Loving the LOST
Give me a PASSION FOR SOULS dear Lord.
A passion to save the lost.
Oh that Thy love were by all adored,
and welcomed at any cost . . .
Over one hundred years ago, a man named Herbert G. Tovey earnestly poured out his heart to God, asking for more of His perspective and passion for the lost.
It’s really quite remarkable. Through the prayers of one man, way-back in 1888, a fervency for the lost can actually penetrate into our thoughts and prayers TODAY (right now in February, 2012). One man’s prayer can impact our focus. Do you know how this can happen?
It’s because God’s perspective is timeless; and His passion is eternal.
We need more of God’s eternal perspective about life and the lost . . . and more of His heart for people who need His salvation? We need God’s outlook to see beyond ourselves.
God loves people so much and He has already provided for their salvation through His ultimate love — His passion — on the cross. We care too . . . but we need to care more.
Hudson Taylor, a missionary to China once said, “I feel I cannot go on living unless I do something for China.” Taylor knew that his life-purpose on earth reached far beyond his own desires. He was focused on eternity . . . and God’s love for SOULS.
Photo: Jon Dunagan preaching the Gospel in East Africa
A PASSION FOR SOULS
A missions poem and hymn – By Herbert G. Tovey, 1888
Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost.
Jesus I long, I long to be winning
Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;
O may this hour become of beginning
The story of pardon to tell . . .
How shall this passion for souls be mine?
Lord, make Thou the answer clear;
Help me to throw out the old life line
To those who are struggling near.
Learn more about loving the LOST . . .
Learn more about how Harvest Ministry is Loving the LOST
Learn more about Current Mission News & Evangelism
Learn more about NETS National Evangelism Team Support:
(equipping national ministers for remote missions and church planting)
Sharing the LOVE of Jesus . . . in Costa Rica!
Today, Josh & Anna Dunagan are flying to COSTA RICA on an exciting new mission adventure . . . to share the love of Jesus in Central America!
This past year, Josh & Anna started a children’s home in India, launched a remote Bible school, and began supporting four full-time national ministers. Now, they’re branching out into new countries and with increased vision to expand the Kingdom of God and to bring light into dark areas. And just recently (in January, 2012), these awesome young mission-minded newlyweds launched out from Harvest Ministry to establish a new mission called GOSPEL PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL.
Mission to Costa Rica – in Central America
On this mission in Costa Rica, Josh & Anna will minister to people on the streets and distribute Bibles door-to-door (working with our missionary friends Steve & Elizabeth Gilroy). As they were getting ready to go, Anna wrote:
As we prepare to leave for our trip to Costa Rica, we are so excited to see how the Lord will use us to minister to the lost and hurting and most of all, win souls for the Kingdom of God! Please keep us in your prayers, we will be meeting up with a missionary family in Costa Rica to: help with a Bible distribution program and minister to ladies who have been trapped in prostitution and human trafficking.
Please keep them in prayer!
You can read more about Josh & Anna’s mission to Costa Rica – - – > >
on their recent GPI news update.
Where we’ve been (in red)
Since 1987, Harvest Ministry has shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ all across the globe: winning souls, loving orphans, equipping nationals, serving churches, and motivating mission-minded families! — Click here for more ABOUT our mission.
Official Launch of “Gospel Projects International”
This month, Josh & Anna Dunagan are launching out as a NEW MISSIONS outreach.
They’re only 23 years old, and they’ve only been married for one year.
But what a year it’s been!!!
Introducing . . . Gospel Projects International
Shortly after their wedding, Josh & Anna stepped out into missions by helping to meet spiritual and physical needs in S.E. India. They started a small children’s home (now caring for 23 orphan children, called “Aasha – HOPE – Children’s Home”), and began to partner with national ministers. They founded a new Bible school (now training over twenty national village pastors), and they’re working together in ministry with four full-time national evangelist/pastors. They’ve been having a great time ministering, both overseas and in the United States (in churches, on the streets, and leading local community outreaches).
Their heart for the Lord, and their love for others is awesome. As we’ve seen all that God has done through their obedience, it’s been an inspiration to us . . . and a blessing to many!
We’re so proud of them both, and we’re all giving God the GLORY for the wonderful reports of their first year of newlywed life . . . and of ministry!!!
Come take a look at their brand-new website: Gospel Projects International
H.M.F.I. News
Harvest Ministry is launching a new outreach to SERVE CHURCHES (primarily remote village churches), through a mission called “H.M.F.I. – Harvest Ministry Fellowship International.”
We are now receiving ministers applications, and we are excited about the potential of this vision.
Read more about H.M.F.I. . . . here. < < -----
HMFI pastors meeting in East Africa
(with HMFI delegates from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Congo)
An encouraging note from East Africa:
Beloved Friends Jon and Ann,Receive these words of encouragement.
Deep in my spirit, I feel for sure that this is the right time
of the new vision of H.M.I.F. I have believed and known that he is God who spoke to you. Through this vision, you are going to touch many lives and cause revival which will remain in history. Because the pastors in villages are lacking motivation and there is no one who has ever thought about them. People run to cities and neglect the villages and yet the pastors in villages work for God with one heart. Therefore, take heart and go on.The God who spoke to you is caring, He will fulfill the vision and provide what is enough for it. Because God can not TAKE you where his GRACE can not keep you.
Yours in God’s service,
Evangelist JOSEPH BALUKU
Evangelist Joseph Baluku and a remote village congregation
- Uganda, East Africa
H.M.F.I. Update from India:
Photos of some of our newest H.M.F.I. Members
–S.E. IndiaRead more about H.M.F.I. . . . here. < < -----
Exciting BUDUDA HARVEST Video!!!
Bududa, Uganda – Mission Video 2011:
As thousands of people crowded in to the city-center to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ (approximately 3x the total remote village population each night), we wondered, “Where are all these people coming from?” This area had NEVER had a gathering of people this large!!!). Many walked long distances. Multitudes repented to God and turned from their witchcraft and/or Islamic practices. Harvest Ministry was also able to preach the Gospel in a secondary (high) school, and minister at a special training meeting for pastors and church leaders.
Over the entire outreach (in combined total attendance over all of the meetings), about 29,000 heard the Gospel message and about 5,000 to 6,000 precious people prayed to surrender their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ. Many were dramatically set free, as people turned from witchcraft and false religions. (One particular testimony involved a leading sorceress woman who publicly proclaimed Jesus Christ as Lord, surrendering to the Lord from the platform. Her example led to two other prominent business women coming for prayer, and surrendering their lives to Jesus the following day).
Here are a few highlights . . .
Audio Summary:
The local pastors were very encouraged, and are now working hard to follow-up on these new believers. We praise God for the opportunity to GO with God’s Good News to BUDUDA, and praise Him for all that He did among these people. Please continue to pray for the churches in this area.
“For God so LOVED the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Thank you for praying and for sending us!
Bududa, Uganda:
Background: Bududa, Uganda is a remote area in S.W. Uganda, in East Africa. Last year, many in this area died from a large mud slide, and Harvest Ministry was able to come in with a small semi truck, with greatly needed benevolence help. Other religions in the area: witchcraft/sorcery, tribal practices, and Islam. 55 local Christian pastors and church leaders were involved in this outreach, including 4 major churches helping with followup.
Mission to BUDUDA!!!
EVANGELISM NEWS:
An upcoming city-wide outreach is planned for February, 2011, in the mountainous area of BUDUDA, in S.E. UGANDA. Airline tickets have just been purchased, and Harvest Ministry plans, advertising, and preparations are currently underway.
PLEASE BE PRAYING FOR SOULS!!!
Testimony of God’s POWER in KAGADI!
Kagadi, Uganda
God’s POWER definitely moved in a mighty way during Harvest Ministry’s recent city-wide outreach to KAGADI, UGANDA. All together about 14,000 people crowded in to hear the Gospel (in total combined attendance over all the meetings), and we praise God for each life that was changed and impacted by God’s WORD, and HIS LIFE-CHANGING POWER!
We rejoice that approximately 4,000 prayed to surrender their lives to JESUS CHRIST by repenting of their sins, surrendering their lives to the LORD, and receiving God’s salvation through faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. In an area steeped in witchcraft and horrible practices, many were healed, delivered from demonic strongholds, and set FREE by the power of God. What an exciting time!
Please keep this area, and these new believers in PRAYER, as we rejoice together in all that God is doing in this area. The following photos present a “sneak preview” of our exciting mission report from KAGADI, UGANDA.)
Thank you for sending us . . .
Be sure to also see:
>> KAGADI: 4-minute KAGADI HARVEST – MISSION VIDEO
>> KAGADI: God’s Protection During Flight Emergency
>> KAGADI: Preparation & Background on KAGADI, Uganda
P.S. Jon Dunagan arrived safely home in Oregon, USA, after a close-call emergency airplane landing — read about God’s protection – here. A few news sources reported the event (and here & here two even quoted Jon’s reaction (quoted from this Harvest Ministry website), although mistakenly claiming Jon’s ‘home country’ is NETHERLANDS).
Daily Prayer Updates
October 9, 2010 – FULL DAY!!!
JON: (early in the morning) We have a very full day today – We will meet with all pastors to encourage them. Then we will go deep into KENGA VILLAGE to encourage the newly planted church there (see comments below), then come back for tonight’s open-air evangelistic outreach in the city of KAGADI.
text 2 – This area has so much HIV/AIDS, it is crazy. At the evening meetings, people are really attentive. So far, there have been about 4,000 to 5,000 each night. Let’s see what God will do today!
text 3 – Kenga village has been notorious for cannibalism. A local pastor recently planted a church there. We spent 4 hours ministering to and encouraging the new believers.
text 4 – About 150 packed the small church. I preached from I Peter 1:18-19. About 12 people prayed to receive Christ. When we prayed for the sick, WOW, sooo many were set free from demons.
text 5 – The church, Kenga Village, really put on the ritz for us — fresh cow manure on floor and pulpit. And a huge feast for us (chicken and pork) – I made sure of the meat!
text 6 – The fresh manure keeps away certain noxious insects, (but it draws flies.)
text 7 – EVENING OUTREACH in KAGADI: Maybe 5,000 tonight. Many saved. So many demon possessed people. Preached Acts 8:9-13. One possessed was trying to chew on my leg!
text 8 – Please pray for a woman who claims that she has been pregnant for 12 months — to deliver. She snuck out of the hospital to be prayed for. She has been in much pain.
EXCITING MISSION REPORT!!! – All together during the KAGADI OUTREACH, through all the evening evangelistic Harvest crusades, church services, and pastor’s meetings, there was a combined total of 14,000 in attendance! At least 4,000 prayed to receive God’s salvation and to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ.
Tell everyone thanks so much for praying. We have a long drive tomorrow.
October 8, 2010 – LIGHTNING, RAINSTORM, & SOULS!!!
JON: I preached from Matthew 4:16. Many hundreds of people surrendering to Jesus. As demon-possessed people were carried onto the platform, a tremendous lightning and rainstorm hit. WOW. Everyone soaked!
Some demon possessed people were being set free only 100 yards from the platform. Preached hard about Jesus and His sinless blood. He alone can save.
later that night: Well, it’s 10pm and we’re still waiting for dinner. We hear it’s roasted goat on a stick. Everything is so dirty and muddy.
KEEP PRAYING!!!
October 7, 2010 – LIVE MISSION UPDATE from Kagadi!!!
Local Kagadi believers leading in praise and worship to the Lord!
A glimpse of the gathering crowd – Pray for these people!
Already, many are surrendering to Jesus!!!
TEXTS received this morning:JON: “Live from the crusade platform: about 3,000 decisions for Jesus Christ. Many demon possessed people set free. Pray for more souls!”
ANN: “Awesome. Praising God with you. Thx for giving us a glimpse of the JOY and the harvest. Let us know specific ways to focus our prayers and strongholds to come against.”
JON: “Biggest problem here is a cult that has many followers. The leader claims to be Jesus/god come back to earth. He even produces a few supernatural signs. But it’s all about power, money, and women. Please pray for eyes to be opened to the real JESUS!!!”
Also, “We’ve been told to never eat meat unless you know for sure what it is. Hmmmm. I think I will go vegan for a while!”KEEP PRAYING . . .
October 6, 2010
After flying across the world, Jon Dunagan arrived safely at the Entebbe airport, now ready for a full-day drive NW (toward the border of DR Congo) to the remote and isolated city of Kagadi. They say, “We must fish the deep waters!”
>> Pray for safety as the remaining team is traveling on dangerous African roads, for the Holy Spirit to PREPARE the hearts of the people to come to the outreach to heart and to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and for wisdom and anointing for the advance team (led by NETS minister, Paul Kintu, and worship leader, Geoffry) who have been in Kagadi.
Luke 5:4,10b When He had stopped speaking, He [Jesus] said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”. . . And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.”
October 5, 2010
For the past few months, Harvest Ministry’s team has been preparing the way (in prayer and advance work) for this week’s city-wide Gospel Outreach in Kagadi, Uganda. Currently, Jon Dunagan is traveling to Africa, and will soon meet up with our co-workers and NETS ministers, along with all of our national ministry team members, including our music leader, Harvest Ministry’s hard-working technicians, along with many freshly-trained local ushers and ministry workers.
>>This week, we’re praying specifically for SOULS in Kagadi to be saved, and for a spiritual breakthrough in this needy area.
A specific verse we’re praying over this area of Kagali is Isaiah 9:2: “The people who walked in darkness Have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined.”
Previous Kagadi posts . . .
We appreciate everyone who has joined with us in prayer and support for the upcoming KAGADI, UGANDA outreach. In a recent newsletter (sent in the mail to our mission partners), we mentioned our need for “POWER”: both spiritually — for prayer support, and physically — for a new generator (to replace our old one which finally “bit the dust” after years of rugged mission service). We’re delighted to report that God has provided for this GENERATOR, which is now purchased and ready to GO for mission evangelism!
Outreach mission preparations are continuing throughout the area of Kagadi (led by worship leader, Geoffry, and NETS minister, Paul Kintu), as thousands of flyers are being distributed and local Christians are being mobilized. Please pray for God’s Holy Spirit to draw people to hear the Gospel and for spiritual strongholds (especially of witchcraft and cannibalism) to be broken. Pray for God’s POWER to be released as people learn what Jesus did for them on the cross. Pray for open hearts and for multitudes to repent of their sins and to surrender to the Lord.
As you pray with us for Kagali, ask the Lord to give YOU more of His passion for souls. Missionary Hudson Taylor had such a heart for the lost, he said, “I feel I cannot go on living unless I do something for China.” Taylor grew to realize that his purpose reached beyond his own temporal desires, to making an impact for God’s kingdom, and for eternity.
As a family note, we’re having a great visit with our son Patrick, who will deploy with the USMC to Afghanistan in a few weeks. Wedding plans are also underway, for our son Josh and his lovely bride-to-be, Anna, and for Ann’s sister Sue (to Dr. Bradley Stuart, an international minister from South Africa). It’s an eventful time, and we appreciate your continued love for us . . . and for the lost. Enclosed is a copy of our recent prayer card, with both ministry and family highlights. We appreciate your prayers!
BLESSINGS TO YOU!!!
In His Love & Harvest,
Jon & Ann (& all)P.S. If you would like a hard-copy of this mission postcard, to put up on your refrigerator or in your Bible (as a reminder to continue to be praying for this upcoming outreach), please contact us, and let us know if you’d like to receive our monthly mission newsletters!
Earlier post on Kagadi, Uganda
God’s Protection During Flight Emergency!!!
COMING HOME . . .
We’re praising God for His protection over Jon Dunagan, as he was flying home (en route to Oregon, USA) from Harvest Ministry’s recent KAGADI mission outreach in Uganda, EAST AFRICA.
Today (on 10/10/10), during Jon’s initial flight home (via KLM airlines, departing from Entebbe, Uganda to Amsterdam, Netherlands) a near flight disaster was averted.
During departure, a large bird flew (or was sucked) into the engine; the plane engine caught fire, and gasoline dumped out in midair. Jon wrote in a text message that the plane sounded like it was falling apart during take-off. Immediately, the plane had an emergency landing back at the Entebbe airport. During the emergency landing, the plane nearly flipped, and Jon reported that it felt like they almost crashed. Passengers were unloaded onto the runway, as FIRE TRUCKS were present. Jon said the situation was “very terrifying.”
We are praising God for His supernatural protection, and THANK YOU for your continued prayers over this mission outreach and everyone involved.
P.S. Jon Dunagan arrived safely home in Oregon, after this close-call. A few news sources, see here and here, reported the event, and two see here and here even quoted Jon’s reaction (from this Harvest Ministry website), although mistakenly claimed Jon’s ‘home country’ is NETHERLANDS).
Be sure to also see:
>> KAGADI: Click here (for KAGADI PHOTOS and day-by-day prayer & praise reports)
>> KAGADI: Click here (for KAGADI background & preparation details)
>> KAGADI: Click here (for 4-minute KAGADI MISSION VIDEO)
Preparation for KAGADI, UGANDA!
Kagadi, Uganda
Right now, Harvest Ministry is getting ready for our next evangelistic outreach (in early October, 2010) to KAGADI, a remote and spiritually needy city/village in Western Uganda, near the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
This area has a reputation throughout Uganda for being involved in deep witchcraft and for continuing to practice human cannibalism. Kagadi has a few small and isolated churches and some local believers who are praying hard for their community, but as far as we know, it has never had an evangelistic outreach to openly proclaim the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. It is a region desperately in need of God’s salvation and the power of His Holy Spirit to penetrate the darkness.
Advance preparations, advertising, and government permissions have been underway for some time, and we are believing for a mighty harvest of SOULS.
Our greatest need for this upcoming mission outreach is POWER, spiritually and physically: we need fervent PRAYER support for God’s anointing and for spiritual freedom for theses people…and we also need a new GENERATOR (as our faithful and hard-working old generator finally “bit the dust” after years of rugged missionary service).
Photo: Harvest Ministry altar call in Southern Africa (with Jon Dunagan)What an exciting time!
Please keep our family and the city of KAGADI in your prayers, as we ALL joyfully live to expand God’s Kingdom!
In His Harvest,
Jon & Ann Dunagan (& all)
“Sympathy is no substitute for action.” – David Livingstone
“Expect great things of God. Attempt great things for God.” — William Carey
“You have one mission on earth — to save souls.” — John Wesley
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel…” — Jesus Christ
Be sure to also see:
>> KAGADI: Day-by-day Kagadi updates & photos
>> KAGADI: God’s Protection During Flight Emergency
>> KAGADI: 4-minute MISSION VIDEO from KAGADI, Uganda
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