TRANSFORMING LIVES
Leaders learned to lay hands and pray for one another during SowH training.
In 2009, Brother Maheer's excitement grew when Ethnos Asia Ministries (EAM) introduced the Sow for the Harvest (SowH) Discipleship Training program. He recognized its potential to empower Christians and help grow their churches, so he invited EAM trainers to conduct a SowH training in his church. In 2012, after being trained as a trainer, he embarked on a journey that would touch many lives. His confidence in the effectiveness of the SowH program led him to train church members and equip trainers. As other churches caught the vision of the harvest, a network of trainers began to emerge, carrying the torch of discipleship training to various regions of Sri Lanka. Pastors eagerly requested these transformative sessions for their respective churches. Expecting 70 to 80 leaders, they were surprised when often, over 100 individuals appeared, hungry for knowledge and eager to learn.
During the training, pastors and leaders experienced moments of conviction, leading them to rededicate their lives to serving God. Backsliders found their way back to Him. Even nonChristians, who came out of curiosity, were touched and accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The training awakened the pastors and leaders’ passion for the lost. After each training session, the participants were encouraged to come together and form Harvest Teams. These teams would unite, pray and devise strategies to bring about the harvest of souls in their respective communities.
The SowH training program has impacted individuals spiritually and brought about tangible miracles. One pastor, a graduate of a prestigious Theological Seminary, found himself in despair after losing his business during the pandemic. Contemplating suicide, he saw attending the training as an opportunity to carry out his plans away from his family. However, his encounter with the teachings on building life on Jesus Christ redirected his path. He repented and committed to full-time ministry, convincing his pastor to organize a SowH training for all their church members.
In another incident, an entire village witnessed the miraculous healing of a paralyzed woman when participants put into practice what they had learned during the training. As they laid hands on her, she was healed.
Brother Maheer's unwavering dedication to the SowH training program did not come without opposition. A gang with ill intentions once surrounded their place of worship, intending to assault him and his companions. However, God protected them as they prayed and worshipped, thwarting the assailants' plans and ensuring the continuation of the work.
The SowH discipleship training program has reached the north, south, central, east, and west Sri Lanka across denominations. Brother Maheer has trained over 5,000 pastors, church workers and lay leaders. His goal is to see 250,000 to 350,000 house churches throughout Sri Lanka.
Let us continue to sow seeds of faith as we pray for the work in Sri Lanka. Pray as Brother Maheer continues to train more trainers. God will surely bring forth an abundant harvest as more lives are transformed.
“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.”
