Making an impact together

It is a privilege to follow God in his mission together with you. Your gifts to Multiply are helping our teams reach lost people and plant churches in seventy nations and I am so grateful today for the good reports of what God is doing through those teams. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you with a few global highlights and then invite you once again to give generously to our mission.

Brazil

As I write, I am in Brazil for a very special gathering of the International Community of Mennonite Brethren, where hundreds of church leaders are coming together to talk about how we, as a global family, can continue to move forward in partnership in global mission. One of the most exciting aspects of this occasion is that I am being accompanied on this trip by Bruce Enns, the newly appointed General Director of Multiply. It seems so fitting that Bruce begins his leadership journey with us at these meetings where we will literally join hands with our brothers and sisters from around the world and affirm our commitment to work together that the world may know Jesus.

South Asia

As we consider other recent highlights, I want to draw your attention to what happened in South Asia only weeks ago. On Monday, April 4, there was a celebration where our national partners inaugurated a new building that will serve to train church planters for many years to come. This training center was built as a partnership venture by Multiply and several other organizations which are dedicated to training local leaders to share the Good News of Jesus. We feel so privileged to be a part of this strategic effort to strengthen the work of evangelism, discipleship, and church planting in one of the neediest regions of the world.Also, at this event, another historic commissioning took place. A young South Asian couple was prayed for and sent to serve as Multiply missionaries in Canada where they will support MB churches in British Columbia to reach South Asians with the love of Jesus. Arun and Anjana will be arriving in Vancouver with their two sons in May to begin their new assignment. This is another beautiful expression of the global church embracing God’s mission.  

Uganda

Another country that captures my attention at this time is Uganda, where our national partners, Robert and Esther Mponye, are seeing the transformation of lives that have been downtrodden by systemic poverty. One of their key ministries is called King’s Kid School, which is not only bringing quality Christ-centered education to marginalized children but also giving them essential vocational training for a very hopeful future.

I heard this testimony recently from a young man named Saul Muwanguzi whose life was changed: “Robert and Esther brought me into their house when I was only three years old. My teenage mother could not care for me, and they helped me to complete both Primary and High School education as well as three years in Early Childhood Education. Now I work with King’s Kid School as a teacher, and volunteer in children’s ministry at the Lifehouse Community Church.”

Saul’s testimony is only one among many young lives that are being transformed in Uganda, and so we are thrilled to continue to partner with this ministry. 

Ukraine

As discouraging and painful as the war is in Ukraine, we are also eager to participate in what God is doing there. In the midst of the chaos of war, people are desperate for hope and they are finding it in meaningful ways. Our church leaders there have been shining examples of courage and compassion as they have faithfully served the vulnerable and needy among them. As soldiers on both sides of the conflict have sacrificed their lives for war, pastors and church planters have been risking their lives for peace as they have been sharing the Gospel of Jesus.

Many church leaders continue to remain in the country to be a presence of hope to others and to coordinate vital relief efforts, including the use of various church buildings and ministry centers as shelters. As well, the open-hearted response from our global MB family has been both swift and generous, and we are grateful to be involved in a global effort to help the victims and refugees of war. 

Conclusion

These highlights convince me once again that Jesus is our only hope and peace, and our commitment to him and to his Gospel will bring lasting change to our world. You have played a key role in these stories, as our network of missional teams depend on the support of donors like you. The needs and opportunities before us are great. Would you donate to the work of the Gospel in today’s world through Multiply? Whether you choose to be involved by giving and/or praying, let’s embrace the future with faith, hope, and love. Let’s commit ourselves to working together that the world may know Jesus.

Partnering with you to reach the last, the least, and the lost, 

Vic Wiens
Interim General Director