Highlights of 2017
This has been another great year for the work of Global Church Growth. And next year will be Jacque’s and my 25th year serving together in the mission, if God tarries.
Three trips to Cuba:
God has done great things in Cuba. In June of 2016 I gave a challenge to all the chruches that I visited, to make a list of 10 people they knew who needed to follow Jesus and then to win at least one on their list by the time I would return in February of 2017. By the time I returned, there were over 150 baptisms by those churches. When I returned in January, I followed up with the initial churches and trained more churches in the east and west and gave them the same challenge. I just returned 4 days ago and what results I saw! I was there 10 days and had 16 sessions. There have now been over 450 baptisms with all experiencing baptisms and growth.
Jaffet Perez, a long-time friend from Puerto Rico, went with me to help in translating. He was amazed at what he saw with the response of the leaders and churches.
There were many testimonies everywhere we went of how the system and material have changed their lives and churches. Our Methodist brother in the picture on the far left said, as he cried: “I have been in the ministry for years and I have been doing everything all wrong. But now that I hear your teaching and see the system of church growth I now know how to do it right.”
The sister pictured told us: “For 20 years I have only accepted Jesus, but since your training in February, and studying your books, I am now for the first time following Jesus as my Lord.”
Our brother to the right has been a minister in a Brethren Church for years. I trained his church back in February. He shared how his church has grown and is excited about the new direction, using the material and system. He told us that before I trained him he waited 6 months to a year to baptize, now he baptizes as soon as they make a commitment to follow Jesus.
6 years ago I started with 3 churches. Now there are over 300 going through the system, and another 4 to 500 more churches are asking for the training. Christian churches, Churches of Christ, and 6 other denominations are included in the number. One Assemblies of God church with 500 members I taught in February now has 140 newly baptised by using the material and system. They have committed to and are putting into practice the whole system. The preacher told me that he has 43 more churches in his district and that he wants them to go through the training. I just got an email this morning from another pastor in another region that has 100 churches. He asked me to make a presentation to all his preachers when I return. Last year I met with the president of the Baptist seminary in Havana. After sharing the material and system, he then had me meet with his faculty. I was then asked to come back and train his whole student body. He said: “this system and material is totally Biblical so please return and train our faculty and students.” Another denominational pastor told one of my directors a couple of months ago: “Dr. Householder’s material is Biblical. We want to use his teachings because all the material we get from the denomination is their doctrine. Praise God!
THERE IS A RESTORATION REVOLUTION going on in Cuba through the ministry of Global Church Growth. I praise God for Him using me. But I can not do it alone. If it were not for my team of directors continuing the vision and work after I leave it would not be successful.
AGAIN, I SAY, WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE. WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!!
There are a number of needs we have, to continue this great revolution in Cuba and around the world.
First, in January of last year I was told that the church that had supported 80% of our international travel funds was no longer going to help. We are now in desperate need of recovering that missing commitment. Can you help?
Second, is a need for funds for printing and distribution of materials. Like I said before, I have been working 6 years in Cuba. In June of 2016 I was able to print the books in Cuba. At that time everything exploded when they got the material in their hands. Before, my wife and I would take in a few hundred books in our suitcases, risking our entrance into the country. Now, we can provide the tools if only we had the money to do so. But, Cuba is not the only place we are working. The material God has given me is now in 12 different languages. We need your help.
Third, WE NEED YOUR HELP with transportation in Cuba. In the past 6 years I have traveled as the Cubans do all over the country. And let me tell you it is hard on the body, not easy to get around, and getting more expensive every time I go. . I have traveled every mode of transportation but the train. We are always trying to find a car, horse cart, or a big truck packed with people. The old cars we ride in are old, rickety, with gas fumes all around us. We do not know what we will get each time and how much it will cost. By the time we get to our next place to train, we are tired and sweaty. Sometimes we wait and wait to get the next car, wasting time and effort. In some cases the car will not go all the way and we have to walk the rest of the way. We need to take materials to each church and cannot do it the way we do it now. I can only take one person with me at a time due to these conditions. We need your help to purchase a van to effectively continue our nationwide ministry in Cuba. CAN YOU HELP? DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO CAN?
Cuba was not the only place I went this year.
First trip to Belen, Brazil. This was my first trip to this part of Brazil. In 2012 I led a workshop at the world convention in the capital city of Brasilia, but this trip I was invited by long time missionary David Bayless. He has been a dedicated missionary since 1957. There are 18 churches in the area and I was privileged to train 2 of the churches. I hope to return in April of 2018 to train 8 more in the system.
Missionary Convention was again a great time to make new contacts and follow up on old ones. I had a workshop on why churches do not want to grow. The main point was that they do not want to grow because they are content where they are as long as their needs are taken care of. And that to grow, there needs to be a mindset change to believing we can grow if we so choose. The time spent with new and old contacts convinced me that I can not continue to do what I am doing alone. I have many requests to come back to places for follow up, and more opportunities to open up new training points. If someone desires to help in making disciples with me they would have at least 35 countries they can choose to work in.
Plans for next year!
Haiti in January
This will be my first trip to this country and I am looking forward to the training and learning what it is like. I also pray that as they go through the training they will catch the fire to make disciples.
Cuba in March
The plan is to return and continue the work in the east and in Havana.
Brazil in April
I plan on returning to Belen to follow up and train new churches.
India in August
Another new place I will be visiting this year is southern India. The first two books are translated and 100 preachers are waiting for me to come and train them.
Commit today for translation and printing of material, travel funds to do the work and transportation for Cuba.
Adopt a language so we can begin to make disciples in other countries.
Send contributions to Global Church Growth, PO Box 188, Seymour, TN 37865
If we can have an opportunity to share what is happening around the world please contact me at: mikerhouseholder@gmail.com
If you or anyone you know want to help make disciples we need you to join our team. Many opportunities await you.
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