The Mission Society Agrimissions personnel with a project in Ecuador.
International (MNN) ― Poverty levels are tied to a lack of agricultural investment. That's also true of the spiritual realm. Doug Neel with The Mission Society says calling their work "Agrimissions" is fitting.
Projects are aimed both at helping people feed themselves and their families, as well as making life-long changes through a relationship with Christ.
The ministry's motto, "First the bread, then the Bread of Life," underscores The Mission Society's commitment. Neel explains, "The vision of Agrimissions is actually about sharing the Gospel. At the same time, we want to be about meeting human needs for daily bread. We like to consider ourselves to be a holistic ministry in that we're involved in word and deed."
Agrimissions projects are site-specific in order to be sensitive to cultural differences. This ministry helps nationals and missionaries begin and advance agricultural projects. Profits from these projects benefit communities and often help further ministries. Agrimissions projects are currently underway in countries such as Ecuador, Paraguay, Brazil, Peru, and areas of Central Asia.
Because of this approach, they're growing fast. "We have requests in 19 countries in Africa. We have requests in Central and South America and requests coming from Asia. Our critical need right now is more workers."
According to The Mission Society's Web site, the Global Resource Team works to maximize field missionaries' abilities to better serve those with whom they are working.
Agrimissions offers pilot agricultural projects; national assessments; one-on-one technical assistance; and technical publications. It also recruits full-time agricultural field missionaries and participants for short-term mission trips.
So, you may say, 'I can't help. I can't grow anything.' Neel says they will provide training, adding confidently, "I can take somebody with a black thumb and help them turn it green." He urges people to respond, even if they don't have background in agriculture. "They can pray, and they can give." And volunteers can go for a short-term or a long-term. You can find more details at Agrimissions.com.
Most importantly, Neel says, "We need people that feel called to the ministry of sharing the Gospel and being involved in agriculture ministries. I need them to respond."
