Overview
Breakthru Church's mission is to reach the nations for Christ. Local and international mission is the forte of this church founded by Pietermaritzburg natives. The G12 cell group strategy is attracting new believers with the good news of new life in Jesus Christ. Pastor Russell has set the church a goal for 2010 for each cell group to bring in 20 new members and train 10 new leaders. Through its umbrella organization, New Zion Ministries International, BCI does extensive church planting and mission work in surrounding countries. BCI has also sent two missionaries to the United States to work with Calvary Community Church in a church-planting endeavor in Chesapeake, Virginia.

History
Since 1998, Breakthru Church and New Zion Ministries International have been in relationship with a predecessor agency of Mennonite Mission Network regarding a mission/church-planting partnership. After a group from Calvary Community Church (Hampton, Va.) visited, Pastor Flinn Ranchod of BCI returned the visit in 1999. In May 2001, Ranchod relocated to Hampton, Va., for a six-month pastoral apprenticeship at CCC before planting a church in Chesapeake, Va. Reciprocal visits have kept up the partnership and conversation.

Phil and Christine Lindell Detweiler arrived in Pietermaritzburg Dec. 15, 2005. Breakthru Church International is a base for their regional work with Mennonite missions in South Africa. The relationship involves working with BCI to develop viable, strong social ministries in their program.