Article submitted by Gary Hall, MVI Chairman of the Board
When I give to missions I want my dollars to accomplish as much as possible to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the earth. Let me share briefly one example of how Missionary Ventures International (MVI) is helping that happen.
A few weeks ago I signed a check for $181,262.47 to purchase 97 motorcycles for individual evangelists operating in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Haiti. These funds were given to MVI by the Christian Motorcyclists Association for the express purpose of purchasing motorcycles and bicycles for pastors and evangelists in third world countries, helping them be more effective in their outreach efforts. This project was done in concert with Campus Crusade for Christ and the Nazarene Church. Campus Crusade equipped each one of these evangelists with the Jesus film and the equipment to show the film in the rural areas of their respective countries. The Nazarene Church knows and works directly with each of these evangelists in these countries and has insured that the film equipment and motorcycles were distributed appropriately to the designated individuals.
Over the years we have given more than 5,100 motorcycles to evangelists and pastors in 90 countries. Typically, every evangelist who receives one is able to plant a number of churches because of this enhanced mobility in the area where he ministers. The joint effort of placing motorcycles and the Jesus film in their hands is yielding more phenomenal results than we have previously experienced. Already we have received early reports that these evangelists are averaging one church plant per month and they anticipate this success rate will continue throughout the first year of effort.
Campus Crusade’s experience with the Jesus film has been that during the first year, an average of 1,800 decisions are made for Christ. Through this joint project MVI expects to see 1,164 churches planted in the coming year with a total of approximately 175,000 decisions for Christ. That boils down to $156 per church plant and just over $1.00 spent for each decision for Christ and that’s just for the first year! I think you will agree with us that through this project, MVI with the cooperation of these other missions’ organizations is uniquely fulfilling our vision to impact the world for Christ.
Each member of the Board of Directors of MVI is an active donor of this ministry and is committed to insure that every dollar given will accomplish as much as possible to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We invite you to join with us and prayerfully consider a contribution to MVI knowing that the funds you give will accomplish a lot for the Kingdom of God.
Thanks for all you do for MVI.
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.” II Corinthians 9:12 (NIV)