We recently hosted a team from Sunbreak Church in Washington. Partnering with a local church, the team enjoyed meeting people, getting to know a new culture, and sharing the Gospel.

We love seeing how the team members are impacted throughout their time serving with us!

Here are some of their stories:

“I learned to trust God. I am reminded of this over and over.”
-Brad

“I got to speak with a deaf man. He couldn’t sign much but could read and write English. It was very special to me. My grandparents are deaf so I understand some of the challenges he is facing. I left him a Bible study book and a 4 page letter to encourage him.” -Mark

“God taught me to slow down. I love packing my life with a lot of things. I am constantly on the go 24/7. He taught me to really slow down and get substance out of life.” -Frank

If you’re interested in bringing a team in 2011, we’d love to talk to you! You can find out more here, or send an email to missions@thriveafrica.org.

When mission teams come to serve alongside us in South Africa, they participate is what we call Relationship Evangelism. It’s all about building relationships with people, serving them in tangible ways, and sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

As our team from Grace Community Church served around World Fellowship Church, they impacted many lives.

One young man had been raised with traditional Basotho beliefs, but didn’t agree with them because he felt we should be able to talk directly with God rather than through ancestral spirits. He also investigated Islam, but didn’t find the truth he was looking for. When the team met him, they found him hungry for truth and seeking a direct relationship with God. They introduced him to Jesus Christ and his life changed forever.

But it didn’t stop there. The team continued to disciple this young man through the rest of the week. They visited his tuck shop, taught him from the Bible, and answered his many questions about God, Christ and life in general. They invited him to World Fellowship Church where he was connected with other believers. And they invited him to a LaunchPad class, where he will continue to grow in his faith.

As the team said their goodbyes, they found that this young man was already witnessing to others. He is well known in the area and people often hang out around his tuck shop.

It’s all about relationships. Our personal relationship with Christ. Building relationships with other believers. And stepping out to reach people in need of the hope that Jesus offers.

We recently hosted a student mission team from Grace Community Church in California.

It was amazing to see these young leaders step out boldly to share their faith and show the love of Christ in tangible ways. And as the Lord worked through each of them, it was clear that He did a mighty work in them as well.

Here are some of the lessons they learned from their experience in South Africa:

“God uses us in different ways than we expect.” – Lindsay

“That in any situation I face I can have peace in that He’s going to accomplish His will whether I’m nervous or not, that His Spirit is helping to guide my words and actions when I fully rely on him.” – Daniel

“Always trust, and let the Holy Spirit lead me everywhere, in absolutely everything.” – Sara

“To be bold, and to pray for whatever you need.” – Mollie

“Don’t be afraid to let God lead me and stretch me and use me, even if I feel awkward or uncomfortable at first.” – Kelsey

“God taught me that I need to be listening to him every day and praying that his Holy Spirit works through me.” – Sara

Our mission is to equip leaders, disciple believers and strengthen the local church. Mission teams are a critical part of that mission.

We were recently blessed by a student team from Grace Christian Church in Michigan. As they ministered in Paballong village, they definitely stepped out of their comfort zones to reach people for Christ. As the students shared powerful stories of salvations, healings, and serving, it became clear how much this trip also impacted their own lives.

As leaders they were equipped, as believers they were discipled, and as they take what they’ve learned back to the States, their churches and ministries will be strengthened as a result. We asked them if they would recommend this trip to others and here is what some had to say:

“Yes, yes, yesssssss! This trip has changed my life. Getting out of your comfort zone and relying fully on God is AWESOME. I’ve made relationships I’ll never forget. Africa has left a huge imprint in my heart and I will never be the same.” – Stephanie

“Yes, it truly gets you closer to God, and you change the lives of others. It is amazing!” – Carley

“Yes, because it really stretches you spiritually, and teaches you to have compassion and to get love and compassion in return.” – Lexy

After their first week of relationship evangelism and children’s ministry, our team from Grace Christian Church had wonderful testimonies for the congregation of AFM Paballong church. The church was overjoyed by the stories of salvations and healings, and by how many kids came each afternoon hungry to learn about God.

Afterwards, Pastor Thito thanked and encouraged the team in return.

“Thank you so much for your testimonies. They are such an encouragement. Please know that we as a church will continue to pray for the families you’ve met, and the children that came to children’s ministry – that they know the Lord, come to this church, and become our next generation of leaders. Please also know that the seeds you planted will bear much fruit. Even if you don’t see it because you are returning to America, when you go to heaven God will be so excited to introduce you to the ones who are there because of the time you spent in Paballong. When you meet them, you will say Wow! Wow! Wow!”

Please pray that the seeds planted in Paballong continue to grow.

There are so many testimonies and stories coming out of Thrive Trip, we can’t help but share them with you! God is doing great things through this group of young people!

“We met a very elderly lady named Mary…she made me realize that a good attitude is not determined by circumstances, but by a sound mind focused on Christ.” – Carleigh

“It’s so humbling to be reminded of how powerful God really is, more powerful than we can even comprehend. It (ministry) is a totally different approach when you remove yourself from your comfortable everyday routine.” – Morgan

“I got to celebrate my 20th birthday in South Africa and was reminded about how I truly want to spend the third decade of my life simply loving Jesus in the most passionate and powerful ways.” – Ashley

Check out pictures from their trip here!

Inspired by the stories you’ve heard? We’re accepting applications for our next adult Thrive Trip in October. You can apply here.

The students on Thrive Trip arrived a little over a week ago. It was amazing to hear the testimonies that came out of their first week of ministry! These young adults are passionate about leaving Africa a different place than when they came, here’s what they’ve learned so far:

“I realized this week that it is actually really easy to talk to people about God and his unending love…I’m so amazed that He’s empowered me to do things I never thought I could do.”—Cameron

“One of the reasons I decided to come to South Africa is the hope of changing/helping lives through Christ’s love. Little did I know that loving people of Qwa Qwa would forever change my heart, my mind and my eyes.” – Yvette

“God has pushed me past my limits this week, and then gently let me rest in His arms of love. Being here has given me a deep sense of purpose, and joy, in knowing I am answering His call.” –Sara Mae

Just think, they’re only halfway through their time in South Africa. We can’t wait to see how God shows up this week!

Everything we do is based on II Timothy 2:2: “…Teach these great truths to trustworthy people who are able to pass them on to others.” This translates into all areas of ministry–including children’s ministry. Here’s a recent story from Dallas, one of our Next Step interns:

“A couple days after we did children’s ministry, we were talking with an elderly woman during relationship evangelism. She said that her grandson came running home after he had been with us, and was so excited to share the story he learned about Daniel and the Lion’s Den. He wanted his grandma to read it from the Bible for him. She said that he just had lots of fun and was very excited. It was encouraging for us to hear that our children’s ministry had impacted lives already and we were happy to know that the kids we interacted with were passing on what they learned to their families.” – Dallas, Next Step Intern

As mission teams serve alongside us, they’re involved in a variety of new and exciting cultural experiences-African church is typically one of them. We recently hosted a mission team from Crown College. Here’s what they said about their African church experience:

“Sunday was probably one of the best days so far for a couple of reasons! Our team traveled together back to the village in which we have been ministering to near Harrismith. There, we attended Real Vision church at 9 AM. This was a purely South African church in which many of the attendees were from the surrounding area.

This experience was such a moving one! The entire worship service was very spiritual. The people of the church were very warm and inviting. The worship through music was almost angelic, as the voices of the South African people filled the air.

Our dear friend and pastor, Abram, preached the gospel message. He spoke of spiritual blessings and spoke with deep passion and energy. Our team also was able to hear the children’s choir, and they were the cutest thing ever! It was such a blessing to be a part of this experience.

But even more, it was cool to see some of the townspeople we had been ministering to come to church, even some walking as long as an hour away to come and hear the gospel…”

- Crown College Mission Team

Check out photos from their trip here!

Earlier this year our adult Thrive Trip brought people together to work alongside us in South Africa. Before the trip, the team members didn’t know each other, after spending two weeks working together to further the Kingdom, they have a lifelong bond.

Here’s what some of them had to say about the experience:

“It’s amazing what God will do when you make yourself vulnerable to His word. The trip has truly helped me to pray, obey, and allow Him to make a way…Everyone inspired me to push into the Lord’s will and seek to know him more.” -George Washington III

“That trip was amazing. My first mission trip. Our team was great and worked so well together. Which is so good since none of us know one another. The ministry was awesome; I loved the people, especially the locals! I definitely made lifetime friends and met people who will live in my heart forever.” -Mindy Miller

We still have spots open for 2010! The application deadline for December 15th. Interested? Why wait? We’ve even gone paperless, you can now complete the entire application online, apply here now.