Our History

Missions4Jesus began in 2003 when founding Volunteers: Marvin Tarlton, Sam Helms and Hastings Jialosi (of Africa) were called by God to take their previous African missions to the next level. Each had been part of many other mission assistance programs, but none that prepared the villages for self-sufficiency after the mission team was gone. That was their vision. God’s vision has continued to expand and provide resources for their projects year after year. The wheels of change are ever turning.  Missions4Jesus was formed in 2004. We incorporated and received our 501c3 non-profit status in 2005. Our Ministry exists to reach the ends of the earth with the Gospel message. We do this through providing Shelter, Agriculture, Vocation and Evangelism along with medical assistance to those in need.
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In 2008 Missions4Jesus formed a subsidiary, Operation SAVE. A Movement in the Making … In January 2017 we merged the two names, re-branded our Ministry and officially incorporated Operation SAVE. This included adding an additional website and logo design. Our additional website is www.operation-save.org. Jesus is still at the core of everything we do and the missions4jesus.com website still exists. You can view either website for information. We covet your prayers as our mission continues globally in Malawi, Africa and locally in North Carolina and across the US. We are excited about the future and will keep you informed on Events and upcoming Mission Trips

Founding Member

Sam Helms

Sam was one of the original founding member of Missions4Jesus who shared the love of Jesus Christ with every person he met.

Samuel Leigh Helms, 59 of Monroe joined his Heavenly Father on August 11, 2005 after a courageous battle with brain tumors. He was born September 10, 1945 in Knoxville, TN and graduated from Sun Valley High School of Monroe, NC in 1963.

At the age of 21, Sam voluntarily joined the US Army and fought in the Vietnam War, where he earned a number of metals, including the Good Conduct Metal and a Purple Heart. He loved his country.

Sam also had a passion for helping others and a goal of becoming a police officer. In 1976 he became a firefighter, but continued training at the Charlotte Police Academy. In 1980 he graduated and became Monroe, North Carolina’s first Public Safety Officer, having been trained in the areas of fire, rescue, and police. Sam enjoyed a very rewarding career in Public Safety, received numerous awards and was promoted to Lieutenant before retiring in October of 2002.

Sam also loved working with his hands and making things.  After retirement, he started a Home Improvement business as a hobby, but soon found his true passion. He joined a mission team going to Malawi, Africa to build an orphanage. This God given opportunity allowed him to help others who could not help themselves.

In March of 2004 Sam was diagnosed with cancer, but this did not lessen his desire to help the people of Africa where he had developed an overwhelming passion and love for them. On November 12, 2004 Sam returned to Malawi, Africa along with three other founding members of Missions4Jesus. During this trip, hundreds of villagers and several hospitals received food and medicine and construction of a maize mill was started.

Sam Helms loved the Lord. He was a member of Unionville Baptist Church in Monroe, NC where he loved his church family. Sam is survived by his loving wife of 21 years, Vickie Baucom Helms who stood by him faithfully during his illness, his mother, Mae Helms of Monroe, and his late father, Worth Helms, two sons, Todd Helms of Wingate and Jason Helms of Monroe, three grandchildren, Taylor Helms, Bailey Helms both of Monroe and Triston Helms of Wingate. We love and miss you Sam!

First Trip 2003

In addition to paying water bills for villages, putting a new roof on Samuel’s home and beginning construction of the Maize Mill, the very first distribution consisted of the following: 100-10 lb. bags of seed corn, 172-110 lb. bags of fertilizer, 500 Bibles, 250 Hymnals, 500 Care Packets-food & medicine, 3 Suitcases of medicines, 50 Stethoscopes and 2 hand-dug wells- fitted with pumps. Praise God! The initial mission trip to Malawi was an overwhelming success and a life-changing experience for everyone involved.  Missions4Jesus formed a 501c Non-profit organization which is overseen by a Board of Directors. We has since grown and have a long-term VISION to continue to love and support our Malawian brothers and sisters in need.  Mission teams travel to Lilongwe, Malawi yearly with much needed supplies and the love of Christ in their hearts. With God all things are possible!

The Vision:
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“Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish; he eats for life.” That’s the concept that started it all. These villages don’t just need to be fed, they need a way to feed themselves tomorrow and the next day and the day after. They don’t just need clothing for today; they need a plan for the future. It does take a village to raise a child. A boy becomes a man. A man becomes a leader. We want the people of Malawi to have the means, skills and knowledge to grow and flourish. Missions4Jesus goal has been to help the people of Malawi, Africa to have a better life.  Through the help of Jesus Christ and our supporters, we continue to make a difference. You can be a part of the solution, part of the vision that will change a village forever! Come share our Vision!

Operation S.A.V.E.

Shelter

• Church Construction
• Repairing & Replacing Roofs
• Construction of Mission House (Phase 1 Completed 2020)
• Mercy Project (New Home, New Well) *
• AAAC Program **​

​​*Mercy Project

**AAAC Testimony of Pastor Jacques Jackson, Endless Life church
“This word S.A.V.E. through the Program of AAAC has changed the lives of my family, church family and community in my area. We have built a new church where we are gathering now with no leaking roof. Praise God!”

**AAAC Testimony of Pastor Jeremiah Heleke, Deeper Life Bible church
“We have managed to construct a Mission house together with our contributions from church members. We are also constructing a church that will accommodate 250 people. This construction also is being done with the support from AAAC.”

Agriculture

​Clean Water 

• Since 2011, we have repaired thousands of Wells.  
• Since 2014, we have drilled hundreds of Wells providing clean water to thousands of beneficiaries. 

Feeding 

• Thousands of children are receiving hot meals each day. 
• Community Maize Meal and community store. 

Farming * 

• In 2007 we started our Farming Program with approximately 12 acres of land, today we have 24 acres to which we offer farming opportunities.  

 

*Testimony of Pastor Jacques Jackson, Endless Life church
“Repaired Wells by Operation SAVE, in my villages, have helped to get better water for our gardens. Pastors were provided fertilizer and now we have good crops which they can sale and provide good for their families.”

*Testimony of Pastor Jeremiah Heleke, Deeper Life Bible church
Operation SAVE provided assistance to five members (3 widows & 2 orphans) with livestock (piglets) to raise for capital. As of today, their lives have been transformed and are able to pay school fees and their physical needs from this Project. They are now able to support church construction by providing bags of cement as part of their thanksgiving to the Lord.” ​

Vocation

We had our first Pastor Conferences in 2010 and have since conducted multiple Conferences each year which have trained hundreds of Pastors as well as training teachers in the field of Children’s Evangelism.

• In partnership with Hands on Africa, Operation SAVE supports Pastors in obtaining their Theology degree. This is a three-year Program.
• In partnership with Multiplication Network Ministries (MNM) Operation SAVE trains church leaders the biblical way to plant new churches. 

Women’s Health Ministry Training

• Providing Training Kits to help women manage their menstruation while continuing to go about their daily lives.
• Motivates and empowers girls to continue their education, while creating vision for the future.
• Educate how the body works, puberty, gender-based violence, avoiding teen pregnancy and how to use and care for the kits distributed.