By Fonda Norris, Shepherd’s Bag Ministry Coordinator • EIM
Evangelistic International Ministries (EIM) is celebrating our 25th Anniversary this year. What started out as a full-time calling to go to the unharvested fields of the world to preach the gospel in 1998, grew in more ways than EIM Founder and Director Rocky Goodwin could have imagined. He never dreamed God had a tool already planned to bring glory to Himself and touch children.
As Bro. Rocky began to go to some of the poorest regions of the world to preach Jesus, he became burdened by all the children he saw that were malnourished and lacking life’s basic necessities. His heart longed to minister to these precious children in a special way, and it was through the Holy Spirit leading that our Shepherd’s Bag Ministry was born. After praying for direction, God brought to his mind the story of David and Goliath. As a shepherd boy, David relied on the contents of his “shepherd’s bag.” This became the concept behind the Shepherd’s Bags. Using a one-gallon zip bag, we can bless precious children around the world. This simple gift has opened more doors to the gospel than we ever dreamed as a ministry.
As EIM began to grow larger and God was blessing the Shepherd’s Bag Ministry, we slowly changed how the bags were assembled and adopted a generic bag with the same items in each bag that could be given to any child, regardless of age or gender. Many times, needed change comes due to trying to simplify a process, organize better, eliminate recurring problems and become better stewards of the limited funds you have on hand. Such was the case with this ministry. By adopting the generic bags, it allowed EIM to put appropriate and safe toys in the bags, assured that all children received the exact same quality of bags, helping them not desire someone else’s much nicer bag, organization both here and overseas was greatly improved and, most importantly, the gospel is placed in each bag. Each Shepherd’s Bag contains a high-quality 7-inch frisbee with John 3:16 printed on the front along with a gospel storybook that children can color and read the story of creation through the resurrection of Christ. The front and back covers of the gospel storybook contains the plan of salvation. To date, both the book and the frisbee have been translated into seven different languages to insure children can read the gospel in their own tongue. Before each bag is placed in the hands of children, the gospel is always preached.
Over the years, the Lord has shown Himself mightily in opening the eyes of children and adults to their need of a Savior through receiving a simple, small bag. We give God all the glory for using a tool such as the Shepherd’s Bag to open hearts to the Savior. A gift of any kind will never save anyone, but the Holy Spirit can use that gift as a tool to reach them with the eternal gift of salvation that will never wear out or be used up.
As funding becomes available, the EIM’s Shepherd’s Bag Ministry goal each year is to work to fill 20 ft. shipping containers. Since our bags are uniform in size, we are able to fit 16,000 Shepherd’s Bag on each container. EIM doesn’t do a yearly campaign. Instead, we operate all year long as funding permits to assemble bags and ship them. The most effective stewardship method to date has been to use Shepherd’s Bag offerings to buy supplies in large bulk quantities and allow work groups to come to the office in Warren to assemble bags. In the past, approximately $7 per bag would cover the cost of one bag — from purchase of supplies to placing it in the hands of a child overseas — but, in the past year alone, shipment and supply costs have risen 20-40%. I know every person and ministry understands the pain of inflation these days. So, if you think of us, please whisper a prayer for us that we will remain faithful to the call to keep ministering and just keep working and trusting God to open the doors He wants EIM to walk through.
Goals and Plans for 2023
EIM has been given an invitation to come to Nicaragua and bring 16,000 Spanish Shepherd’s Bags. We are excited as this is our first year to be able to ship to Nicaragua. We hope to be able to bring EIM Shepherd’s Bags Ministry mission teams and work with our BMA of Nicaragua pastors and church planters to take the Shepherd’s Bags into unreached places and open the door for God to work in the hearts of people. Please pray with us for this new field of ministry.
If you ever have questions regarding EIM’s Shepherd’s Bag Ministry, we’d love to talk to you. Stop by and see us in Warren or contact us at (870) 226-3626 or fnorris@eimworldwide.org. Don’t forget to check out our webpage at www.eimworldwide.org.
