You Turn Ministries is active in the United States and around the world, but focuses on Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia in southeast Africa.
Malawi
Malawi is called “The Warm Heart of Africa” due to the kind and friendly nature of its people. While very small in the terms of landmass, Malawi is still one of the most densely populated countries in Southeastern Africa. It is landlocked – by Zambia to the northeast, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique on the eastern, southern, and western borders. The population is now estimated at over 19 million, even though Lake Malawi accounts for a third of the country’s landmass. Villages can be quite large and most still lack any modern conveniences. Yet, the people are incredibly warm and receptive to visitors. Currently, Malawi is experiencing a period of incredible openness to The Gospel.
Malawi is one of the least developed countries in the world, as well one of the poorest, according to an IMF report and businessinsider.com, with an annual GDP of 342 US Dollars, or less than a dollar a day. Life expectancy is low, due to AIDS, high infant mortality and current death rates. At present, the largest cities are Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, and Zomba. Lilongwe is the capital of Malawi, where the government offices are located, and Blantyre is the business hub.
Currently, You Turn Ministries is working in a variety of areas – as far north as Mzuzu and as far south as Liwonde and Mangochi. We have five pastor schools currently operating:
- Mitundu(Central Malawi), 43 students, reaching the Chewa and Ngoni People Groups,
- Ulongwe(Southern Malawi), 18 students, reaching the Yao People Group
- Mangochi(Southern Malawi),17 students, reaching the Yao People Group
- Kasiya(Central Malawi), 42 students, reaching the Chewa People Group
- Mzimba(Northern Malawi), 15 students, reaching the Tumbuka and Ngoni People Groups
In August 2019, You Turn Ministries will begin 2 new schools:
- Dedza (South Central Malawi), reaching the Chewa and Ngoni People Groups
- Mponela (North Central Malawi), reaching the Chewa, Ngoni and Tumbuka People Groups
Mozambique
Located in South East Africa, Mozambique is bordered by the Indian Ocean, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and South Africa. The official trade language is Portuguese. The country is rich in natural resources with an economy largely based on agriculture. Yet, the country is one of the most underdeveloped and poorest countries on the globe. Current population projections estimate there are over 30 million inhabitants living in Mozambique. Matola is the largest city, which is a suburb of the capital city of Maputo.
Currently, You Turn Ministries is training two pastors from Mozambique at our Mitundu School. We are praying and planning our first pastor school in Mozambique in 2021. Lucas LaCour, pastor of Alpine First Baptist Church, Pineville, Louisiana (and You Turn Ministries Board Member) has ongoing outreach to the Nsenga People, a Unengaged Unreached People Group in Mozambique. Since, 2015, more than 50 new churches have been planted and over 50,000 people have heard the Gospel.
Zambia
Zambia is a mineral-rich country in Southeastern Africa that borders Malawi to the east, Mozambique and Zimbabwe to south, Tanzania to the north, with Angola and The Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. The population of Zambia is estimated at just over 18 million. Lusaka, the capital city is the largest and one of the fastest developing cities in southern Africa. With a population of over 2.5 million in the metro area, the Lusaka region has closer to 4 million inhabitants. Life expectancy in the country is around 53 years of age.
You Turn Ministries is working in areas from Chipata, on the far eastern border with Malawi, north to Lundazi. We also work in the Petauke Province. In late 2019, You Turn Ministries plans to launch our first pastor training school in Chipata, the Regional Center for Eastern Zambia. From there we will begin establishing other schools northward toward Lundazi.