By Mike Silva-

Since 2000, Mike Silva International has been to more than 50 cities in nearly 20 countries, touching lives and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We do this through a combination of compassion aid, city-wide festivals and “legacy” – training pastors, evangelists and other church leaders. Long after we leave, the Gospel will continue to spread through people we have equipped and encouraged.

Everywhere we go we see overwhelming needs. They are so staggering that the easy thing would be to throw up our hands, shake our heads and retreat. Sometimes we sense the enemy whispering, “Why don’t you just give up and go home?”

Instead, we work hard to meet needs in a practical way, all for the purpose of gaining credibility and an opening to minister to spiritual needs.

As James 2:14-16 says, “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?”

In putting this message into practice, we bring such items as food and clothing, provide medical and dental care, and help communities by drilling fresh water wells.

Sometimes we wish we didn’t have these poor cities etched in our mind’s eye…the dumps that far too many people call “home”…the stench that poverty creates…the smell of discarded children. Since we can’t forget, we have to do something.

Since 2009 we have reached more than 4,000 families with some form of compassion aid, and many more with clean water.

We may take drinking water for granted, but in an area plagued by dirty sources, this means healing and increased unity. One pastor said the project had brought more than fresh water to his community; it had instilled hope.

We have seen how meeting practical needs touches hearts in a deep way. Our serving sets the stage for city-festivals and hearts are wide open and receptive to the Gospel.

Over the past three years alone, we have shared the Gospel through festivals to more than 600,000 people in places like Honduras, Nigeria, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.

After one outreach, sports evangelist Vic Murphy commented, “There’s no doubt in my mind that this city will be impacted for years and years to come through what I said.”

Because in America we tend to jump from one big event to the next, there is a tendency to shrug our shoulders and say, “So what?” But these festivals have a long-term impact, helping to strengthen communities for years to come.

It’s not just festivals that make a difference. The training conferences we hold train and equip leaders with the tools they need to grow personally, teach biblically and reach more people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. MSI has trained over 14,000 pastors, leaders and evangelists.

Every time we go into an area and see the results, I think of our faithful supporters. We can’t do this alone. If you aren’t already part of the MSI team, watch this video.  You can join us in this life-changing ministry. Click here to donate. Or you can contact us via email.