Uma Pilha de Livros Chega à RDC
Em algumas partes do mundo, um dia de treinamento pode significar uma pequena adaptação à programação diária ou apenas um breve desvio das atividades locais. Os materiais de treinamento podem ser baixados ou impressos com facilidade. No entanto, em outras partes do mundo, requisitos aparentemente sem impactos para os eventos de treinamento, na verdade, exigem uma quantidade significativa de esforço! Esforço que envolve o custo pessoal de nossos dedicados líderes dos Harvesters. Um exemplo é a coleta e distribuição dos livros de treinamento.
O treinamento na República Democrática do Congo foi interrompido devido aos efeitos do Covid-19. Mas, algumas semanas atrás, o coordenador regional de Harvesters, Pastor Decco, ficou animado ao receber a notícia de que os tão esperados livros de treinamento estavam finalmente a caminho.
Vinte caixas grandes, cada uma com 20 livros, estavam sendo enviadas para a Zâmbia, uma nação vizinha ao sul da RDC. Isso pode ter parecido longe demais para alguns, mas o pastor Decco estava desesperado para colocar as mãos nos materiais. Assim, percorreu mais de 200km até Mufulira, na Zâmbia, onde as caixas o aguardavam. Dentro havia 200 livros de treinamento dos Harvesters da Fase A e 200 da Fase B em francês, o idioma nacional da RDC. O pastor Decco percebeu que cada livro representava 200 alunos que logo seriam capazes de crescer e se desenvolver ainda mais.
Alimentado por sua paixão pelo discipulado, o Pastor Decco empilhou criativamente as 20 caixas em duas bicicletas (130 kg por bicicleta) e viajou lentamente o trecho de 25 km até a fronteira com a RDC. Lá, ele os carregou no transporte público para a jornada de 200 km de volta a Lubumbashi.
Finalmente de volta à sua região natal, o trabalho ainda não havia acabado. Nos dias seguintes, ele começou o processo de distribuição dos livros para os 179 líderes de núcleo em torno de Lubumbashi. Esses líderes de núcleo ficaram maravilhados; eles esperaram um ano pelos materiais enquanto estavam presos e sob as restrições da Covid.
Herbie Venter, Diretor Regional dos Harvesters para a África Ocidental e Central, disse: “Louvamos ao Senhor pelo feedback dos líderes do núcleo que receberam os livros que, enquanto estavam presos e em situação de Covid seguiram em frente e plantaram igrejas”. O feedback de 12 dos Líderes de Núcleo em Lubumbashi é que 60 novas igrejas foram plantadas!
Agora, louvado seja o Senhor, os pastores em treinamento terão acesso aos livros dos Harvesters; e eles podem iniciar – e continuar – seu treinamento. Graças às suas generosas doações, os alunos dos Harvesters em todo o mundo recebem livros como esses como parte de seu programa de três anos de treinamento. Agradecemos a Deus por vocês, nossos doadores, e por líderes dedicados como o Pastor Decco que estão ajudando a fazer crescer o Reino de Deus aqui na terra.
Não faça nada por ambição egoísta ou vaidade. Em vez disso, valorize os outros com humildade acima de si mesmo, não olhando para os seus próprios interesses, mas cada um de vocês para os interesses dos outros. Filipenses 2: 3-4
Dois eventos de lançamento bem-sucedidos aconteceram na África do Sul
Os Harvesters tem trabalhado na África do Sul nos últimos três anos. Nesse tempo, 13 centros de plantação de igrejas começaram em cinco das nove províncias da África do Sul. Os centros estabelecidos foram capazes de continuar a plantar novas igrejas, mesmo durante os confinamentos no ano passado. Nomeadamente nas províncias de Gauteng e KwaZula-Natal, onde 11 novas igrejas foram plantadas no total! No entanto, alguns dos Núcleos são muito novos e a Covid-19 trouxe um impacto negativo. “Portanto, precisamos nos reanimar e treinar em muitas dessas áreas”, explica Beyers Brink, Diretor Regional da Harvesters na a África Austral.
Conferência de lançamento
A mais nova das cinco regiões a ganhar presença dos Harvesters é Mpumalanga, onde duas conferências iniciais ocorreram no início de 2021. Localizada na fronteira nordeste da África do Sul, Mpumalanga significa literalmente “lugar onde o sol nasce”.
As conferências iniciais acontecem após os contatos iniciais serem feitos em qualquer nova região. Elas cobrem a necessidade do Evangelho, detalham a Grande Comissão e apresentam o programa de treinamento dos Harvesters, entre outras coisas. A conferência dura dois dias e inclui um evento de evangelismo onde os participantes vão para suas comunidades para compartilhar o Evangelho. Os locais para evangelismo são planejados com antecedência e formam os primeiros alicerces de novas plantações de igrejas.
KaNyamazane
O primeiro Evento de Lançamento foi em KaNyamazane. Dirigindo para o município, a equipe pôde ver as evidências das fortes chuvas de um mês. No entanto, ao chegarem, eles foram para aquele local com o Mapa do Coração do Homem. Esta é uma ferramenta muito visual que mostra os vários estados do coração humano – de um coração sem Deus a um coração arrependido submetido ao Senhor. É uma ferramenta de evangelismo eficaz. Em KaNyamazane naquele dia, 15 pessoas foram salvas! Louvamos a Deus por cada um deles.
A conferência de dois dias foi organizada por uma igreja liderada pelo reverendo Kabelo Mohotsi. Ele refletiu sobre o tempo que passaram juntos. “Deus abriu nossos olhos de uma maneira muito maravilhosa e esperamos que o que nos foi ensinado, as lições que foram transmitidas a nós, com certeza as usaremos, sairemos e cumpriremos a Grande Comissão e faremos discípulos, porque isso é o que nosso Senhor disse. ”
Bronkhorstspruit
Viajando para o oeste algumas semanas depois, os Harvesters apresentaram um segundo Evento de Lançamento em Bronkhorstspruit. Os presentes desfrutaram de um treinamento relevante e útil. “Todos participaram com entusiasmo enquanto examinávamos os blocos de construção de plantação de igrejas”, explica Beyers. Durante a parte de divulgação do evento de lançamento lá, 31 pessoas entregaram seus corações a Deus! Todos os novos convertidos logo serão acompanhados por líderes locais, “porque queremos fazer discípulos, não convertidos”, diz Beyers, enfatizando a visão dos Harvesters.
O que acontece depois
Após os Eventos de Lançamento, os Harvesters retornam para fazer um evento para Relembrar e depois outro para ensinar a Fase A, tudo dentro de 6 meses para manter o entusiasmo. Nesse caso, “tanto KaNyamazane quanto Bronkhorstspruit começarão a treinar na Fase A nos próximos 3 meses”, explica Beyers. “Primeiro, fazer discípulos, depois o evangelismo e a plantação de igrejas se seguirão.” Há uma equipe dedicada de HLTs (Treinadores Licenciados dos Harvesters) que treinam os novos líderes de núcleo regularmente – semanal ou quinzenalmente.
Louvamos a Deus pelas sementes plantadas e frutos colhidos durante essas conferências de lançamento. O foco na África do Sul é o projeto 1: 1: 1. “Queremos ver que cada plantador de igrejas (pastor) plante 1 igreja em 1 ano”, explica Beyers.
Oramos para que o rosto do Filho brilhe intensamente sobre esta nova região – Mpumalanga, o lugar onde o sol nasce.
Suas doações podem abrir caminho para ainda mais treinamentos
Os Eventos de Lançamento são o início de anos de investimento, treinamento e apoio dos Harvesters. As preciosas pessoas salvas em KaNyamazane e Bronkhorstspruit serão convidadas a participarem das novas igrejas lideradas por pastores em treinamento dos Harvesters.
Treinar um pastor custa £ 150 ($ 200 / R$1.150,00). Isso cobre todos os três anos de treinamento, que inclui seis módulos e uma Bíblia em sua língua nativa. Durante o treinamento, cada aluno plantará três igrejas. Sua doação de £ 150, ou £ 12,50 ($ 15 / R$ 95,00) mensalmente, fornecerá este programa para um aluno.
Para doar, clique aqui.
A Bikeload of Books Arrives in the DRC
In some parts of the world, a training day may mean a minor adaptation to the daily schedule and a brief detour to the venue. Training materials can be downloaded or printed with ease. However, in other parts of the world, seemingly inconsequential requirements for training events actually require significant amounts of effort! Effort that comes at the personal cost of our dedicated Harvesters leaders. One such example is the collection and distribution of the training books.
Books On Their Way
Training in the Democratic Republic of Congo had been halted due to the effects of Covid-19. But a few weeks ago, regional Harvesters coordinator, Pastor Decco, was excited to receive news that the long-awaited training books were on their way at last.
20 Large boxes, each filled with 20 books, were being sent to Zambia, a neighbouring nation to the south of the DRC. This may have seemed too far for some, but Pastor Decco was desperate to get his hands on the materials. So, he travelled over 200km to Mufulira, in Zambia, where the boxes were waiting for him. Inside were 200 Phase A and 200 Phase B Harvesters training books in French, the national language of the DRC. Pastor Decco realised that each book represented 200 students who would soon be able to grow and develop further.
Transporting the Books
Fuelled by his passion for discipleship, Pastor Decco creatively stacked the 20 boxes onto two bicycles (130kg per bicycle) and slowly travelled the 25km stretch to the border of the DRC. There he loaded them onto public transport for the 200km journey back to Lubumbashi.
Finally back in his home region, the job was not done. Over the following days he began the process of distributing the books to the 179 hub leaders in and around Lubumbashi. These hub leaders were delighted; they had been waiting a year for the materials whilst in lockdown and under Covid restrictions.
Herbie Venter, Harvesters Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said, “We praise the Lord for feedback from the hub leaders receiving the books that whilst in lockdown and Covid they still carried on and planted churches.” Feedback from 12 of the Hub-Leaders in Lubumbashi is that 60 new churches have been planted!
Training Can Continue
Now, praise the Lord, the student pastors will have access to Harvesters books; and they can start – and continue – their training. Thanks to your generous donations, Harvesters students around the world receive books like these as part of their three-year programme. We thank God for you, our donors, and for dedicated leaders like Pastor Decco who are helping to grow the Kingdom of God here on earth.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4
Two Successful Kick Off Events Take Place in South Africa
Harvesters Ministries has been working in South Africa for the last three years. In that time, 13 church planting hubs have started in five of South Africa’s nine provinces. The more established hubs were able to continue planting new churches even during the lockdowns over the last year. Namely in the provinces of Gauteng and KwaZula-Natal, where 11 new churches have been planted in total! However, some of the hubs are very new and Covid-19 has had a negative impact on momentum. “Therefore, we need to refresh and retrain in many of these areas,” explains Beyers Brink, Harvesters’ Regional Director for Southern Africa.
Kick Off Conference
The newest of the five regions to gain a Harvesters presence is Mpumalanga, where two Kick Off conferences occurred in early 2021. Located on the north-eastern border of South Africa, Mpumalanga literally means “place where the sun rises”.
Kick Off Conferences happen after initial contacts are made in any new region. They cover the need for the Gospel, detail the Great Commission and introduce the Harvesters training programme, amongst other things. The conference lasts two days and includes an evangelism event where participants go out into their communities to share the Gospel. The locations for evangelism are planned beforehand and form the early foundations of new church plants.
KaNyamazane
The first Kick Off event was in KaNyamazane. Driving to the township, the team could see the evidence of a month’s heavy rains. Nevertheless, upon arrival they went out in the local area with the Heart of Man chart. This is a very visual tool that shows various states of the human heart – from a heart without God to a repentant heart submitted to the Lord. It is an effective evangelism tool. In KaNyamazane that day, 15 people were saved! We praise God for each one of them.
The two-day conference was hosted by a church led by Reverend Kabelo Mohotsi. He reflected on their time together. “God has opened our eyes in a very wonderful way and we hope what we have [been] taught, the lessons that have been imparted in us, we will surely take them out and go out and fulfil the Great Commission and make disciples because that is what our Lord has said.”
Bronkhorstspruit
Travelling west a couple of weeks later, Harvesters presented a second Kick Off in Bronkhorstspruit. Those present enjoyed the relevant and useful training. “Everyone eagerly participated as we went through the church planting building blocks,” explains Beyers. During the outreach part of the Kick Off event there, 31 people gave their heart to God! All the new converts will be soon followed up by local hub leaders, “because we want to make disciples not converts,” says Beyers, emphasising the underpinning vision of Harvesters Ministries.
What Happens Next
Following Kick Off events, Harvesters Ministries returns to do a Refresher event and then to teach Phase A, all within 6 months to maintain momentum. In this case, “both KaNyamazane and Bronkhorstspruit will start training on Phase A within the next 3 months,” explains Beyers. “Disciple-making first then evangelism and church planting will follow.” There is a dedicated team of HLT’s (Harvesters Licenced Trainers) who will train the new hub leaders on a regular basis – weekly or bi-weekly.
We praise God for the seeds planted and fruit harvested during these Kick Off conferences. The focus in South Africa is the 1:1:1 project. “We want to see that every church planter (pastor) plants 1 church in 1 year,” explains Beyers.
We pray that the face of the Son shines brightly upon this new region – Mpumalanga, the place where the sun rises.
Your Gifts Can Open the Way for Even More Training
Kick Off events are the very start of years’ worth of investment, training and support from Harvesters Ministries. The precious people saved in KaNyamazane and Bronkhorstspruit will be invited into new church plants led by Harvesters student pastors.
Harvesters provides three years of training for a pastor which includes six modules and a Bible in their native language. During the training each student will plant at least three churches. Your gift today can help provide this for more pastors.
To give, click here.
Pray for Asia: Home of the Persecuted Church
Growing Persecution
“Throughout the world, men and women are spreading the Gospel, mobilising and multiplying disciples, and planting new churches to carry the fullness of Jesus into every part of the world,” says Harvesters Regional Director for Asia, “And they are doing this in the face of increasing and intensifying persecution.”
The number of countries within Asia where Christians experience oppression is growing. It has become a “hotspot for persecution,” says the Regional Director, “taking over the honours from the Middle East.”
Open Doors, a Christian charity involved in supporting the Persecuted Church, recently released a 2021 ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most severe persecution. Of that 50, nearly 30 were Asian countries. 20 Of them are Central and Eastern Asian nations.
The situation for Christians has become frightening – and often life-threatening – in countries such as China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Indonesia. India is in the top 10 most persecuted nations in the world for Christians. Open Doors released a figure of 4,761 Christians who were killed for faith-related reasons last year. Our brothers and sisters in these regions of the world need our prayers.
Examples of Persecution in Some Southeast Asian Countries
Southeast Asia is also home to the majority of the world’s Muslim believers. More Muslims live in South Asia than in the Middle East and North Africa combined. This territory has recently seen an alarming rise in Islamic extremism. “Pockets of Islamic state affiliated groups in places like Mindanao in the Philippines and Aceh in Indonesia are gaining ground and expanding their territory,” explains Harvesters Regional Director.
In the Philippines, there are concerns that Islamist militant groups in Mindanao could get a boost from former members of sympathizers who may have been among the more than 10,000 prisoners released by the government in response to the spread of the coronavirus through the country’s prison system.
In Indonesia, the province of Aceh is governed by Shariah law which prohibits the building of any new church. Of course, as Christians, we know that the Church is the Body of Christ and not a building. But this is still a significant worry to any Christians who wish to group together to worship God and study the Bible.
Additionally, for the last five years Malaysia has banned the printing and distribution of the Bible in the local language, Malay. As Christians we believe that the Bible is sufficient to provide us with the knowledge we need for salvation and right living. We hold fast to the teaching that it should be read daily and studied regularly. It is essential to us. To not be able to access it in our local language would be devastating. This is the current reality for many Malaysians.
Also happening in Malaysia is the criminalisation of “attempting to leave the religion of Islam” or “claiming to be a non-Muslim”. A huge threat for any Christian in that nation; as well as a hindrance to sharing the Gospel.
The Church is Alive
Logically, upon hearing stories of anti-Christian laws, persecution, opposition, attacks and oppression, it could be assumed that, ultimately, the Christian religion would fade out. However, the Church of Christ carries Holy Spirit presence and power! From a little more than 62 million Christians in East and Southeast Asia in 1970, by 2020 the number of faithful believers had grown to more than 200 million.
Our Harvesters connections are active even though there’s huge personal risk. They are just so passionate about sharing the Gospel with their neighbours and relatives! We praise God for this victory while recognising the very real pain for many of our brothers and sisters in Asia. We join with them in prayer.
We Must Pray
Some prayer points:
- Pray for Christians in Asia who risk rejection from their families and social circles as well as from their homes by declaring that Jesus Christ is Lord. Many risk their very lives.
- Pray for strength, persistence, resilience and peace.
- Pray that believers will gain access to the Word of God.
- Pray that Christians are able to support and encourage one another in these countries.
- Pray for the hearts of people of the Muslim faith.
- Pray for protection against Islamic extremists in the Philippines and Indonesia.
- Thank God for the growth of the Church in Asia over the last 50 years. Pray that it continues.
Please visit our Harvesters Prayer Wall for updated requests from the field.
Go the Extra Mile – Join the Virtual Event
THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED
Are you a runner? Do you enjoy a jog or a walk? Harvesters Ministries is hosting a virtual “Go the Extra Mile” event on Saturday 24th April for all our partners and friends around the world. You can participate from wherever you are. Upload your time and distance when you’ve finished and receive your event results and a certificate.
How it works
Firstly, sign up for the event here. You can choose to enter a 5k, 10k or 21k distance. The cost for a 5k and 10k race is R40; the cost for the 21k distance is R50. Additional donations are welcome. Funds raised will go towards Harvesters Crisis Response work.
Then on Saturday 24th April you run/walk your chosen distance. You may complete this as a leisurely walk, a fun jog or a competitive run – any method that is suitable and comfortable for you. All participants will be completing the race in their neighbourhoods or on their treadmills around the world. Harvesters partners everywhere will be participating alongside you – virtually. During your race, record your time and distance because you can upload those when you are finished. All COVID-19 health and safety protocols must be followed at all times.
To upload your time and download your certificate, go to https://results.finishtime.co.za/startpage.aspx?c=13. Select the Go the Extra Mile event and distance entered (5/10k or 21km). Click on your name and follow the prompts.
Join in the virtual event with your Harvesters partners and Go the Extra Mile to help poverty-stricken communities in crisis. This is open worldwide. Sign up today! https://www.entryninja.com/events/76560-go-the-extra-mile
If you would like the option of walking or running your own distance, if you do not require a certificate or you do not wish to sign up officially, then you are free to donate directly to Harvesters Ministries here.
Harvesters Crisis Response
Harvesters Ministries is primarily a church planting ministry and has planted over 65,000 churches worldwide in over 53 countries. Harvesters provides pastoral training to indigenous leaders in these churches, free of charge, and currently has more than 32,000 students enrolled globally. We also provide Bibles to believers who do not have access to the Word of God either due to poverty or remote locations.
However, recent events presented a pressing need that Harvesters cannot ignore. Natural disasters and other crises have brought devastation to communities around the world where Harvesters is engaged. Following these events, people are left without basic necessities such as food, shelter and clean water. Harvesters has a heart for crisis response.
Thinus Botha, Regional Director who is involved in the Crisis Response work, describes the heart behind this as, “being the hands and feet of Jesus, aiding vulnerable people in their time of crisis by being a voice to the voiceless, face to the faceless and name to the nameless.”
You can help us to intervene and save communities in dire need. To learn more about the Crisis Response and to read some stories about this work of Harvesters Ministries, visit our Crisis Response page.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matt 25:35-36.
New Students Realise the Importance of Discipleship
Kenya, like many countries, was hit hard with the Covid-19 virus. As infection rates rose and lockdowns ensued, the ability to meet and train in Kenya was temporarily halted. After weeks of postponement, training was able to pick up again at the start of this year. Including in a new location.
High up in the hills of the mountainous sub-county of Nyamarambe, 22 new student pastors gathered together, excited to begin a new journey. Dylan, Harvesters Country Director for Kenya, travelled to the host church to provide the three-days’ training. “These people they are fired up. They are fired up to continue and to go on with the Gospel,” said Dylan.
The training they completed was Phase A. This phase teaches about transformational discipleship and the disciplines we should adopt to live a healthy and holy Christian life.
Important Realisations
During the first day of training, one of the students realised the importance of discipleship. The student, Justin, began a discussion regarding the churches around the region that had died because the leader was not able to disciple well. Dylan explains that church leaders need training on discipleship “because the pastors have not been well equipped on discipleship processes and discipling their church members and church leaders.” The students are so grateful to Harvesters for bringing this training to the region.
The pastor of the host church and one of the students, Bishop Paul Oyagi, expressed, “Wow, if at least we had something like this there before! If we had such a training from the beginning of our ministries in this [community] we could have reached very many people. So, we are so happy! Not only me, but the entire community, have seen that now there is a great impact that is going to happen in our community. Because now, through the 22 students who are undergoing [the training], they are, with me, [able] to reach more people, making disciples.”
The excitement and hope among the students are evident. The Harvesters training is providing necessary knowledge and practical tools that they can take back to their communities to spread the Gospel.
As Dylan speaks on top of a mountain, looking down over Nyamarambe, an image of influence comes to mind. Let’s pray that these students will become a beacon of light throughout this region, raising the bar for church leaders and transforming communities with the Truth and Good News of Jesus Christ.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matt 5:14)
You Can Help
The realisation of these students in Nyamarambe is a dim reality in many more regions throughout Africa and the world. A lack of basic scriptural understanding from church leaders can impact the Spiritual health of their communities. The training that Harvesters has provided to these 22 students will bring change to dozens, even hundreds, of people. They have begun a three-year programme that will provide information to live a mature Christian life, evangelise to the lost, plant churches and help disciple other believers.
Mozambican Cyclone Brought Widespread Destruction
At the end of January, Cyclone Eloise hit Mozambique and caused major destructions. Flooding and strong winds resulted in people losing their roads, crops and homes. It has now been declared a national disaster.
Harvesters Ministries Acted Quickly
As soon as the events occurred, Harvesters Ministries sprung to action. Harvesters did an urgent appeal, and we would like to thank you for your donations and prayers. We partnered with our contacts and other charitable organisations to get tonnes of food and relief parcels flown into the affected areas within days.
A previous natural disaster, Cyclone Idai, caused catastrophic damage in 2019. Followed by a large tropical storm at the end of that year. The people of Mozambique dreaded this happening again so soon. The same areas have been affected and people were barely recovered.
However, one advantage of those events is the experience and Disaster Management Training that the network of Harvesters Ministries churches now have. Which means they were able to mobilise quickly and efficiently to receive, organise and distribute the relief parcels as they arrived.
Thanks to you and thanks to our local Harvesters students and pastors, large amounts of food parcels have been distributed to affected families. Jose, one of the local pastors from Manica Province, sends his thanks, saying, “We are really happy to receive this food. God bless you all.”
They still need your prayers. More storms are forecast and thousands of disheartened people are considering where to begin rebuilding what has been lost. Personally and communally.
Pray for Donna Joana
Living right near the coast, Donna Joana is one Mozambican resident who was hugely affected when Cyclone Eloise swept through on January 23rd. She is a 66-year-old widow who has three children and seven grandchildren. She works as a saleswoman, selling seasonal products to her neighbours, including tangerines, mangos, bananas and bread.
When the Cyclone hit, it destroyed her 3m2 home. One wall has completely fallen down and the zinc roofing has blown away. A tragic loss which has undoubtedly caused distress, worry and insecurity.
Now homeless, Joana has had to find shelter in the homes of family and friends. Originally, she alternated sleeping at the houses of two of her sons. But, with their own wives and families, ultimately there was not enough space. Presently she spends the daytime with them when she isn’t working and travels a few kilometres each evening to sleep at a friend’s house.
Praise God, Donna Joana was one of the people who received a relief package from Harvesters Ministries.
Please keep Donna Joana in your prayers. Pray that she feels a sense of peace and security during this unsettled time. Pray that she is able to rebuild the wall and roof soon and be able to move back into her own home. Pray that her business selling produce is successful.
Remember to visit our Prayer Wall where you can see prayer requests as they come in from the field.
Cambodia Receives Food Parcels After Devastating Typhoons
Towards the end of last year, a series of typhoons hit Southeast Asia, with “many describing the flooding as the worst in living memory,” explained Sidney Moss, Harvesters’ Regional Director for South East Asia.
The 225kph (140mph) winds and torrential rains left behind widespread damage. Thousands of people were displaced, roads were submerged, roofs were ripped off, and hundreds tragically died. Over 2.5 million people were affected throughout the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia.
To hear more about the devastating events and effects of these typhoons, watch the video below of Harvesters’ reporting at the time.
Harvesters Got to Work
One country affected was Cambodia where flash floods, strong winds, landslides and high tides compounded the existing Covid-19 crisis. Located south of Thailand and east of Vietnam, this nation saw 26,000 people evacuated, 60,000 homes lost, and 20 people lose their lives.
Thanks to your help and generous gifts, Harvesters was able to provide emergency necessities tothose in need through our network of churches. Parcels were packaged and loaded onto the backs of motorbikes, a common mode of transport In Southeast Asia.
One Stream Leader went from house to house, visiting each Hub Leader to encourage them, deliver food and to say that Harvesters Ministries has not forgotten them.
“As if the Covid pandemic has not been difficult enough to cope with, now we had to overcome flooding too, damaging many crops, which is particularly difficult given the economic challenges we Cambodians are already facing. Thank you, Harvesters Ministries, for your help,” said one Hub Leader. The relief and gratitude were evident.
In addition to food, each parcel also contained vegetable seeds for replanting as soon as they are able to. A great treasure at a time when many are unsure how they will cope.
The Heart of Jesus
In the midst of their own tragedy and loss, local pastors are still utilising this opportunity to show the love of Christ to their neighbours. In an overwhelmingly Buddhist country, Harvesters-trained Christians are being salt and light in their communities.
One leader shared, “I have received freely today and so I will also share freely to my neighbour who is a non-believer, a devout Buddhist.”
‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40
Watch the Video
Faithful Pastors are Reaching Indigenous People in the Amazon
The work of Harvesters Ministries in Brazil includes a network of churches that have been planted in and around Tefé. This town, situated in Northwest Brazil, lies in the middle of the Tefé River, in the heart of the Amazon. There are no roads leading in. From the capital city of Amazonas state, Manaus, it would take three days by boat or an hour flight to reach Tefé. All goods come in through the river network – from fruit to furniture. However remote Tefé sounds, there are even more rural communities as you travel deeper into the jungle.
Harvesters training in Brazil began over two years ago and, since then, over 420 churches have been planted, many of them in these remote places in and around the town. The more formal church in Tefé has become a phenomenal church planting hub. Evangelising to indigenous groups has always carried unique challenges. However, when Covid-19 hit, these native communities began to retreat.
“Although many of the indigenous communities ran deeper into the jungle out of fear that Covid-19 would kill them, local missionaries and pastors we trained are reaching out like never before,” explains Francois Rauch, Harvesters Regional Director for South America.
Local pastors are caring for their communities
The hearts of the Brazilian pastors towards their neighbours are evident! Travelling out of the town into more rural areas is difficult. But these leaders are committed to obey the Great Commission. They care deeply about the people that they have made new and previous connections with. They continue to bring the love of Christ into the various indigenous communities around Tefé.
The only way to reach the unreached is by boat – usually owned by a church or group of churches. Most indigenous families live on small canoes on the mighty Amazon River. Pastors have brought messages of hope, read the Bible, sang songs of worship and delivered the Gospel. “God is never at rest,” declares a Brazilian pastor.
A heart for the Children
In our last Harvesters story from the Amazon, we reported that there are some terrible cases of abuse and neglect towards children happening among these groups. Against this dark backdrop, the Christians visiting these communities shine the Light of Christ. In a recent visit, Harvesters pastors took toys for the children. A large effort is made to reach and evangelise to these precious young souls.
You Can Help
The training of Harvesters Ministries focuses not only on evangelism, but discipleship. Both are needed to win souls and establish long-lasting Christian communities that grow, mature and produce more disciples. The fruit of this training is already evident in the Amazon. Pastors who have completed the programme are displaying the love of Jesus to their neighbours and preaching the Gospel. Communities are being changed! But there is further to go.
You can help train more leaders in the Amazon. Your gift will help to provide one student pastor with all six Harvesters Ministries modules and a Bible in their mother tongue. During their three-year programme, they will plant three churches.
“The church is the hope of a hurting world; and when the church works well, it changes everything and everyone around it!” says Francois Rauch.
To give, please visit the giving page on our website.
Pray for Your Brothers and Sisters in Lesotho
The mountainous kingdom of Lesotho is a beautiful southern African nation. The last few months have been busy and fruitful in many ways. But the people of Lesotho need your prayers.
Pastors are being trained
In the last weeks of 2020, Harvesters training continued in Lesotho. In Maseru, the capital city, 32 student pastors completed their Phase D, Old Testament Survey, training. A Harvesters’ student will plant three churches as part of the programme and from this group in Maseru, 40 churches have been planted thus far. Eleven of them during the Covid-19 crisis over the last year. François Snyman, a missionary and HLT (Harvesters Licenced Trainer) in Lesotho said, “we give glory to God for these faithful servants. It is such a blessing to know these wonderful, faithful and committed men and women of God.” Please keep these student pastors in your prayers as they continue the training programme.
A week later in the town of Maputsoe, on the northern border, a different group of 23 student pastors gathered to complete their Phase C training – preparing and delivering Biblical sermons. In this territory, 32 churches have already been planted. François said, “thank you also to all the sponsors that have really helped pastors during the lockdown and supported them, we thank Harvesters for channelling funds through us to help pastors here in Maputsoe.”
The pastor of the church that hosted the training in Maputsoe has a vision of not just receiving, but of giving. He has planted gardens and grows crops to serve his community and those in need. Please pray for the fruitfulness of his project and that it will ultimately bring people to know Jesus.
Pray for resilience in Ha Phafuli
In the remote village of Ha Phafuli, Pastor Thakholi and his wife faithfully lead a healthy and growing church. “They value discipleship and being good stewards of the gospel,” says François. Faithfully, they have planted another two churches nearby. However, they are experiencing some hostility from villagers around one of those new plants. Please pray for strength and resilience for this dedicated couple and the congregants in the churches of Ha Phafuli.
Pray for the growing Covid-19 concerns in Lesotho
Since Christmas, concerns have heightened over the sharp rise in infection rates of Covid-19 after movement in and out of Lesotho during the holiday. Another national lockdown has been declared and restrictions include a curfew. The Prime Minister has said, “all community activities are not allowed”. Oxygen supplies is also a concern for the nation. Please pray for the people of Lesotho as they deal with the large infection rates, increasing deaths and strains on resources due to Covid-19.
Visit our Prayer Wall to pray with us.
Newsletter – February 2021
Click the link to download our February 2021 newsletter to read how your gifts are making a difference in Guatemala and Nicaragua, South Africa and Peru.
Download USA Newsletter – Feb 21
Download South Africa and International Newsletter – Feb 21
Download UK Newsletter – Feb 21
Download Afrikaans Newsletter – Feb 21
Urgent Update: Cyclone Eloise Again Brings Devastation Across Mozambique
Cyclone Eloise Has Hit
Tragic events have been occurring in the coastal nation of Mozambique in the last few days. Cyclone Eloise hit the port city of Beira, with winds of up to 120kph, in the early hours of Friday 23rd January. There had already been heavy rainfall, strong winds and flooding for a few days and there is now severe flooding across central Mozambique. Rivers have burst their banks. Crops have been ruined. It is estimated that 4,000 homes have been destroyed or badly damaged and 5,000 people have been evacuated so far. Heavy rains are continuing and spreading inland to southern Zimbabwe and northern South Africa and another cyclone is expected in the next few days! Flooding is expected to affect more areas as overflowing river water from these catchments flows to southern Mozambique. In a best-case scenario, over 120,000 people will be directly impacted by Cyclone Eloise. It is important to note that in 2018, Cyclone Idai also hit Mozambique, as well as a recent tropical storm at the end of December 2019, flooding the very same areas. In most instances, people have not even fully recovered from these events.
Harvesters Ministries is Mobilised to Help
This week many Harvesters churches lost their roofs along with study books and Bibles. However, we praise God that the established network of Harvesters churches is ready and mobilised to help those in need! They are using unaffected buildings to house those who need shelter. Due to the 2018 disaster, our Harvesters pastors have had training in disaster management as well as on the ground experience. They are able to be salt and light to their neighbours. This is of vital importance because, due to COVID restrictions, help from surrounding nations is limited. In immediate need are emergency shelter, food, hygiene kits, COVID-19 protection materials and drinking water.
Harvesters is Committed Long-term
Beyond the immediate and urgent needs, the recovery from the events of this week will be a long-term project. Harvesters Ministries aims to support in providing metal sheeting for roof repairs, seeds for crops and boreholes for water storage. In addition, holistic training will be initiated to help lessen the effects of future cyclones and droughts, including flood control, improved rainfall infiltration and storing water underground.
Pray for Mozambique! For the families who have lost homes, for relief aid to be available and delivered quickly, for the rains and flooding to subside and for the rebuilding of what has been lost.
As suas doações estão ajudando comunidades no Sudeste da Ásia
Nas últimas semanas, uma série de terríveis tufões atingiu grande parte do Sudeste Asiático. Muitas pessoas descreveram as enchentes como as piores que já experimentaram em suas vidas.
Sidney Moss, Diretor Regional dos Harvesters para o Sudeste Asiático, explicou que um país como as Filipinas está acostumado a condições climáticas adversas. Este país enfrenta até 20 tempestades tropicais ou tufões a cada ano. “No entanto, em novembro (2020), seguiram-se cinco tempestades em quatro semanas e os efeitos desses tufões causados por ventos fortes e chuvas torrenciais causaram danos generalizados”, explicou Sidney.
As estradas estavam cobertas de água e, em alguns casos, quase ficaram atolados em uma profunda camada de lama. Milhares de pessoas ficaram desabrigadas e centenas morreram. O país já estava em uma situação muito difícil devido à pandemia COVID-19.
Estima-se que essas tempestades afetaram mais de 2,5 milhões de pessoas, o que também inclui países como Camboja e Vietnã. Tempestades chegaram a oeste das Filipinas e inundaram grandes partes desta região.
Sidney deu um testemunho incrível: “O pastor Tuan, líder de Núcleo dos Harvesters, planta igrejas na província de Quang Nam, no Vietnã. Em 1º de novembro, liguei para ele durante os primeiros estágios do Super Tufão Goni. Ele me contou como o vento havia arrancado muitos dos telhados das casas em sua aldeia e a água continuou subindo rapidamente em sua vizinhança, logo atingindo o nível do pescoço em muitos lugares. A energia havia sido desligada na província, e ele não esperava que a bateria de seu telefone durasse muito mais enquanto continuávamos a falar. ”
A família do pastor Tuan teve que abandonar sua casa porque quase todos os seus pertences e o equipamento da igreja estavam completamente submersos na água. Primeiro, eles se mudaram para a casa de seus pais, mas tiveram que abandonar pela segunda vez porque a água continuava subindo. “Quando conversamos no dia seguinte, Tuan me disse que eles estavam no alto da montanha com três famílias e agora estavam hospedados com seu primo”, disse Sidney.
A tempestade passou relativamente de forma rápida, mas deixou muitas aldeias com estradas destruídas ou entulhadas de árvores caídas e postes de energia. As casas, que muitas vezes também são usadas como igrejas, foram enterradas sob pilhas de entulho e areia.
Sidney explicou ainda: “Consegui entrar em contato com dois líderes nossos na cidade de Hanói e da cidade de Ho Chi Minh. Eles concordaram em visitar a área alguns dias depois para ajudar os líderes de Núcleo e as comunidades que foram atingidas pelo tufão e tiveram que agir rapidamente, pois o próximo tufão estava prestes a atingir novamente o continente. ”
Estes líderes, junto com o pastor Tuan e alguns outros líderes de Núcleo que receberam pacotes de ajuda inicial através das doações levantadas, também foram capazes de ajudar outras pessoas em suas comunidades, enquanto reconstruíam suas próprias casas e vidas.
O líder dos Harvesters no Vietnã conseguiu ajudar a distribuir ajuda às pessoas mais afetadas, mas os suprimentos estão muito limitados devido ao tufão e aos efeitos contínuos do COVID-19.
Mesmo com os tufões espalhando o caos, os pastores ainda estão compartilhando o Evangelho e espalhando esperança. O poder do Evangelho no Vietnã é profundo. Quando você olha para uma vida que foi mudada por Cristo, isso muda sua família, seu trabalho, comunidades … isso muda todos os aspectos de suas vidas. Isso acontece quando um líder de núcleo está disposto a ir e levar o Evangelho a aldeias não alcançadas.
Esse evangelismo levou a duas igrejas recém-plantadas. Louvado seja o Senhor por expandir Seu Reino, apesar do caos e da destruição das tempestades que atingiram o Sudeste Asiático.
Mesmo esquecido pela comunidade, um homem de 83 anos sem esposa e sem filhos ouviu falar daquele que ama e cuida dos necessitados. Graças aos seus presentes generosos, ele agora está salvo e terá a vida eterna.
Seus presentes estão abrindo o caminho para ganhar almas para Jesus no sudeste da Ásia e construir o Reino de Deus.
Your Gifts are Helping Communities in Southeast Asia
In the last few weeks, a series of terrible typhoons hit large parts of Southeast Asia. Many people described the flooding as the worst that they have ever experienced in their lives.
Harvesters’ Regional Director for Southeast Asia explained that a country like the Philippines is used to severe weather. This country faces up to 20 tropical storms or typhoons each year. “However, in November (2020) five storms in four weeks followed and the effects of these typhoons caused by strong winds and torrential rain has left widespread damage,” explained the Regional Director.
Roads were covered with water and in some cases almost buried in deep mud. Thousands of people have been displaced and hundreds have died. The country was already in a very dire situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It has been estimated that these storms have affected more than 2,5 million people which also includes countries like Cambodia and Vietnam. Storms made their way west from the Philippines and drenched large parts of this region.
The Regional Director shared an amazing testimony. “Pastor T*, a Harvesters Ministries Hub-leader, plants churches in the Quang Nam province in Vietnam. On November 1, I called him during the early stages of Super Typhoon Goni. He told me how the wind had ripped off many of the houses’ roofs in their village and water kept rising rapidly in his neighbourhood soon being neck-deep in many places. The power had been turned off in the province, and he did not expect his phone’s battery to last much longer as we continued to speak.”
Pastor T’s family had to evacuate their home because almost all their possessions and the church’s equipment was completely submerged in water. First, they moved to his parents’ house but had to evacuate for a second time as the water kept rising. “When we spoke the following day, T told me that they were higher up in the mountain with three families and were now staying with his cousin,” said the Regional Director.
The storm had moved on relatively quickly but has left many villages with roads either washed away or cluttered with fallen trees and power poles. Houses, which are often used as house churches as well, were now buried under the pile of rubble and sand.
The Regional Director further explained, “I managed to contact two stream leaders from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. They agreed to visit the area a few days later to assist those Hub-leaders and communities who were hit by the typhoon and had to act quickly as the next typhoon was about to make landfall.”
The stream leaders, together with pastor T and a few other Hub-leaders who were supplied with initial relief packages from funds raised, were also able to help others in their communities, while rebuilding their own homes and lives.
Harvesters Ministries’ stream leader in Vietnam has been able to help distribute aid to those most affected but supplies are very limited due to the typhoon and the continued effects of COVID-19.
Even though typhoons were spreading chaos, pastors are still sharing the Gospel and spreading hope. The power of the Gospel in Vietnam is profound. When you look at a life which has been changed by Christ, it changes their family, their work, communities… it changes every aspect of their lives. This happens when a Hub-leader is willing to go and take the Gospel to unreached villages.
This outreach led to two newly planted churches. Praise the Lord for expanding His Kingdom despite the chaos and destruction of the storms that hit Southeast Asia.
Even though he has been forgotten by the community, an 83-year-old man with no wife and no children has heard about the One who loves and cares for the destitute. Thanks to your generous gifts he is now saved and will have eternal life.
Your gifts are opening the way to win souls for Jesus in Southeast Asia and build God’s Kingdom.
Powerful Typhoons hit Southeast Asia
*Name withheld for security
Brand New Prayer Season
This month Harvesters Ministries will not be sharing the usual Prayer Calendar with you. We are excited to introduce you to the new Harvesters Ministries Prayer Wall.
Available now on our website, this interactive platform will allow us to share prayer requests from the mission field and ministry with you.
In Matthew 18 verse 19 we are reminded that our prayers are stronger when we pray together, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.”
One example where prayers have really been answered at Harvesters Ministries was when the Lord opened the door for Harvesters to start working in the Horn of Africa. Today, more than two years later, pastors are baptising new believers, planting new churches in unreached communities, and supporting new believers in one of the most notorious regions in the world.
You prayers have opened the way for Harvesters Ministries to place Bibles in the hands of believers in the Amazon, Malawi, Vietnam, Guatemala, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, China, India, Peru, Angola, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Ivory Coast, Mali, Chad, Thailand, Uganda – and many more countries. For most of these believers it was their very first Bible that they received.
Your prayers are making an impact.
Twenty-one years ago, Steven Loots, Founder and CEO of Harvesters Ministries, prayed that the Lord would open the way for him to plant churches, train pastors and make disciples in Malawi. Today, by the grace of God, there are more than 16,000 churches planted by Harvesters Ministries in Malawi alone. God not only opened the way for Harvesters Ministries to work in Malawi, but He also opened the way for Harvesters to work in 63 countries worldwide.
All of this was once unanswered prayers, but God is always faithful. He is our good Father who responds.
Partner with Harvesters and change your worry into worship, pray about everything and stand firm in faith. We invite you to participate in this exciting new season of prayer! Continue on this new prayer journey with us.