Building Hope and Discipleship for Farmers Today – by Dan Janzen

Since 1985, Fellowship of Christian Farmers has been committed to offering practical hope and spiritual encouragement to farmers facing stress and uncertainty. Back then, agriculture was burdened by depressed commodity prices and economic strain—challenges that are resurfacing again today. But just as God was faithful then, He is providing opportunities now for discipleship, evangelism, and ministry that meet the real needs of farmers and their families.

Expanding Discipleship

One of the greatest areas of growth in recent years has been in discipleship. Farmers under stress need more than short-term encouragement—they need ongoing support, mentoring, and spiritual guidance. To meet this need, we have been developing new tools, including Harold Chat, a discipleship app that connects individuals with a mentor or life coach. Through this platform, volunteers can walk alongside farmers and others in need, either online or by phone, offering prayer, encouragement, and biblical teaching.

We’re also partnering with retired Navigators and area leaders to strengthen this network of discipleship. Our goal is simple: to integrate discipleship into everything we do, so that every seed planted in faith has the opportunity to grow.

Opportunities in Evangelism

Over the past 40 years, our evangelistic outreach has expanded in exciting ways. From local booths and focus groups, to partnerships with FFA and 4-H, to RV conventions and youth camps—God continues to open doors for us to share the Gospel in creative ways.

We’re now connected with more than 30 FFA groups across the country, and many of these students are believers eager for discipleship. With the right follow-up, training, and mentorship, this next generation can become powerful leaders for Christ in their communities.

A Global Mission

Our mission isn’t just local. Through WhatsApp and Messenger groups, we receive daily requests from believers around the world who want to connect with Fellowship of Christian Farmers. These connections are both exciting and overwhelming, revealing just how great the harvest truly is. We need more people to help plug these international contacts into discipleship groups, training, and prayer opportunities.

Prayer remains central to all we do. Each month, we host a Zoom Prayer Fellowship, where people from across the globe gather to lift up needs, ministries, and communities in prayer. It is often in these prayer gatherings that new opportunities for ministry arise.

Meeting Real Needs

Alongside evangelism and discipleship, we are also addressing the practical stressors facing farmers today. Environmental regulations, market challenges, and cultural pressures are creating new hardships. To help, we are exploring initiatives such as:

Each of these opportunities provides a way to meet practical needs while pointing people toward Christ as the ultimate source of hope.

How You Can Help

The harvest is great, but the workers are few. Fellowship of Christian Farmers is seeking volunteers who can:

Every gift, talent, and skill matters. Whether you’re packaging seeds at your kitchen table, mentoring a young believer online, or helping coordinate a disaster response team, you are playing a vital role in God’s kingdom work.

Looking Ahead

We believe God has placed Fellowship of Christian Farmers at a unique crossroads: building deeper discipleship while expanding evangelism. The opportunities before us—both here and abroad—are greater than ever. As we look toward the future, we invite you to join us in prayer, service, and support as we continue to carry out the mission God gave us in 1985: to share the hope of Christ with farmers everywhere.