Update: FUMI Tanzania
Dear Lord’s family,
Thank you for your prayers and your help in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the inmates that they hear the word that gives hope for a new life to come.
We encourage every volunteer who goes to serve in the Prison to have the following arrangement:
The prisoners should all gather in the same place. We then have a public sermon and we all pray together. After that, we are divided into two groups. The first group of prisoners who are visiting for the first time mix with prisoners who have not yet become disciples of Jesus Christ. The other is a group of prisoners who have become disciples of Jesus Christ and meet together in small groups to discuss together the lessons they have studied at home. The rest of the group is able to learn and discuss together the subject that motivates them to be followers of Jesus Christ. This way we see how the prisoners are growing in their faith and how the Word of God is changing them.
Running this program is very effective but is costly in terms writing materials and lesson printing. We often face challenges regarding our volunteers. They often fail to come to the prison center to perform services due to the lack of fare to get to the center. We need to find a way to help volunteers get the fare to go to the prison center every week - this will provide great efficiency in service to the ministry.
Praise and glory that the service in the prison is expanding to different places. Starting in August and September of this year, I will be visiting new places and doing seminars in new churches that have been affiliated with us. We ask that you continue to remember us in prayers for the work that we hope to do in new areas for the glory of God.
Please continue to remember us with these specific needs:
1. Morogoro region - we will have a three-day seminar with six pastors who will volunteer to preach and teach the gospel to the inmates in both male and female prisons. We expect to have more than fifty pastors from different churches to attend this seminar. They will be given information and encouragement to volunteer to do prison ministry. I have already started to help them get permission from the prison department to all ow them into the prisons in their area.
2. Iringa region - We will have a three-day seminar with four pastors who have volunteered to do prison ministries. This is the result of the conference we did in the past years with you, brethren. This meeting will be encouraging the different churches to participate in prison ministry.
3. Ludewa region- We will have a three-day seminar with eight pastors who have volunteered to preach and teach the gospel to inmates. This seminar will be encouraging them and other churches to get involved with prison ministry.
4. Mwanza region - We will have a three-day seminar. There will be more than fifty people who will participate in this seminar. The seminar will be encouraging the volunteers through the word of God to do the good work before the Lord and to encourage other people to get involved in prison ministry
In Christ you serve,
Samuel A. Mwakasungula
FUMI – Tanzania
Update from Michael Tetteh
Brothers Tim, Paul & FUMI board,
I have great new to report to you all – My partners at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Oyibi District mandated during their annual conference held on December 9th, for their mission & evangelism department to go to the basic schools, SHS, Prison & police cells for evangelism. These have to do with all the 24 local congregations within the district effect from 2024.
This is good news for ESRM and FUMI as well and it came about as a result of all the work done in ministry to the Akuse Prisons and some schools with them within their jurisdiction. As well as the recent Zoom Seminar, with the Theme 'Spiritual Warfare', organized by ESRM and put together by FUMI President Timothy Dale Wagoner.
The Presbyterian Church of GA Mission Field also called on me to meet with their mission and evangelism ministry team to restructure their prison & school ministry for January 2024.
The Assemblies of God - Ghana in Nkurakan, a potential minister with ESRM, had signed a memorandum of understanding. The focus is on prison evangelism in Koforidua, evangelism in the rural communities with the youth and also Agriculture (ESRM had provided 8 acres) farmland to raise financial support for our ministry and also to serve as a rehabilitation center for ex- convict believers. The farmland shares boundaries with the major road which gives access to the city to Accra and Koforidua with others rural towns. We ended up with shared boundaries in the North with a big flowing river which we will use for irrigation purposes during the dry season. We are currently going to engage in bee keeping using basket hives and these will be in place, if God wills, by January 2024. This will cost us less than that of Kenya hives or the British box hive. We are trusting God to bless our efforts to raise funds to expand His kingdom where the Good News had not yet gone throughout these Ghana rural areas. With God all things are possible.
ESRM had Tamale on board for the visit after the Esther festival in 2024. ESRM had signed a memorandum of understanding for Prison and youth ministry with three (3) potential organizations. They are on our prison permit for 2024 and will start the prison & school ministry.
Brothers these are not dreams. They are the reality on the ground and with the help of the Holy Spirit and HIs wisdom, He will provide for us to win more souls to expand God's kingdom.
I thank the FUMI board for their support and cooperation. This is HUGE! Both your support and cooperation are the key factors catapulting us to expansion. Don't relent!
Brother Paul, thank you for the certificates and especially the SIC materials that are a ESRM basic follow up tool that the Holy Spirit is using to win and grow souls for God's kingdom.
I count my accident as joy for suffering for the gospel as l show compassion to the inmates and poorer youths in my ministry. My wife is taking good care of me and soon my wound will be gone but will leave a sign (short finger) which will serve me as an oath to announce the Good News, in good times and in bad times. God holds everything, including the universe, in His hands
To God be the glory, great things He has done and greater things He will.
Till l write again, l wish all a blessed Merry Christmas in advance. May we all be vessels of honor that the Lord may use when He wants and at whatever time He wills to the glory of his name.
- Pray for long life, good health and commitment for me.
- Pray for faithful men with passion, commitment and dedication to work with.
- Pray for our Agriculture activities for abundant harvest in all areas to feed and sell to support the inmates, poorer youths and evangelists for evangelism.
- Pray and thank God for His love, mercies, His faithfulness and provisions every single day in my life, my family and my ministry.
Sincerely in Christ Jesus,
Michael Tetteh
FUMI's 67th Annual Banquet
This year’s annual banquet was a true blessing that exceeded all expectations. The event, which serves as our primary fundraising opportunity, unfolded into an inspiring evening filled with testimonies and good news. Among the highlights was hearing from our brother Kent, an extraordinary volunteer who not only dedicates his time to our cause but also ministers to the homeless. Additionally, the testimonies of Margus and Albert, both recently released from prison, resonated deeply with everyone present. Their stories vividly conveyed the transformative power of the Gospel, showcasing how their lives were completely transformed within prison walls. As we celebrated our 67th year of ministry to individuals behind bars, our hearts overflowed with gratitude towards those who attended and supported the cause through their heartfelt prayers and generous financial contributions. It is through these collective efforts that we are able to continue our mission for many more years to come, or until the day He returns. Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all who graced the banquet with their presence. Your support and presence truly make a difference and for that, we are eternally grateful. May God bless you abundantly for your unwavering dedication to this noble cause.
