Ministry
We do various forms of ministry to build God's kingdom in Africa. Here is an noninclusive list to give you a more detailed look at what we do. One of our most significant areas of ministry is our School of Ministry. For more information please visit the School of Ministry page.
1. Church Visits
Every Sunday Mike Jones is out at a different church in the rural area. In Zambian culture receiving visitors is a great honor. Having Mike Jones drive through difficult conditions over large distances on often no more than a foot path, encourages the church more than we can imagine. Each visit serves to bring a renewed excitement to the church members about who God is and what it means to be in His kingdom. The visits are also tangible reminders that God has not forgotten about them although they may be far removed and easily forgotten by the rest of the world. Pastors are also encouraged by the visits as they are giving each and every week and not having opportunities to hear the word of God preached to them. The arrival of a visitor often brings in people who would not normally attend church, but out of curiosity to see an American many come and as a result receive Jesus as their savior.
2. Camp Meetings
Camp Meetings can only happen during dry season. It is a week or a weekend when Christians come from all over to sleep on the ground under merely a thin grass shade cover to hear powerful teaching from the Word of God. We join them, also sleeping outside, to share in the fellowship and offer up teachings for some of the sessions. These are always powerful times filled with people who are hungry for the move of God in their lives. As we all meet together in the middle of the bush without any distractions we meet God and are changed into His image.
3. The Jesus Film
One of the most incredible things about the Jesus Film is that it has been translated into nearly every language in the world including Chitonga, the language spoken where we are located. In dry season we are able to work with local pastors to set up meetings at night to show the film. Hundreds of people arrive after having walked many kilometers. Many people in the rural areas have never seen a film before or even if they have they were unable to understand it since there are so few films in their own language. Christians are amazed by the film. We hear over and over again that seeing the Gospel with their own eyes has given them a new understanding of who Jesus is and also a deep seated resolve to honor God with their lives. Many Non-Christians come for the sake of seeing a film and it moves their hearts causing them to receive Jesus as Lord.
4. Church Planting
From time to time God will lead us to help plant churches. This is accomplished mainly through encouragement of a Zambian pastor who feels called to do the work needed. Financial assistance is some times given when the Zambian pastor needs help getting on his feet. We are very prayerful in giving financial assistance as it can too easily become just a job for someone instead of a calling. Our main objective is to reach the rural areas where there may be no churches within walking distance.
5. Ministry Trips
At least a few times a year God will lead us to take a ministry trip outside of our general area to do ministry. Some times the trips are in different parts of Zambia for instance Senanga in Western Province, Petauke in Eastern Province, Kasama in Northern Province, and Sinazongwe in the Gweembe Valley. These ministry trips whether in Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Congo all serve both the work of evangelism and discipleship.
6. Teaching
Often times we are asked to attend special meetings or even church services to teach on specific themes from the Bible. In addition to these special circumstances, Sheri Jones is involved in a rural church called Chabwino Church where she serves as a church leader. She is responsible for teaching including a rotation between preaching, teaching adult Sunday School, and teaching children.
7. Helps Program
James chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 25 have clear teachings that as Christians we cannot ignore the physical sufferings of our brothers and sisters. With a deep commitment to not simply giving handouts we work to honor God's love for the poor while helping them maintain their own self dependency apart from our assistance. This means we work together with other Zambian Christians to help people genuinely in need be able to stand on their own two feet. We help some women with infant formula since it is simply too expensive for them to buy. We help farmers get back on their feet after difficult times by buying seeds for them. We prayerfully consider every case we stumble upon and work together with other members of the body of Christ to help those around us with their physical needs. Of course as in all areas of our ministry we primarily work to meet the spiritual needs of those we come across and as an outpouring of that also meet the physical needs.
1. Church Visits
Every Sunday Mike Jones is out at a different church in the rural area. In Zambian culture receiving visitors is a great honor. Having Mike Jones drive through difficult conditions over large distances on often no more than a foot path, encourages the church more than we can imagine. Each visit serves to bring a renewed excitement to the church members about who God is and what it means to be in His kingdom. The visits are also tangible reminders that God has not forgotten about them although they may be far removed and easily forgotten by the rest of the world. Pastors are also encouraged by the visits as they are giving each and every week and not having opportunities to hear the word of God preached to them. The arrival of a visitor often brings in people who would not normally attend church, but out of curiosity to see an American many come and as a result receive Jesus as their savior.
2. Camp Meetings
Camp Meetings can only happen during dry season. It is a week or a weekend when Christians come from all over to sleep on the ground under merely a thin grass shade cover to hear powerful teaching from the Word of God. We join them, also sleeping outside, to share in the fellowship and offer up teachings for some of the sessions. These are always powerful times filled with people who are hungry for the move of God in their lives. As we all meet together in the middle of the bush without any distractions we meet God and are changed into His image.
3. The Jesus Film
One of the most incredible things about the Jesus Film is that it has been translated into nearly every language in the world including Chitonga, the language spoken where we are located. In dry season we are able to work with local pastors to set up meetings at night to show the film. Hundreds of people arrive after having walked many kilometers. Many people in the rural areas have never seen a film before or even if they have they were unable to understand it since there are so few films in their own language. Christians are amazed by the film. We hear over and over again that seeing the Gospel with their own eyes has given them a new understanding of who Jesus is and also a deep seated resolve to honor God with their lives. Many Non-Christians come for the sake of seeing a film and it moves their hearts causing them to receive Jesus as Lord.
4. Church Planting
From time to time God will lead us to help plant churches. This is accomplished mainly through encouragement of a Zambian pastor who feels called to do the work needed. Financial assistance is some times given when the Zambian pastor needs help getting on his feet. We are very prayerful in giving financial assistance as it can too easily become just a job for someone instead of a calling. Our main objective is to reach the rural areas where there may be no churches within walking distance.
5. Ministry Trips
At least a few times a year God will lead us to take a ministry trip outside of our general area to do ministry. Some times the trips are in different parts of Zambia for instance Senanga in Western Province, Petauke in Eastern Province, Kasama in Northern Province, and Sinazongwe in the Gweembe Valley. These ministry trips whether in Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Congo all serve both the work of evangelism and discipleship.
6. Teaching
Often times we are asked to attend special meetings or even church services to teach on specific themes from the Bible. In addition to these special circumstances, Sheri Jones is involved in a rural church called Chabwino Church where she serves as a church leader. She is responsible for teaching including a rotation between preaching, teaching adult Sunday School, and teaching children.
7. Helps Program
James chapter 2 and Matthew chapter 25 have clear teachings that as Christians we cannot ignore the physical sufferings of our brothers and sisters. With a deep commitment to not simply giving handouts we work to honor God's love for the poor while helping them maintain their own self dependency apart from our assistance. This means we work together with other Zambian Christians to help people genuinely in need be able to stand on their own two feet. We help some women with infant formula since it is simply too expensive for them to buy. We help farmers get back on their feet after difficult times by buying seeds for them. We prayerfully consider every case we stumble upon and work together with other members of the body of Christ to help those around us with their physical needs. Of course as in all areas of our ministry we primarily work to meet the spiritual needs of those we come across and as an outpouring of that also meet the physical needs.