Category Archives: Ministry

Coffey Family November 2023 Prayer Letter

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Fifty high school seniors from a local public high school are currently residing at Camp Rhino, which has been rented out by the high school for 15 days. Their daily schedule is packed with classes and study sessions in preparation for their final exams. As part of the agreement to rent our property, we have been given the privilege of daily chapel services with the students.

This arrangement serves as a test run to gauge our interest in future collaborations with schools, and so far, it has exceeded our expectations. Just today, four young people responded to the invitation for salvation.

Our team of dedicated pastors and missionaries is deeply appreciative of the opportunity to minister to these young minds daily. For many of these teenagers, this may be the first time they have heard a clear presentation of the Gospel, as they have grown up surrounded by religion but have not been exposed to the true message of the Gospel.

Prayer Requests & Praise

  • Pray for our son Luke and his new bride Adri.  We had a great time being back in the States for their wedding and look forward to seeing how the Lord uses them as they continue in Bible college and prepare for full-time ministry. 
  • We just had a group here with Evangelist Ethan LeCroy and his M.I.T. Team.  During their mission trip, we saw over 20 people make professions of faith.  We believe some from the group will give their lives to full-time missions, and we’re praying for those who trusted Christ to grow in their new faith.  
  • Please pray for my daughter Emilee, who is raising funds for her upcoming 6-month internship in Argentina. This internship is the final step in her bachelor’s degree from the Our Generation Training Center, she’s set to leave in February. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated as she prepares for this trip.

Quick Updates & Needs

  • During our mini junior camp in October, we had 14 campers trust Christ as their Savior. 
  • December 11-14 is our summer junior camp and our summer teen camp is January 9-12.  We need a sponsor for each of our campers.  The cost of the camp is approx. $50 per person. If you are interested in helping please let me know.  
  • Missionary Lynette Osborn with BIMI has arrived after raising her full support and we’ve already seen her impact in the Rhino Youth Home and Camp Rhino ministries. We are very thankful God sent her our way.  
  • It looks like we will be adding a 14-year-old girl in December to our youth home.  Pray for wisdom as we manage this growth.
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Coffey Family September 2023 Prayer Letter

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As we work to expand our churches and equip young men and women for ministry, our hearts remain deeply burdened by the call of world evangelism. We are genuinely committed to actively spreading the Gospel to the world in our generation.  

Over the past year, we have witnessed a significant number of individuals expressing a strong desire to become more involved in foreign missions, particularly after their time in South Africa. Through visits from mission teams and short-term interns, God has graciously opened their eyes to the pressing needs of our world. We firmly believe that many of these individuals will answer the call to serve on the mission field full-time in the years ahead. 

Our sincere hope is to welcome more groups to come and witness firsthand the work the Lord is accomplishing here. We anticipate that their visit may ignite a fire within them, inspiring a greater commitment to spreading the Gospel in our generation. Please join us in prayer as we expand our internship opportunities and prepare to host several groups in the upcoming year. Our heartfelt plea is for God to raise up an army of dedicated laborers while there is still time.

As these visitors explore our churches, youth homes, camp ministry, and schools, we pray that they depart with an unwavering passion for reaching the lost, unlike anything they have ever experienced before.

Prayer Request & Praise

  • Pray as Amy, Addison, & I head back to the States for my son Luke’s wedding.  Amy left yesterday to be at a pre-wedding “shower” but Addi and I don’t leave until September 11th.  Pray for us as we try to survive without Amy:)
  • Please be praying for Jacob & Christian Clower as they finish up their last few months of support raising.  Their planned arrival in Mozambique is set for January, and I look forward to seeing the work the Lord has planned for them in this needy country.  
  • Please pray for my daughter Emilee, who is raising funds for her upcoming 6-month internship in Argentina. This internship is the final step in her bachelor’s degree from the Our Generation Training Center, and she’s set to leave in February. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated as she prepares for this trip.

Quick Updates & Needs

  • My son Luke & his fiancee Adri marry on September 24th. 
  • Missionary Lynette Osborn arrives on September 8th to help full-time here at Camp Rhino.  We are looking forward to having her here. We believe she will be a great addition to the Project South Africa team.
  • As our youth home continues to expand, the need for improved transportation becomes increasingly evident. Pray as we work to meet this need.
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Our Africa Team is Growing- Josh & Morgan Barton

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I want to present to you Josh and Morgan Barton from Southside Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN.

Josh & Morgan just recently started raising support to be missionaries to the country of Mozambique. We were privileged to have Josh and Morgan do an internship in South Africa for three months earlier this year. They did a great job diving into ministry and making a positive impact on our people. While their time here, they also discovered they are expecting twins

The Bartons are on their way to one of the neediest countries in Africa. Mozambique has very few missionaries for the 32 million people that live there. We’re praying for the Bartons to raise their support quickly so they can begin learning the Portuguese language.

Would you pray for the Bartons as they travel? I can imagine that travel is a little more complicated when you’re expecting twins. Pray for especially for Morgan and her twins on the way (btw it’s a boy and a girl).

If you’re interested in having the Barton’s present their ministry you can contact Josh at 856-314-3293 or via email at jmbartonmissions@gmail.com.

Coffey Family August 2023 Prayer Letter

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The Rhino Youth Home recently experienced a remarkable turn of events. One of our girls shared a situation involving her mother, which left her younger twin brothers without proper care. Concerns about their safety prompted us to intervene and bring them here. Welcoming the 11-year-old twin boys into our youth home, they seamlessly integrated and began attending classes at Bay Baptist Academy this past week. Our team and family, especially our daughter Addison, have warmly embraced them.

We ask for your prayers for Baphumze and Phumlani’s futures. Additionally, we seek your involvement in their journey ahead. Despite the unexpected nature of this situation, our response was a resounding “yes.” We will need assistance with school fees, clothing, food, and other essentials. Also, we will need a larger vehicle sooner rather than later. With unwavering trust in God’s provision, we are confident that these two young lives will grow in the Lord. Your prayers and support hold immense significance for us.

Prayer Request & Praise

  • Kindly keep Lighthouse Baptist Church in your prayers. Our congregation has experienced significant growth this year, with attendance averaging around 75 to 85 people each week, compared to last year’s average of about 20 to 25.
  • God is raising laborers for Africa. Josh and Morgan Barton are approved by our mission board, raising funds for their mission in Mozambique. For more details about this family, please reach out. An excellent partnership opportunity awaits.  Praying for even more like them. 
  • Please pray for my daughter Emilee, who is raising funds for her upcoming 6-month internship in Argentina. This internship is the final step in her bachelor’s degree from the Our Generation Training Center, and she’s set to leave in February. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated as she prepares for this important journey.

Quick Updates & Needs

  • Welcoming the new twins into our fold, we’ve transitioned from solely a Teen Youth Home to a vibrant Children’s Home. This exciting expansion marks a fresh chapter in our ministry, and we eagerly anticipate the future possibilities it holds.  
  • We’ve identified significant needs for Camp Rhino & the Rhino Youth Home:
    • 15-passenger van – $25,000
    • Two new dorm rooms – $10,000
    • Tractor with backhoe – $25,000
    • Workshop enhancements – $8000
  • Prayers are vital for meeting these needs and advancing our mission. Your valued support is appreciated.
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Coffey Video Ministry Update

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Before we left for the US in February we made an updated version of our ministry video. The first one we did was hosted by our son Luke when he was 11 years old I believe. Things have changed a bit since then.

If you’ve never seen the first video you can check it out here.

Coffey Family May 2023 Prayer Letter

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Prayer Requests & Praise

  • We have a new teen girl, Asanda (pictured below), who has come into the Rhino Youth Home.  She has been a faithful teen at one of our churches for many years but was kicked out of her abusive home a couple of weeks ago.  She’s had to grow up in a very rough environment and we’re glad we can provide a safe haven for her.  Pray for her as she adjusts and pray the Lord will use her in a big way.       
  • Please be praying for the missions team coming from Southside Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN next month.  During their mission trip, they will also be helping with our winter teen camp at Camp Rhino.  
  • Please pray for my daughter Emilee who will be raising money for her 6-month internship in Argentina soon.  This internship will be the last part of her bachelor’s degree from the Our Generation Training Center. She plans to leave for her internship in February. 

Quick Updates

  • During the first week of June, Amy and I will be traveling to Nigeria to visit our missionaries, Graham and Olivia Young.  We’re looking forward to being with them and seeing the city they plan to start their first church in.  Please keep them and the country of Nigeria in your prayers.  It’s the largest populated country on the continent of Africa with very few missionaries.  Pray for more laborers. 
  • Listed are a few of the larger needs we have for Camp Rhino and the Youth Home.  Pray the Lord will provide as He would like us to add them:  additional Boys’ & Girls’ dorms $25,000 per dorm; Wood/Trades Work Shop Tools & Counters $8000; Tractor loader and backhoe $25,000; 15-passenger van $25,000.

Being back home here at Camp Rhino, at our churches, and at my bible studies these past few days has been very refreshing.  We really miss our children in America, but we’re very glad to be back in South Africa.  

At the end of May, we have a new intern, Noah, coming for 8 months that will be helping with the camp.  He’s also here to see if this would be something the Lord would have him do full-time.  Pray for the Lord to use and direct him during his time here. With his help, we’re looking forward to improving a lot of areas in the coming weeks.  

As I’ve traveled to a few countries this past month in Africa, I’m challenged even more by the great need.  My hope is that our team and ministries here in South Africa will help raise up and train new missionaries that will not only help us here in South Africa but be an evangelistic force all over Africa.  There are so many great opportunities before us to start Bible-preaching churches, but the need for laborers is great.

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Coffey Family April 2023 Prayer Letter

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This month comes with sadness and joy.  Lisolethu, a 17-year-old boy who lived at our Youth Home for over 2 years, quickly passed away from Spinal Meningitis.  His funeral was held this past Saturday.  We praise the Lord that Liso made a profession of faith and I believe we’ll see him again soon.  Even after leaving the Youth Home this past December, he continued being faithful to church and inviting his friends to church. Liso will be missed very much.      

There are many just like Liso who die young but don’t have a Bible-preaching church in their community.  We must keep going, and we must continue raising up more people to reach the billions who still haven’t heard a clear presentation of the Gospel.  I pray Liso’s death will be a catalyst for many to be more serious about reaching the lost. 

This has been a hard time for our team at Camp Rhino, our churches, and also my family.  We were all very close to Liso, and being so far away from the ministry during this time has also been more difficult.  Thankfully we return to South Africa tomorrow. 

Prayer Request & Praise

  • Pray for our family as we return to South Africa tomorrow, April 27th. We look forward to being home, but leaving our son Luke on this side will be hard.  We arrived in South Africa in 2013 with all five of our children and now we’re returning with just one, our 12-year-old daughter Addison.     
  • Pray for Nate and Emily Wilkerson with the birth of their beautiful new daughter Alaska.  I was privileged to be in Burkina Faso when she was born a few weeks ago.  Also, pray for the Wilkersons as they finish language school and head to the country of Benin soon.  
  • With the death of Liso, I’m burdened with the work of our Youth Home now more than ever.  Pray as we continue ministering to the teens we have and pray that we will have wisdom in accepting new ones. 

Quick Updates

  • Congratulations to my son Luke who just proposed to his girlfriend Adriana Bush.  Luke and Adri have been dating for quite some time and we are thrilled about Adria being a part of our family.  Their plan is to get married this coming September.  
  • My trip to Mozambique and Burkina Faso was fantastic.  I’m excited about the potential our new missionary team has in Mozambique and I was blown away by the work our missionaries are doing in Burkina Faso.  God is using them to make an amazing impact in their cities.  
  • Last week I was honored to be a part of Vision Baptist Mission’s annual orientation.  We have a good number of new missionaries heading to the field soon.  Getting to spend time with these new missionaries is one of my favorite weeks of the year.   Please pray for them. 
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Coffey Family February 2023 Prayer Letter

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Prayer Request and Praise

  • My oldest sons Tyler and Chase, lost their grandfather this past week.  This is also the dad of Jeremy and Kevin Hall, my cousins and coworkers in South Africa.  Jeremy and Kevin had to fly to the States unexpectedly from South Africa and cover the expenses of the funeral.  Please pray for them during this time and pray they can get the money they need to cover the costs.     
  • Our son Luke is back in the States to stay, at least for now.  He will be working and getting ready for Bible College in September.  Pray for him as he’s looking for a job and getting set up.
  • Missionaries Noah & Tristan Wilkerson’s little girl Alainey has been progressing well.  Please continue to pray for her and the long road ahead.  Pray for Noah as he continues to make short trips to Mozambique.

Quick Updates

  • New Missionaries Brandon & Maggie  Byerly started Xhosa language school last week.  The Byerlys are in helps ministry and plan on aiding with our camps, youth home, and Christian school. 
  • At the end of this month, I start a 3-day mission class at the Our Generation Training Center, where my son will be attending.  I look forward to spending time with the students training for the mission field. 
  • Next month will take me to Wisconsin, Michigan, Texas, North Carolina, and Ohio.  Needless to say, I’m not staying in one place while in the States:)
  • New Support Address | Vision Baptist Missions has moved locations.  Vision Baptist Missions– P.O. Box 647 – Dawsonville, GA 30534

We arrived back in the States on Feb 7th on my wife’s birthday, and haven’t stopped much.  I traveled to Rural Hall, NC for a meeting the next day and then to the church I grew up in on Sunday, Whitfield Baptist Church, to preach and celebrate their 45-year anniversary.  My father-in-law, Pastor Wayne Cofield, started this church and has been there ever since. I’m off to VA and NC this weekend.  

During the next two and half months I have a full schedule and am praying we can raise more awareness of the need in Africa and raise more support for the Camp and Youth Home. 

With 54 countries in Africa, the need is gigantic. We need to do more to get the Gospel to this massive continent.  Please pray. 

If your church would be interested in making Camp Rhino and/or Rhino Youth Home part of your monthly mission budget, we would be very grateful.  Our prayer is that this camp, youth home, and training ministry will aid in more churches being started all over Africa. 

Coffey Family December 2022 Prayer Letter

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“Nobody broke a bone or was seriously injured in any way.”  That’s always an excellent statement to hear after a week of junior camps, especially after a few new camp games were added that might have raised the possibility of injury a bit.  Our junior summer camps at Camp Rhino have come to an end and we had a fantastic time.  

Young people were saved and our counselors and staff did a tremendous job ministering to all the campers.  

Thank you all who have given or plan to give to make these camps possible.  We couldn’t do it without your sacrifices.   We’re gearing up for our teen camps in a couple of weeks and can’t wait to see what the Lord does.  

It was very exciting to have our first 3 graduates from the Bay Baptist Bible College finish their Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies.  Two of these men are pastors and the third is on deputation for Mozambique.  God is good!  Pray for more laborers to be raised up and sent out. 

Quick Updates:

  • Merry Christmas to all. Please pray for our 2 boys and their spouses, and for Emilee, who are back in the States.  Not being with them during this time is a little hard, but they are all doing well. Praise the Lord. 
  • Our churches are doing well in spite of the low attendance because of the summer holiday season here in South Africa.
  • Josh and Hannah Dalporto arrived from The Wild’s Camp in NC and are here to assist us for 3 months. 
  • We have another couple arriving for a 3-month internship in January and also 7 young people from a supporting church who will be here the month of January to be involved in the ministry. 
  • Contact me if you are interested in a short or long-term internship. We would love to have you.

Prayer Requests:

  • Please be in prayer for our missionaries to Mozambique, Noah & Tristan Wilkerson, and their new baby Alainey.  Alainey was born with several health issues and we’re asking the Lord to intervene. 
  • 23 junior boys trusted Christ this week along with 13 junior girls.  Please pray for their growth in their new walk with Christ.  Also, pray for each of the churches that are ministering to these young people.   
  • Boys’ Teen Camp starts on January 4th, while the girls’ camp starts on the 10th. Pray God does something big in the lives of these young people.

Don’t miss out. The Our Generation Summit will take place at our Mission Board from December 29-31. If you would be interested in attending click here to get more information and also to sign up.

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October 2022 Coffey Family Prayer Letter

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Prayer Requests  & Praise  

  • 10 Young People made professions of faith during a Soccer tournament this past week held at Camp Rhino. This event was organized by 3 of our Bible college students.  They promoted the event and also did all the preaching.  It was neat to see them in action. 
  • Close to 300 people made professions of faith during our medical clinic with Medical Missions Outreach.  We saw over 2,000 patients during the 5-day clinic with most of them hearing a presentation of the Gospel.  MMO has been a great blessing to our churches. 
  • A new teenager is entering the Africa Youth Home this week.  Pray for us during the transition.  He’s the first new teen we’ve added since buying the new property for the youth home. Also, pray as we are still in search of house parents for the boy’s and the girl’s homes.

Quick Updates

  • We have decided to hold off on starting a new church until after our short furlough in 2023.  We’ll be back in the States to help our oldest son get settled and also for the VBM Annual Orientation.  We will continue our focus on helping Lighthouse Baptist Church until then. 
  • My cousin Jeremy started Bay Baptist Academy Primary School last year.  The Lord has opened doors for us to purchase property right across the street from the primary school to start the High School.  Pray we can raise the $68,000 in less than 60 days.  It’s been exciting seeing the school in action this past year and I know it’s going to be even better with the addition of the high school. Jeremy and his wife Bekah have done a tremendous job with this ministry. 

This past month I started 3 new Bible studies with people in different parts of our city.  Pray the Lord works and we can see many come to Christ through these efforts.  I’m hoping that maybe God would open doors for future church plants from these meetings. 

Bible Study in Tata Khaya’s House

One of our supporting churches, Fellowship Baptist Church in Maryville, TN with Pastor Tom Hatley is visiting this week.  During any visiting group, my hope and prayesr are that God moves on the hearts of at least one person to give their life to foreign missions.  Would you help pray that more laborers would be raised up?  

Last month a high school principal asked me about using Camp Rhino for a full month to host all of his 12th-grade students (90-100 students) for 30 straight days.  They would use that time to prepare for their graduation exams, but during that time we would also be able to preach to them each morning and hold Sunday and Midweek services. Pray as we make this decision for the 2023 school year. 

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