Calling Forth the Next Laborers in the Harvest – by FCFI Executive Director, Dan Janzen

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37

Across the world and here at home, the need for faithful laborers in God’s harvest field continues to grow. Yet alongside the challenges, there are also encouraging signs of hope.

In recent months, I have witnessed both realities firsthand. In Jamaica, Farmers Christian Fellowship International (FCFI) partnered with local pastors and communities to help rebuild churches and parsonages damaged by hurricanes. The recovery work has opened doors for ministry and strengthened relationships with local believers who are faithfully serving their communities.

This November (14th-22nd), FCFI plans to return to Jamaica with a team of volunteers to continue these efforts. In addition to repairing a Bible college, the team will assist vulnerable families by establishing tree nurseries and developing orchards that can provide long-term food security and economic opportunity. These practical projects create opportunities to share Christ’s love while helping families build sustainable livelihoods.

Closer to home, FCFI continues to engage thousands of young people and agricultural professionals through FFA activities, farm shows, conferences, and outreach events. These encounters reveal a growing spiritual hunger among many participants. People are searching for purpose, truth, and direction.

However, exposure to the gospel is only the beginning.

Without intentional discipleship and mentoring, many individuals struggle to become spiritually grounded. Church attendance alone is not enough. Young people today face increasing cultural confusion, competing priorities, and pressures that challenge their faith. They need mature believers who will walk alongside them, answer questions, provide encouragement, and help them develop a strong biblical foundation.

At the same time, another challenge is emerging. Many of the faithful men and women who helped build ministries such as FCFI are reaching retirement age and stepping away from leadership roles. While their years of service have left a lasting legacy, too few younger leaders are stepping forward to continue the work.

The need is particularly evident in rural communities. Today’s farmers face rising production costs, unpredictable markets, labor shortages, and increasing isolation. These pressures create an even greater need for strong spiritual formation, meaningful relationships, and Christian community.

Yet agriculture remains one of the most powerful mission fields available. Farms, ranches, and rural communities provide countless opportunities to demonstrate faith in practical ways and to share the hope of Christ with others.

To help meet these needs, FCFI is developing new ministry tools and expanding its outreach efforts. Initiatives such as Farm Genius and various digital discipleship programs are designed to connect people with biblical truth, practical agricultural resources, and healthy local churches. Technology can help extend our reach, but technology alone cannot replace personal relationships.

Discipleship ultimately happens through people investing in people.

Without intentional mentorship and servant leadership, we risk losing an entire generation of rural Christian leaders and gospel witnesses. That is why FCFI remains committed not only to sharing the gospel but also to walking alongside individuals as they grow in their faith and discover their calling.

This mission requires volunteers who are willing to serve.

Whether your gifts are in mentoring, training, coordinating projects, disaster relief, administration, agriculture, or online ministry, there are opportunities for you to make a lasting impact.

Volunteer Opportunities

FCFI is currently seeking volunteers and leaders for the following ministries:

Unless otherwise noted, please contact:

Dan Janzen
Executive Director, FCFI
Phone: 616-676-6684
Email: dan@fcfi.org

The harvest remains plentiful, and the need for workers is as great as ever. Now is the time to step forward, invest in others, and help cultivate the next generation of Christian leaders in rural communities around the world.