“One of the greatest church planting enterprises in modern history.”
EHC Christ Groups
Every Home for Christ is known worldwide as an evangelistic ministry. Considerably less known is the fact that EHC has established over 169,000 fellowships of new believers. A well known Christian leader recently remarked that “this is one of the greatest church planting enterprises in modern history.”
EHC has taken the Good News of Jesus to untold thousands of places where there are no churches of any kind. When the people who live in such places receive the gospel message and put their faith in Christ, we do everything possible to link them with others in the same area who have also become new believers. After making those initial connections we encourage these new Christ followers to meet for worship, prayer, Scripture reading, and fellowship. When such a group begins to meet regularly we consider it a Christ Group that has just been formed. Then, primarily through EHC personnel and resources, we help these baby churches to mature in the faith. The goal is for each one is to grow into a fully mature, self-propagating congregation.
The essence of EHC’s Christ Group strategy is found in the words of Jesus himself: “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV). This is precisely what is happening through these thousands of fledgling churches. People are being discipled, baptized, and taught to follow the way of Jesus. And there can be no doubt: The strategy is working!
In India, home to 1.2 billion people, spreading the Gospel, making disciples and planting churches is difficult and often dangerous. Some pioneer missionaries have been persecuted, and all have made great sacrifices. But their brave work has not gone unrewarded. God has blessed their ministry with millions of converts and over 27,000 Christ Groups.[box]Through these thousands of fledgling churches people are being discipled, baptized, and taught to follow the way of Jesus. And there can be no doubt: The strategy is working![/box]
In neighboring Nepal, the possibilities of a Gospel-sharing, church-planting ministry seemed all but impossible in 1982 when a young believer named Solon Karthak established EHC/Nepal. At the time, it was illegal to proclaim the Good News; but Solon accepted the risk and chose to obey God and not man. In the 29 years since he boldly launched EHC in his nation, more than 350,000 Nepalese have believed in Jesus, and more than 8,900 Christ Groups have been formed.
In the Middle East, the restrictions of Islam have made it very challenging to share the truths of Jesus. In spite of the threats, believers have been compelled to give the reason for their hope in Christ. A Christian leader in one very volatile nation reported: “Even though circumstances and people stand against us, God is with us. Pray for the safety, health and protection of all Christian leaders and their families, and for Christians facing threats. To convert from Islam is to face death. But four more Christ Groups have been formed and 74 men and women from different areas have been trained.”
Through “quiet” evangelistic efforts, more than 2.8 million gospel booklets have been distributed in nations across the Middle East. In those same nations, hundreds have contacted EHC to express their newfound faith, and 45 Christ Groups have been established. Although the countries cannot be named, it is encouraging to know that the Gospel is bearing fruit, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Africa has been another fertile ground for Christ Groups planted across the continent. EHC’s pioneer missionaries and evangelists have partnered in establishing over 57,000 fellowships in 37 nations.
In many parts of Africa it is difficult to share the Gospel and plant churches. The anti-Christian forces of Islam, tribalism, and animism war against the Gospel. But wherever believers share the Good News, people are being saved and new Christ Groups are being born.
All across Africa, pastors and Christ Group leaders are receiving biblical and pastoral training through EHC’s Mobile Training Centres. EHC leaders travel to difficult and remote regions to help minister to church leaders, giving them the education and tools they need to make disciples in their churches and Christ Groups.
The formation of Christ Groups has also experienced a dramatic increase in Latin America in recent years. Of the 17,016 Christ Groups that have been planted in Central and South America, over 4,800 were planted in 2010 alone. “Churches have formed, starting from scratch, with evangelism and discipleship materials distributed to every home,” said Jaime Doncel, director of EHC in Colombia.
Most Christ Groups begin very small and then grow numerically, relationally and spiritually. They are a living, breathing embodiment of the promise that Jesus gave: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20). Pray that the reality of our Lord’s presence will be felt more than ever among the millions of believers who are worshipping Him in the tens of thousands of Christ Group fellowships around the world.
-As reported from 2011