The AGM/HIM Model

The AGM/HIM (Agape Global Missions Inc. & Harvesters International Ministries) Model stands on three legs, namely:

1. The Church-Planting Structure.
2. The Pastoral Training Program.
3. The Renewable Resource Projects.

Each of these elements has been used by a variety of mission agencies and/or denominations, but not in the same way or the same combination that AGM/HIM is attempting to do. We believe in responsible evangelism. Scripture tells us to make disciples, not mere converts. We therefore believe that ‘hit-and-run’ evangelism is often more harmful than good. Any good outreach model must include discipleship. Training pastors is a vital element of our program. Furthermore we believe that the needs of Africa call on us to assist new churches in their support of their new pastor.

AGM/HIM has a vision to do evangelism and plant churches in those areas we consider to be the ripest harvest fields. The project has started in Southern Africa, more specifically, in Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia and along the Congo border and Angola. In time we believe this ministry will spread to other areas of the world. This is a growing and developing vision, strategy, and methodology.

Our goal is to plant as many viable churches as possible in as short a period as possible. Viable churches are those that are growing in numbers and in spiritual maturity and are able to support a pastor within a certain time-frame. The time-frame differs depending on the type of church and its location, e.g. rural or urban, and the economy of the region.

Our specific goals for Year One are:

AGM/HIM identifies areas where "hub churches" can be planted. These are churches with the potential of planting other churches. A full time church planter/trainer is placed at these hub churches.

Hub Churches:

Each hub based church-planter must plant at least ten new churches around the hub church in a two-year period. He must also teach and assist these new churches to plant at least three new churches. Hubs should produce between twenty and forty new churches in a three-year period. It is vital that these should be churches and not mere preaching points.

Each new church is given two identities, namely:

1. It's denominational identity. (AGM has started churches with 37 different denominations.)
2. The AGM/HIM identity.

The AGM/HIM identity is very simple and is taught from day one. We teach that:

These concepts are built into the very DNA of the new believer and church. (Churches are required to identify an area where they will plant a church within two months of being established themselves.) The results have been staggering!

The National Directors will submit monthly reports after receiving reports from each of the hub leaders. Due to the strong hub structure, we will be able to monitor progress against goals quite accurately. We will monitor church growth, baptisms, church activities, outreaches and church planting. We will also receive reports on the students and their progress. AGM will be able to supply partners with quarterly progress reports.

Accountability and Biblical Stewardship is encouraged throughout the organization.

In 2003 the HIM organization had 35 Hubs, nearly 200 churches, and 250 students in training. AGM came alongside of this organization to produce the resources and small teams to do crusades and special training for leaders.

We have a presence in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Two national Directors serve these projects, one based in Lilongwe Malawi and the other in the Copperbelt of Zambia.

Rapid, saturation church planting remains the most effective way of doing Biblical Evangelism, that is making disciples not just converts.

AGM/HIM addresses issues such as responsible evangelism, follow up and discipleship, training Pastors for new Churches without removing them from their churches and villages for extended periods, and helping develop a sustainable income for the new Pastor.

The AGM/HIM church planting model is producing wonderful results. A single Hub Church can produce as many as 40 churches over a 3-5 year period.

Trained leaders are placed at the Hub Church. They:

AGM/HIM plants churches in areas where there is a great hunger for the Gospel. In areas of Southern Africa there is a great harvest. In countries like Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Congo and Angola people are extremely receptive to the Gospel and churches are easily planted.

Opportunities exist for churches, individuals, denominations etc. to partner with us in planting a single Hub or even winning a whole nation for Christ.

Outreaches can be organized to a specific Hub or group of Hubs for the sponsoring Church / Group. During these outreaches churches are trained in evangelism and more churches are planted.

Most churches grow to between 100 and 200 members within 24 months. If we are able to find a sponsor to help build a church the membership usually doubles within weeks of completion of the building.