Jim Rowh's Blog

Thursday, August 27, 2026

the Great Commission

Beloved: pics: Preaching the Word in Kibera, Nairobi 2011; Typical street scene in Kibera

Matthew 28:17 When the disciples saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. v18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. v19 Got therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, v20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Beloved, it was fifteen years ago this month that I preached a crusade in Kibera, home to approximately three hundred thousand people, one of the largest slums in Africa. This slum is just 6km from downtown Nairobi, where highrise banks and commercial buildings dot the landscape. Life in Kibera is very difficult for those who live there, with the average income being $1 to $2 per day, and poor access to services such as fresh water, sewage and garbage removal. By the grace of God, and in cooperation with the Kibera Pastors Association, we set up our platform in the middle of Kibera at Kamukunji Ground, and over five nights 700 people came to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I was very humbled to stand before these people and preach the living Word. Jesus said, " For I was hungry and you gave Me food, and I was thirsty and you gave Me drink.....and inasmuch as you did it to the least of these of Mine, you did it also to Me." Jesus is the Living Water and the Bread of Life. Though residents of Kibera may not have earthly riches, some of them have riches that money cannot buy, life everlasting with Jesus, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. We invite you to partner with Gather the Outcasts Ministry as we take the message of hope to those who have no hope, the message of life in Jesus Christ. Pray about your part. We are also trusting the Lord for money for materials so we can keep moving ahead on the primary school project in Makunda village near our Children's Home in Kenya. Any amount large or small will be appreciated. May God bless you as you pray!

In Christ, Jim Gather the Outcasts, Box 92, Norton, Ks. 67654 501c3 Paypal@ www.gathertheoutcasts.com or www.gathertheoutcasts.com Email: pureprairie@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/jimrowh www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

God Bless America

Dear beloved: pics: Let freedom ring!; Altar call at Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Crusade

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. v13 The Lord looks down from heaven; He sees the sons of men; v14 From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth. v15 He who fashions the hearts of them all, He who understands all their works. v18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on all who fear Him, on those who hope for His lovingkindness, v19 to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

Beloved, we take time this day to say thank you to the God of creation, the God who ordained and blessed the nation of the United States of America. God ordained and birthed this nation through the hearts of men who fought and died in its founding, but also in the many trials and tribulations that have come in the 250 years that we celebrate today. God had a vision for America, that we would become a beacon of freedom and light to the nations; that we would shine the light of the Gospel and send forth misisonaries to every nation and people of the earth. Jesus Himself said, "All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Can we love Jesus and love our country at the same time? Go preach the good news of the gospel in 15 countries in the world and then come back and let me know what you think of the USA. God bless America! We invite you to partner with Gather the Outcasts Ministry as we shine the light of Jesus around the world. May God bless you as you pray!.

In Christ, Jim Gather the Outcasts, Box 92, Norton, Ks. 67654 501c3 Paypal@ www.paypal.me/gathertheoutcasts or www.gathertheoutcasts.com Email: pureprairie@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/jimrowh www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

Firm Foundation

Dear beloved: pics: Sunday School at Living Water Church of Makunda; Children's Funday teaching time

2 Timothy 2:3 I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you night and day, v4 longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. v5 For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois, and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. v6 And for this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Beloved, we put a lot of time and attention to the training and teaching of the children and young people the Lord brings to us in Kenya. The importance of instilling in them the virtues of faith, and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ at a young age cannot be overestimated. These children are very impressionable and able to learn without the encumbrance of worry and trials of adult life. In the above Scripture, Apostle Paul references the impact that Timothy's grandmother and mother had upon his life when he was growing up. Imagine the trailblazer that Timothy became, even though he was recruited at an early age, possibly late teens or early 20's. Paul shows great love for Timothy and his family because he understands Timothy will carry the torch for the next generation of evangelists and teachers. Besides the teaching time on Sunday, we still carry on the Children's Funday, a time of teaching, along with playing games and a good meal. We have been doing this now for 6 years, to spread the gospel to the children of Makunda village. These same children will be the initial classmates for the primary school we are building. We invite you to partner with Gather the Outcasts Ministry as we take the message of hope that Jesus saves to the children of Africa. The foundation of faith that we impart into them will carry them for the rest of their life. Children's Funday expense is $100 per Saturday, or $200 for a month. Your gift will have a lasting impact beyond what you will ever know. May God bless you as you pray!

Hearts of the Fathers

Dear beloved: Pics: Four horsemen at Living Water Home; Group photo a few years ago at Living Water

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: v6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Beloved, one of the great joys in life is to raise up children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. I am very thankful and blessed for the biological children the Lord has given me, and now grandchildren in the family. In addition to them, He has given me another family in Kenya to help raise up to love Jesus and their fellow man. After preaching thousands of services in the prisons in the USA and in Africa, I can say for sure the missing link in the life of most inmates is a lack of a strong relationship, or complete absence, of a father in their lives. Without a strong father to model good behavior, morals, and work ethic, children are left without direction, and the trends of culture and world become the guideposts. A culture that is broken and heavily influenced by demonic worldviews cannot produce healthy, mentally stable children. One of the great prophecies of the Old Testament is in the Scripture above, where the Lord says He will send Elijah the prophet to mend the brokenness in families. No longer will there be a father against his son, or a family where two are against three. All will be united in Christ Jesus, and upon the truth of His word. This prophecy will be literally fulfilled in Revelation 11:3-10. Elijah will come back, not his spirit in another man, but Elijah himself. I encourage all you fathers, be diligent in raising your children to love and follow Jesus. You may not see the fruits for many years, but they will come as the Lord has promised. For those wanting to make a difference in the lives of abandoned and orphaned Kenyan children, you can sponsor a child for $50 per month to provide for all their needs. Or help us build the primary school where we can educate and minister to children in a loving Christian environment. Pray about your part as we do the work of the Lord in Kenya. May God bless you as you pray!

Law of the Harvest

Dear beloved: pics: Ngozi, Burundi Crusade; First time to Mbeya, Tanzania the Harvest is plentiful

2 Corinthians 2:6 (Apostle Paul) "But this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. v7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. v8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work."

Beloved, every farmer understands well the principle of the law of the harvest. When he sows good, heavy seed, in abundant amount, he can expect to receive back an abundant harvest. Poor quality, light seed, in meager measure, will also bring predictable results, that's why good farmers put so much emphasis on seed purchase and research. I saved back white wheat seed for over twenty years at my organic farm in Kansas, because it was a genetically superior seed for milling and baking. Even today that strain of wheat is still being propagated by other organic farmers who realize the value in it. The same is true for the harvest of souls into the kingdom of God. When you sow into good soil, into people who know how to plant and take care of the crop, a great harvest can be expected; it's God's law. We invite you to partner with Gather the Outcasts Ministry as we sow the good seed into the soil in Africa. There are many facets of the ministry that are worthy of your seed. We are building a primary school in Makunda so we can give the children there a good, basic education, at the same time telling them about Jesus and His love for them. At the Living Water Children's Home we have cared for and schooled hundreds of abandoned and orphan children. We also are still conducting crusades as the Lord opens doors for us in nearby villages, as well as in far places. In addition,we are making disciples and church planting, as we now have four churches registered under our Living Water registration. You sow, we plant and water, God receives the glory! Pray about your part in seeing the kingdom harvest in Africa come to pass. God bless you as you pray!

in Christ, Jim Gather the Outcasts, Box 92, Norton, Ks. 67654 501c3 Paypal@ www.paypal.me/gathertheoutcasts or www.gathertheoutcasts.com Email: pureprairie@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/jimrowh www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

Dividing the Spoil

Dear beloved: Pics: Nakivale UN Refugee Camp, Uganda Crusade; LIving Water Primary School

1 Samuel 30:22 Then all the wicked and worthless men of those who went with David answered and said, "Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man's wife and children, that they may lead them away and depart." v23 But David said, "My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the enemy who came against us. v24 For who will heed you in this matter? But as his part is who goes down to battle, so shall his part be who stays by the supplies; they shall share alike." v25 So it was from that day forward; David made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel to this day.

Beloved, there are many facets to a successful foreign mission. There are those who go, and there all those who man the supplies and keep the provision coming. And there are also those whose main calling to be in prayer and intercession for the provision and for those on the point of the spear in the batlefront. David established a principle that those who are tasked with staying behind receive the same blessing that those who go on ahead into battle. It is the same principle as the Apostle Paul points out in the importance of each member in the Body of Christ. "If the ear should say, Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body. Is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as he pleased."(1Corinthians 12:16-18).

I thank God I have been given the grace and strength to go the the countries of Africa and Central America, it has been my joy to say, "Lord, Your will, Your way!" But I also realize that without the prayers and provisions from the saints left behind, none of the missions would have been possible. For that I am very grateful, and look forward to many more victories in the days ahead. As David retreived the spoil and the rewards in the battle at Ziklag, so we also will take territory and spoil from the Lord's enemies in Africa. Pray about your part in keeping the school project in Makunda village going. Due to increased fuel costs because of the war in the Middle East, all the materials and transport costs have gone up significantly. But we trust the Lord to provide. May God bless you as you pray.!

In Christ, Jim Gather the Outcasts, Box 92, Norton, Ks. 67654 501c3 Paypal @ www.paypal.me/gathertheoutcasts or www.gathertheoutcasts.com Email: pureprairie@hotmail.com www.facebook.com www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

Mama Walwanga

Dear beloved: Pics: Zephania with his mother; Ben and Lucas baptizing Naomi, former muslim now born again

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow, we shall go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." v14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while then vanishes away. v15 Instead you ought to say, "if the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that." v16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. v17. Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Beloved, I want to take time this week to honor one of our beloved supporters, and ministry prayer warrior, who went on to rejoice with Jesus this past week. She is the mother of three brothers who work in our ministry in Kenya, two pastors Zephania and Bony, and Kevin, who is one of our main construction workers. All totaled, Mama had 12 children, some of whom are still in the home. The family was quite poor, typical of many rural Kenya families who struggle to make ends meet, keep children healthy and in school. Up until just recently, she and dad were in a mud house at their shamba near Butere. The above Scripture gives us instruction on taking the viewpoint of life on earth as fleeting and temporary. We can't assume God has given us another day or month or year, so it's best to make the most of today. We should ask the Lord each day, "Lord, how can I make the most of the resources you have given me this day?" Do we need to speak to someone about salvation, about forgiveness, or maybe get behind a ministry or project to see it come to completion? Or maybe even start a ministry that you have been praying about. The only certainty in life is our eternal destiny, either with the Lord or separated from Him. If you can help with something to help the family pay for the expenses of the hospital stay and funeral, it will be greatly appreaciated. There will be many at the funeral, and in Kenya they will all expect to be fed. Even $50 will add up to give her a proper sendoff. In our area of Kenya, funerals are a great place to share the gospel, many hundreds and sometimes thousands of people show up for funerals, to pay their respect for the dead. Thank you so much for your prayers and support. May God bless you as you pray!

In Christ, Jim Gather the Outcasts, Box 92, Norton, Ks. 67654 501c3 Paypal@ www.paypal.me/gathertheoutcasts or www,gathertheoutcasts.com Email: pureprairie@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/jimrowh www.jimrowh.blogspot.com

The Lord is Patient

Dear beloved: Pics: Walls going up at LW Primary School; Tanzania Crusade

2 Peter 3:8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. v9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. v10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.

Beloved, the timetable of the Lord is nothing like our timetable. Mankind is in a hurry, because of death we want to see everything happen in our lifetime. Contrast that to the Lord's timing. He is the creator of time and knows the beginning from the end, and eternity is His framework. The overriding will of God in all things is to see people come to know Him, that all should come to repentance and be reconciled back to their Creator. Even in the war with Iran, God's overriding will is that the beloved of Iran who want to worship Him in freedom will be allowed to do so, and that the demonically inspired nuclear ambitions of the regime against Israel and the USA will be demolished. The devil is always in a hurry to rush to Armegeddon; he still is foolish enough to think he can take over the kingdom of God, just as he tried to do in distant times past. Read though Isaiah Chapter 14, you will see the motive of Lucifer, the shining one, as he desired to set himself up on the mountain of God (Isaiah 14:12-19). Jesus final words to His disciples, we call the Great Commission, was to "go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, of the Holy Spirit, teaching them all that I have commanded you, and lo, I will be with you always, even unto the end of the age." (Matt. 28:19). At Gather the Outcasts, that is also our goal, to tell the world about Jesus and the joy of salvation through Him. We invite you to partner with us as we take that message to the lost in Africa, and around the world through radio broadcasts and facebook posts. Pray about your part in helping us, as you send we can go! God bless you as you pray.

More Revelation

Dear beloved: Pics above: Wall construction at LW Primary School; Living Water Church Anniversary celebration

Revelation 6:5 When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, "Come!" I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, v6 and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, "A quart of wheat for a denarious (day's wage), and three quarts of barley for a denarious, but do not damage the oil or the wine!"

Beloved, the scenarios described in the Book of Revelation can be frightening, befuddling, and at the same time fascinating. So what are we to make of them all, and how do line up with the current events of the day? Many people try to overlay and insert the daily news headlines, especially in how it relates to Israel, to predict or imagine where we are in the end time calendar. Have the events of Revelation already occured? Are we half way through, and if so what chapter, or has none of it taken place? The first time or two I read through the Book of Revelation, I thought we must surely be living in the Great Tribulation, there are so many wars and so much chaos on the earth. Then to help me understand the Lords' timing, He gave me a vivid prophetic vision of the above Scripture. I was watching the very black horse of famine come out of his stall, with the rider up and holding the set of scales in his hand. The rider proceeded to repeat word for word, "a quart of wheat for a denarious, and three quarts of barley for a denarious", which is basically a description of future rampant inflation. At today's prices, assuming $100 for a day's wage, it would figure out to be roughly $100 for a loaf of bread. Praise God we are not there yet! This vision was given to me almost twenty years ago, and I believe the Lord was showing me to get busy bringing in the lost who have not heard the good news of the Gospel. He wanted me to see we are not in the Great Tribulation! Gather the Outcasts mission is to bring in the lost, to baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to teach and disciple them in all that He has commanded. Pray about your part in coming along side us in fulfilling the Great Commission. God bless you as you pray!

Resurrection Day

Dear beloved: Pics: Children Funday at LW Children's Home; Sabatia, Kenya Crusade

1 Corinthians 15:53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal put on immortality. v54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory. v55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" v56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; v57 but thanks be to God who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. v58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.

Beloved, we give thanks to Jesus our Lord for His reserrection, where He proved to the world and the rulers of this world, that death had no power over Him. Even after His own resurrection, Jesus opened the tombs of many dead in Jerusalem, and coming out they appeared to many in the holy city. There are many confirming Scripture verses that also liken our own rebirth to the resurrection. "Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Cor. 5:17). And Jesus spoke to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). Shortly after speaking these words, He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. For a born again believer, life after natural death is a certainty, there is no need to fear it or question it. God also gives many people glimpses of heaven and the afterlife before they die, so their testimony will confirm His word and give hope to those who have doubt. At Gather the Outcasts Ministry, we preach the risen Christ, the one who died and rose again, that we can walk in newness of life. Pray about your part in partnering with our ministry in Africa. We have a great school project going, plus church plants, and our Living Water Children's Home, which supports the abandoned and orphaned children of Kenya. May you have a wonderful Resurrection Day! Thank you and God bless you.