Winning Souls – By Drake Kanaabo

God’s vision and plan is that every generation should influence its own people with the gospel. We are responsible for winning our own generation to Christ. We cannot run away from this responsibility. No one else is going to come from another generation to convert this generation…

Mission Challenge: “Winning SOULS”

By N.E.T.S. Minister, Drake Kanaabo

(Note: Drake Kanaabo and his wife, Josephine, live in Kampala, Uganda, and have evangelized in remote areas with Harvest Ministry’s NETS Outreach since 1991.)

What have we done to win our generation?

Over the last few years, I’ve taken particular interest in the annual plans of churches and I’ve noticed that many churches do not include evangelism in their plans. Most annual plans feature seminars, conferences, concerts, fundraising drives, etc. but not soul winning as a priority.

A great deal of the activites going on in our churches are designed for the benefit of people who are already saved. Church leaders in general no longer seem to possess any passion for lost souls. This is the reason why in many churches, evangelism has been relegated to an insignificant department often manned by newly saved, inexperienced Christians.

Friends, something has gone wrong.

Get Back to Soul Winning!

While there is absolute sense and legitimacy in us planning for the welfare of those who are already saved, it is unacceptable for us not to care any more about the eternal destiny of the unsaved. It is time we got back to the primary mission of the Church: witnessing for our Lord Jesus.

It is time we put back evangelism where it rightfully belongs: as a priority in our plans and programs…

Those early church folks understood their high calling to witness for Jesus. If it weren’t for the obedience and determination of people like apostle Paul, we Gentiles might never have received the gospel. Maybe today we would be Muslims or Animists! But thank God for those first believers. They completely focussed on winning their generation. They refused to trade that mission for anything in the world. We must follow their example!

Winning Our Generation

God’s vision and plan is that every generation should influence its own people with the gospel. We are responsible for winning our own generation to Christ. We cannot run away from this responsibility. No one else is going to come from another generation to convert this generation…We can never escape from this question: What have we done to win our generation? What impact have we made on our villages, cities and nations?

Some two billion people living right now on planet earth are yet to hear the gospel for the first time. These people live in Asia, in the Middle East, in North Africa. They are a part of our generation but they don’t have preachers to proclaim the gospel to them. What are we going to do about these billions? It is our responsibility to reach them…

(This article is excerpted from Drake Kanaabo’s book, Winning SOULS, published by Redeemed Evangelistic Church, Kampala, Uganda
© Copyright 2001: Drake Kanaabo. All rights reserved. Used with permission.)

MEATY: Aren’t All Cultures Equally Valid?

As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet.

Q.

Aren’t ALL cultures equally valid?
Why should we try to change other people’s cultures?

A.

The core issue of this question stems from a false application of “multiculturalism” — one that is politically correct, educationally encouraged, and sounds nice. But leaving people trapped in sin and isolated from God’s hope of salvation isn’t the “considerate” option.

As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet. Eliminating the beautiful uniqueness of international culture is not the purpose of missions; at times, however, sinful elements of a particular culture may need to change.

I will never forget an interview I had with an outstanding Christian teenager who attended a public high school. This young man led a lunchtime “Bible club” and worship time that grew to reach 250 of his fellow classmates. He was writing a school research paper on Christian missionary work and, specifically, he was trying to support his thesis that “modern missionaries do not attempt to ‘change’ foreign cultures.”

I understood this young man’s heart. He was trying to explain how today’s Christian missionaries are different — more culturally appreciative and sensitive — than some of the old-time colonial missionaries (who attempted to expand all aspects of Western civilization throughout the world). But I still disagreed with his conclusion.

I asked this young man a pointed question. “But don’t you try to ‘change the culture’ of the people you are trying to reach? Just look at the typical ‘culture’ of the teens in your high school before they come to Jesus Christ! Look at the way they dress! Listen to their music, their foul language, and the way they address their teachers! What about the DVD’s they watch and the movies they sneak into? What about typical teenagers involved in premarital impurity, or the girls who’ve had abortions? Aren’t all of these a part of teen ‘culture’?”

I went on to explain to him, “Culture is life!! When you share Christ in your high school, of course you don’t want your friends to stop being teenagers — that’s who they are! But you do want Jesus Christ to totally transform the way they live and the way they make their decisions!”

Around the world, societies that have developed isolated from God’s laws and the gospel are filled with sinful cultural elements:

• tribal hatred, ancestral worship, and idolatry
• immoral sex, adultery, and prostitution
• drug addiction, drunkenness, and witchcraft
• abuse and neglect of women and children

As Christians, our job is to bring the light of Jesus to every precious culture. Through His Word and His Holy Spirit, God will show people the changes they need to make to redeem their cultures back to Him.

All people are equally valid. All cultures need Jesus.

Revelation 5:9

And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

Mission Giving: “Can’t you do just a little bit more?”

As Christian families, we need God’s perspective on finances, and a vision for how our resources can help to expand His kingdom – especially in tough times.

In our family’s living room, a small handcrafted treasure chest displays simple coins from around the world. Most of the pieces are dull and worn, while some a new and shiny. Our children often enjoy fingering the various francs from France, pulas from Botswana, and euros from Europe, to mention just a few. My favorite is an intricate gold-and-silver-colored piece from Italy, although, as with most of these coins, I have no idea of its worth. Some of the coins are no longer in circulation; some of the countries they’re from no longer exist. All are simply extra pocket change left over from years of past mission trips, each saved as little souvenirs and little reminders that money is only a temporary “little thing.” Each coin is (or was) valuable only because some government somewhere determined it would have value.

But money is also a “big thing” – and we can’t underestimate the importance of training our children to have a godly perspective toward money and financial stewardship.

Our money represents our life; our time, our talents, our education and experiences, and our priorities. In fact, if we really want to find out what is important to us, we can simply look back through our checkbooks and credit card statements over the past few months. Our true priorities are right there in black and white (or red!); and the numbers don’t lie.

It’s really very simple. If we have a heart for the Lord and for the lost, we will give our resources to glorify Him and to help spread His Gospel message; and if our children are raised with this perspective, it will affect their bottom-line attitude toward the purpose of money. Both parents and children need to acknowledge regularly that everything we have ultimately belongs to God: our life is God’s, our home (or bedroom) is God’s, our car (or bicycle, or special toy) is God’s, our money is God’s.

We’re all simply stewards of God’s “stuff.”

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, J.G. Morrison urged Nazarenes to increase missionary support, as he earnestly pleaded:
“Can’t you do just a little bit more?”

When times are tough, our families need to “sow in famine” (like Isaac in Genesis 26:12) and “lay up treasures in heaven” (like Jesus commanded in Matthew 6:20). Physical needs worldwide are greater than ever; orphan children desperately need help; sacrificing missionaries need continual support and prayers; and billions of people need to hear the Gospel message of Jesus Christ.

During today’s economic downturn, let’s do more for the needs of world missions. Let’s be faithful stewards of the many resources God has given us, and let’s encourage our children to participate.

As mission-minded families, let’s do just a little bit more.

This article by Ann Dunagan, is an excerpt from her newest book, The Mission-Minded Family – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny (Authentic Media). It is also published on The Christian Post’s “Better Parenting – Better Families” blog.

God’s Heart for Orphans

We appreciate all of our friends who help us to care for hundreds of precious children at Harvest Ministry’s two orphanages, Osanidde Village and Guma Na Yesu Children’s Center.

The Lord has such a heart for orphan children . . . and so do we!

God calls us to care for orphans…

• Learn to do good; Seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:17, NASB)
• Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27, NIV)
• When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not go over it again; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21, NASB)

God’s justice will cover the orphans…

• Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan. I f you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry. (Exodus 22:22-23, NIV)
• He executes justice for the or phan and the widow.(Deuteronomy 10:18a, NASB)
• Woe to those who…rob the poor of My people of their rights, so that widows may be their spoil and that they may plunder the orphans. (Isaiah 10:1a-2b, NASB)
• Do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow. (Jeremiah 22:3b, NASB)
• Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against…those who oppress…the widow and the orphan. (Malachi 3:5a, NASB)

The Bible says evil men take advantage of orphans…

• They drive away the orphan’s donkey and take the widow’s ox in pledge. (Job 24:3, NIV)
• They slay the widow and the stranger and murder the orphans. (Psalm 94:6, NASB)
• Others snatch the orphan from the breast, and against the poor they take a pledge. (Job 24:9, NASB)

God promises His love and protection for orphans…

• Leave your orphans; I will protect their lives. (Jeremiah 49:11a, NIV)
• I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18, NIV)
• You have been the helper of the orphan. (Psalm 10:14b, NASB)
• You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth will no longer cause terror. (Psalm 10:17b-18, NASB)
• For in You the orphan finds mercy. (Hosea 14:2c, NASB)

God blesses those who are obedient to care for the needs of orphans…

• When you reap your harvest in your field and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the alien, for the orphan, and for the widow, in order that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deuteronomy 24:19, NASB)

For when the ear heard, it called me blessed, and when the eye saw, it gave witness of me, because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the orphan who had no helper. The blessing of the one ready to perish came upon me, and I made the widow’s heart sing for joy. (Job 29:11-13, NASB)

These verses were compiled from the These verses were compiled from the facebook group, “A Heart for Orphans.” Photos from Harvest Ministry’s Osanidde Village orphanage.

MEATY SIDE: A Timeless Passion for SOULS

It was over one hundred years ago, when a man earnestly poured out his heart to the Lord, in a prayer and a song, asking for more of God’s perspective and passion for the lost.

It’s really quite remarkable. Through one man, Herbert G. Tovey, and his prayers way-back in 1888, a fervency for the lost can actually penetrate into our thoughts and prayers TODAY (right now in 2010), to impact our focus.

Do you know how this can happen?
It’s because God’s perspective is timeless; and His passion is eternal.

Don’t you long for more of God’s eternal perspective about the Lord, and LIFE, and the lost . . . for more of God’s heart for people, and for more of His view of those who need His salvation? We need that eternal-God-perspective-for-souls to reach beyond our self-centerdness. We need God’s love to penetrate deeply into the hearts of others (both to people who need Jesus, and to Christians who need to share). The Lord wants people to know that He loves them and that He’s already provided for their salvation through His ultimate passion on the cross. The Lord cares so much. And we care too; but we we need to care more.

Hudson Taylor 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 with God’s passion.

And that’s what we want.

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.

N.E.T.S. Ministry Leaders

It is an honor and a blessing to work alongside anointed national ministers to more effectively reach the lost with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Currently, Harvest Ministry is partnering together with five N.E.T.S. Ministry Teams (led by these five anointed men of God, their wonderful wives, and assisted by their many ministry co-workers), in Uganda, East Africa, and in East India.

N.E.T.S. Ministers Drake & Josephine
Kampala, Uganda

Focusing on City-Wide Evangelism, Evangelism Training,
Orphan Ministry (Osanidde Village), and International Missions
More about Drake & Josephine

N.E.T.S. Ministers Naboth & Alice
Mbarara, Uganda

Focusing on Church Planting and Overseeing, Pastoring,
Village Evangelism, and Orphan Ministry (Guma Na Yesu).
More about Naboth & Alice

N.E.T.S. Minister Joseph (& Margret)
Bwera, Uganda

Focusing on remote Evangelism in the Rwenzori mountains
Village Church Planting, and Care for Pastors
More about Joseph & Margret

N.E.T.S. Ministers Paul (& Juliet)
Masaka & Kampala, Uganda

Focusing on City-Wide Outreach Preparation,
Evangelism, Prayer, and Organization
More about Paul & Juliet

“Tentative” N.E.T.S. Ministers Paul (& Krishna)
Andhra Pradesh, India

Focusing on remote village evangelism and church planting
Preaching, helping the poor, making disciples
More about Paul & Krishna

FREE: M.A.P.S. for Kids – VBS Curriculum

Looking for a mission-minded summer outreach idea . . . for your family, teenagers, home group, or children’s church? How about planning a backyard or neighborhood Vacation Bible School to share the Gospel and God’s heart for the world?

M.A.P.S. for KIDS!!!

As a special gift from Harvest Ministry, we would like to provide you with this FREE Vacation Bible School Curriculum.

This Bible-based kid-tested curriculum includes complete day-by-day instruction outlines. Throughout the week-long adventure, your kids will “travel” around the world (to Africa, Asia, Europe, India, and Latin America) on their own “M.A.P.S. for KIDS International Airlines” — through “Customs” with their own personal “Missionary Passports” (the program even has printable passport and visas!).

Best of all, your kids will learn to draw closer to God, to obey His awesome Word, and to follow Jesus all throughout their lives . . . to do whatever God says to do, to give whatever God says to give, and to go wherever God says to GO!

Missions Adventure Preparation School

Click here to download the FREE 106-page curriculum

M.A.P.S. for KIDS!!!

A 5-Day Mission-Minded V.B.S. Curriculum

Each day includes . . .

• A different international theme
• A Bible memory verse and a mission-minded focus
• An easy object lesson
• A missionary monologue skit
• An easy craft idea
• An international mission-minded snack idea
• A fun outdoor missionary adventure
• Day-by-day instructions for six ministry training workshops to equip children in mission skills (such as puppetry, drama, music, or the EvangeCube).
• A concluding M.A.P.S. for KIDS Program
• Plus much more!

Be blessed! Have fun! (And if possible, let us know how it went!!!)

If you use this M.A.P.S. for KIDS curriculum, or any part of it, we would sure enjoy hearing how your program went. Let us know how you used the curriculum, where you live, and how many children were involved. Feel free to add positive feedback from anyone who was involved . . .  or any helpful ideas. Our heart is to encourage and challenge children’s ministers, teachers, and parents to equip the next generation for world missions.

It’s easy to do, very effective, and best of all, it’s FREE!!!
Come take a look!

Here are a few highlight photos:

Making international crafts

For ASIA-DAY: Painted Oriental Lanterns and Fans

Learning to use chopsticks

The International Food Cafe

Outdoor Adventures: Setting up a “MISSIONS CAMP”

(Completed “CAMP” – (Notice the Bibles on the chairs!!!)

Ann’s Books & Mission-Minded Resources

Books for Families and Children:

Click on each book cover for more information.

IMPACT FAMILIES FOR WORLD MISSIONS

The Mission-Minded Child and The Mission-Minded Family

Both books are now available in BOXES of 12 and CASES of 44 (TMMC) & 48 (TMMF)

to help you & your church or ministry to IMPACT families for MISSIONS!

See Biblica for special prices!

Free Teaching Materials and Curriculum:

(Mission-Minded Curriculum for Homeschool Families, Churches, & Christian Schools)

Be sure to see all of our FREE Mission-Minded Family Resources!

Articles & Devotionals:

On-Line articles:

• @ Crosswalk.com – Training Teens On-Target – Part I
• @ Crosswalk.com – Training Teens On-Target – Part II
• @ Crosswalk.com – Striking Balance as a Mission-Minded Family
• @ Crosswalk.com – God Has a Mission for Your Family (By Whitney Hopler, featuring Ann’s book, The Mission-Minded Family)
• @ The Christian Post – “Better Parents, Better Families” – Ann is a regular feature writer for this national and international on-line news source.
• @ The International Faith Telegraph – World Christian News & Missions News – Ann has contributed several mission articles for this missions news source.

Example of Ann’s speaking and preaching:

• OCEANetwork – Homeschooling Workshop: “Playing the College Game – Winning Admissions and Scholarships . . . for God’s Glory!”
• OCEANetwork – Homeschooling Workshop:  “The Mission-Minded Homeschool – Releasing Your Family to God’s Destiny”

Christi in Cambodia: Part II

Here are some recent ministry pictures of Christi’s summer mission outreach to Cambodia. Ministry includes teaching English for outreach, bringing JOY to poverty-stricken slums, teaching worship conferences and music classes for worship teams, and doing children’s ministry.

(Click here for earlier posts about this CAMBODIA MISSION.)

Here are a few pictures to share the news:

Thanks to everyone who gave toward Christi’s mission trip (an outreach of ORU’s summer music missions). Please keep her, and the team, and the people they are reaching in Cambodia in your prayers!!!

BUKWO MISSION: AUDIO REPORT

Jon Dunagan shares an AFRICA MISSIONS update from Harvest Ministry’s recent evangelistic outreach to Bukwo, Uganda – April, 2010.

Hear the details about an exciting dream, God’s timely provision, dangerous mountain-cliffs, an unexpected delay, and many front-line praise reports about MINISTRY, LOVING ORPHANS, and REAPING SOULS . . . fresh from the HARVEST FIELDS!!!

LISTEN HERE (click on REPORT FROM AFRICA MISSION).

• Audio only
• Time Length: 20 minutes.
• Recorded at the Dunagan’s home church in Hood River, Oregon.

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