Impact Africa

Thank you for your faithful prayers during our missions trip to Malawi.  From outreach services in the bush country to market and hut-to-hut evangelism in the villages, the Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrated the hearts of many.  From orphan ministry to training pastoral students, the church was encouraged and equipped.  

In addition to spiritual victories won, our team gleaned much from their time spent with the executive leadership team of Finish Line Ministries Africa (Love and Yohane Kaphesi).  Their passion for lost souls, the preaching of God’s Word, and the planting of churches is truly infectious.

I am certain that the Lord used our team to make a great impact on the villages, churches, and people we ministered to on this trip.  All told, just over 500 people said yes to the Gospel during the week.  It has been truly humbling to be used in such a wonderful way.

As we depart, we ask you to pray that those who made decisions for Christ will take the next step in their relationship with Him.  Pray that they will commit to being a part of the Finish Line Ministries Africa church that sponsored their outreach service.  Lastly, pray for our team as we travel home.

-Sean Patrick

I Want A Relationship With Jesus

Special Note:  Due to difficulties with the internet connection in Malawi, photos could not be posted at this time.

The majority of the children in the Finish Line Ministries Africa Orphanage and Day School Ministry have lost their parents due to aids, tuberculosis, typhoid, or malaria.  Humanly speaking, the deck is stacked against them.  On Monday morning (7/11/11), more than 250 of these same children greeted us with music, marching, and memory verses.   For the next three three hours our team hosted Kids Kamp in hopes of bringing smiles and sharing the love of Jesus Christ to those who need it most.  Games, music, verses, and Bible stories ruled the morning and proved to be a great delight to the children.  As our time with the kids came to an end, it became obvious that the delight was all ours. 

Monday afternoon we moved our ministry to focus to a village by the name of Area 6.  The Finish Line Ministries Africa (FLM Africa) church plant in Area 6 has had a difficult time gaining momentum and the pastor asked us to come and visit the people in his village.  Walking through Area 6 in groups of two, our team had a number of opportunities to speak to villagers regarding the church and their spiritual condition.  On one such encounter two of our team members (Pat Hurley and Andy Schmidt) met the choir director for the Area 6 church walking along a dirt trail.  The choir director asked Pat and Andy if they would go with him to meet his sister at her home.  He shared with them that he had been praying that she would come to Christ.  Upon meeting this woman and sharing the Gospel with her, she stated, “I want a relationship with Jesus.”  Pat and Andy led her to Jesus.  All told, more than more than 45 other men and women prayed to receive Jesus Christ during our hut-to-hut ministry in Area 6. 

On Monday late afternoon and evening we held a soccer outreach in conjunction with the Area 6 church and FLM Africa Pastors’ Bible School students.  The Pastors’ Bible School students along with members of our missions team combined to play a local club team.  As you can imagine, the site of our American players caused quite a crowd to gather at the public soccer field.  At the conclusion of the game both teams and many of the spectators gathered at the center of the field while Jared Keiffer and I shared the Gospel and encouraged those present to consider attending the Area 6 church.  By the end of the event, 22 people made professions of faith and said yes to Jesus Christ. 

Earlier today (Tuesday 7/12/11) our team traveled to Mayaka Village and spoke with people in the local market about Jesus’ love for them.  In addition, we encouraged the men and women we met to consider visiting the FLM Africa church in Mayaka Village.   During the course of our time in the market place, hundreds of men and women gathered around our team to hear the Gospel.  As a result, dozens of people prayed to receive Jesus Christ, and many more were encouraged to visit the FLM Africa church in Mayaka. 

Later this afternoon, we held an outreach service at the Mayaka church.  Greetings, music, and a Gospel message culminated in 18 men, women, and students, and children accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior during the service.  One young man about 25 years old shared that he had met the team in the Mayaka market earlier in the day but did not make a decision for Christ.  He then decided to come to the outreach service at the Mayaka church.  After the Gospel message was presented, he raised his hand, walked down the aisle, met with two of our counselors (Duke Heller and Brett Moorehead) and gave his life to Christ.

The Lord has accomplished much in and through us over the course of the last two days.  Together, we praise the Lord!  Tomorrow is our final day in Malawi.  Pray that this good work will continue. 

–Sean Patrick

Up Up Jesus... Down Down Satan

Saturday morning found the team awaiting news on whether the mini-bus would be able to come and transport the team to the two villages that were eagerly awaiting the gospel.  Little did we know that this was the beginning of many perilous adventures on the weekend.  After a new battery and a late start, the Lord provided graciously and the team pressed on to the Chamba village to go hut to hut spreading the gospel.  As we drove through a second consecutive day of rain, the sun burned away the rain clouds to reveal the gorgeous Zomba mountain range that encompasses many FLM Africa churches.  The team saw many pray to receive Christ in their homes while going hut to hut.  In addition, the worship service was greatly attended and many came forward to profess faith in Christ.

We moved on to the Jali village in the late afternoon to find a thatch lean-to servicing as a temporary church.  These church members were making bricks to construct their very own church.  This is another church that is fully funded and ready to receive a metal roof that will provide year-round protection for worship.  We praised God for the generosity of the many families in America that have provided for these worshippers.  At the conclusion of our service, well over half of those in attendance came forward to receive Jesus Christ as savior.

On Sunday, we traversed the eighty year old tea leaf plantations to make our way to the Njale village.  Towering trees and miles of tea plants surrounded the team as we pressed on through an unprecedented third day of rain.  The treacherous journey included a near tip-over of the mini-bus on a muddy road, traversing mud trails to the church, and most importantly, another large number of villagers being adopted into the family of God.

We had a wonderful evening encouraging the mother church on Sunday with a service of much worship and a challenging message from the Vice President Sean Patrick.  Throughout the two days and three villages we witnessed around 200 people profess faith in Jesus Christ.  What a great blessing to the Kingdom!

-Jared Keiffer

200 Receive Christ at Public School in Chingale Village - Pics Included

Today we traveled to the village of Chingale. The deeply rutted roads and the rugged mountain terrain made the trek difficult at times. Our plan was to share our faith door-to-door in the village and then hold an outreach service with the local FLM Africa church. God had an even greater plan.

Upon arrival in the village, we noticed nearly 450 people gathered outdoors to take part in a local school’s year-end student recognition program (the school year ended today in Malawi). Included in this group were students, teachers, parents, and school officials. Because the program was scheduled for later in the afternoon, the people were just sitting and standing around the school grounds.

As we unloaded, many of the people came to our vehicles to check us out. Our team quickly dispatched into groups of three and before long each group was sharing their faith with as many as 100 people who had gathered round them. Throughout the course of the next few minutes I witnessed dozens of people give their lives to Christ in these group settings.

In addition, the headmaster of the school approached us and asked us to participate in their program. Within 20 minutes, the program started and two members of our team (Andy Schmidt and James Dowdy) were sharing their faith to 450 students, parents, teachers, and school officials. An invitation was given at the conclusion of the program and more than 150 people made commitments to Jesus Christ!

All told, nearly 200 people came to know Jesus at a public school in Chingale Village, Malawi.
Praise the Lord!   -Sean Patrick

Safe Arrival In Malawi

After nearly two full days of travel, we finally arrived in Blantyre, Malawi. The Lord answered prayer, as our team arrived in good health and with a full compliment of luggage and supplies.

Tomorrow we begin our rural church outreach ministry in Chingale village. Pray that many will come to Christ and that the Finish Line church will shine as a lighthouse in the village. In addition, we launch our Pastors' Bible School training sessions. Pray that students (our future FLM Africa pastors) will grow in their knowledge, understanding, and application of God's Word. -Sean Patrick