The very last thing Jesus is recorded to have said in the Gospel of Matthew concerns world missions. In
Matthew 28:18-20 we read these famous words (which is often called the Great Commission):
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to
the very end of the age."
If a person's last words are lasting words, then Jesus' Great Commission has to rank among the most
important last words ever spoken. At Vineyard Columbus we are trying to take these famous last words with
increasing seriousness. In June and July, teams from Vineyard will go to Indonesia, Costa Rica, Mexico,
Brazil, Ontario (to a Native American reservation), Zambia, Tanzania, and China.
Vineyard's approach to missions is wholistic. We are concerned about evangelism and church planting,
but we are also concerned with economic development and social justice. Last year our church gave $130,000
to assist in relieving the severe famine affecting Sub-Saharan Africa. Here are a few excerpts from a
recent letter I received, which offers a report about how our assistance was spent.
Dear Rich & Vineyard Columbus
In April 2004 you responded to the needs in Sub-Saharan Africa with a generous offering, and in doing so
became partners with the Vineyard Church Family of South Africa (AVC SA) to extend the Kingdom in a
tangible manner to the Vineyard Churches and communities in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi & Mozambique and South
Sudan.
We hereby provide you with feedback of the past year, giving you an insight into how the funds were
applied, meeting immediate needs first, but also creating sustainable projects to ensure long-term relief.
We are thankful to the Lord for you, and the blessing your generosity has released in the nations of
Africa.
To extend (proclaim/announce) the Kingdom, without addressing the most pressing & evident needs of an
individual & community, is to us an incomplete expression of the Kingdom. We aim to add to church planting,
a strategy for initiating social justice, mercy ministry and economic empowerment projects in the local
community, ensuring transformation at an individual and community level.
In Zambia:
Boreholes:
Due to longstanding water shortages in the area, 3 boreholes were sunk in Kasempa, Mapalo and Sikaunzwe. In
Kasempa, villages that were drought stricken and vulnerable to disease due to polluted drinking water now have
access to clean water.
In Kasempa, the local Vineyard church is now able to provide water not just for its members, but also to the
families in the surrounding area. In Mapalo, an extremely poor informal settlement outside N'Dola, the provision
of water has become a lifeline to many, and the church is holding evangelistic services at the site of the
borehole. In the rural community of Sikaunzwe, about 90 kilometers from the Victoria Falls, we found the alarming
sight of people drinking water from the cattle's water hole. This created many illnesses among the local people.
What a bonus for them to be able to have clean water!
Maize Meal
In the past year 28 tons of maize meal were sent to the most affected areas to provide immediate relief,
including Mongu, N'dola, Livingstone, Kasempa and Sikaunzwe. To enable long-term relief, communities were
encouraged to become self sufficient, towards which farm implements, 5 tons of seed and fertilizer were provided.
Due to severe drought in the region surrounding Sikaunzwe, most people were forced to eat only every third
day. In March 2004 they were also hit by severe floods, and the seed they planted washed away before their eyes.
10 tons of meal, seed and fertilizer sent to them enabled them to survive the very difficult period. In February
2005 John Fischer visited the area and witnessed maize standing shoulder high! The same situation occurred in the
Kasempa area, where most of the local churches have now planted gardens growing vegetables and maize.
And in Malawi:
Eight new projects were commissioned and sponsored with loan agreements, based on "Farming God's Way",
which was also taught again. There are now 34 Projects, with VCC's that are tithing, expressing commitment,
obedience to and trust in the Lord. The first installment of a loan repayment was received on schedule. This was
very encouraging, and will be recycled into further projects. Agricultural projects were inspected and serious
attempts are being made to ensure people become self-sustaining and creating work for others.
Other projects were initiated in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Sudan.
What You Can Do Now
George Verwer, the founder of Operation Mobilization, spoke the other night at Xenos Christian Fellowship.
During his talk he said, "You need to do whatever you can do to promote world missions. If you can go, go!
If you can't go, give! If you can't give, pray! Do whatever you can."
Go - Consider going on a short-term trip next year instead of spending your vacation at home or on
the beach.
Give - Fulfill your pledges made during our Capital Campaign. Two million dollars from the campaign
will go to World Missions.
Pray - Pray for the Kingdom of God to be extended through all of our mission trips. Pray for
protection for the hundreds of Vineyard members traveling overseas. Pray also for discernment for Vineyard
leaders regarding where our first full team ought to be located long-term.
Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your commitment to missions around our world.
