so hungry,” she said. “But when you gave me the gift of a Bible, all the hunger that I had has gone. And now I’m filled up with so much joy that I could stay here the rest of the day!”
Another sister who received a Bible echoes the sentiment: “Since I was born I did not have… a full Bible. Today is my happiest day!”
These testimonies make us want to join in a dance of praise, like one elderly Student Pastor who said, “I am dancing before the Lord to show how happy I am to receive this Bible. I am so full of happiness that I can’t help but dance today.”
Freely they receive. Freely they give.
Pastors and believers who received a Bible also gladly accepted the responsibility that comes with it. Dolla Katsala, who previously lost two Bibles to theft, understands that God wants to equip us through His Word to reach others. “I am committed to using this Bible I have received to the maximum!” she shared.
Pastor Frank, from Balaka in southern Malawi, pastors a church with 82 members – where previously only two had Bibles before Harvesters visited them! But now, members of his church can read the Word on their own and teach others.
“God has given the responsibility. I have taken the weapon. My life will not be same,” declared Andrew Tembo as he held his new Bible. And we say, Amen.
Next level church planting and discipleship
The fact that so many believers were eagerly awaiting Bibles is a consequence of many years’ dedicated evangelism and church planting in Malawi. Some Bibles were delivered to Level 5 student pastors – individuals who have been discipled through a chain of mentorship. This chain begins by Hub Leaders who attend Harvesters Hub Church Planting training and go on to train others, who in turn train others. This cycle ensures a saturation of church plants with trained pastors.
In Malawi, where Harvesters has been active for over 25 years, it’s clear to see 2 Timothy 2:2 in action – leaders teaching leaders to teach others. We praise God for the fruit of their tireless work. Pastor Saulosi Suluma sums up their dedication perfectly: “The programme doesn’t stop. We continue, we continue, we continue!”
May we join these inspirational pastors in persisting, fighting the good fight, finishing the race and keeping the faith.
Pray with pastors and believers in Malawi:
- Praise God for the Bibles He has provided, as expressed by Brother Joseph Ernest: “This is my opportunity and this is my joy.”
- Join Pastor Robert in thanking God for the fruit in his life and ministry. “Harvesters Bible School helped me a lot to know how to plant churches, how to grow the church, how to grow my spiritual life, how to grow my family, how to grow the Christian family,” he shares.
- Pray for continued strength for Malawian Christians. In the words of Andrew Tembo, “Let’s put on the whole armour of God that we will be able to wrestle against the will of the enemy.”
- Ask God to continue providing resources so that this sister’s plea will not be in vain: “Please, Biblica and Harvesters, don’t stop.Continue to help us with Bibles and the Word of God.”
Pray for the Seeds Planted in Brazil
In August 2024, Harvesters held our Global Church Planting Weekend, rallying faithful believers across the world to share the love of Christ and expand God’s Kingdom. The pastors in Brazil took this special opportunity to share the Gospel with people in homes and public places. Let’s pray for all the seeds sown over those powerful three days.
Taking the Gospel to People’s Homes
Various evangelism house visits took place over the weekend. In Belo Horizonte, Pastor Maicon was invited to the home of brother Carlos, a new believer in his church. Carlos’ family are unsaved, but they had the wonderful opportunity of hearing the Gospel shared with them that day. Let’s pray for the words to germinate and the Holy Spirit to open their hearts to Jesus.
In Senador Firmino, a breakthrough occurred when a Catholic family, in need of liberation from the bonds of tradition, welcomed believers into their house. “The simple fact that we were allowed to enter this home shows that the Lord is doing something,” shared Pastor Tiago Oliveira, Harvesters Country Leader in Brazil. The group sang songs of worship and shared the Good News. One of the four adult sons, who suffered a terrible accident at work, has surrendered his life to Christ and experienced healing! Let’s pray for the salvation of his wife and the rest of the family.
In Jequitinhonha Valley, home evangelism visits led to the salvation of a young man, who prayed, “I accept you as the only and sufficient Saviour of my life.” Praise the Lord for the fruit of these home visits.
Hitting the Streets
In addition to home visits, churches held services outside, providing opportunities for community engagement. On the Friday in Belo Horizonte, an event was held at an ice cream shop in a poor and violent neighbourhood. Songs of worship were sung, testimonies were shared, and the Gospel of salvation was preached, while passers-by listened, and people watched from their windows.
On Saturday, a similar event in Senador Firmino’s public square utilised the Heart of Man Chart, a visual evangelism tool, leading to meaningful conversations. As Pastor Tiago noted, “Many approached furtively to understand what was happening,” demonstrating a curiosity about faith amidst their Catholic background. An elderly lady and two children were saved as a result of this event!
In Divinópolis, Pastor Sidney and a congregation member evangelised in the city centre. “We are talking to people about a renewed heart, raising people’s awareness about the importance of caring for our spiritual hearts,” he said. Let’s pray for the seeds sown that day.
“May the Lord continue to rescue people and may we have the opportunity to disciple new believers as the Lord adds them to His Church,” said Tiago.
Special Services and Praise Events
The weekend also featured special services aimed at discipleship and spiritual growth. On Friday, the church in Betim held discipleship meetings in the house churches that were planted this year. The topic of the moment was to discuss the disciplines found in Steven Loots’ book Transformational Discipleship. This was followed on Sunday by a house church leaders gathering to discuss the church-planting cycle of Harvesters: evangelise, plant a church, disciple, identify and train a leader, do it all over again.
In Tavares, Pastor José Arnaldo, who is planting churches among young people, held an evangelism and praise event titled ‘Worship and War’. “God has raised up young people, teenagers and children to take part in this church-planting work,” he shared. This event not only celebrated the Lord’s goodness but also encouraged attendees to engage in discipleship and community outreach.
Prayer Points for the Seeds Planted in Brazil
- Pray for the new believers who accepted Christ during the weekend, that they may grow in their faith and find community in local churches.
- Pray for the families who welcomed evangelism teams into their homes, that their hearts may continue to open to the Gospel.
- Pray for the ongoing work of Harvesters in Brazil, that more churches may be planted and established in unreached areas.
- Pray for the youth engaged in church planting efforts, that they may be empowered and equipped to share their faith boldly.
- Pray for the spiritual climate in Brazil, asking the Lord to break down barriers and lead many to salvation.
India: The All-Powerful Gospel At Work
Indian Christians increasingly find themselves under threat in their own country. Persecution at the hand of extremist Hindus is on the rise. Anti-conversion laws mean that any Christian sharing their faith can be accused of a crime. Violent attacks on Christians are becoming more commonplace. And, yet, we see the all-powerful Gospel leading to salvation in even the most unlikely places!
A Divine Encounter
One pastor and his wife experienced first-hand how powerful the Gospel can be when conveyed in its most simple form and in the most simple circumstances: by sharing a meal with fellow countrymen.
Pastor Dev* and Ami travelled in the scorching sun to a nearby village to share the Gospel. “We asked for water at a random house,” shares Pastor Dev. A woman opened the door to them and kindly welcomed the strangers into her home. Although she didn’t have any food to offer her visitors, the woman managed to get some basic ingredients from a neighbour to prepare a meal for them.
Over this meal Pastor Dev and Ami shared the powerful message of the Gospel with the woman. She was open and curious, and the Spirit worked through this woman to transform her community.
“We began visiting her home weekly, where she would gather her family and neighbours,” shares Dev. “Over time, a house church formed in her home.” The woman’s daughter has now been baptised, despite the risks that this entails.
As pastors enter villages to evangelise or disciple, groups of Hindu nationalists will often appear to drive them out – sometimes violently. But faithful believers like Dev and Ami refuse to let this deter them preaching the Gospel. Harvesters is thankful to be able to work with them.
God had pre-ordained this meeting between Pastor Dev, Ami and the woman from the village, and He used them to expand His Kingdom. Dev sums it up: “This lady welcomed God into her life and God did wonders in her family. All glory to God, Amen!”
God has sent faithful workers
Despite the vast challenges, God has prepared many more faithful servants like Dev and Ami, who are willing to open the way for the Gospel in India.
Harvesters’ teaching shifts the focus from buildings and public evangelisation campaigns to personal evangelism, personal prayer and gatherings in houses. Many pastors are already implementing these new methods from their training.
One Harvesters Stream, or church planting movement, has seen a hundred baptisms and 40 churches planted! In another Stream, 99 people have been baptised over the past 12 months! This is amazing if one considers the price these individuals have to pay to be baptised – officially declaring yourself a Christian in India means losing certain government benefits and being marginalised in society.
Throughout history the Gospel has triumphed under persecution. Thanks to your continued prayers, your faithful partnership and the bold workers in the harvest fields of India, we believe the same will be true of this beautiful country. Join us in thanking God for the giants of faith who have committed themselves to evangelise, make disciples and plant churches in India.
*Names changed for security reasons.
Disrupting Missions and Church Planting
A Message from Founder and CEO, Steven Loots
Modern missions are generally considered to have started in the late 18th century, marked by the establishment of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1792 by William Carey, often called the “Father of Modern Missions.” Carey’s influence was instrumental in pioneering a structured approach to missions focused on cross-cultural evangelism, translation work, and local leadership development. His ideas emphasized the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) as a universal command, not just for the apostles but for all believers, inspiring a wave of mission organizations in the West.
This era continued to expand through the 19th century with key figures like Hudson Taylor in China, Adoniram Judson in Burma, and David Livingstone in Africa. These missionaries introduced a model of living among local populations, adapting to their cultures, and prioritizing indigenous leadership—a framework that greatly influenced mission practices and led to the establishment of many mission-sending agencies worldwide. Overall, we could call the model that has dominated missions for over 200 years the “Train and Send” model.
God has used this method to reach into much of the known world and has led to millions coming to Christ. However, in the modern world, this model is generally expensive and slow.
The “Train and Send” model, while being a cornerstone of Christian missions for over a century, focused on equipping individuals through intensive training before sending them into the mission field. In the early 20th century, missionary organizations like the China Inland Mission and the Student Volunteer Movement implemented this model, emphasizing cultural training, language acquisition, and theological study before sending missionaries abroad. This approach sought to prepare individuals to effectively engage with diverse communities and spread the gospel in culturally sensitive ways. For many decades, the model was primarily focused on sending missionaries from the West to foreign fields, with local indigenous leaders receiving support but often playing a secondary role.
The “Train and Send” model, while historically valuable, has several limitations that have slowed the spread of the gospel in relation to the growing global need. One major limitation is the extensive time and resources required for formal theological training. The traditional model often demands several years of study in a seminary or Bible college before a pastor or missionary is considered adequately trained to be sent. This lengthy preparation process severely limits the number of workers that can be mobilized, as each candidate must go through this extended period of education before being deployed. This bottleneck delays the immediate planting of churches and hinders the ability to respond quickly to new mission opportunities, particularly in areas that have little to no gospel presence.
Seminaries and Bible colleges play a central role in this model, often demanding years of study that include biblical languages, doctrine, church history, and pastoral care. While this formal training has been invaluable for producing well-educated leaders, it is costly and largely inaccessible for many rural people, particularly in developing nations, who feel called to ministry. The financial burden, travel logistics, and time commitment often make it nearly impossible for indigenous leaders from remote areas to receive the education necessary to be “sent.” Furthermore, the model’s reliance on lengthy preparation times before leaders can be deployed severely limits the number of churches that can be planted. Seminaries and training institutions are not equipped to handle the rapid multiplication of leaders and churches that are needed in areas with little to no gospel presence. This results in a bottleneck, slowing down the growth of the church.
Additionally, the financial costs associated with formal theological education make the model inaccessible to many people, particularly those in rural or impoverished areas. The expense of tuition, living costs, and sometimes relocation for years of study can prevent those who feel called to ministry from pursuing it. This restricts the number of trained leaders in regions where the need for church planting is most urgent, as potential local leaders are often excluded due to financial barriers. As a result, the spread of the gospel is slowed, particularly in the developing world, where resources are scarce, but the spiritual need is immense.
Moreover, the “Train and Send” model is largely centralized and reliant on sending missionaries from Western or established churches to other regions, often overlooking the potential for rapid multiplication through local leadership. This approach focuses on preparing a select few for missions rather than equipping and mobilizing local believers who are already within the target regions. Indigenous leaders, who understand their own cultures and contexts, are not empowered early enough, which further delays the establishment of self-sustaining, locally led churches. This model cannot easily scale to match the speed required to meet the vast spiritual need across the globe, where millions remain unreached due to these constraints.
In the “Train and Send” model, another significant limitation is that many missionaries and pastors are required to raise their own financial support before being sent, which further delays their deployment to the mission field. After completing formal theological training, which is often expensive and time-consuming, these individuals must spend additional time building relationships with donors, churches, and other organizations to secure the necessary funds for their salary, living expenses, and ministry costs. This fundraising process can take months or even years, significantly slowing down the timeline for getting missionaries into the field, particularly in areas where the need for the gospel is urgent.
The reliance on missionaries to raise their own support also places a heavy financial burden on sending churches or denominations, as they are often expected to contribute substantially to these fundraising efforts. This is on top of the expectation that they will provide long-term financial support to cover the missionary’s salary once they are sent. In many cases, this creates a bottleneck where only a limited number of missionaries can be fully funded and deployed, further reducing the number of church plants and limiting the reach and impact of the mission.
Additionally, the traditional model often assumes that a physical church building will be necessary once a missionary or pastor is sent. The cost of constructing or acquiring a church building is a major financial hurdle for many sending churches and denominations, especially in areas where real estate or construction costs are high. Combined with the need to provide ongoing financial support for the missionary or pastor, this adds even more strain on sending churches, making it difficult to multiply churches and leaders quickly. These factors—lengthy theological training, fundraising, the expectation of providing a salary, and the costs of a church building—have all contributed to the slow spread of the gospel under the “Train and Send” model, particularly in resource-poor or unreached areas.
A Disruptive Model Changing How We Do Church Planting
In recent years, Harvesters Ministries has introduced a disruptive shift in the traditional Missions model by moving from “Train and Send” to a “Plant and Train” approach. Instead of focusing solely on training missionaries to be sent out, Harvesters begins with evangelism and discipleship leading to the planting of churches as the first step. This strategy prioritizes the rapid establishment of local churches in unreached areas, and once these churches are planted, Harvesters trains local indigenous pastors and church members to lead and sustain these congregations. By starting with church planting, the gospel takes root immediately in communities, allowing discipleship and leadership development to happen within the context of an existing church body, rather than waiting for a trained missionary to arrive.
This “Plant and Train” model has revolutionized how church planting is conducted, particularly in remote or restricted-access regions. By empowering local believers from the beginning, Harvesters Ministries equips indigenous pastors to lead their communities, using culturally relevant methods and understanding the unique needs of their people. This decentralized, grassroots approach not only accelerates the spread of the gospel but also makes the church more sustainable in the long term. Indigenous leaders are trained to multiply disciples and plant additional churches, creating a self-sustaining movement. While training remains a critical component, the “Plant and Train” model places church planting at the forefront, disrupting the traditional “Train and Send” paradigm and paving the way for exponential growth in global missions.
In addition to its innovative “Plant and Train” model, Harvesters Ministries has developed the Hub Model, which significantly reduces the cost of planting churches and training pastors.
In the USA the average total cost to train a missionary, relocate their family to the mission field, and support them for their first year ranges from approximately $115,000 to $330,000. This includes the costs of theological education, relocation expenses, annual living support, and ministry-related costs. The wide range reflects the various factors such as the type of training, cost of living in different countries, and specific ministry needs.
Harvesters could plant between 575 and 1,650 churches and train a pastor for each of them for the price of training and sending a single missionary and his family to the field. The process would also be rapid, with discernible results within 24 months, and all the churches planted, and pastors trained within 6-8 years.
Harvesters has also significantly disrupted the MDM (Multiplication Discipleship Movements) and other church planting movements, which do not provide adequate pastoral training for new churches and are experiencing high attrition rates. Harvesters addresses this by combining systematic church planting with pastoral training at every church planted.
The Importance of Training Pastors
Multiplication movements that do not prioritize formal training for pastors often see high attrition rates due to the lack of theological and leadership foundations. Without adequate training, leaders may lack the doctrinal understanding and pastoral skills needed to guide their congregations effectively. This can lead to theological errors, conflict, and eventual burnout, as leaders feel unprepared to address the complex challenges that arise in ministry. They and their churches are vulnerable to cults and false teaching.
In addition to theological gaps, untrained pastors often experience emotional and psychological burnout. Ministry can be demanding, and without the necessary tools for handling stress, conflict, and emotional pressures, many pastors in rapid multiplication movements quickly become overwhelmed. Moreover, the absence of ongoing support structures such as mentorship and accountability leaves these pastors isolated, increasing the likelihood of attrition when they face difficulties in their ministry context.
The practical challenges of ministry, such as cultural engagement, governance, and administration, also contribute to the high attrition rates. Many untrained pastors lack the skills to navigate these challenges, leading to frustration and instability in their churches. Without proper training, these leaders struggle to build sustainable ministries, which affects both their personal endurance and the long-term viability of the churches they lead. Consequently, movements that emphasize rapid multiplication without sufficient training often experience high rates of pastoral burnout and church closures.
Harvesters has committed to training a pastor for every church it plants. Using a four-year curriculum that equips local indigenous leaders while they serve in their local churches, the cost to plant a church and train a pastor is brought down to approximately $200. This remarkable reduction in expenses is achieved through the strategic method of training multiple Hub Leaders at once, in what Harvesters calls “Streams.” By training many leaders simultaneously, the organization leverages economies of scale, ensuring that resources are used efficiently while still providing in-depth training for each leader. This cost-effective approach allows for rapid multiplication of churches in areas with limited resources, making it possible to reach more unreached people with the gospel while ensuring that local pastors are well-prepared to lead and disciple their communities.
Disrupting How Churches and Individuals Support Missions
Asking hard questions of missionaries and agencies is becoming more important than ever. The need is huge, and resources are limited. Beyond asking about vision, calling, training, and the usual information, it is time to ask about effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. Are the results measurable? Is a system in place to track the results? Can they be verified? Can they be visited and inspected? Are new churches mapped out?
What is the attrition rate? This is vitally important. In the church planting world, we often hear about large numbers of churches being planted; however, in many cases, there might be up to a 70% attrition rate. Are these included in the reporting? If so, why?
Do new converts receive Bibles? What discipleship is taking place? Is there replication and multiplication?
Are pastors being trained for every church? Sadly, there are over 2 million churches around the world where the leader is inadequately trained.
What is the ROI of my gift? This is often problematic for people to ask; however, many churches support projects, missionaries, or organizations that are static, dormant, or simply ineffective. Giving is an investment into the fulfillment of the Great Commission, and we should expect results over time.
Harvesters helps churches plant churches, disciples make more disciples and provides adequate pastoral training. Currently, Harvesters works in almost 100 countries. Over 132,000 churches have been planted, and there are over 40,000 student pastors enrolled. Globally, there are almost 200 Streams (movements). The curriculum is available in 70 languages. Over 130 new churches are planted every day.
Vision
Harvesters is currently developing projects aimed at focusing on the 11 “Hot Zones” that we have identified. These areas could be a country or grouping of countries where we foresee (and have experienced) a fast rate of church planting and where we believe we can plant about 75,000 new churches over an 8-10 year period. Areas outside of these “Hot Zones” are “Passion Projects” or “Heart Zones”—areas where we want to work but where multiple factors lead to slower results. An example of a Passion Project would be Egypt. We have planted over 400 churches there but recognize that it, along with the rest of the MENA region, is unlikely to produce the required number of churches to be seen as a Hot Zone.
Together, we can change how missions are done and make a real impact in the world. Our vision is to plant 1,000,000 churches and train a pastor for each of them.