Why Mozambique?

It all started with the love for Jesus and some simple prayers. To make an impact somewhere outside the United States. A Life Covenant Church team that met Mozambique pastors in 2006. It was not clear at the beginning. It was the start. Pastors, church teams, missionaries, professors, and many more people passionate about Jesus. All being drawn together and being part of what only God could build. What a privilege.

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We strive to cultivate hope in this African nation through holistic, mission-driven work.

Why Mozambique? Watch the video to learn how we started.

We seek to provide resources that will aid people physically and transform them spiritually. missionaries and Mozambican partners have joined together to develop orphanages, plant churches, and train pastors. Guided by faith, this work impacts people of all ages, helping them out of economic and spiritual poverty, and into more hope and spirit-filled lives.

The Forgotten Child of Africa

The birth of Life for Mozambique is intertwined with the birth of Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California. From the very beginning, in 2004, the church leadership team had desires to serve God overseas. In 2006, God led them to Mozambique, owners of the third poorest economy in the world. While all around Mozambique there are English-speaking countries well served by American missionaries, Mozambique itself is considered an under-reached country due to the Portuguese language. The church team met two pastors, John and Maria, and soon this ministry was born. People call Mozambique the forgotten child of Africa, but it’s certainly not forgotten by God.

Follow Our Story

2003

Life Covenant Church is formed
2006

Scouting Trip
2010

MC1 Opens/inaugurated
2012

Short-term trip visits Mozambique
2014
- Short-term trip visits Mozambique highlighted by
- Pastor’s conference, inauguration of Melanie Center 2, and a visit from an
- ECC delegation to get first-hand glimpse of the budding ministry
2015
- ECC approves LFM as official Covenant ministry
- Vianas ordained as Covenant Missionaries
- Vianas move to Mozambique
2016

Tony and Will visit Mozambique
2017
- Short-term trip from LCC visits Mozambique
- Child Sponsorship Program begins
- Construction of MC 1 church completed
- Sewing school opens
2018
- Tim visits to teach pastors’ training class
- Tony and Doug visit Mozambique, evangelism conference held in Songo
- Land purchased for new MC 2 site
- John and Maria make US visit
2019
- Life for Mozambique highlighted at ECC Mid-Winter Conference in Denver
- Ministry featured on cover of ECC magazine
- Cyclone Idai devastates Mozambique, Beira, and Melanie Center 1 forcing major rebuilding process to MC 1
2020
- Viana family returns to USA as Covid-19 pandemic impacts globe
- Church plant total his 170
2021
- A pair of cyclones strike Beira; damage is minimal
- Viana family returns to Mozambique
- Land officially acquired for MC 3 in Songo
- Church plant count reaches 300
- Two-week theology course for pastor’s wives
2022
- Tim teaches large theological conference. Church plant numbers reach total of 528
- Matt & Andre visit Mozambique
- Inauguration of water well in Songo, construction on church and MC3 begins, government officials demand more land be given for more buildings

Our Moz Family

The Jone Family

Pastor John Joao Jone and Pastor Maria Jone are the President and Vice President of MINEVE ministries which encompasses our Melanie Centers, community development, orphan care, vocational training and our Theology and Bible School.

They are the founders of The Evangelical Covenant Church of Mozambique (ECCM). John and Maria attended and graduated from The Adventist Seminary of Sofala in 1992 with degrees in Bible and Theology. They are both licensed Pastors in Mozambique.

They began their ministry as church planters with the Adventist church from 1992-2003, then moved on to work for World Relief from 2003-2006 and Food For Hungry from 2006-2007. In 2008 along with Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California, they started the first Melanie Center in Beira, Mozambique. They currently lead both MINEVE Ministries as well as the ECCM.

Working alongside the Mozambican Government the Jones oversee the functioning of two Melanie Centers. These Centers are in the community of Manga and the city of Chimoio. They are currently in the process of constructing a third Melanie Center in the community of Maroeira, just outside the city of Songo.

Within the Evangelical Covenant Churches of Mozambique John and Maria oversee the wellbeing of more than 500 church plants throughout the central part of Mozambique and into Malawi. They ensure that church leaders of the ECCM receive training in Theology, Bible, Leadership and Church Administration.

John and Maria have been married for 40 years, have four children and 12 grandchildren. Their humble, honest, and sincere love for God and for the Mozambican people shine brightly in everything they do. They are deeply loved by the children and the communities they serve in and have frequently been awarded and recognized by the Mozambican government and the Ministry of Social Services for their excellent model and work and in caring for orphans and community development.
The Viana Family

Alex and Melanie Viana are full time Global Personnel (missionaries) with The Evangelical Covenant Church.

Alex studied business at California State University Dominguez Hills and Melanie has a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Multnomah University and Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary.

Alex and Melanie are founding members of Life Covenant Church (LCC) in Torrance, CA. They created and led the Global Outreach ministry to Mozambique. They both worked closely with John and Maria Jone from 2007-2015 leading teams from LCC to minister in Mozambique.

In 2015 Alex and Melanie moved to the city of Beira to assist John and Maria in their work with the Melanie Centers and the churches of the ECCM.

Melanie is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church and is the Director and lead professor of the MINEVE School of Bible and Theology. Alex teaches Leadership Development.

The Viana’s have two twin teenage sons named Josh and Joey that they adopted when they were 6 months old from Ethiopia. Josh and Joey attend Prestige International School in Beira. They love to run, play video games, and tease one another endlessly. Also, they both really love soccer!

The Viana’s love the Mozambican people and are passionate about caring for children, developing communities, training and teaching Pastors and leaders and planting churches in the most remote parts of Mozambique.

Where We Need People To Give

Life For Mozambique is an organization that includes Churches across the country, Melanie Centers to support orphans, and activities to support the communities – such as building wells for clean water access and farming. More than 550 churches are planted across the country. Melanie Centers (MCs) are located in Beira and Chimoio, with a new one to be launched soon in Maroeira. The MCs provide 3 meals a day, Elementary and Middle-School classes, home to take care of 60+ orphans. The entire ministry is supported by donations by “adopting” a child or supporting the Pastors and teams in Mozambique.

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