Men For Missions The Work Goes On
As a ministry focused on short-term trips , Men For Missions ( MFM ) could have decided that 2020 was a lost year because of the pandemic . But when its global teams were shut down in mid-March 2020 due to travel restrictions , they determined to work on the things they could . The MFM team in the Caribbean did the same .
After four planned trips to the Caribbean in 2020 were canceled due to COVID-19 , the MFM Caribbean team took action . Allen , the director of the MFM Caribbean work , continued multiplying his teams and church partnerships throughout the country . They participated in 13 regional team trips and projects .
They collected offerings from team members each month to help establish their own ministry travel fund . They purchased food , which they prepared and sold to raise more ministry funds . They fed the elderly ; participated in combined work , medical , and evangelism teams ; distributed meals to pastors ; produced mango juice from donated mangos and gave it to those in need ; and took trips to the south coast to hand out food to churches there .
Because they had witnessed previous MFM teams serving in the Caribbean , Allen and his team grasped the ministry values of MFM and duplicated these principles on their own . It is exciting to see this team active in multiplying disciples , churches , leaders , and missionaries .
Hope61 The Power of the Gospel
Hope61 national trainer Emmanuel ( Emma ) Luswata lives with his wife and two children in Kampala , Uganda , where he is the lead pastor at Holy Ghost Cathedral .
In the midst of pandemic lockdowns and quarantines , Pastor Emma could not hold church services or lead Hope61 trainings . But he refused to let the pandemic pause the preaching of the Gospel or the message of Hope61 , so he looked for other ways to spread the word . He contacted a local radio station and secured airtime from 12 – 1 p . m . three days a week .
Listeners hear the Gospel message and learn about human trafficking during each broadcast . Pastor Emma encourages those listening to consider how they can use their unique gifts and talents to help people in the community who are vulnerable or marginalized , which is one of the key aspects of Hope61 ’ s vision to prevent human trafficking . In the last few months , 31 people have called the radio program to give their lives to Christ ! ( The total number of people who have made a decision for Christ is likely much higher than 31 because many do not have a phone .)
Pastor Emma shared about an incredible phone call from a Muslim man who was listening . He confessed that he had been a trafficker , tricking people into going to the Middle East for work only to be enslaved when they arrived . He repented of his sins , apologized to those he had hurt , and invited Christ into his life as Lord and Savior !
The power of the Gospel is mighty , which is the reason Hope61 always places the Gospel in the center of all they do . The pandemic could have stopped
Hope61 in its tracks , but thanks to the willingness , flexibility , and ingenuity of trainers like Pastor Emma , the work of ending human trafficking continues .
3,864 trained in Engage trainings in 2020
1,449 trained in Engage trainings so far in 2021
MFM , a lay-focused ministry of OMS , mobilizes ordinary men and their families from all walks of life to do extraordinary things by doing , going , and giving whatever God asks . God uses MFM to provide short-term mission opportunities for these volunteers to steward their talents and testimonies while impacting a lost world for Jesus Christ .
Hope61 is an evangelism and discipleship catalyst of OMS aimed directly at those who are vulnerable to becoming involved in human trafficking . Hope61 mobilizes the church around the world to stop all forms of human trafficking . Our trainers help churches worldwide use the talents , abilities , and resources they already have to prevent human trafficking by addressing vulnerabilities that lead to trafficking .
Mercy , inc .
Mercy , inc ., an independent ministry partner of OMS , helps transform whole communities in sustainable ways through acts of compassion , in tandem with sharing the Gospel . Mercy serves through disaster relief ( including partnering with OMS in COVID-19 relief ); training and empowering ; health , wellness , and evangelism ; business as missions ; literacy education ; agricultural training ; and providing clean-water wells .
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