Thank you for your interest in us, and in our call to the Lord’s work in The Bahamas! Here are answers to some questions you may have about our ministry.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SERVING IN THE BAHAMAS? HOW LONG ARE YOU PLANNING TO STAY IN NASSAU?
As followers of Jesus, we believe that everything–time, ability, possessions, relationships–belong to Him. We have been living in Nassau for over a year now. In another three years, we will be required to return to the U.S. for a time. After that, we would love to return to service for another “term” if God gives us strength to do so!
WHY THE BAHAMAS? I THOUGHT THE BAHAMAS WAS A CHRISTIAN COUNTRY ALREADY.
The Bahamas is a lot like other “Christianized” parts of the world. The language of Christianity is commonplace, and many see the Christian faith as simply a way to get God to give you things and solve your problems, so you can have a “good life”. As people realize that this kind of “faith” doesn’t “work”, they go on looking for hope and purpose in other places. Meanwhile, the truth about who Jesus is, what He has done, and what it means to follow Him has been, for the most part, lost.
I THOUGHT THE BAHAMAS WAS FULL OF WEALTHY PEOPLE. WHY DO YOU TALK SO MUCH ABOUT POVERTY?
Like many other tourist cities, few native residents gain any benefit from the wealth brought in by visitors or by wealthy people from other countries who purchase fabulous homes- or even islands- for vacation spots. Many Bahamians in Nassau struggle with unemployment or underemployment, inadequate housing, crowding, gangs, drugs, violence, family breakdown, inadequate education, etc.-All the problems of an under-resourced urban environment.
WHO IS ON THE MISSION TO THE WORLD BAHAMAS TEAM? WHAT IS THE TEAM’S MISSION?
We are the only two full-time members of the MTW Bahamas Team at this time. (We do, however, host many short-term missions teams to help with the ministry here, especially during the summer.) The mission of the MTW Bahamas team is to plant new churches where the good news of Jesus is boldly proclaimed and the whole Bible is faithfully taught; to build up and train Bahamian leaders in and for those churches; and, in the name of Jesus, to love and serve the residents of specific underserved communities in the city of Nassau. We long to see whole communities transformed by the power of Jesus, and new churches growing up in those communities.
HOW HAS THE MISSION OF THE TEAM PROGRESSED SO FAR?
One church, Covenant Life Presbyterian, was planted early in the ministry of the MTW Bahamas Team several years ago. In a surprising turn of events, that church has now merged with one of the very few churches on the island of New Providence that teaches the Bible from a reformed perspective. This church, St. Andrews Kirk, has become a powerful, dynamic witness to the power of Jesus and the truth of the gospel! God is now using our partnership with this body of believers to provide a wonderful base from which to continue and expand the ministry of the Bahamas Team. Service to the first designated community, Yellow Elder Gardens, continues; and service to a second community, Bain and Grants Town, is growing as well.
WHAT KINDS OF WORK DO YOU DO? HOW IS THIS MINISTRY DEVELOPING?
One significant opportunity that has been given to the MTW Bahamas Team is a chance to serve the Yellow Elder Gardens community by helping students in the schools. This has included tutoring or programming after school during the school year and the conducting of summer literacy camps. This type of ministry has continued, and the summer camps have expanded to serve an additional community. Currently, we are seeking additional ways to meet and engage with the residents in these communities as both the communities and school policies are changing. We continue to lead and participate in Bible Studies and small group gatherings, speak or teach at church events whenever given opportunities, and to seek opportunities to meet more people and develop friendships. One particularly exciting direction is the development of a puppet ministry, which is designed to engage some of our teenage friends as puppeteers and puppet team members… The hosting of short-term ministry teams is also an important part of our ministry here. While this has been primarily a summer activity, we are seeking ways to utilize service teams at other times of the year. So, whether it is teaching/preaching, going to community events, bringing bags of groceries to a young friend’s house, taking little boys to get lunch after church, setting budgets and making arrangements for teams, or praying with a weary brother or sister, we are both eager to serve in any way we can to help believers and churches grow!
HOW DO THE SUMMER LITERACY CAMPS FIT INTO THE MISSION OF THE BAHAMAS TEAM?
When the Bahamas arrived in Nassau (around 2015), God quickly provided an open door to reach the children and families in Yellow Elder Gardens by tutoring in the public schools. The summer literacy camps and after-school programs are extensions of that ministry. All these efforts have provided opportunities to build relationships with children and families in the community. This ministry is being used by God to bring many residents face to face with the good news of Jesus, and to share with them the hope we have in Him. As in all the work of the Bahamas Team, the goal is to see people come to Jesus, grow in the knowledge of Him, and unite in churches.
CAN I, OR A GROUP FROM MY CHURCH, COME AND HELP?
There are many opportunities for service teams, or even individuals, to come and help! Several teams are needed to conduct the summer literacy camps, of course. There are also opportunities for service teams to engage in construction or renovation projects, disaster response work, or help with ongoing ministry to children and families. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or interest!
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THIS MINISTRY?
Yes, we would welcome you to be a part of our work in Nassau. There are several ways to partner with us: First, PRAY! If you do not currently receive our newsletter, please contact us and provide your email address, and we will add you to the distribution list right away. Second, CONSIDER contributing financially to our ongoing support. Donations can be made as one-time gifts or as recurring gifts (monthly, quarterly, or annual). Third, CONNECT us to anyone you know who may be interested in learning about or supporting this ministry. Fourth, COME! Please contact us if you would like to learn more about serving here in Nassau.
HOW CAN I GIVE TO YOUR ACCOUNT AT MISSION TO THE WORLD?
You can donate online at mtw.org, or by mail at Mission to the World, P.O. Box 744165, Atlanta, GA 30374-4165. Our account number is 400698, and the account name is Tim and Beverly Hart.
MORE QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US! WE’D LOVE TO TALK WITH YOU!
Stirrings of the Harts 