Bibles for Africa

Brothers and Sisters:

My name is Greg Helms. I have served with various ministries throughout the past several years including Operation Mobilization (in Brussels, Belgium), Campamento del Caribe (in Puerto Rico), Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters (in Andrews, NC), and El Buho (in Hidalgo, Mexico). 

My wife and I married in September of 2019; we have been actively encouraging youth, young adults, churches, and missionaries—this is our desire for all of life. Through the ministry of #letmeintroduceyou we strive to make Christ known, disciple young believers, encourage Church growth in holiness, humility and love, and connect stateside believers with missional opportunities abroad. Our sending church is Red Oak Church, located in Andrews, NC.

Most recently, we spent the first 5 months of 2020 serving with an international baptist church in Brussels, Belgium, where over 60 nations are represented in the local gathering. It was our privilege to encourage the youth, the men and the women’s groups, the hurting and the elderly, and the church at-large towards local evangelism, missional prayerfulness, and giving. We learned so much from these brothers and sisters.

By God’s grace, many more apprentices will serve with the Body present there, following in our footsteps as the Lord paves the way. In this we rejoice! We learned a great deal while serving under and alongside the pastor and staff there; we trust the Lord will use all of this in future fields—one of which may be on the South Sudan border.

My wife and I had plans for a vision trip to the northern border of Uganda for this summer past. Our ministry friends and partners serving with Reaching Africa’s Unreached (RAU) are laboring to advance the Gospel into unreached fields. Due to the travel restrictions in place we were unable to arrive in Uganda, and the Lord has had us stateside for several months (though prayerfully we will return to Europe soon). 

As we continued in prayer, our hearts desired to support the agricultural and evangelistic and church planting ministry of our friends in Uganda. While we long to learn from and encourage them in person, we asked that the Lord show clearly how we could serve them during our time in the United States. He has made that abundantly clear, as we learned their supply of Bibles is nearly depleted.

RAU has an agreement with a major publisher to have Global Study Bibles printed at cost—if an order of 20,000 is made. This order of Bibles, along with the shipping container and transport fees, comprise a daunting $200,000 project. Well, appeared daunting a few months ago; the Lord has shown His faithfulness week by week through His people.

$200,000 Total = 20,000 Bibles

$10 = All Costs for 1 Study Bible

What this means is that $10 from you or me prints a new study Bible (individually boxed, a cherished means for preserving the Bible as it is well used) and places it on a shipping container for central Africa. That Bible will be placed in the hands of a Church leader, a new believer, or an avid seeker who desires to read of Jesus and all that He commands and promises. I love that RAU always seeks to distribute these copies of the Text winsomely, to those who not only can read, but to those who will read, treasure, and share God’s Word.

The Lord has graciously brought in over $110,000 through the gifts of his faithful sons and daughters from all over, desiring to partner in this labor. Initially we had pondered if we may help with a few thousand dollars; The Spirit has clearly been at work here. We trust the Lord desires that His people have His Word, and that His Word will reach to the ends of the earth. For this we strive, and toil, and beg in prayer, as we invite others to partner in all these things. 

And we believe the Lord will do it, because it aligns with His will laid out in the Scriptures.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. – Romans 10:13-17

Many pastors and missionaries are sent out from the ministry of RAU, even as local leaders in the Church are raised up in knowledge and Truth and a loving desire to share with their villages, towns, and communities far off—into surrounding nations. Prayerfully consider partnering in this ministry, in this Gospel and Great Commission endeavor.

I have seen few missions operate in such faithfulness. Many of the people in the area are hungry for living hope amidst the reality of difficult earthly circumstances. People travel from many miles and for many hours to learn of the Scriptures at RAU. The missionaries do some hard traveling themselves to meet the unreached folks and Muslim community where they are. 

The Lord has shown much favor here.

All the teachings on agricultural practices, every well drilled, every box of fruit and vegetables delivered to someone hurting and hungry, ultimately serves to this end: to pave the way for the Gospel to be preached in Word, as it has been shown in deed; that many would know Christ.

If your church family would like to partner in this effort, please mail donations by check made out to ‘Reaching Africa’s Unreached’ at Lifegate Missions/RAU, 395 Lifegate Lane, Seguin, Texas, 78155, with memo line reading ‘Bibles for Africa.’ You can read more about the ministry here, and follow along on Facebook as well. For online giving follow this link and in the notes mark: ‘Bibles for Africa.’

Please contact me, Greg Helms, at greghelmis@gmail.com or call/text (828)-644-8954 with any questions. You can read more on our life and journey at www.letmeintroduceyou.org; feel free to connect on Facebook: Greg Helms, or Instagram: @gregthewanderer.

Bonus: One of the greatest privileges of this season has been seeing the Lord grow people hungry for the Scriptures, and greater faithfulness, in the United States. People hear the stories from abroad, and the Spirit brings conviction. Are we passionate students of God’s Word? Do we rightly value fellowship and the teaching and preaching of Truth? Are we bold to share with our family, friends, and strangers, even when it means overcoming the fear of awkwardness and rejection? Are we praying for our brothers and sisters abroad as they face persecution? Do we care for lost souls?

Another great privilege is seeing young believers learn about mission work for the first time, hearing of those who have not yet received the Gospel. We have seen those young in faith write a check or give $10, desiring to participate by placing a Bible on the shipping container and into the hands of a believer without. The Lord has called us to steward well, making use of the resources (which He has entrusted to us) for the sake of the Gospel going forth: this project is a standing opportunity.

Last note: One of my favorite Sundays in the past months was preaching and sharing this venture with a rural church. There is not much history of missional understanding and participation though the church is over a century old. This may sound staggering at first yet is all too common. The Lord in His kindness is bringing change. The new pastor has a heart for the Word, for local outreach, and for the nations. Not only did this small town church give over $1,000 towards Bibles for Africa, but the pastor shared that he believes this is a pivotal time for the congregation. I believe he is correct. May the Lord give us clear eyes to see through the lens of His Word and live in obedience by the strength of the Holy Spirit.

I am blessed to know the Lord is not merely using this on one side of the pond, but for the sake of His people in so many places and situations. The Gospel will go forth. The gentle calling of a mighty God will reach the ears of all His sheep.

#letmeintroduceyou

#JESUSisLORD