What Jacob Does Here

Jacob has lived in Africa - Zimbabwe and Mozambique, for 35 years (except for one year in Brazil and four in the USA). He has learned that a foreign missionary (in an area that has existing churches) should always be working himself out of a job – meaning that his job is to work alongside the local church leaders to help them to do their job better; not to build an organization around himself or to supplant local leadership. It may be slower, and doesn’t lend itself to exciting letters back home, but it builds men and women into strong leaders who depend on God, not foreign know-how and money.

He does not approach his work with an outside agenda. He makes it a practice to always go behind the local leadership - they will let him know what the needs are, and by working with and through them, they have emotional ownership of their work.

In 1984 Jacob and his family returned to Gweru, Zimbabwe, where he was co-leading the Mkoba church with a local preacher. The church was composed of poor laborers and was not supplying any support for either preacher (money was coming from the US for both). In 1991 Jacob decided and announced to the church that they no longer needed him – they had elders, a good preacher, deacons, and a membership of 700 (it was 300 in 1984). That’s when he moved to Mozambique.

The Mkoba church has since taken responsibility for the support of their preacher, started two more churches in Gweru (both of which are thriving), and grown to 1000 members.

Jacob’s role in Mozambique could be characterized as a resource person. He travels to a district (with advance notice to the churches), meets with the church leaders, and asks them how he can help them. For several days they will study together, help them find solutions to their problems, and if it seems appropriate, commit his outside resources to help meet a need. He has a constant theme of teaching them to depend upon God, not on western money or missionaries.

One time he asked the village leaders what they needed, and they immediately requested that he help get rid of the elephants who were destroying their crops and threatening their homes.

For the past 10 years Jacob has been driving a LandRover that has just about given up the ghost. The dirt trails, gullies, potholes, huge loads, and dust clouds have taken their toll. Two weeks ago he was able to get a “new” car – a 1994 Toyota Hilux Surf (similar to the 4Runner). What a blessing it has been! It gets there without breaking down!

Prayer Needs

- That the church leaders in this province (Manica) will be receptive to Jacob’s offer to help them. They have been conditioned to expect support and financial assistance from the missionaries, and that’s not what Jacob has to offer.
- That God will move His givers to supply the remaining $8000 for the new vehicle. (He had to rob Peter to pay Paul to get it.)