Our History
In 2003, our founding volunteers felt called by God to take their previous African missions to the next level—moving beyond short-term aid to help villages become self-sufficient after the mission teams returned home. That vision, planted in Malawi, has grown into what is now Operation SAVE.
Founding Member: Sam Helms
Sam Helms was one of the original founding members 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 medals, including the Good Conduct Medal 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; and three grandchildren, Taylor Helms and Bailey Helms of Monroe, and Triston Helms of Wingate. We love and miss you, Sam!
First Trip: 2003–2004
In 2003 our founding volunteers, Marvin Tarlton and Sam Helms, in relationship with Hastings Jialosi of Malawi, 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. As plans for a trip began, Jimmy Funderburk and Paul Sachak joined the team. As the founding members prayed, God’s vision grew.
The inaugural mission trip took place in November 2004, traveling to Malawi, Africa. During this initial visit to Lilongwe, Malawi, hundreds of Africans in several villages and hospitals received much needed relief supplies thanks to generous supporters and volunteers from the US. In addition to paying water bills for villages, putting a new roof on a man named Samuel’s home, and beginning construction of a maize mill, the very first distribution consisted of: 100 ten-pound bags of seed corn, 172 one-hundred-ten-pound bags of fertilizer, 500 Bibles, 250 hymnals, 500 care packets of food and medicine, three suitcases of medicines, 50 stethoscopes, and two 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.
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Key Milestones
2003–2005: Missions4Jesus is Born
Missions4Jesus became incorporated in 2004 and received its 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 2005. God’s vision continued to expand and provide resources for their projects year after year. A Board of Directors was formed, and mission teams began traveling regularly to Lilongwe, Malawi with much-needed supplies and the love of Christ in their hearts.
2008–2017: Operation SAVE Emerges
In 2008 Missions4Jesus formed a subsidiary, Operation SAVE. Over time, God continued to grow the work and expand the vision. In 2017 the ministry rebranded, merging the two names and refreshing the website and logo. The name Operation SAVE was officially incorporated in January 2017. Jesus is still at the core of everything we do, and we covet your prayers as our mission continues globally in Malawi, Africa and locally in North Carolina.
2003–2025: Our Progress
- Water for Life Program – drilling hundreds of new wells (boreholes) and repairing thousands of existing wells.
- Feeding Program – providing millions of meals to hungry children.
- Evangelism Program – sharing the Gospel so that thousands have received salvation.
- Pastoral Vocation Program – training hundreds of pastors in Malawi, Africa.
- Medical and Eyeglass Clinics – offering medical care and providing reading glasses to multitudes of Malawians.
Through it all, Operation SAVE remains committed to sharing the love of Jesus Christ while helping communities move toward long-term self-sufficiency.