Crusade ends. The discipleship begins!
There are moments that stay with you for a lifetime. Moments where Heaven feels so close that words seem too small to describe them. Sunday evening in Bujumbura was one of those moments.
The final crusade was the culmination of months of faithful preparation by local pastors and churches, countless prayers prayed across nations, sacrificial giving, and thousands of people travelling from Bujumbura and surrounding cities with one expectation… to encounter Jesus.
And He came.Just as He promised, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20, NKJV)
Jesus between us
The presence of God was tangible. His glory rested over the field in a way that reminded us once again that Jesus still confirms His Word. The crowd stretched as far as the eye could see. Thousands upon thousands stood before the platform, but Jesus never saw a crowd… He saw individuals. Every person was known, deeply loved, and invited into an encounter with the living Christ.
Across the field people were receiving prayer, deliverance and ministry. Yet there were also countless moments where no one was laying hands on them. God Himself was ministering directly to hearts. You could see people standing with their eyes closed, tears streaming down their faces, hands lifted high, overwhelmed by His love and His presence. Others simply smiled with a joy that cannot be manufactured. The Holy Spirit knows every heart that sincerely seeks Him, and once again He revealed Himself as the God who meets people exactly where they are.
Jesus said:”But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NKJV)
That is exactly what happened throughout the week. People came seeking Jesus first, and He faithfully met every need according to His perfect wisdom.
One of the greatest joys of this entire mission happened after the altar calls...
Every single person who surrendered their life to Jesus over the three nights of crusades was personally connected to one of the partnering churches. Every decision was recorded. Every new believer was entrusted to pastors and leaders who will now walk alongside them, teach them, encourage them and disciple them.
This is what made this crusade so special.
Many crusades see thousands respond to the Gospel. We celebrate every one of those decisions because heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). Yet too often there is no next step. No shepherd. No community. No one to help those new believers grow in Christ.
Not this time.
Nobody would fall through the cracks.
These were never statistics. They have names. Families. Purpose. Gifts. Callings. They matter deeply to God, and now they are planted in communities where they will be discipled and equipped to glorify Jesus and reconcile others back to Him.
That is the heart of God.
The Book of Revelation reminds us of the immense worth of every human life when it speaks of “souls of men” among the treasures of the earth (Revelation 18:13). Even in judgment, Scripture highlights the incomparable value of a human soul…
Long before we were born, God already knew us. “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written…” (Psalm 139:16, NKJV)
The fullness of go & make
We read that when Jesus saw the multitudes: “He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36, NKJV)
The Greek word translated compassion speaks of being moved from the deepest part of one’s being. It is not casual sympathy. It is a gut level response. Jesus was profoundly affected because people had no shepherd.
Souls matter.
Discipleship matters.
That is why these words have remained with us:
God’s heart beats for souls, but it breaks for discipleship.
(un)expected lessons…
One beautiful and unexpected lesson throughout this trip came through something as simple as a missing suitcase.
Philip was the only member of the team whose luggage never arrived during the entire mission. Every evening clothes were washed by hand and, by God’s grace, dried overnight in Burundi’s intense heat.
Then, just as the mission concluded, came the email saying the suitcase had finally arrived.
It immediately reminded us of Jesus’ instructions to the seventy: “Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals…” (Luke 10:4, NKJV)
None of this was planned. Yet the Lord used even delayed luggage to teach dependence, contentment and joyful obedience. God has a wonderful way of turning inconveniences into testimonies.
Together…
Today Philip begins the journey home, travelling from Burundi to Uganda, then Johannesburg, arriving shortly after 02:00 on Tuesday morning before flying on to Cape Town later that morning.
Although this mission trip has come to an end, God’s work in Burundi has only just begun.
Now comes the discipleship.
Now comes the shepherding.
Now comes the lifelong transformation.
Jesus said: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37, NKJV)
Every one of us can be part of those labourers.
Some go.
Some pray.
Some give.
Some share.
Together we carry the Gospel further than any one person ever could.
We are already prayerfully preparing for one or two more mission trips later this year. If the Lord lays it on your heart, we would love for you to partner with us. The Gospel is free, but taking it to the nations requires faithful people who are willing to stand together.
Live feedback session – Thirsday evening 19:00 cat
Please join us this Thursday at 19:00 CAT for a live conversation as we share testimonies, lessons learned, behind the scenes moments, what it was like unexpectedly walking out Luke 10, and what lies ahead.
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV)
Perhaps one testimony will be exactly what you or someone else needs to hear.
Thank you to every person who prayed, encouraged, shared our updates and partnered financially. You were part of every salvation, every miracle, every act of discipleship and every life changed.
A special thank you to The Cross Ministry for leading this mission with excellence and keeping Jesus at the very centre of everything.
We leave Burundi with grateful hearts, knowing that Jesus is being made known, His Church is stronger, and His Kingdom continues to advance.
“The earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14, NKJV)
May the Gospel continue to spread like wildfire throughout Burundi, across Africa and to the ends of the earth, in Jesus’ Name.
We would love to hear from you.
What impacted you most during these daily updates? What did the Lord teach you? What stirred your faith? Share it with us in the comments. And we will see you on Thursday evening!
Jesus Jesus Jesus!
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