Resilient. Persevering. Innovative. Those words often describe farmers in any culture. So does generous.

For years, Tim and Bev enjoyed farm life in Central Illinois, raising their family alongside their crops and livestock. Some years were difficult, with drought and depressed commodity prices, but their desire to be generous was part of their faith journey. So, they gifted some of the commodities they produced.

Farmers around the world do this—giving in-kind to help fund Global Disciples trainings. In many places, local believers give rice, beans, vegetables, salt, even chickens to support trainings. One African church even took an offering of goats to cover their local discipleship-mission training!

This year, Global Disciples is inviting North American farmers to take part in our First Fruits Initiative to help to reach the one-third of our world still waiting to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. As you take grain, beans, or other commodities to your local elevator or cooperative, you can designate a portion to be donated to Global Disciples. The elevator contacts Global Disciples, we sell the commodity, and receive this as a First Fruits gift.

What does your gift of commodities do? It raises up near-culture workers like Ahmed to courageously take the Gospel to hard places.

Ahmed lives and works in a restricted region, where a local leader asked him to speak to about thirty Muslims. As Ahmed talked about God’s love and the forgiveness of sins through Jesus, the group grew into a crowd. Ahmed saw some were quietly weeping but others became angry and cursed him. Afterwards, several people came with more questions about Jesus. Ahmed said, “In cases like this, I know my life is in danger. But I don’t think about my life—I just want people to know God is good and He loves them.”

We praise God for Ahmed and others who go where we can’t to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and multiply disciples. We also praise Him for farmers, business people and producers who give of their First Fruits.

Your gift—in commodities, in cash, in whatever God has put in your hands—multiplies these resilient, persevering, innovative followers of Christ. And connects you with a global movement to reach those still waiting for the Gospel of Jesus!

–with Jerry Meadows, VP U.S. Partner Relations

If you’re farming, consider a gift this harvest through our Global Disciples First Fruits initiative. Not a farmer? Non-cash gifts like property, stocks, etc., can maximize Kingdom impact and minimize taxes. To multiply your first fruit gifts, every amount given and valued at $1,000 or more will be matched. For more information, contact Jerry Meadows, VP for U.S. Partner Relations, at jerry.meadows@globaldisciples.org