The Hands for Him International History
Hands for Him international began with a short-term missions trip to Palestine in August of 2004. My name is Dennis “Bix” Bicksler and my wife, Julie, and I founded this ministry. God has shown us that there is a need for missions works in the Middle East that will witness to nominal Christians, non-Christians, Muslims and other sects. It is our vision to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of this area by working alongside a native Palestinian Pastor. We first met Pastor Bassam during our August 2004 trip; we became instant friends. He has a heart to win Palestinians and others over to Christ. We have made multiple, subsequent trips to Palestine to continue working with the people there. When we aren’t in Palestine, our relationship is kept alive through email and phone conversations. Our plan is to continue this partnership by returning to Palestine at least every other year. If God see fit to bless this ministry and allows it to grow, the ministry will spread from Palestine to other parts of the Middle East and the world.
Thus far, the ministry has used sports, especially futbal/soccer, and Vacation Bible School as ways to reach the children of the area. At night the teams have called on adults that need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. The goal when speaking to adults has been to win them over to Christ and have them attending a Bible-teaching church in Palestine or the Middle East. We plan to continue using these methods to become acquainted with the people in this region and to introduce them to Jesus Christ. It is our desire that every nation, tongue and tribe shall hear the good news of Jesus Christ and that none shall be lost.
Our Mission
Our twofold mission is to train and equip laborers as well as to provide opportunities to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world.
Our Vision
The vision of Hands for Him International is to reach the lost and to help build believers into Christ-centered laborers. Our spiritual mandate is found in Matthew 28:18-20: “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”
The Lost
Many are eagerly seeking genuine spiritual truth. We believe that a relationship with God through Jesus Christ provides the hope and purpose in life that people are seeking. In the Bible Jesus says, “I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) When a person begins a relationship with God, he or she finds purpose and meaning, and experiences life the way that God intended. Once someone embraces a faith in Christ, he or she is burdened to share that hope with others in creative and relevant ways.
Christ-centered Laborers
Being a Christian is not about practicing a religion or fulfilling a duty. Being a Christian is about having a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Every person has a story. The gospel is really about our personal stories fitting into the larger story of God’s creation and purpose. Being Christ-centered means allowing God to shape our lives around His eternal purpose. It means evaluating our life’s direction and decisions in light of God’s Word. Being laborers refers to God’s call for our lives to have great significance and eternal impact. We can serve God in many ways, such as sharing the gospel with others, going on a short-term missions trip or joining a ministry full-time to help reach others for Christ.
Our Goal
It is the goal of Hands for Him International to equip Christians to go boldly into the world to spread the news of Jesus Christ. This may be manifested by:
• Hands for Him International board members leading a short term missions trip
• Hands for Him International training other leaders to lead a short term missions trip
• Hands for Him International being used as an umbrella to help others with:
o Leading a short term missions trip
o Taking in finances
o Finding insurance
o Networking with other ministries