Sharing Stories of God’s Grace Everyone has a Story! TABLE OF CONTENTS

5 Letter from the Editor

6 Kin dom Come

7 The Chapel at Lockport

8 Renovation Church and more from our State ic Church Planters

13 Chapel Ministries En a in in God’s Grace

14 Completin the Task

16 Sierra Leone Alliance Updates

22 INTERVIEW: Brad Johnson/Mission of Hope Haiti and more from our International Partners

30 Tactical Prayer Map

32 INTERVIEW: Ryan Kozey/Renovation Network and more from our National Partners

36 ARTICLE: Jon Cook/Isaiah  Project and more from our Re ional Partners

42 Local Partnerships Makin a Dierence in Our Community Editor: Amy Tartick Graphic Designer: Becky Patterson 53 Why Should I Give? Published: October 2012  2012 The Chapel 54 Short Term Missions, Why? 500 CrossPoint Parkway Getzville, New York 14068 716.631.2636 | thechapel.com 56 Ministry Partner Directory

Letter from the Editor By: Amy Tartick

o you remember the first time you understood Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join what it meant to have God’s grace poured me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” Dout and in your life? Grace that no one can We are able to join our Kingdom Come partners earn, nor do we deserve, yet God in his mercy in the field by praying for them. Nothing is offers to every man, woman, and child through accomplished without prayer, and it is an essential the shed blood of Jesus. Through God’s plan way everyone can participate in Kingdom Come. of redemption he offers forgiveness, salvation, and his very presence in us, the mystery of Moving forward, The Chapel’s ministry “…Christ in you, the hope of glory!” partnerships continue to be defined and refined (Colossians 1:27) in light of our mission. Kingdom Come is growing. Through our partnerships, we join This has become one of my favorite times of the God on his mission locally in Buffalo, Amherst, year, not because of the changing seasons, rather, Williamsville, Lockport; regionally in places like it is the time we hear from all our Kingdom Niagara Falls, Syracuse, New York City, Scranton, Come partners and the wonderful things God is PA; nationally in Chicago, Houston, the West accomplishing through them and their ministries. Coast; and globally in Argentina, Sierra Leone, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Ukraine, Brazil, India, We recently asked our Kingdom Come partners to Mongolia and literally, to the uttermost parts send in a “Grace Story”—a testimony of how God’s of the earth. It is incredible when you consider grace was shared, received, and transformed a life the number of men, women and children who or lives for God’s glory. We hope you enjoy reading have seen and heard the gospel this year through more about what God is doing in the hearts and our Kingdom Come partners. Strategic church lives of so many who have embraced the gospel, planting opportunities are targeting neighborhoods, surrendered their lives to Christ, and experienced cities, even entire countries to be saturated with God’s grace in their lives. Your faithfulness in God’s message of hope and salvation by meeting supporting Kingdom Come is crucial to making physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. these stories and others possible—Thank you! Thank you for joining The Chapel on mission We are also very excited about a new feature to this past year, and we invite you to continue on On Mission—a Tactical Prayer Map—designed this journey with us. We hope you are encouraged to pull out and post to help you pray strategically by what you read between the covers of this for our partners (see page 30). In Romans 15:30, magazine and that in some way, the stories remind Paul pleads, “I urge you, brothers, by our Lord you of your first encounter with God’s grace. Defining The Chapel’s DNA: Kingdom Come Byy Dar l Largis

In our recent faith sermon series we were reminded to Kingdom Come. It is that simple. How this happens is that without faith it is impossible to please God. It as unique as your situation, but we must be attentive and therefore goes to follow that faith is the key to an on- proactive for God works in ways which we sometimes do going, dynamic, and abundant life. A life where faith not expect or anticipate. Our obedience driven by faith to is continually nurtured, challenged, strengthened and that which we sense begins an incredible journey that next exposed for the world to wonder and marvel upon, as year you will be able to rejoice and declare his faithfulness. God gets the glory by the actions of his people. While we can lean on at times and learn from the faith of So, as you read the stories of the lives contained within others, we must at the end of the day own our individual this brochure, understand that the resources given to these priesthood which means our faith. This is at the core of ministries came by faith, your faith and the faith of others Kingdom Come. How? Kingdom Come represents a in our midst. God used those resources to plant churches— fresh expression of faith in the lives of those who call The some local, some regional, some national and hundreds Chapel home each year—individually and corporately. globally. God also used those resources to dramatically increase the influence and capacity of existing ministries all Simply stated Kingdom Come is the primary way in over the world who share our heartbeat and missional DNA. which The Chapel engages locally, regionally, nationally, New ministries were birthed that God is using to facilitate and globally in the mission to reach every man, woman his redemptive mission for entire nations. These are just a and child. Accordingly, we then have the privilege to enter sampling of all that God has done through Kingdom Come. into this mission by faith! Those who have participated in Faith offered by and expressed in his people is a powerful the past have assuredly a testimony to tell on how God force in this world. We are witnesses to this very thing! And worked in their midst. I have heard many incredible stories, now we are again in a position to experience more of it as we and my family has their own given our participation. enter deeper into the mission of God to ensure that every How wonderful it is to be able to do this again, and man, woman and child has repeated opportunities to hear, for others who have not, been able to participate in the see, experience and upcoming year. Given that this endeavor is based upon then respond to the faith, we ask all of The Chapel to participate by faith. redemptive message of Jesus Christ. May Participation, while seemingly easy, will require you to grow our response to God’s in your faith and trust in God, which as we already know invitation to join him pleases him. By faith make a commitment to give financially through Kingdom to Kingdom Come above and beyond what you are already Come increase our giving. How? We do so by faith in that we prayerfully go faith and bring him before God in his word, and contemplate what he would the most glory! have us do in the upcoming year related to Kingdom Come. Basically it comes down to if he provides it we will give it The Chapel at lockporT b y Jonathan drake

The Chapel at Lockport has gone through some changes much happening throughout the week. Together with our this calendar year. Pastor Matt Eisenhower, who helped to CrossPoint Campus, we have Circle Groups that meet launch the campus in Easter of 2010, answered God’s call in homes to provoke our people to live out the gospel on his life for the Army Chaplaincy. The leadership team wherever they are, whether at home, at the office, at the (both staff and non-staff ) was integral in the transition ball field, or at the grocery store. Every Wednesday, our as we began a new chapter for the Lockport Campus. Set Free ministry gathers in The Historic Post Office. It’s here that so many are discovering and experiencing Our congregation gathers for corporate worship in The freedom in Christ from their addiction, whatever Historic Palace Theatre (The Palace), right in the heart of it may be. Often I will meet someone on a Sunday downtown Lockport. Of course, meeting in rented space morning who found out about The Chapel at Lockport has its own set of challenges (setup/tear down, extra-early through Set Free. This has become one of our biggest mornings, scrambling at the last minute, and more) but connection points to a community that so desperately it also has its own set of benefits. With less than 50,000 needs the chain-breaking power of the gospel of Jesus. people between the City and Town of Lockport, there is hardly a soul who has not been in (or at least heard of ) Prayerfully, we are starting to see Lockport saturated The Palace. We are in a great location to touch many lives with that Good News. In August, we had an outdoor with the gospel. The familiarity of a “secular” building concert that we branded, “Bagels, Barista, and Blues.” goes a long way for those who are either estranged from We gave away more than 75 cups of coffee one Saturday or foreign to the idea of Church. The team at The Palace, morning while a live blues band played near the corner specifically the executive director, Christopher Parada, of Elm Street and East Avenue. The gospel message has been incredibly gracious and accommodating to was woven into the music itself and a band member the Lockport Campus these last two and a half years. shared his “grace story” right in downtown Lockport. One passerby asked someone from our congregation, Directly across the street from The Palace is The Historic “Why are you doing this?” and her answer was simple: Post Office–home for our King’s World (ages two through “Because we try to love our community as Jesus would.” fourth grade) and SHINE! (Middle School) ministries. Dozens of kids gather every week to hear the gospel We want God’s will to be done and his Kingdom to come in a way that they can understand and apply. We are in Lockport as it is in heaven. And so, we believe that so glad to be a place where sometimes the kids are the means giving every man, woman and child in Lockport ones dragging Mom and Dad to church on Sunday–not repeated opportunities to see and hear the gospel of the other way around. Not only that but also our kids Jesus. That’s why The Chapel at Lockport exists. are often leading out in the mission. Just this past May, King’s World and SHINE! collected more than 200 Together on the Mission, boxes of cereal to bless a local homeless shelter–our Jonathan Drake Kingdom Come ministry partner, Lockport CARES.

Beyond the flurry of activity on Sunday, there’s also so Strategic church plantings

It is exciting to see how God is using The Chapel’s strategic church planting partners throughout our region. Stories of how God is changing, indeed, healing hearts and lives is unprecedented! From “Buffalo Gary,” to Arabic-speaking Bible studies, to barroom bouncer turned Kids Ministry “bouncer,” people are finding that God’s grace is more than sufficient to make them whole. Brek Cockrell nothing but the Bible. Jesus had him right where He wanted him. Gary’s relationship with God L ead Pastor began to flourish in those silent moments. A friend of his father’s began to write him, sharing his own story by michelle stockton grace story. He called Gary a hero and a champion, words that were so foreign to him. Gary wrote od didn’t speak through a sermon that Pastor Brek to stay connected, to reach out and to chilly Sunday morning in November, 2008. say he’ll see us soon at Renovation. He continued GWhen Gary settled into a comfy high back chair to journal and work through his steps. We waited. in theater three at The Chapel at Elmwood, God invaded his heart through the music. The If you come to the 9:00am gathering at Renovation, worship overwhelmed him and compelled him you’ll meet “Buffalo Gary.” At our round tables, he to tears. In the dim-lit crowded theater, he heard sits with his coffee and connects with others who Jesus say to him, “All is forgiven.” He knew in are struggling. He worships with all of his being, that moment, he was willing to do whatever crying out to the God who rescued him from a it would take. This was the first Thanksgiving miry pit of depression, pain and addiction. He that Gary had been sober. And it felt good. continues to make restitution with his children and pursue a relationship with them, even though Before landing in our rental theater, only a week it may never be what it could or should have been. before moving into our new home down the road as Gary attends AA meetings multiple times a week Renovation Church, Gary had just completed three and if you ask him, he’ll tell you, “Now I know it’s days of detox. He had hit rock bottom as probation okay to ask for help. There’s a miracle that happens followed him around every corner. The skeletons in when you humble yourself. Now I help sponsor his closet were creeping out and he couldn’t keep the others and share my grace story whenever I have doors shut. God had tried to get Gary’s attention, the opportunity. God doesn’t promise that I have a but suppressing the pain through alcohol and drugs job, a house or anything else, but he does promise was far easier than facing his broken marriage, his to deliver me.” Gary believes, “Change comes not kids rejecting him, recurring job losses, no home when we say we deserve it, but when we are ready to to call his own and a secret life. The Holy Spirit’s accept it.” Even after 1,363 days sober, sharing your conviction warranted a choice. December 15, 2008 grace story still has the power to set others free. Gary chose to put one foot in front of the other, leading him downtown. He turned himself in. John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal He spent his “first Christmas sober” (since he was and kill and destroy; I have come that they 13 years old) behind bars in an isolated cell with may have life, and have it to the full.”

strategic church plantings | 9 NorthGate Community Church Jon Hasselbeck, Missio Church Lead Pastor Jordan Stinziano, Elder/Pastor

At Missio Church in Syracuse, NY, we are taking our mission It is with great joy and amazement of God’s grace, that I seriously. We exist for God’s glory and to make much of him. bring you this update regarding NorthGate. As a church We exist to see his glory spread throughout our neighborhood, plant, NorthGate is three and a half years old and we had our city, our state, our region, our nation, and the world. been renting space at the AMC movie theater. The rental expense was becoming unreasonable and we were limited in In June 2012, we were blessed to move into a permanent our building use to only four hours on a Sunday morning facility on the Near Westside of Syracuse’s Downtown. This and no place to meet during the rest of the week. As we neighborhood is one of the poorest in our region. The facility, prayed, God opened an amazing door for us to continue a beautiful, old Presbyterian church building, provides us with to share the gospel. The New York State Mennonite two critical elements. First, it gives us a permanent presence conference offered us the use of the building where I used in the community. We understand that the Church is not to pastor in the Mennonite Church. This is a beautiful a building, but rather a people. We hope to leverage that building, 5,000 square feet with 11.5 acres of land. We presence to both share the good news of the gospel and serve began to rent the building about one and a half years ago. our community. The second critical element is proximity. Our We hoped that students from UB and Buffalo State would congregation is now in the midst of this neighborhood. Our continue to attend. Not only did they come and give their people are taking a vested interest in meeting needs as they lives to Christ but also the number of students involved in are identified, and the neighborhood, we hope, will in time see the ministry increased! We also began to have people join the people of Missio Church as a benefit to their community. us from the community which has given our congregation a new level of stability—of all ages! We have increased to Syracuse, like Buffalo, has a large refugee population. The two services to accommodate the increased attendance. The Near Westside is home to many Arabic speaking families, students began to tell us, they now felt they had a home mostly refugees from Iraq. A couple of years ago Missio and away from home and a sense of family and community. Grace Chapel, one of our partners, helped to launch an Arabic speaking Bible study with the hope of discipling believers who When the Mennonite Church contacted us because could then take responsibility to proclaim the gospel to every they had decided to sell the building, NorthGate had Arabic speaking man, woman and child in our community. no savings and some outstanding bills due to the theater Over the years this study has grown and we are now seeing rental. God provided a miracle from many sources the beginnings of an Arabic congregation that will be hosted (including $1 a week commitments from students to in our facility. At the same time, we are also strengthening larger monthly giving) that made a 20% deposit possible our partnership with the Nepali believers in our city, seeking within six months. As I write this to you, I am about to to help them develop leaders in their midst who embody walk out the door to the closing of this new building. the gospel and take seriously their part in God’s redemptive mission here. This fall we hope to launch a new Renovation This year we have seen many people give their lives community among the Nepali in their own language. to Christ. People have come from all over the region and the world; Japan, Zimbabwe, India, China, Missio continues to see planting new congregations as a Taiwan, Germany, Sweden, Lockport, and Clarence, critical element to its mission in Syracuse. Last year we to name a few. Thank for you helping to make this took responsibility for a congregation on the campus of possible through your generous and faithful giving Syracuse University, University Church. Our hope is to in seeking to reach every man, woman and child! “re-plant” that congregation with a new DNA: taking the gospel to every student, faculty and staff member at the university. Our dream is to see University Church look to plant another congregation in the near future that focuses on the neighborhoods around SU. “As we prayed, God opened an amazing door for us to continue to share the gospel.” 10 | strategic church plantings Restoration Church Dan TrippieLead Pastor Steamtown Church Dennis D’Augostine, Lead Pastor

The last twelve months have certainly been a time Hi, my name is Jen Marshall, I’m 31, and was born and of great change and anticipation. It has been more raised in Fleetville, PA, which is about 20 minutes from than three years since we formally began gathering Scranton. When I was five, I trusted Christ through an as a church body and the ways in which we have evangelistic campaign at a church near me. When I was grown as a congregation are numerous. One of the eight, I was home one night with my father while my many evidences of grace we have experienced is the mother was at a prayer meeting at our church. I picked up deepening of our greater body partnerships within the the phone and heard my father talking to a woman who Christ Together Network. This past year, the elders of wasn’t my mom. He told her he got home safe and that Restoration Church and the elders of Missio Church he loved her. Of course I told my mother later that night. in Syracuse formed a high level partnership whereby we are actively living in an interdependent relationship. The whole situation shook my mother to her core. She During this time we have been sharing materials, depended on my father for pretty much everything, and commodities, and human resources. Restoration although they stayed together, things were never the same. Church and Missio Church have begun the process of In my teenage years, violence started to creep into my joint venture partnering to reach every man, woman family. My father never hit my mother, but there was a lot and child across the I-90 corridor and telescoping more yelling and shoving. It was very hard for me to see. together in places like Milan, Italy. As we attempt to live out our shared principles, we are drawing circles of I began to turn to things like hardcore shows, drugs, accountability from Buffalo to Syracuse with hopes of alcohol, and men as a way to escape the pain. But I never giving repeated opportunities to millions of people. did. The whole time I knew Christ was with me… He never left my side, but I continued to push him away. As we seek to grow in geographic intentionality, the Lord has blessed us with the completion of a nine-month I met my husband in my early twenties. A short time building project. Our new facility at 504 Frankhauser after we were married, a co-worker of his told him aids us immensely as we take responsibility not only to about Steamtown Church. We decided to go because of the lostness of the Maplemere neighborhood, but also the his enthusiasm and passion. As soon as we entered the University of Buffalo North campus. Words will never facility, we were greeted by many people and felt at home. express our gratitude to the people of The Chapel for And shortly after attending for a while, I began to open the many hours of labor donated to this project. With my heart back up to Christ and let him take over. I was permanent space secure, we now feel we are able to set baptized a little while later at Steamtown to publicly our sights on forming a second congregation across town. proclaim that I’m a fully dedicated follower of Jesus, the One who never left me, even when I tried to leave him. As we embark on the fourth year of a vision that will be decades in the making, we give great thanks for The Chapel. The people of Restoration stand on the shoulders of all your faithfulness. We ask for continued prayers and we look forward to growing “ Restoration Church and Missio Church closer to the fellowship of The Chapel at CrossPoint have begun the process of joint venture in the years to come. On behalf of the elders, deacons and believers of Restoration Church, we love you. partnering to reach every man, woman and child across the I-90 corridor...”

strategic church plantings | 11 people where they are at in their hurts, habits, and hang- ups! It remains the only twelve-step program that we offer on Monday nights, so that all will filter through, being able to connect Jesus with their true healing and hope!

On Sundays, we now have two gatherings allowing ample space needed for children and adults. People are theWELL discovering who God really is. They are realizing his Darrick Castronova, Lead Pastor love and grace as they “stumble toward redemption,” and understand that he is the only one who can truly fulfill them. People are experiencing their value and worth for the first time, and we are honored that God would allow TheWELL has experienced God’s great power in ways us the privilege to be involved in his story in such a way! beyond what we could have ever asked or imagined! It has been our incredible privilege to journey alongside Two of the things we believe work the best in connecting those who are processing Jesus’ personal love for people to do the work in which God has called us to them, many, for the first time! Most have struggled do, is through small groups ( Journey Groups) and through some sort of fear, addiction, shame, bitterness, serving others in and out of our community. “Everything depression, divorce, anxiety, or “religion,” all to is about relationships, the rest is just details!” discover that God is bigger than all of their pain! People often ask how it is going at theWELL. In one When God gave us a building rent-free, never would word: EXHILARATING! To be a part of people’s we have dreamed the building would come with everyday lives, as they experience the God of the opportunities to reach so many people! We now universe to find hope in the midst of their pain, and have more than 20 twelve-step groups connecting express joy as they learn to walk a new path—we have weekly at what we call “theHOPE center.” never experienced anything quite like it before!

We have launched Celebrate Recovery (CRwithHOPE) Over and over we will praise him for the salvation and which is growing weekly. It is an incredible tool to reach redemption he continues to offer by his unending grace!

To make a long story short we continued to hang out, and one night we attended a Halloween party together. There he met the girl of his dreams. They hit it off and soon started to date. As they dated, I got to know her and found out that she was a Christian and was looking for a church in our neighborhood. I invited her to our Village Church preview gatherings and she came with my friend in tow. Jeremy Hazelton, Lead Pastor That was the first time my friend had ever attended a church gathering in his life. He found it to be interesting and inviting to non-Christians like himself. Not long after that Sunday my friend asked me to meet with him In October 2011, Village Church began weekly once a week and talk about life and explain some of his gatherings, intentionally reaching into the Elmwood questions about the Bible. Rarely do we miss a week. Village community. Sean Cronin, who oversees the Village Kids Ministry has this story to share. While my friend has not surrendered his life to Christ, he’s making a conscious effort to draw closer to him. Over Shortly after moving into the city, I met a young man the past two years I’ve seen God work through my friend’s whose reputation preceded him. Before I met him life in amazing ways. One of the coolest details of the his friends warned me about how wild, rambunctious story is how he now serves on the registration and security and quarrelsome he used to be before he immersed team for our children’s ministry. As my friend’s story himself in AA to overcome his addictions. illustrates, God is in the redemption business. At Village he’s taken a former nightclub bouncer and has turned When we first met I’ll admit he intimidated me because of him into the Village Kids bouncer. He’s taken a selfish, his large stature and abrasive demeanor. He looked like a violent alcoholic and turned him into a compassionate bouncer that you’d see at a nightclub, which I later found out servant, who is learning how to follow the ways of Jesus. was his former occupation. Suffice to say when I first met him I didn’t think he’d ever be interested in Village Church. Chapel Ministries Engaging in God’s Grace

I Can “Change” A Child’s Life THRIVE By Cassandra Dietz By Linda Penn

This summer the first through fourth graders of the Many men and women have been used over the past King’s World Children’s Ministry were learning about six years in the country of Costa Rica to not only share the virtues of LOVE and CONTENTMENT. We wanted to the gospel but also to train, equip, disciple and lead show LOVE by collecting change for the kids of Hope’s men and women in ministry. The only requirement to go Rising Children’s Home in Sierra Leone for an eight- was a willingness to be used by Jesus for the week. week period. Each week the KW children would bring in their change. During our last song, they would worship The mission trips took on various shapes, sizes, and by giving to those in need and placing their change design depending on the Lord’s leading for the year with they collected in their grade specific containers. the common goal of sharing Jesus Christ and his love for us to others. Over the years the various trips included We had the honor of impacting the kids at Hope’s Rising medical treatment, working with churches individually Children’s Home (HRCH) as our kids collected change for and collectively (60 pastor’s wives and missionaries bunk beds, crayons and pencils. From lemonade stands to included), feeding the homeless, visiting refugee camps, snack stands, they almost doubled our goal so we had to weekend women’s retreats, leadership conferences, ask what else we could ‘buy’ with the money collected. Our outdoor outreaches, street evangelism, sharing personal first through fourth graders collected $2,566.71 in change testimonies, children’s programs, mentoring emphasis, to purchase six triple-decker bunk beds, three double-decker visiting area hospitals, visiting orphanages, teaching bunk beds, 408 pencils, 100 packs of crayons, tables for job skills, building and constructing apartments for the children to eat at, cupboards to hold their supplies, 23 missionaries, and getting a building converted into a LOL t-shirts for the kids and 23 LOL book bags for the new church. The Costa Rica area churches also adopted the school year! The money left over will be used to impact the WNY Prayer 40-day emphasis as CR Prayer. It was awesome surrounding community through HRCH! Our kids showed to see churches partnering together for ministry. The how they are CONTENT with what they have and showed lessons revealed to us through God were priceless to LOVE by being willing to give to kids who are in need! those who went and to the Costa Rican people as well.

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are It has been a great privilege to be a part of the Kingdom young. Set an example for the believers in what you Come ministry here at The Chapel. These trips were say and in how you live.” 1Timothy 4:12a (NIRV) hosted by THRIVE ministries. Women from other area churches partnered with us on these trips. It is now our privilege to begin shaping by God’s design the next trip to the Dominican Republic in April 2013 King’s World Cereal Collection for both men and women in the WNY area. By Donaday Chapman It is clear to see that our mission to reach every man, woman and child is being woven into the very fabric of our ministries The King’s World kids of The Chapel at Lockport are learning here at The Chapel. Even our children seek to explore and about RESPONSIBILITY. They are learning that they can be engage ways to join God in his Mission. You will be amazed trusted when they are responsible with what they’ve been when you read how very effective these kids can be! given. In a three-week period, they collected more than 200 boxes of cereal for the residents of Lockport CARES. Also, The Chapel’s women’s ministry, THRIVE, offers Lockport CARES is a local emergency shelter designed to an update on their mission activities impacting Costa assist men, women, and children who have no place to go. Rica and what is on the horizon in 2013. Enjoy! completing the task “…people have to feel that intensity because there is only one church. Not just in Buffalo, there is only one church. It is a new day of global reality of interdependency that makes finishing the task possible! …a new global interdependency that accentuates the finishing of the task. Unapologetically church centric.” Dwight Smith n Matthew 28, God invites, well actually commands, Dwight Smith and his wife, Patti, just returned believers to join him on his mission, Missio Dei, with from a two-month mission that included India and IJesus’ words, “…go and make disciples of all nations…” Ethiopia and shared this exciting GF update: Indeed, Christ followers have been working diligently to fulfill the Great Commission for more than 2,000 years, I continue to be blessed and humanly amazed at the even to the point of giving their very lives. Until recently, Church in India. After nearly 30 years of involvement this task seemed fairly unattainable, reaching every there, we are one small piece of a miracle of the man, woman and child with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Spirit of God. Patti and I will not see anything more profound in our lifetime. In the last twenty years, Global Fellowship Founder, Dwight Smith shared in a hundreds of thousands of churches have been planted, recent interview, “For generations, world mission leaders tens of millions of people have become followers of have asked the question how do we complete the task left Jesus, and tens of thousands of poor and unprotected us by our Savior, to take the gospel to every man, woman have been loved and helped. I am humbled to think and child on the planet? …For much of my adult life that of the hundreds of other servants, both Indian and dream was more potential than reality. But, with the size expatriate who worked tirelessly to see this day but of the Church worldwide and the receptivity that the went to be with the Lord before it occurred, leaving Holy Spirit is working out ahead of us, the day is now!” us to experience the fruit of their faithfulness.

Global Fellowship (GF) was designed beyond the The miracle is not over. It is as if all this were merely scope and labor-intensive dynamics of traditional the preparatory interlude for a grander harvest to mission organizations in recruiting, training and come. I don’t know if Patti and I will see the full extent sending missionaries from one country to another. of the history that is about to be written through the GF seeks to catalyze and facilitate national movements Church of India, by the Holy Spirit. We are extremely of the gospel with indigenous leaders and churches. thankful that our history in the nation has enabled the Through this, they are strategically building valuable Spirit of God to quickly give the needed credibility relationships with leaders in specific parts of the world and access to raise up national leaders. Those leaders who will not only be instrumental in evangelizing their are already working diligently in 12 states to release own nation but also effectually reach into contiguous the training to as many local contexts as possible. nations to do the same. By offering training and other resources, GF is empowering the Global Church to Ethiopia was also a joyous surprise. There are about 18 finish the Great Commission within their distinctive million evangelical Christians in the midst of a nation national contexts. Through interdependent cooperation of 80 million. Patti and I meet with an evangelical of the Global Church, completing the task becomes alliance that represents the vast majority of Christians possible, dare we say probable…in our lifetime. and their denominations. We are praying about the invitation issued to us by their executive counsel. The key to completing this task isn’t necessarily church Please pray with us that they and we will clearly hear planting, although this is a significant component from the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your friendship. of the plan. Saturation is the primary emphasis— mobilizing believers to become witnesses to every man, woman and child to offer the gospel in ways that can be seen, heard and experienced. In essence, being what God designed the Church to do.

Currently, GF has established working relationships with the church in Ukraine, India, and the Caribbean, and is developing them in Argentina, Ethiopia, China, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti.

To learn more about Global Fellowship, visit online at gfmission.com. SIERRA LEONE ALLIANCE UPDATE ierra Leone, located in West Africa, is perhaps best known for “Blood Diamonds” and a decade-long Sbrutal civil war that took the lives of an estimated 50,000 people. Although the conflict was officially over in 2002, Sierra Leoneans still struggle today. Their war now is with abject poverty as men, women and children strive to obtain the essentials for life including clean water, sanitation, education, medical care, and the ability to provide for their families.

In the spring of 2009, representatives from EduNations, Global Outreach Mission, Houghton College, Jericho Road Ministries and The Chapel gathered around the table to share how their organizations were serving in Sierra Leone. Finding common ground, they also began to strategize how they could effectively support one another with the purpose of enabling a national redemptive movement of God. Let them LOL joined the Alliance and its ongoing efforts, bringing a distinct passion to provide people with clean water and more recently, building and supporting a home for children in need. Through their collaborative efforts, another year with the Sierra Leone Alliance has brought about new clean water wells, sanitation facilities, schools, Christian education, church planting, micro-finance opportunities and so much more. All of which are instrumental in offering the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that every man, woman and child in Sierra Leone will be able to see and hear.

As a member of the Sierra Leone Alliance, The Chapel supports the efforts of each organization through financial and other resources. This support affords assistance to Alliance members to help take its purpose from the strategy phase to reality, by providing for the many needs of Sierra Leoneans. We hope you enjoy their updates and stories realizing how not just “organizations” benefit from Kingdom Come partnerships, but individuals who now have hearts changed by responding to the gospel and following Jesus. Through your support of Kingdom Come, you are a crucial part of this extraordinary work. Thank you. “ Wound care has taken on a whole new dimension in this ‘rustic’ “EduNations is intended to be a practical, concrete setting. Cleaning and keeping wounds clean is an enormous demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” task where ‘keep it clean and dry’ is nearly impossible...” EduNations Global Outreach Mission Rick Kennedy Dennis Campbell

EduNations was founded in 2004 by three families The Lost Gift (a story from the field): Last year, many which had adopted children orphaned in the “Blood individuals, gave resources and medical supplies so that Diamonds War” fought in Sierra Leone, West Africa. we could deliver them to the Mokanji Hospital, in Sierra It was founded in response to the persistent prayers of Leone, West Africa. The people that gave those supplies those children for their friends who were left behind; did not know how they would be used, nor did they seek prayers of gratitude and intercession from children who any reward for these gifts. However, I think it is important had experienced God’s grace in a real and tangible form. to understand just how powerful this type of giving is, and how it is received in places where we are working and EduNations is intended to be a practical, concrete bringing the love of Christ. demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That demonstration takes the form of schools. EduNations My wife decided to inventory medical supplies given has established and operates eight schools serving more from Western New York… we were eager to figure out than two thousand children who would otherwise just what we had. And that is where I discovered the have absolutely no access to education. EduNations nearly 500 single-use packs of… Surgilube, that very employs a faculty of 100 teachers. All of the EduNations nectar of the operating room, that essence of sterility, schools are free and open to all children. At each that bacteriostatic potion that has saved many lives. school, the students have access to clean drinking water, clean sanitary facilities, food, medicine, and Wound care has taken on a whole new dimension in to the good news of the world’s one true Hope. this ‘rustic’ setting. Cleaning and keeping wounds clean is an enormous task where ‘keep it clean and dry’ is Please pray that Pappa God will continue to bless nearly impossible and it is often lost in translation. It the efforts of EduNations as it seeks to glorify him is impossible to do daily dressing changes, and semi- by serving lost and forgotten children living in the sterile conditions to do dressing changes, well it only remotest parts of the poorest country on the planet. exists in my dreams. So… Surgilube to the rescue!

Soak and thoroughly clean the wound as best you can and lather on the Surgilube. Apply dressing and tell the patient to come back in 3 days. It is a beautiful sight to see a clean wound on the first dressing change and renewed tissue with the second dressing change. As the fame of the treatments spreads, there has been a down side...we are running low on Surgilube.

This is an example how a gift that is given from far away can be such a powerful gift of love and is saving lives. Best of all, the building of relationships so that the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ can be seen is wonderful. Surgilube, is just one of the practical resources, needed in the daily operations of the clinic, and is a reminder of how this donation became just the perfect treatment needed at this location. This is truly a great blessing! 18 | sierra leone alliance “In its second season, the [Mango Outgrowers] project was a “This year we had the privilege to open a children’s home for orphaned children.” huge success, a testament to God’s grace and provision.” Houghton College Let Them LOL Mark Hijleh Joe & Kate Vacanti

From early March to early May, 2012, assisted by the Let Them LOL from day one has been a story of miracles. Sierra Leone Alliance, two Houghton College interns— From a simple idea to help give people clean water, Andrew Bonanno and Anya Jones—worked with World to three years later 55 wells funded, with thousands Hope International in Makeni to help with preparations of people getting access to clean drinking water. for the upcoming mango season as part of the Mango Outgrowers Project. In its second season, the project was This year we had the privilege to open a children’s home a huge success, a testament to God’s grace and provision. for orphaned children. When we arrived this March Farmers sold 45,700 crates of mangoes, a 350% increase to dedicate the home, we faced some challenges. God from last year’s pilot season. The project now links 2,300 helped us through and we were able to move in 23 farmers in 157 village cooperatives to the international orphaned and impoverished children. They are all healthy juice market. and happy and all passed this semester of school!

Houghton College also completed its fourth consecutive There is a very special lady living in Let Them LOL’s Sierra Leone research course in May 2012, led by Hope’s Rising Children’s Home. Her name is Violet. On Dr. Ron Oakerson. Seven students participated. The our first trip we watched her young son ( Jonathan) die research team undertook two tasks: (1) an evaluation of from a water related disease. His story ignited a spark the second mango season, completing interviews in 30 that helped make Let Them LOL what it is today. We villages, and (2) designing and field-testing a baseline maintained a relationship with Violet over the years and study to be used to measure the longer term impact of the invited her to be a house mom in our new children’s home. Mango Outgrowers Project. The baseline study is being Violet and her daughters are thriving in their new home. carried out by World Hope staff at present, after which Houghton faculty and students will participate in analysis Here is an excerpt from a letter Violet wrote to us: of the data collected. These steps will allow the Mango “In a very special way, on behalf of my entire family I Project to continue to grow and bless Sierra Leoneans as a want to thank you very much. Since you entered my measure of God’s grace and provision, done in his name. life, I have realized the presence of God. Because I have started seeing the reality of all you told me.”

sierra leone alliance | 19 Jericho Road Ministries Myron Glick

More than ten years ago, Jericho Road Family Practice earned her professional license as a Registered Nurse. began to provide medical care to approximately 100 We at Jericho Road are very proud of our sister, Phebian refugees from Sierra Leone, Africa on the West Side and many other former refugees in our community! of Buffalo, NY. These displaced people fled a civil war and after spending years in various refugee camps, were For years, Phebian has spoken of the need in Sierra Leone resettled in Buffalo by the United States government. and of her desire to return to her country so she could One of the first refugees we met was a woman named be a part of the rebuilding process there. It is because of Phebian Fengai-Abdulai. She is a mother of five children her passion and faith that we are following her home. In and a pastor’s wife. As a nurse she delivered babies, February 2013, Jericho Road Family Practice is planning to performed minor surgical procedures and administered send another medical team to the Kono District of Sierra medications. When the war came to her home town of Leone. The purpose of this trip will be threefold; to begin Koidu, she fled with her family barely escaping with her construction of a health center and mobile medical clinic life. After many dangerous encounters and unpredictable in Koidu; to provide a one-day medical clinic in each of the circumstances she arrived in Buffalo broken and four targeted outreach communities (Njaima, Tombudu, discouraged. Ultimately, through the support of Journey’s Woama and Tefeya); and to help Phebian establish End Refugee Services, a local church that adopted her the start of our mobile medical clinic health education family, and Jericho Road she experienced healing. Eight outreach program. Phebian has sacrificially agreed to stay years ago Phebian joined the nursing team at Jericho in Sierra Leone for the next six months to help nurture Road and has been a faithful employee ever since. More and implement this vision of providing good quality health recently she continued her Nursing education and care in the name of Jesus to the people of Sierra Leone!

Drilling rig in a Sierra Leone Village

Children of Sierra Leone This is Violet. She is the house mom for Hope’s Rising Children’s Home.

20 | sierra leone alliance “ The Church is the Church only when it exists for others... not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer international partners

Two years have passed since the devastating earthquake in Haiti, and you may be wondering what The Chapel is doing in the long term to help the survivors recover from this natural disaster. Through intensive evaluations of various ministry partnership opportunities, The Chapel found Mission of Hope Haiti (MOH) to resonate deeply with our mission to reach every man, woman and child with the gospel of Jesus Christ in Haiti. Earlier this year, a Chapel leadership team met with MOH to strategize and develop necessary resource needs and mission teams. Partnering with other churches in WNY and nationally, The Chapel plans to assist with these necessary resources to help engage an indigenous redemptive movement of God in specific locations with the hope of further understanding our role in Haiti.

Recently, On Mission was able to catch up with Brad Johnson, President of MOH for an interview. On Mission: What is Mission of Hope’s mission in to Leveque! The community moved over in shifts, as new Haiti? homes came to completion. And again with God’s grace, JoJo was one of the first to receive a brand new home! Brad Johnson: As an organization following Jesus Christ, we seek to bring life transformation The day arrived for the homes to be passed out and to every man, woman and child in Haiti. JoJo was wheeled up to receive the key. In that moment you could see the pride in his face and witness the OM: How is MOH helping in the recovery of Haiti? vindication of many years, not being able to do for himself what others do for themselves every day. Brad: Recovery from the devastating earthquake of 2010 is a part of what we are doing in Haiti, but our It was an amazing and humbling moment for everyone at main objective is to use the entirety of the gospel to reach Mission of Hope to see life transformation happen right the lost in Haiti. Many of the programs we had in place before our very eyes. In total, MOH gave out 100 homes: before the earthquake have simply increased in size since fifty homes to people who were deaf or handicapped 2010. We are feeding nearly 60,000 people a day through and fifty homes to those who had their homes destroyed our Haiti1 program, by the earthquake. will have over 3,000 students in the School An Interview With: On most days you can of Hope this school find JoJo sitting on his year, and we’re excited front porch willing for to see what God is anyone to come by for doing through the Brad Johnson a visit. He is quick to intentionality of our tell you all about what Church Advancement President of Mission of Hope Haiti God did in his life! Program in our surrounding villages. OM: What is on the horizon OM: How has having The Chapel as a ministry for MOH—biggest hurdles, opportunities, and other partner made a difference in the recovery challenges you anticipate MOH will face in 2013? of Haiti through MOH’s ministry? Brad: The horizon holds some amazing opportunities Brad: Because of your sacrificial giving and your to see what God is going to do in Haiti. We have Every Child initiative, we have been able to continue Vision 2015 where we want to see over 10,000 students to provide for and take in orphans into the Village reached by our school systems, over 100,000 with our of Hope orphanage. We are also excited about the Christian Education and Nutrition programs, Church upcoming Church Advancement partnership in the Advancement begin to spread the gospel in depth and community of Bercy, where you have partnered with width in our surrounding communities, and continue us to own the lostness in that geography. We want to raise young leaders that will transform a nation. The to ensure that every man, woman, and child knows major hurdle continues to be keeping pace with the vision Jesus, is educated, and feels the impact of the gospel. that God has put in place. As we continue to grow and expand, we want to make sure that we remain focused on OM: Is there a story you can share about an individual that vision and on the Vision that God has set before us. receiving God’s grace through your ministry? OM: How can The Chapel family best Brad: This is the story of JoJo. His eyes jump with support MOH in prayer? joy and his smile is infectious. As JoJo came forward to receive the certificate and keys for his new home, he Brad: Pray that relationships continue to form, both could hardly contain himself. JoJo was born with no arms in country and across borders that advance the gospel. and no legs. Everywhere he goes he has to have someone Pray that in all of our many activities and projects, we will push him around. And in Haiti, it is survival of the fittest, make sure they are being done for the purpose of putting especially in Cite Soleil where he lived. (Cite Soleil is the gospel in front of as many people as possible. Pray recognized as one of the worst slums in the Western for young men and women in Haiti to continue to grow Hemisphere!) He found himself living in the deaf up with a gospel-centered worldview, and take positions community and will tell you God placed them together. of influence that will begin transforming a nation. JoJo could be their ears and voices, as they became his hands and feet. Through the Grace of God and a beautiful partnership, the deaf community was relocated international partners | 23 Strategic International Partner: HBI Global Partners, Bobby Gupta

Thank you so very much for standing with us prayer and said, “Ma’am, something happened to in this great task of proclaiming the gospel, me when you prayed and I need to talk to you.” discipling people to Christ and bringing them He was still a Hindu but he remembered the into communities of believers. We also want to church visiting his father who was dying from thank you for helping us to train and develop cancer and how they compassionately visited his indigenous leaders who have taken the life-changing home, regularly and faithfully praying for his gospel to millions of unevangelized people and father. He should have died but he is still alive. thousands of unreached villages, so that Christ It was at that moment as the team prayed with is incarnated in the midst of unreached people. him, God broke into his life and helped him Touched by a simple prayer, Kalai became a person understand how resistant he was to God’s grace. whose story is now wrapped into God’s grace! Kalai said, “Ma’am I must have a Bible to read,” Kalai is a young delivery boy for Domino Pizza Malini quickly called the office, and requested for a who grew up in a slum that was greatly impacted Bible to be brought. One of our staff was introduced by the ministry of a local church that turned to Kalai and took him to her office where she shared the community from darkness into light. God’s grace and the message of the cross. That evening was when he experienced God’s saving grace Kalai resisted the gospel but God brought him and forgiveness as Kalai received Christ into his life. one day into our context. A rather impatient short term team dragged him into their blessing Today, Kalai is being discipled by Malini’s for pizza but did not realize what was happening associate Rani. We just want to praise God as they prayed for the food and for Kalai. after years of hearing the gospel, Malini had the privilege of helping him cross that line He got a hold of Malini immediately after the to receive the Lord as his personal Savior.

Strategic International Partner: Patch Our Planet, Steve Gillis

As we sat in our first meeting with our Costa At the end of our week, we sat down for our final Rican church partner, one of my board members meeting. As the pastor and church leadership and I took time to explain that we did not come shared their moving personal experiences with an agenda. We came to serve. Surprisingly, from the orphanages, there was one passionate the room fell silent. After a long pause, the pastor response that I will never forget. One leader spoke up. He was trying to understand why we said, “We must do something!” With that, were really there. We could tell they were excited the ministry to orphans began at El Camino but seemed hesitant because of challenging past Church. We helped them see the need and God partnerships. We were there to serve the church’s moved on their hearts to meet that need. vision in order to reach their community’s orphans. I believe when the Church cares for orphans, So, each day we visited orphanages with leaders God’s smile is on full display. I know it was his from our partner church. It was amazing to grace that opened the door for us that week in watch how God opened their eyes to the Costa Rica. He continues to open doors for Patch enormous needs in their community. They Our Planet. By God’s grace, the echo continues to listened to the challenging stories from some of resound as The Chapel and other churches step up the orphanage directors and met the children to help end the orphan crisis at home and abroad. who were at the center of those stories. We want to see a world where every church in every community is caring for every orphan.

24 | international partners “ ...the teenagers again mocked and laughed. I approached them and preached within three feet of them. They were shocked but listened.” Eduardo Paez, a pastor in Cinco Saltos, Neuquen, pictured with his wife. Strategic International Partner: Strategic International Partner: SCORE International Presidir.net Jeff Hackett Alex Belmar

I first visited the Village of Los Montones in 2003 God’s grace has allowed us to envision and begin with the high school ministry of The Chapel. As we the ministry of Presidir, to assist leadership in the approached the village a sense of oppression, darkness mobilization of the Church, so that every believer came over us. The houses were in disrepair and garbage would be motivated and equipped to share their story strewn all over. A baseball diamond sat, no longer cared of grace. This became a reality in the life and church for. We invited the people to hear and see our ministry. of Eduardo Paez, one of the pastors of a church in They came dressed in torn clothes and curious of us. Cinco Saltos, Neuquen (Southern Argentina). The young men in the back mocked us as we sang and performed our drama. As I preached they laughed Eduardo is a pastor’s son and was raised attending church and mocked what I was saying. No one responded every weekend. Six months ago, Presidir began the process to receive Christ. We left somewhat discouraged. of working with the leadership team of the “Iglesia de Cinco Saltos” around the table and defining God’s vision In 2006, another Score missionary and I preached, the for him and the church. As a result of the process, he teenagers again mocked and laughed. I approached understood God’s vision for him in his role as pastor. them and preached within three feet of them. They were shocked but listened. The missionary returned Eduardo shared, “Before we worked with a shovel every week to build a relationship and ultimately invited and hoe—working programs without a clear vision. them to a camp for a week. Many gave their lives to Now we feel like a surgeon with a scalpel. As a pastor, Christ! Light was beginning to pierce the darkness. I now understand the crucial importance of seeking God and my responsibility before the congregation.” Each time I continued to visit with groups from the States another would surrender to Christ. In 2008, Score’s The church has taken on their circle of responsibility new Bible Institute’s students were these teenagers from for reaching 40,000 people around their church area Los Montones! Along with their hearts the physical to give repeated opportunities to every man, woman appearance of the village also changed, including repair, and child to see and hear God’s redemptive message of paint, a new school building, and a church. And the field grace. The congregation is being equipped and motivated is now manicured like a major league baseball diamond. to live a missional life, sharing their grace story from Monday to Saturday in their circle of influence. The darkness of voodoo and satanic worship of Los Montones involved many of the young men and is As Paul said, “By God’s grace, we are in the now gone! Some of these men have been ordained ministry,” and from grace to grace we want to see and are pastoring churches. They now talk of how the lives of many leaders in the Church in Argentina God might use them to plant more churches in the and Latin America, be transformed so they can Dominican Republic and other parts of the world. challenge the people to fight for the redemption The people of Los Montones have experienced God’s of every man, woman, and child in Argentina. grace first hand. I pray that you would come with me soon to visit these men of God personally. Thank you for being a part of making this possible. We love and appreciate you, and thank God for your lives.

international partners | 25 ABWE ABWE (Church Planting Brazil) (Church Planting Czech Republic) Nathan & Cherith Logan Steven and Cari Wendel

We would like to share a story about God’s grace This year’s 5th of July outreach event promised of provision for our entire church, Igreja Batista to be a good one, with quality beef ready for the Esperança (Hope Baptist Church). For almost two grill, bigger and better fireworks than the year years our church had been renting a conference room before, and a host of new friends and acquaintances in a commercial office building. As growth took place, to invite…nearly all of them unbelievers. the need for more space was apparent, so research on another location began. The week after our search No sooner had we got the meat on the grill, than an began, the building management changed and the enormous storm blew in, and a torrential downpour new manager told us we could no longer have our ensued. The rain was blowing in squalls and lightning services in the building. We only had five days to find struck the power poles outside of our house knocking a new location for the following Sunday but were the power out for the remainder of the evening. As all 40 confident of the Lord’s provision and guidance. of our guests retreated into our home, we lit candles and scrambled to find something to do. A Christian friend Through providential conversations and relationships grabbed a guitar out of our garage and began playing over the next few weeks, our church was offered a rent- worship music. Her father then took the opportunity to free, weekly location at a movie theater in a well-known give his personal testimony of salvation, as he himself shopping mall. On Sunday mornings we have complete trusted Christ through the ministry of missionaries access to two theaters that each seat 180 people as serving behind the Iron Curtain 40 years ago, and well as the kid’s area in the food court. The location encouraged our visitors to likewise believe and pursue is strategic, the people are excited, and we have seen knowing more about God through our family. What continued visitors coming and hearing the gospel! appeared to be a disastrous evening, turned out to be one of the most significant outreaches we held this year! In addition to being blessed with a great location, we have been blessed to work with gifted and godly Brazilian partners. Maicon, our pastoral intern, (pictured above) is reviewing his message before preaching.

Our soccer outreach ministry is growing and needs to find an additional field. After playing basketball most of his life, Nate is enjoying this learning opportunity of just using his feet!

26 | international partners Campus ABWE-GAP John & Bev Crusade for Christ Michael and Amy Ramos

We first met Suumpi in 2007 in Yangon, Myanmar. Many ministry situations that Amy and I have been He invited us to visit his work at the Yuzana involved in this year have been extremely personal Gardens on the outskirts of Yangon. Suumpi and and confidential. Our missionary roles have placed his family were reaching their Burmese Buddhist us in decision-making processes for both individuals community through programs for children, prayer and families who have been impacted by significant and visitation for the sick, and teaching English. life-changing events. We see God’s grace in that we But Suumpi’s vision was much bigger; he saw a need are “welcomed” when serving our staff during these in the community for clean water, and a business difficult times. We have realized that God goes before opportunity to make the church plant self-supporting. us, and through his Spirit gives those that he wants us to serve, the immediate confidence and trust that we We provided a micro-economic loan and “The are there “for” them. The devil’s hand is to divide and Living Water” church plant enterprise was born. conquer by turning his people against each other, but Subsequently, Suumpi has purchased a computer we have put our assurance in God leading rather than in business and opened an outreach center for our “skills and gifts” leading which has led to victories neighborhood children. When the church had for our ministry! We are thankful and appreciate The sufficient funds to build, he told me, “We need Chapel’s support for what we do at Campus Crusade bricks, but I don’t want bricks, I want a brick maker for Christ. Please keep our two roles in your prayers so after we finish the church we can launch another in that they continue to support our missionaries and small business to provide more jobs for people in the their families to have effective undistracted ministry. community.” Along with The Living Water enterprise, the “Winning Star” Computer training center for youth, and the recently purchased brick maker, Suumpi is also supervising tract translation and distribution to evangelists and Christians in other unreached areas. Please join us in praying for Suumpi, and his wife, Man Maan, who are expecting their second child.

international partners | 27 Transformation Word of Life Bolivia Mongolia Juan & Noemi Lella Axel Fischer

The story of grace we would like to share is about a planned In the city of Guayaramerin (near the Brazilian border), we suicide that turned into a powerful salvation! Budee was went to a school to present an evangelism program: “Born successful and lived with his family. But everything changed Again to a Living Hope.” We knew that in this school they when his wife left him. He was crushed, and he tried to escape sell drugs, that there are gangs, and serious social conflicts. his pain by drinking alcohol. Soon he was grabbed by the addiction, and even his last friends left him. He ended up on At the end of the presentation, while we were talking with the street, known for being permanently drunk and crazy. the students, we had the opportunity to chat with a boy who was alone, and who had an “effeminate appearance.” One day he got a gun, put it to the head, and was about ready His name was “Joselito” and he was 15 years old. We shared to pull the trigger. He couldn’t do it. He wanted to get more the gospel with him and he began to cry inconsolably for alcohol first. So he went to a shop, and as he was talking to many minutes. When we shared that “we are all sinners,” the seller, she told him that there is hope for him; he should the boy said that he was “very sinful and God would not come to church tomorrow. I happened to be there that be able to pardon him,”… and he continued to cry. morning, since I was traveling to our countryside daughter churches. The service had started, and as I was preaching When asked what was wrong, he said, “I feel dirty, Budee bumped in. He first squeezed in the back between dirty, dirty, and nothing can clean me.” We showed the people. As I was sharing about the overflowing life him in the Bible about the great forgiveness of which overcomes death, he jumped up and cried out of his God and finally, Joselito received Christ. devastating situation, “I want to kill myself! There is no hope!” After this we asked him, “What is it that was keeping you I encouraged him to listen to this good news, which is from receiving God’s forgiveness?” Joselito said his mother for him. The church people were comforting him and was separated from his father, and that her current partner loving him. He became calm, finally peaceful, and at the would come into Joselito’s room drunk every night and end even joyful and full of hope. He gave his life to Jesus. sexually abuse him. For this reason, he felt very bad. Since that day he hasn’t had a single drop of alcohol and is in daily fellowship with our local pastor. Just a few Now Joselito is being discipled by a missionary in days ago, I came back to that town in the countryside. that city. Additionally, we made a legal complaint After visiting Budee in his home, I can personally testify in order to bring order to the situation. to how Jesus has saved and transformed the man!

Axel and Budee, pictured above, taken August 9th 2012, he was saved April 29th 2012.

28 | international partners The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ… If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.

C. S. Lewis

An Interview With: On Mission: Please introduce us to what Christ Together is and share how it is connected to the Renovation Network.

R yan Kozey: Christ Together and Renovation Network R yan Kozey took part in a merger over the past 12-15 months. The new expression of that group is now going to be known as Christ Together. The addition of Christ Together from Chicago, Hill of Christ Together Country Bible Church in Austin, and The Chapel in Buffalo has been a great source of encouragement and momentum as we seek to take an intentional look at giving every man, Recently, On Mission was able to catch up with woman and child, the repeated opportunity to see, hear, and Dr. Ryan Kozey, Director of Strategic Initiatives respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The leadership for The Chapel and a National Delivery Team from Jerry Gillis (Buffalo), Daryl Largis (Buffalo), Tim Hawks member for Christ Together on the merger of Christ (Austin), Bob King (Austin), Jamie Wamsley (Chicago), and Together and the Renovation Network. Ryan is Scott Chapman (Chicago), has been incredible, and we are so able to share insights and expectations for moving excited to see what this journey of partnership will develop into. forward in unity as Renovation principles continue to gather significant influence on a national level. OM: With Christ Together and Renovation Network unifying their efforts, what is the scope and depth of the influence we now have in the US and abroad?

Rnya : We now have a documented “reach” to over 1,000 churches domestically in the United States. While not all churches exhibit the same level of partnership that some key stakeholders in the movement do, having such a platform to begin to penetrate other churches in the US with these ideas is incredibly exciting.

OM: What is Christ Together on course to accomplish in 2013?

Rnya : First and foremost, we are galvanizing our core group of participants before the end of 2012. In November, we will be meeting in Austin, TX with about 150-200 of our closer partners within the merged network, taking the time to walk them through what the new Christ Together looks like and what we are endeavoring to do in the years to come.

Additionally, we are in the process of establishing a cohesive, digital presence where we can direct people toward if they demonstrate an interest in taking ownership of the geography that God has placed them in. That digital presence will help to assimilate what we believe are three essential core groups in the understanding of our ethos (the justification for why we should endeavor to do this) and methodology (the framework through which we should constantly assess ourselves and our impact on the lostness of our geography), which are 1) Network and Denominational leaders; 2) Church/Pastoral Staff leaders; 3) Christians who want to see God do amazing things in their workplace, their family, and in their neighborhood.

32 | national partners OM: What is the greatest challenge Christ In 2013, we will gather for the first time, under the banner Together anticipates in the coming year? of Christ Together, nationally! It is our sincere hope and belief that many will be excited about what they have Rnya : A decentralized network requires very an opportunity to join us in. I’m grateful for a variety of intentional communication and intentional presence in networks throughout the country, but I’m very excited between the times where we are not physically together about the ethos and methodology that we will put forth, in the same room. I believe that our ability to navigate because it is correlated with what rises up out of Scripture. this endeavor while not being in the same place at the same time, all of the time, will be a challenge for us. The OM: How do you see God at work in Christ times that we are together physically generate incredible Together through the network as a whole? momentum (as evidenced by what took place in our official merger in Atlanta, GA in June). We need to Rnya : Unfortunately, one of the struggles that I’ve seen continue that momentum and communication in the within church leadership in my years in ministry is a desire times that are between our getting together face-to-face. to control things. In many ways, I think that hampers us in our ability to release people into ministry domains that OM: How can The Chapel family God has created for them (home, workplace, neighborhood, best pray for Christ Together? etc.). I have not experienced that in our partnership with the godly men that have been contributing to this merger. Rnya : Sometimes I feel as if people look at prayer Watching a lead pastor default to someone else, based as a given, but that someone will be committed to on their skill set or ability is an amazing thing to see. I’m doing that for us. Frankly, that’s a frustrating thing grateful for the opportunities I have personally had to for me, because I have struggled with that in my own provide some level of leadership in this, but the reality is I life. The best thing that I can think of is to envision could not do that without the willingness of other leaders our Chapel family with the following idea: to distribute the responsibility before us. I’m grateful for that. And I believe we are better positioned because of that. Every Sunday, if you attend The Chapel, you come into an atrium that is bustling with people, and above those OM: Is there an individual’s story of grace people is a very clear mission—to give every man, woman, that stands out that you could share? and child the repeated opportunity to hear, see, and respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ. I think that Rnya : Yes, my wife and I have been on a journey in many have seen it. But have we actually thought about our lives where we have been compelled by the gospel the weight of that? Have we thought about what that is to open up our home as foster parents. This may or may going to take in order to make that happen in Niagara not lead to adoption, but we have seen how God’s Word and Erie county? Have we truly wrestled with how to do is clear in providing for the orphan and the widow. As that for more than 310 million Americans? That message, that has happened to us, God has surrounded us with if we are not careful to feel the weight of it, can become other families who have been faithful in that journey: what many mission statements become—rhetoric. My - The King family who has been heavily prayer is to ask for The Chapel family to help us not let involved in foster care in Austin, TX. that mission statement be simply words. Rather, pray - The Chapman family who has adopted that it would come alive in a way that we would have no two beautiful girls from overseas. earthly understanding of what happened in our geography - The Brunelles who have been heavily involved in foster and in the geography of the United States, except to say care in Cleveland, OH and have even taken on adopting that GOD did something AMAZING in this country! a handful of high needs children in the process. There are men and women in the United States right These men are key leaders in Christ Together now that The Chapel is in lock step with, and they are nationally or regionally. As Erin and I had prayed passionately serious about that. Pray that God would about this, God surrounded us with incredible help the members of Christ Together to continue to yield examples and their grace stories motivated us to the Holy Spirit’s direction in all of this. Pray that we beyond belief. We have taken one girl in, and we are would make much of God. Pray that the words above excited with whatever God would have for us. us every Sunday in The Chapel would come to life here in Niagara and Erie County and throughout the US.

national partners | 33 “ Our goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to the hockey community in each state, impacting coaches, players and family members to grow Strategic National Partner: in their relationship with our Heavenly Father.” Renovation University Fellowship of Christian

ne does not have to look very far to see the Athletes Ice Hockey Ministry challenges faced by leaders in ministry today from Rick Randazzo, National Director Ofailing marriages, personal moral lapses, loneliness, exhaustion, frustration in leading others, unrealistic Following the Lord’s plan for our lives requires us to expectations, lack of resources, inability to execute and have a tremendous amount of faith and trust in him. an incomplete understanding of themselves. These This past year, our family embarked on a five-year challenges, if not addressed, have the potential to journey that will see us live in all 50 states, spending corrupt character, ruin careers and adversely impact one month in every state across the United States. entire ministries. Even so, there is opportunity. God is Our goal is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to moving and desires to continue his redemptive work the hockey community in each state, impacting in and through his people. This will require competent, coaches, players and family members to grow in their capable and Renovation-minded leaders in the time to relationship with our Heavenly Father. As we set come. In response to this need, Renovation University out to Portland, Maine last August, our plan was to became an outgrowth of the Renovation Institute, reach coaches and players who did not know Jesus Renovation Network and Global Fellowship as an effort on a personal level. As we started to accomplish this to strategically equip ministry leaders today so that they mission, something else happened in our lives that will stay strong for tomorrow. was unexpected. The people we were ministering to started ministering to us. How amazing it was In March 2011, a select group of pastors began to receive encouragement, support, love and prayer a two-year journey together through the intense from families, coaches, and people we had just met… leadership training at Renovation University (Reno pretty awesome. Looking back, I am amazed how U). Our pilot program participants will complete the God shared his love and grace with us through his course and graduate in December 2012. Participants people. As we served them, they turned around persevered through stacks of reading and writing, and served us—a true Acts 2:42 community. coupled with all-day conferences four times a year and activities that ranged from Lectio Divina to sky Ministry highlights for us included: high adventures on zip lines to street ministry with - The Randazzo family completed the first Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission. Reno U is intentional, 10 states on our 50 State 50 City tour. challenging, and cultivates an environment designed - During seven summer hockey camps across to equip and to empower the next generation of the United States we saw 45 players accept ministry leadership so that they can live, lead and Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and serve well, consistent with the purposes of God. 44 others recommited their lives to Jesus. - Traveled to Erzurum, Turkey and conducted “ Much of Bible College teaches us who God is through four on-ice hockey clinics for Muslim theology and biblical studies classes. Churches are youth hockey players and coaches. designed to bring us closer to God. Reno U is designed to help leaders discover who they really are and how God has made them. RU trains leaders to run “the Race” with excellence for a lifetime.” Dennis D’Augostine Singing Waters Christian Center Enrique Dominguez, Pastor

“Potluck Christianity”—a gathering place where everyone brings something to the table. Thursday afternoons folks come bringing a favorite dish to share. Music begins playing and it is on…laughter, catching up and, of course, a feast. At “sevenish” the café room is filled as people sit around tables with their refreshments and desserts while they talk about their week. Word Of Life Locak Church Ministries - SUPERBOWL Music starts as we offer our gratitude through song to our Savior, hearts stirred, prayers given, Scriptures shared, and people touched. A time of quiet reflection, Word of Life Local listening to Jesus…he is not just the “guest of Church Ministries honor,” he is the “emcee.” Opening question is asked, interactive teaching follows. Closing question is Rod & Jamie Whitney presented and the application of truth is forged.

Support from The Chapel has helped us significantly in Each table has its own story that is being fashioned. our ministry here in Buffalo, Rochester and the entire Peter and Jackson lead the AA table helping their Northeast. Annually we run an all-night event called friends find Jesus. Andrew leads the high school group SUPERBOWL. Last November we presented the gospel during table talk, Teresa speaking into the lives of to 1,300 students and leaders in the northeast and 19,700 the Jr. High girls group, the prayer team going deep nationally. In Rochester, 138 students came forward as usual, and Spanish is overheard as Luis leads the to receive Christ and were counseled, given a Gospel conversation in their native language. Every table of John and a follow-up booklet called First Steps. has a story that has been written with new chapters added. Stories of grace received, mercy given, healing I would love to share just one story from a 13 year old experienced, truth discovered. Potluck Christianity… girl, Emma, who wrote saying, “This was my second year of going to the SUPERBOWL. My fav part was the speech we got before all the games began…when SEND he asked people to come…I just stood and walked up. Kent & Joan Wilson The woman (counselor) I was with was so nice and she understood everything and when we were done praying I Mobilizing can be frustrating at times, and it makes was thinking about everything that I knew was a horrible me wonder if I am effective in presenting the need for sin and I felt like it was lifted off of my shoulders…I workers to serve in missions. Then the Lord brings know that now I have a place in heaven when I die.” into my life a young man like Pavel M.— a man full of excitement and enthusiasm to work in Ukraine to What a JOY to partner with The Chapel in reaching plant churches and evangelize. He already speaks the hundreds of students for Christ! Your prayers and language and has a wife and four children. He has a true support really touch many lives. Thank you! burden to reach these people. He knows he needs to raise support for this endeavor, and he trusts God to help him reach this goal so he can go and minister in Ukraine.

I have enjoyed talking with him and helping him learn the process of getting to the field. His willingness and patience as he prepares to go through the necessary procedures is a true joy and encouragement to me.

The Lord already knows who will come into his kingdom as a result of faithful service and obedience to preach God’s truth. Faithfully doing my part is what God asks of me, and I praise him for his guidance in my life.

national partners | 35 ISAIAHthe 61 PROJECT article by jon cook

“The Isaiah 61 Project has positioned itself to bring numerous churches, service providers, businesses, foundations, government entities and educational institutions together to reclaim this city and its people for Him…one home, one family, one person at a time.” Jim Haid oday I had an eye-opening, yet encouraging experience as I met with Jim Haid, an awesome guy who’s in the trenches of ministryT here in Western New York. He’s heading up a new ministry endeavor called the “Isaiah 61 Project.” The Isaiah 61 Project has set up shop right in the heart of poverty, in the city of Niagara Falls. Their office is in the poorest neighborhood in the entire city. While some might see that as depressing, there is hope everywhere you look when you see through the lens of this new ministry!

Isaiah 61’s mission is to “provide repeated exposure to the gospel through the vehicle of serving the immediate material and vocational needs of the city’s residents.” From what I saw and heard, they are poised to do exactly that! They are partnering with several churches and other ministries to see that the gospel is made known and the tangible love of Christ displayed.

Honestly, as I walked the streets with Jim, I was saddened to remember “Approximately 60% how some people in my own backyard are of the city’s residents living. As he reminded receive some sort of me, this is as much of a mission field as anywhere public assistance, while else in the world. Gang influence, corrupt 21% of the residential officials, drug use running rampant, abandoned property remains buildings, and so much vacant.” Jim Haid more make the situation volatile. How can the people living here have a fighting chance for success and change with all of these variables against them? Well, that’s where Isaiah 61 wants to change the game! They have met with city officials and are preparing to receive abandoned buildings off the city’s ownership roles. Training classes will be offered to area residents providing them with basic skills to find a job, and these abandoned buildings will be their training ground. Renovating these buildings into usable space will provide work for the people and experience to find a place in the workforce. The fruit of the work will transform abandoned buildings that no one wants into desperately needed quality housing, not owned by slum lords, but by those who care for the community and love the people who need them. Looking at this neighborhood while hearing Jim’s heart and vision for what God could do made me excited! How cool is that he and those serving with him are willing to step out in faith, believing that God loves these people and has a plan for them, and knowing that the love of Christ can be shared through these actions. I’m so thankful for him, and for those like him, who don’t just talk about what could be but are getting it done!

regional partners | 37 ABWE Pastor Al Cockrell

Sacrifices are being made by those who have dedicated themselves to do whatever it takes and go wherever God leads in order to “complete the task the Lord Jesus has given… testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” Sacrifices like the one Nadine Hennesey made after her husband of less than a year died suddenly of heart failure while still in his twenties. Nadine was expecting her first child. Strategic Regional Partner: For a time, all her dreams of serving the Lord with her husband somewhere in the world were over. After a long struggle in dealing with her loss, she Vision New York again began to dream of how she fit into God’s big Jim Hines picture. As a single mother with an understanding of what it is like to suddenly lose one’s mate, she ver the past year, God has moved in some looked toward Kosovo where war between the amazing ways and has opened doors with leaders Serbs and Albanians in 1998 and 1999 had killed throughout the NYC Metro area. As we interact with huge numbers of young to middle-aged men Oleaders around our region, we are looking to build leaving thousands of single moms and orphans. partnerships with those who share our vision of seeing the gospel presented to every man, woman and child Nadine applied and was accepted as ABWE’s in our city, region, nation and the world. God has been first-ever single mom-to-be granted opportunity gracious to allow connections to be made and strategic to go to the mission field. Her tragic experience partnerships to be formed. uniquely equipped Nadine for her initial ministry which was to establish friendships with the widows One specific example would be that we recently of the war dead who grieved deeply, suffering completed the “Renovation” training with a group of from confusion and heartbreak. These contacts pastors on Long Island. This was a great opportunity led her to start what has become a school called to cast vision and help these leaders shape and define the “House of Laughter.” The school gained such their ministry’s mission, vision and values, bringing positive reviews from the national leadership them in alignment with God’s “Missio Dei.” During this that the government has granted ABWE a large ten-month process, we met together every thirty days to piece of land in the center of Kosovo where discuss the materials we were interacting with and seek Nadine will head up a fully-equipped school. the Lord for his direction. Recently, leaders from Kosovo visited the home In February of this year, we had the privilege of having offices of ABWE. God has granted favor to our Dwight Smith come to New York and walk our team mission agency, mainly because of how effectively through the final session of the Renovation training. We God has used Nadine to impact that war torn finished that session by asking the question, “What’s country. It is strongly Muslim, but because of next?” for this group of men. The conclusion was that Nadine’s sacrifice, hundreds of women and in early 2013, we are planning to start another session countless children have been won to Christ. of Renovation training and walk a new group of leaders through the principals that lead to Saturation Church A personal note from Pastor Al: Thank you for the Planting. In addition, we are asking God to help us open faithfulness that you have demonstrated over these past two other Renovation Centers somewhere in the NYC 24 months. I never dreamed that when Kingdom Come Metro Area. was initiated that I would be one of the recipients of the generosity of the people who we challenged to Thank you so much for partnering with Vision New “Get Out of the Box.” Get out of the box they did! York as we pursue the vision of presenting the gospel to Little did we know what God really wanted to do. every man, woman and child together! So now we rejoice in it, and praise his great name!

38 | regional partners “Our activities include Lasertron,... our big ‘slope and slide,’ and our “ Forty-five families took advantage of the Christmas Shop, and no family recreation room with ping pong, fooz-ball, four square, and more.” needed to spend more than $20 total.” Circle “C” Ranch Destination Life Fellowship Wes Aarum, Sr. Mark & Anne Perkins

This summer at Circle ‘C’ Ranch was terrific. Every On December 17, 2011, Destination Life Fellowship Monday night in chapel we had scores of campers in Niagara Falls was able to set up our first “Affordable step out publicly to accept Christ. Staff members were Christmas Shop” at American Legion Post 1644. This called, and they came forward to counsel one of the was possible because members of The Chapel generously campers, girl with girl and boy with boy. They sat all over donated gifts for all ages. Families that we minister to the Chapel and with their Bible in hand they led the through our clothes closet/food pantry were able to camper to Christ as they had been taught in training. buy gifts for their family members at greatly reduced prices, mostly between 50¢ and $5.00. Forty-five families Improvements are happening at Circle “C” Ranch! took advantage of the Christmas Shop, and no family We transformed our platform with a new lighting needed to spend more than $20 total. This was a great system and a new sound system. We also lifted our opportunity not only for families to buy affordable gifts, stage three feet higher so now everyone can see. but for us to present the gospel and minister to them.

We did something ‘new’ this year. We had some of our We are sending a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who male staff preach to the seniors on Tuesday, Wednesday, generously donated to this ministry effort in providing and Thursday, and they did well. We will not be gifts for families who couldn’t otherwise afford them. surprised if a few of them change their college major and enter the ministry. We have had it happen before.

Our activities include Lasertron, rock wall climbing, horseback riding, swimming in two beautiful pools, sand volleyball, basketball, our big ‘slope and slide,’ and our recreation room with ping pong, fooz- ball, four square, and more. Food is very important, and we have the best served family style (all you can eat). We do have fun at Circle ‘C’ Ranch!

regional partners | 39 “An annual Labor Day party has been catalytic for us, and the believers are “ We are a place where the “least of these” can be welcomed without catching the vision of how we can reach our entire community together.” judgment... such is the grace of our God through our Lord Jesus Christ!” Life Transforming Ministries Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission Dolph Laraio Shaun Smith

God has shown incredible grace to the ministry Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission is a grace-based this year. As we unite the body of Christ in the ministry where the love of Christ is shared daily to Philadelphia area to reach every man, woman, and struggling men, women and even children…many child, God has allowed many hearts and minds to be suffering through uncontrollable circumstances such more open to what he is doing. Pastors are coming as job loss or perhaps bad choices leading them to together and prayer-watered, Spirit-led plans are helpless situations or even terrible addictions. being made to reach our region with the gospel. We are a place where the “least of these” can be welcomed Also, locally, the believers in our neighborhood are without judgment… such is the grace of our God beginning to meet to talk about how we can reach through our Lord Jesus Christ! We are a place of second, our direct neighbors and build relationships with third and virtually unlimited chances, as one strives to them. An annual Labor Day party has been catalytic find purpose within a hopeless life. As the ground is for us, and the believers are catching the vision of level at the cross of Jesus, so it is at the front door of how we can reach our entire community together. the Mission… for every story here, is a “grace” story.

We are encouraged by staff growth this year as Growing from a vision to a new, thriving, rescue ministry, well. People are stepping out in faith, trust, and we are serving food and shelter daily, and we thank our hope because they know God is with them in this Lord Jesus Christ for churches like The Chapel. You effort. And the support of folks from The Chapel are truly the life-giving “heart” that nourishes and are and elsewhere is a clear manifestation of that often the “hands” of the Body of Christ in the mission confidence. Thank you for your faithfulness! fields of cities like Niagara Falls. Thank you for helping us with our portion of the gospel’s work of grace!

40 | regional partners “Our Sunday Children/Youth attendance is up 75%; due largely to God leading “ When my son was at risk of walking away from God... they invested in him kids to this space through outreach efforts that occur during the week.” and are encouraging him to live out a faith in Jesus that’s his own.” The Springville Crossing Church The Rock Community Church Keith Clark Mike Hopkins & Dave Brunelle

Last year we shared how God allowed us to be a part of Sandra and her two teenage children came to The an amazing story for his glory. It involved a drug addicted Rock in the midst of a very difficult season for their barber whose shop was attached to the theater where we family. She says, “My faith was faltering and so was worship. A relationship was built, much prayer occurred, my kids’. I just needed a place for my kids and me to an intervention happened, and he went to rehab. The come and hear simple faith in Jesus taught.” When church then converted the barber shop into a youth Sandra came, she found the multi-ethnic congregation center. As Paul Harvey would say, “and now, for the rest so warm and loving that she felt at home right away. of the story…” well, thus far anyway. This young man has completed rehab through Teen Challenge and has even Through worship services that had a simple focus on been serving there. The church was blessed to hear his, Jesus Christ and his Gospel, and her involvement in a and other testimonies, one amazing Sunday. We have women’s Bible study, her faith was strengthening. Leaders since been building a relationship with Teen Challenge as at The Rock began praying with and for Sandra regularly, we see God bringing to us many struggling addicts. And and she began to sense God working in the situations now, as this young man assimilates back into society, he her family was dealing with. “Not only was my faith is connecting with The Crossing, attending on Sundays, strengthened but several leaders engaged my kids. When being ministered to throughout the week, and seeking my son was at risk of just walking away from God and ways to serve. Truly, amazing! But, that is only part of it. the Church, they invested in him and are encouraging him to live out a faith in Jesus that’s his own.” Remember the space converted to a Youth Center? Our Sunday Children/Youth attendance is up 75%; due largely Now Sandra and her children have a renewed to God leading kids to this space through outreach efforts hope and are deeply connected to The Rock that occur during the week. A relationship is built, an through several different ministries and also serve invite is extended, and the people come! God is the Great together as a family on the worship team. Recycler! He is doing it with this young man before our eyes, and he has done it with the space. God has allowed We are sending a heartfelt “thank you” to everyone who us to experience other amazing stories in 2012 but we felt generously donated to this ministry effort in providing a “to be continued” was appropriate. Thanks Chapel! gifts for families who couldn’t otherwise afford them.

regional partners | 41 local partnerships

Strategic Local Partner: Buffalo City Mission Stuart Harper Lois, 25+ year volunteer

The Buffalo City Mission exists to meet the spiritual and practical needs of the poor through the demonstration of the love and the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“The fellow that has no money is poor. The fellow that has nothing but money is poorer still.” Billy Sunday, Founder of the Buffalo City Mission

Many poor come to the mission homeless, feeling hopeless and helpless to make the needed changes to provide for their daily needs. By meeting the practical needs we are able to share the grace of God, to give value and meaning to the lives of others and to share the gospel with individuals that are hurting and spiritually dying.

One of the disciples said this so very well, “When I was on the street I had all the money in the world, but was eating out of a dumpster. When I came to the mission I had no money and had everything.” He had found the Lord and had all he really needed.

Together the community and the Buffalo City Mission serve the poor of our community. This service takes place as individuals and groups volunteer. Our church ambassadors, businesses, civic organizations and others who have a heart to make a difference in the lives of others, help show that the grace of God is alive and active at the Buffalo City Mission. XCEL leadership Center Toni Benjamin

This year, two adults in particular have moved from having ‘jobs’ working with children, to building ‘careers’ in the service of youth. Ashley Gorny had “years of experience” before her Buffalo State College Service Learning Class brought her to XCELr8 for a semester. That semester of tutoring and mentoring students turned into a full year as a strategic partner of XCEL Leadership Center. Even Ashley’s family noticed the difference that service and leadership development made in her life. Ashley was a changed woman. Her experience Broadway Hope at XCELr8 secured a coveted internship in one of Erie County’s student and family advocacy Scott Steger organizations. The leadership skills and training that Ashley cultivated were essential to charting I was saved by God’s grace in February of 1993. out a new path of youth counseling and education. Transformed, made clean and my feet set upon a After her college graduation and a relaxed brand new hope-filled path. I stepped off the broad work schedule, Ashley could follow her father’s way of destruction onto a narrow way of life and urging and “go back to serving at XCELr8.” peace. The first verse that God gave me was Matthew 7:13-14; here Jesus speaks about “the broad road Ayla Ruiz-Torres is another excellent example to destruction and the narrow road to life.” of cultivation of the leadership skills she was born with. Ayla ‘thought’ she did not A few years later while my brother was researching absolutely love working with students. Then our family history, he discovered that the a year of directing XCELr8 transformed her German name Steger refers to “one who lives thinking. Now, Ayla is even more engrossed near a narrow path.” Today, outside our door at in serving youth and young adults in various Broadway Hope, a narrow path winds back to ways throughout the city of Buffalo. the beautiful land which we have been blessed with for the opportunity to share the gospel. We also wanted to share this recent note: “I am the parent of two XCELr8 students. I also Because of sin we are born on this broad way. Thanks completed the Making End$ Meet (Your Goals): to God’s love and grace, he offers every man, woman Financial Literacy Training workshop. It has and child an opportunity to walk the narrow way. given me a better understanding or a better God continues to bless Broadway Hope by bringing outlook on my finances and how important many to experience a natural and God blessed it is to stick to a budget on a monthly basis. environment. Here, they are given the opportunity to I have learned how to keep accurate records make that most important decision, to follow Jesus. effectively, and the importance of being consistent. I even came up with a few ideas on how to generate a second income. The workshop has helped me find the resources to take steps to obtaining my first home. Thank you XCEL!”

making a difference in our community Buffalo Christian Center Campus Ambassadors Jim Swearingen Paul Decker

From our “Merge” youth ministry: Jack, who Alyssa was on a journey, trying to figure out what makes was 16 years old, entered Merge for the first Christians tick. Having grown up in an atheistic Buddhist time. He had previously been hanging with home, religion did not make sense to her. But her new-found other young guys attending the program and friends of Campus Ambassadors (CA) at UB intrigued her. they encouraged him to come to Merge. The consensus was that he would probably never We invited Alyssa to Infusion (CA’s end of the year come, and that his life style included drug dealing regional retreat) and her answer was a clear “no.” But and wild living. Well, someone had been wrong. the CA community communicated how much they It just so happened that on his first night, the wanted her to be there. The day before Infusion began, topic was hurt and pain, which encompassed past Alyssa registered online and bought train tickets. grievances afflicted on us by those closest to us. At the retreat, Alyssa was having a great time, but she was also After the large group discussion, we broke down very serious. She attended my class, “Is Jesus Really God?” into smaller groups and stories began gushing out During the class, she was extremely attentive. She asked about abandonment, harassment, molestation, intelligent questions as we covered the classic argument of shootings and many unimaginable situations C. S. Lewis in Mere Christianity: Jesus is either a liar, lunatic, that these young people had experienced. Jack or Lord. Clearly, she was wrestling with the choices. was in a small group. The conversation was so intense that even when everyone was dismissed, After our evening worship, Alyssa grabbed one of our many stayed behind. The small group had other students, Andre, and peppered him with questions diminished to five teens, four of them knew for three hours. Every objection she could come up both Christ and Jack. The youths left in the with, Andre handled deftly and graciously. discussion had each shared their stories with Jack, and Jack had accepted Christ into his The next day, Alyssa came to me to talk. I told her about the time heart. A few weeks later, Jack was at Merge I first encountered Lewis’ argument and how I kept looking for greeting his friends with hugs and they assured the loophole. Not to my surprise, she said, “Me too!” and then me that he was pursuing his walk with Christ! told me about her conversation with Andre (of which, until that moment, I was unaware). “In the end,” she said, “I got it.”

“Got it?” I questioned. “What do you mean?”

“I am a Christian,” Alyssa stated and then explained how she had decided to become a Christian, and how Andre had led her in prayer.

I don’t think I will ever be able to describe the joy of that moment. Two years of conversations, texts, hugs, meetings over lunch, emails, and genuine compassion for her needs—communicated by CA staff and friends—had borne eternal fruit. It was a day to dance.

44 | local partners Christian Central Academy Christian Counseling Nurline Lawrence Ministries of WNY Story by Debby White Timothy & Cheryl Chambers For the sixth consecutive year, as a culmination of their experience at Christian Central Academy, CCA’s How does one explain how a young child could face seniors embarked on a mission trip to the Dominican such horrific sexual abuse by her dad and by God’s Republic with the intent to serve, share the love of Jesus grace not remember it until she was 21 years of age, Christ, minister to the physical needs of the people, when he picked her up from college and raped her? Up and assist with small building projects in churches. to that point she had completely blocked out the events While year-long training prepared the students for which were at that very moment flooding her brain. most of the trip, the actual experience of being far At times she would completely dissociate from reality out of their “comfort zone” proved transformational and one time found herself in a ditch after driving in for many in the class. Close living quarters on the on-coming traffic. God spared her the memory of the SCORE International compound, coupled with each abuse when it happened and he then kept her safe when one daily extending him or herself in ministry brought he believed she was ready to face it. Through five long about a unique bonding in the class. Several students years we have sorted through each of those flashbacks expressed how, by reaching out to orphans, the poor and discovered a seed of hope as she has finally put and the uncared-for, their faith and trust in the Lord words to her unexplained “bleeding heart.” She said to Jesus Christ was deepened and nurtured. They saw me the other day, “You know I am finally beginning God answer prayer and work in their own lives and to believe that there is a time when the flashbacks will the lives of their classmates. The senior mission trip end.” That was a monumental discovery for her. God is one expression of CCA’s constant commitment has by his grace taken back her mind and reclaimed it as a school to provide every opportunity for each as his own and she is experiencing the freedom that student to be transformed in heart and mind through comes with his daily all sufficient doses of grace. a Christ-centered worldview, taught and trained to serve the world through their character and leadership.

local partners | 45 Cross Training Football Mike Masters

This past year, Cross Training Football (CTF) was on more than 40 campuses across WNY and the southern tier sharing biblical principles of how to become Luke 2:52 people.

The tremendous evidence of God moving through CTF was seen in discipling interns—with one of them receiving City Vision Jesus as his Lord and Savior. We also thank Christ for the one-on-one discipleship opportunities with coaches Jim & KJ Swearingen and our group discipleship with coaches which grew to over 13. One of our coaches has taken an active role in the A grace story at City Vision this year is the opportunity ministry as co-host on the new CTF radio show “Heart of God is giving us to impact the lives of “young leaders” a Champion.” Last week he asked, “Mike I wonder if God who live and serve in the city. We placed three walked among us—would he be a football fan? We are summer interns with our City Vision Community trying to win souls for him!” Another coach stated at his Partners working with kids in poverty. Their lives were sports banquet that CTF has made him a better husband, impacted as they took steps in their faith journey to dad, and coach. learn about justice and God’s concern for the poor. God’s presence was so powerful throughout the summer. We are also thankful for the seven young leaders that One night in particular, a still came over a football camp in God led to us for mentoring and personal discipleship. Elba, NY as we shared the gospel. The Spirit of the living We believe there is no short cut for long-term leadership God came down on 300 plus football players, more than development! God gave us opportunity to teach them 200 prayed to receive Jesus. The next night the camp ran the Bible, walk alongside them in life, help to establish out of Bibles after giving away more than 160. Praise God ministry houses for intentional living, and mentor them as for his everlasting love and pursuit of us; it is a privilege to they assumed ministry roles with teens. What a joy to see influence our community in his Name! young leaders teaching and serving the next generation! It is only by the grace of God that we have opportunities to “. . . entrust [these truths] to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2 NIV).

46 | local partners Generation Church Good News Jail & Chad Rieselman Prison Ministry I never thought that a flower shop would be the Alex True kind of place that God would use to begin building Generation Church. After all, I am a manly man. I recently received an e-mail from a young woman who What on earth would I be doing in a flower shop? informed me that her co-worker’s boyfriend had been booked into the Niagara County Jail. She asked if I would My family moved here from Binghamton, NY in August go and see him. When I met with A.D. (not his real of 2011. My wife, Christina, was four months pregnant name) he indicated that he had been raised in a traditional with our third child at the time. Her water broke on church, but “didn’t have much use for religion personally.” October 17. We rushed her to Women’s and Children’s I shared the message of Christ with A.D., and he was Hospital where she would need to stay put until our open and attentive to the gospel. A few days later A.D. baby was born. Now I had a reason to stop for flowers. was released from jail. I received another e-mail from the woman stating, “[He] was released last night at 7:00 p.m. He I walked into Hock’s Flower Shop and was immediately had no idea and was completely surprised. He told his family greeted with a great big smile by Marie. Through the and his girlfriend about your visit. He really enjoyed meeting process of picking out flowers, our conversation turned with you and said that it gave him so much comfort to have to the nature of our move to North Tonawanda. Marie someone to talk with like you. He said you told him about Jesus was overjoyed to “meet a pastor” and even more so to and said that it means more to him than we will ever know. hear a new church was opening half a block away. He was reading the Bible passage you directed him to when they came to release him. Thanks so much for planting a seed Our son, Samuel, was born October 26, at only two with A.D. Hopefully, he will come to know Christ genuinely.” pounds and six ounces. On January 8, when he was ready to come home, I walked back into Hock’s to pick up celebration balloons and flowers. There was Marie, beaming with joy! “Pastor! I’m so glad you’re back” she exclaimed. Marie had lost my card and had been praying daily for God to send me back. I invited Marie to a pre-launch meeting the next day. After the meeting, she was “ready to give it all to Jesus!” Shortly afterward we baptized Marie and our numbers quickly doubled as she invited family and friends to our gatherings!

local partners | 47 Heritage Christian Services International Students, Inc. Robert Pieters Don Manta

Each year, Heritage Christian Services sends volunteers “ Now, I believe in God!” Katrina told me today. “I was to Guatemala so individuals with disabilities who live praying to God about a problem that I’ve had for a long in institutions can attend a week filled with fellowship time, and he put the solution into my mind. Now I believe and faith at a retreat-camp, while modeling and teaching in God, and I believe that whatever situation I am in, he quality care and compassion to Guatemalan caregivers. will help me.”

Mauricio was a popular camper at the camp in Guatemala. God is so powerful! He has snatched this precious soul out Camp was so important to him that he made the decision of the clutches of the enemy and has made her his own to miss a week of dialysis so he could attend. He arrived child! at the camp in pain and with serious bedsores. Thanks to the compassionate care and advocacy by Heritage Katrina went on to tell me that she has been talking with Christian Services nurse volunteer Lynn, Mauricio was all her friends about God and was in touch with a friend able to get the medicines he needed. She woke each day in China. “You need to be reading your Bible!” she told her at 4:00 a.m. to treat his bedsores and show him the love friend. Katrina’s face lit up when I told her that I could help of Jesus. By midweek he was joking, laughing and telling her do a Skype Bible study with her friend back home. stories. Mauricio was grateful for anything that someone did for him, even if it was just sharing conversation. When We praise God for this new Bible study approach he has not at camp, he lived alone and spent most of his days brought to ISI. Through it, 100% of the seekers in these just trying to survive. At camp Mauricio enjoyed a visit Bible studies have become true, life-transformed followers to the ocean, worshiped the Lord, had friends to pray of Christ! They are also talking with their friends and fam- and laugh with, and was loved. Mauricio passed away ily in their homelands, helping them learn about God. two months later. He was a gift to all who knew him. Thank you for your financial and prayer partnership in Thank you so much for your continued support of our reaching the nations for Christ! ministry.

From Shant Tamazian (Student - University at Buffalo): I had been raised with some religious background, but it never meant very much to me. This past fall, I was living the way society said the world worked and got into things that I shouldn’t have. However, the truth of God became real to me when I read the Gospels. A friend and member of InterVarsity kept giving me Bibles to read, three in total. Over winter break, I finally read about Jesus and immediately knew that Jesus held the truth not society.

This spring, I started to attend InterVarsity events, gaining opportunities to better serve the community and learn InterVarsity about God. During my short time with InterVarsity, I have developed friendships that I expect will survive into Brian Tofflemire adulthood rather than disintegrate on graduation day. I have grown so much wiser in my perspective of life because of the radical transformation that took place this year—my rebirth in Christ. InterVarsity facilitated the perfect environment for my faith to grow, and I assert that InterVarsity provides the perfect environment on campus for anyone to grow in faith and love for Christ.

48 | local partners Kingdom Bound Lockport CareNet Donna Russo Cindra Enzinna

As many know, the annual Kingdom Bound festival takes We have seen amazing changes at the Lockport CareNet place the first week of August and features many Christian center. Our numbers of clients served has been steadily in- musicians and speakers. One of the ministries under the creasing, mainly due to the increased awareness of the good umbrella of Kingdom Bound Ministries is WNYShares. things that are happening at this center. We have been WNYShares was created in 2003 for a single purpose: To able to reach out to more and more people in our com- please God by doing our best to help underprivileged and munity who are afraid and suffering. This year, we already special needs children throughout western New York have five people who have rededicated their lives to Christ and one first-time profession of faith. Lives are literally In the fall of 2011, Kingdom Bound had the privilege of saved inside our doors, families are brought together and opening The Teachers Desk, as a part of the continuing hope abounds every day. Just think how many genera- work of WNYShares. tions have been changed since our doors opened in 1985!

Under the direction of John Mika, The Teacher’s Desk is We live in a society where abortion is the norm. We see designed to be a place of encouragement for teachers, as clients whose mothers and grandmothers have aborted well as a resource center for school supplies for students and they are continuing the cycle. Our purpose is to in need. Located on 22 Northampton in Buffalo, the offer alternatives to abortion in the hope of breaking Teachers desk serves teachers with free school supplies. the cycle. Lockport Care Net is a venue where we have The store, generously supplied by a donor, is staffed several the opportunity, now, to turn our culture toward life. days each week with volunteers. During the first school We witness first hand lives saved and hearts touched. year, our goal was to serve approximately 250 teachers – at the close of the school year this past June, a total of 1,247 We know that as our ministry expands God will have us teachers were served from 70 schools. Each received an under his protective hand, guiding us to follow his plan. average of $300 in free supplies for their students and classrooms. We give God all the glory for every donation received and distributed back into the community, as well as for every volunteer hour served at the Teachers Desk.

local partners | 49 Lockport Cares Saving Grace Ministries Toby Mansfield Alyssa Gross

They say you can find love anywhere. Well that certainly From a single residence housing five clients in residential is true at Lockport CARES Homeless Shelter. Lockport programming in 2001 to an eight-facility, 71-bed program CARES has been in operation since November of 2009 in 2012, the “Grace House” Transitional Residence Program, and hosting a wedding for two guests that were in need operated by Saving Grace Ministries, has seen the work of a place to call home, was defiantly a first. The bride, of God’s grace every day we serve. During the past year, Crystal Gayle Scott from Lockport was married to SGM has struggled with statewide budget cuts impacting Nicholas Brandon Dellario also from Lockport by Pastor agency service contracts, delayed payments for contract Alan Bauch of Trinity Lutheran Church. The couple’s services, and a shift in focus by statewide criminal justice two-year-old daughter, Skye Lynn Dellario was the flower agencies on providing short-term services rather than girl. The couple had wanted to get married for a while, so long-term support and aftercare. Through it all, God has volunteers from the shelter provided candles, decorations, been faithful in meeting the needs of our agency and our refreshments, photographs and even a night’s stay at clients, with area churches as well as individual donors the Lockport Motel for the couple’s honeymoon. “We stepping up to fill the gap. With several new contract are showing them God’s love through our actions,” said awards and other funding streams, SGM will enter Shelter Director Marty Nagy. “We are making a difference 2013 fiscally stable, prepared to meet the needs of the in people’s lives and helping to make Lockport a better homeless ex-offender population in Western New York. community. We wish Crystal and Nick all the best!”

“And God saw that this was good.” Peace of the City A long line of teens stand to receive rare praise for their Diann Takens-Cerbone growth, resilience and faithfulness. “And God saw that this was good.” Moving Up Day at Peace of the City Ministries. Volunteers hold flowering plant gifts and earnest June: hot, humble inner city gym where scores of handmade cards of gratitude for many hours of service. neighborhood folks gather. “And God saw that this was good.” “And God saw that this was good.” Children and teens offer prayers of hope, sadness and Peace of the City prepares kids and teens to share their gratitude. often-overlooked talents. “And God saw that this was good.” “And God saw that this was good.” A brief word is shared to all there to keep “keeping on” in Kids play piano, violin, drums and trombone—a recital of the love of Christ. joy and hard work. “And God saw that this was good.” “And God saw that this was good.” Sticky, yummy ice cream sandwiches grace our hands in the Children once dangerously behind in literacy read aloud parking lot afterwards. their progress for the year. “And God saw that this was good.”

50 | local partners Set Free SonRays Ministries Al & Deb Warner Alice Murchie

How might God transform the City of Buffalo from We met Karen* when her second son was born. She decades of mourning to a new season of great joy? was in the hospital after his birth and needed a car seat Nehemiah was called to rebuild a city, and in 52 days for the ride home. We were able to provide the car seat supervised the rebuilding of walls that had been down 141 and a ride home. We continued a friendship with Karen years. through our single moms’ fellowships. She attended the fellowships faithfully, and brought her sons, and The call of Set Free is to cast vision for the churches of her mother and sisters (all single moms), with her. WNY to come together across racial and denominational lines to transform our region with the gospel. To Karen looked happy, but she was really struggling. She had accomplish this, we reach beyond the local church into this great desire to be loved, and a handsome, smooth- the workplace in which God has placed his leaders. talking man came into her life. Karen quickly found herself swept up into an unhealthy relationship with him. The first This year (2012), Buffalo Common Council Member/ pregnancy from that relationship ended in abortion. The Pastor Darius Pridgen invited us to be the Chaplains second pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Finally, Karen was of the Buffalo Common Council, our city’s highest broken enough to end this relationship. Through her pain, legislative body. Could this opportunity be an answer God revealed her desperate need for a Savior to deliver her to our corporate prayers? Yes! Could praying from the from sin. She is now meeting with SonRays regularly to top of City Hall be a step toward transformation? Yes! learn how to follow Christ in her daily life, and her older “If my people…pray…I will hear…” (II Chron. 7:14). son is meeting with a mentor to learn to grown into a godly young man. God is doing a beautiful work in their lives. We are stewarding this opportunity on behalf of the regional church. We have invited other pastors to open *name changed to protect privacy Council sessions in prayer. We have prayed with Council members for personal as well as professional concerns.

Thank you, Chapel family, for looking beyond your church to bless what God is doing in our region and beyond. Rejoice and please keep praying!

local partners | 51 Teen Challenge Youth With A Purpose Kurt Tarkington Bob Kuebler

God’s grace restores families through Teen Challenge. He prayed at his own funeral. He was only 15 years old and Eric A. came into TCWNY in 2008 and completed the was murdered by a bullet to his head as he sat on his bicycle. program in 2009. While in the program, Eric would ask others to pray for his dad who was still drinking. At every He used to go into schools with us during our mentoring request men would gather and pray for his dad. When program. He would do rap songs from a CD called Eric returned home. He stayed close to his church and “Murder, Tears and Bloody Cement.” It was a Christian asked them to keep praying for his dad. Time went on and CD about young people killed in drive-by shootings. Eric wondered if God was hearing the prayers, but kept on praying. Their relationship grew distant, but Eric kept We handed out 300 Bibles at his funeral. On the CD on praying. Eric was married in 2010 and invited his dad is a track where he prays. At his own funeral we played to the wedding, and there at the wedding was the first his prayer: What’s up God? It’s me Kris. I know you’re glimmer of hope. Ralph asked his son how he was able to listening, but I don’t understand what’s going on. First my not drink or do drugs anymore, and Eric said, “because of family argues, and then my boy dies. I don’t understand.” God’s grace.” In 2011, Ralph A. entered TCWNY with all skepticism in tact, but gave every effort to the program. We used his death to speak life into hundreds of young Ralph is in the second phase today and will complete Teen people. I was at his grave site yesterday trying to videotape Challenge in October 2012. This year while they were a thank you message. There are other teens buried there. at Teen Challenge’s annual July Celebration, father and Thanks for helping us spread a message of life and hope. son embraced and the grace of God was all over them. At least in one small area of Buffalo, there are less young people dying. Now it’s time to reach all of the children in Buffalo with a message of love. Jesus loves you, and so do I.

residents. The participation has been remarkable at these Urban Christian Ministries events! UCM is offering a unique proactive approach Alexander Wright to the problems faced by folks in a way that has already reduced violence. UCM has developed and expanded our Blessed to be in our 42nd year, God continues to lead and Friends For Life program as well. This involves working challenge us in our ministry on the city’s streets. Urban with gang members and troubled young adults with the Christian Ministries (UCM) has adopted a program wide intent of showing an alternative lifestyle through our Lord policy of “Faith Based Enrichment,” which is composed Jesus Christ. UCM continues to expand its historical of the four core elements of “Faith, Family, Education, programs such as Kids Club, Teenage Achievers, Block and Employment.” With city streets plagued by shootings Club Basketball/Kick-it-To-The-Curb, Summer Camp, and and violence, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty and hunger, mission trips. UCM is reaching out to the community with our “A Grill & A Prayer” initiative. This involves visits to neighborhoods Urban Christian Ministries is out there on the streets where food, prayer and fellowship are offered to the making a difference for God and our community!

52 | local partners Why Should I GivE?

By Daryl Largis

his question, perhaps more than most, is one that those God’s love is proven by his generosity. He gave everything who follow Christ ask of themselves from time to time. in that he gave of himself and continues to give us that This,T once answered, soon is followed by how much should which we need. As such, generosity is the ways and means I give? While seemingly the proper and right questions, the sincerity of love is proven (2 Corinthians 8:8). So, as asking them prior to understanding some deeper truths people of God, redeemed by grace, the manner in which we related to giving can lead a person to view it as merely a task give is the proof of our love. The answer to the question is to complete, a target to hit or a check to write as the case not merely a yes or no as it relates to should I give or not. may be. Giving, just like anything requiring an intention, a Giving is thereby a direct reflection of what has been done decision and resulting action is at some level transactional. to and for us. Those who are redeemed in Christ are called However, it can and should represent something much to live a life of love which is reflective of the nature and deeper, and it is to this point that this article endeavors to purpose of God in this world (Ephesians 5:1-2). highlight. A life of love is only as sincere as it is generous. We are The God we proclaim has proven himself to be a giving to be generous which means we are to give of our time, God. It is in his nature to give for he is generous, merciful abilities and resources. As to amount, God was not nor is and loving (Ephesians 2:4-5). The demonstration of this is he constrained in his generosity. Because of his nature he no greater stated and no greater exemplified than by what is generous and accordingly lavishes his love upon us (1 transpired on the cross whereby God the Son willingly gave John 3:1). Our response then should be the same in that himself for the sins of the world—past, present and future. we should be lavish in our giving, not because we must or He did this so those who by faith can receive a righteousness because we are commanded, but because it is in his nature which is otherwise unobtainable and, therefore can be and, therefore, it is in our nature as his children. Our giving reconciled to himself, a holy God. Simply stated, God is should be in proportion to what we have been given. Simply generous born out of his love. He is so generous that when stated, the more you and I have been given the more you we by faith receive the grace from him, we also are given and I should be giving. In closing, what we do with what we his Spirit to dwell in us. This Spirit is of God and from have declares our understanding of the gospel. A great way God and enables us as we cooperate with him to be step for you, me and our families to demonstrate the reality of by step and bit by bit transformed into the image of Christ the gospel in our lives is to be lavishly generous given it is himself which means we too, as he is, are generous. In fact, reflective of the heart of God motivated by love.

why should i give? | 53 Short-Term Missions, WHY? By Jeff Hackett SCORE INTERNATIONAL have been on more short-term mission trips to Costa In his book Mission Trip Prep Kit, Kevin Johnson offers three Rica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic than I can count. main benefits to being involved in short-term mission trips. IMy current position with SCORE International involves The first benefit is for our own growth. The example of how up to 18 trips a year. I am grateful for these extraordinary Jesus used outreach to not only minister to people but also opportunities that God has given me to serve him. to train his followers, who he then sent out to do likewise. Johnson states, “Jesus didn’t send them out because of their Yet, I sometimes ask myself if our mission service reflects thorough maturity but to move them toward maturity.” (See our commitment to Christ or our desire for adventure? Have Luke 8-10.) we gone in response to God’s call or because we live in an affluent society? Maybe it is a combination of both. The second benefit is for the maximum good of others. The story of the paralyzed man being lowered through the roof The deeper question is, how can our engagement in short- by his friends to get him to Jesus is used to illustrate this. term missions bear fruit for God’s Kingdom that the Jesus’ response to the man was to forgive, heal and then call investment of resources, made by the body of Christ, in our him friend (Luke 5:17-26). This demonstrates the spiritual, travels, deserves? This is a question I must ask myself every physical and emotional good God desires to do in the world. time I travel. When we follow this pattern, we show God’s love by bringing others to Jesus for healing and forgiveness. I have seen the transforming power of short-term mission trips. God uses them to change lives–both of the people who The third benefit, God’s maximum glory, focuses on our go and of those they serve. The constant refrain of participants motivation for missions which comes from the Great is how much they grew in their relationship with Christ, how Commission, “…go and make disciples of all nations, much they learned about community, and how challenged baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son they were by the commitment and joy of the people they and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything visited. Lives are formed, and vocations are clarified through I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19-20). God’s desire these experiences. However, I’ve also seen trauma generated is to be revealed to people, for his glory to be made known by these trips. Some people come back depressed and all over the world. His biggest goal is to build a people who confused. Some hosts sigh with relief when their short-term belong to him and bring glory to him in all they do. Johnson visitors depart. Surely this is not what God intends. explains, “1 Peter 2:9-10 puts in plain words the good that God wants to use us to do in the world: ‘But you are chosen Currently the Western church spends as much on short-term people. You are the King’s priests. You are a Holy nation. You mission trips as it does on long-term missionaries. Clearly are a nation that belongs to God alone. God chose you to tell this has become a dominant dimension in churches’ mission about the wonderful things he has done. He called you out involvement. There must be a way that God desires us to of darkness into his wonderful light. At one time you were fulfill the Great Commission and the Church’s role of giving not God’s people. But now you are his people. In the past you every man, woman and child multiple opportunities to hear had never received mercy. But now you have received God’s and see the gospel of Christ, and to respond without leaving a mercy’” (NCV). trail of disappointment, discouragement and disillusionment. There is! When we identify these benefits, a short-term mission trip becomes an obvious choice to engage in God’s mission. MINISTRY PARTNER DIRECTORY

ABWE Partners Pastor Al Cockrell Nate and Cherith Logan La Voix de l’Evangile Renovation Church theWELL ABWE International ABWE Brazil PO Box 8585 Harrisburg, PA 17105 567 Hertel Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14207 781 Maple Road ABWE.org Igerja Batista Esperanca (The Voice of the Gospel) 717-774-7000 Brek Cockrell: 716-819-4100 Williamsville, NY 14221 (Hope Baptist Church) 13320 Bouc Bel Air, France therenovationchurch.com Darrick Castronova: 716-404-WELL John and Bev loganministry.org Bill & Anne Aldin Contact: Global Outreach Mission theWELLbušalo.com ABWE: GAP Steven & Cari Wendel missiongo.org Restoration Church Contact the Kingdom Come ABWE Czech Republic 504 Frankhauser Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 Transformation Mongolia o€ce at The Chapel wendel.abwe.org Let Them LOL Dan Trippie: 716-541-0794 PO 49 Box 412, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia PO Box 180, East Amherst, NY 14051 restorationbušalo.com Axel Fischer: [email protected] Joe & Kate Vacanti: ltlol.com Transformation.mn Broadway Hope Compassion International Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. 6101 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 Colorado Springs, CO 80997 Jurisdiction #46 Niagara County Jail Life Transforming Ministries P.O. Box 1013, Williamsville, NY 14231 True Praise and Worship (Food Pantry) Scott Steger: 716-684-5129 800-336-7676 5526 Niagara Street Ext., PO Box 496 8 Holleran Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335 Terry King: 716-893-1840 559 Humboldt Parkway broadwayhope.org compassion.com Lockport, NY 14095 Dolph Laraio: 484-467-3505 sgmworld.org Bušalo, NY 14208 Chaplain Alex True: 716-438-3316 Buffalo Christian Center Cross Training Football goodnewsjail.org Lockport CareNet Pregnancy Center SCORE International Urban Christian Ministries 512 Pearl Street, Bu alo, NY 14202 P.O. Box 156 229 East Avenue, Lockport, NY 14094 PO Box 9994, Chattanooga, TN 37412 967 Ješerson Avenue, Bušalo, 14204 Jim Swearingen: 716-856-7495 Bowmansville NY 14026 HBI Global Partners Cindra Enzinna: 716-434-0251 Ješ Hackett: 423-894-7111 Alexander Wright: 716-882-9472 thebcc.org Mike Masters: 716-432-5152 PO Box 584, Forest, VA 24551 lockportcarenet.com scoreinternational.org urbanchristianministries.org crosstrainingfootball.com Bobby Gupta: 877-424-4634 Buffalo City Mission globalpartners.org Lockport CARES Saturation Church Planting Village Church 100 E. Tupper Street, Bu alo, NY 14203 Destination Life Fellowship Emergency Homeless Shelter Chad Smith: spci.org 410 Elmwood Ave, 2nd Floor Stuart L. Harper: 716-854-8181 22nd Street & Linwood Ave. Heritage Christian Services PO Box 586, Lockport, NY 14150 Bušalo, NY 14222 bu alocitymission.org Niagara Falls, NY 14305 3790 Commerce Ct., Suite 800 716-438-2273 SEND International Jeremy Hazelton: 716-551-0677 Mark Perkins: 716-297-7799 North Tonawanda, NY 14120 lockportcares.org PO Box 2426, Buena Park, CA 90621 villagechurchbflo.com Campus Ambassadors Samantha DeMart: 716-743-2020 Kent & Joan Wilson: 714-269-1659 Vision New York University at Bu alo Eagles Wings heritagechristianservices.org Missio Church send.org 10 River Road, Apt. 6P 191 N. Linden Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 PO Box 450 620 West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13204 New York, NY 10044 Paul Decker 716-626-7082 Clarence, NY 14031 Houghton College Jordan Stinziano: 315-383-1452 Set Free, Inc. Jim Hines: [email protected] campusambassadors.com Robert Stearns: 716-759-1058 One Willard Avenue missionchurch.org PO Box 245, Bušalo, NY 14215 eagleswings.to Houghton, NY 14744 Al & Deb Warner: 716-553-0009 visionnewyork.org Campus Crusade for Christ Mark Hijleh: 800-777-2556 Mission of Hope Haiti setfreeinc.org houghton.edu Word of Life Bolivia 100 Lake Hart Drive, Dept. 2100 EduNations P.O. Box 60004 Orlando, FL 32832 PO Box 119 Singing Waters Christian Center Palabra de Vida Fort Myers, FL 33906 C.C. 4038, Cochabamba, Bolivia Michael and Amy Ramos: Kenmore, NY 14217 International Students Inc. PO Box 1544 Drew Garrison: 239-791-8125 Juan and Noemí Lella: 407-826-2000 Rick Kennedy: 716-380-6076 520 Lee Entrance Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA 90704 mohhaiti.org [email protected] cru.org edunations.org Suite 108-B The Commons Enrique Dominguez: 310-510-0073 Amherst, NY 14228 Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission Inc. singingwaterscc.org Word of Life Local Church Ministries Christ Together Fellowship of Christian Don Manta: 716-639-0605 PO Box 2657 1200 American Way, Libertyville, IL 60048 bu aloisi.com SonRays Ministries, Inc. 76 Marlow Road, West Seneca, NY 14224 Athletes Ice Hockey Niagara Falls, NY 14302 Rod & Jamie Whitney: 716-822-1256 Ryan Kozey: 716-631-2636 Shaun Smith: [email protected] PO Box 673, Tonawanda, NY 14150 2513 Brook Crossing Circle InterVarsity Christian Fellowship rodwhitney.wol.org christtogether.com Raleigh, NC 27603 niagaramissions.com Alice Murchie: 716-695-9494 100 Willow Ridge Drive sonraysministries.org Christian Central Academy Rick Randazzo: 443-404-1747 World Hope International fcahockey.org Amherst, NY 14228 NorthGate Community Church 39 Academy Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 Brian To¢emire: 716-563-1545 Springville Crossing Church 625 Slaters Lane, Suite 200 50states50cities.com 5225 Harris Hill Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 Alexandria, VA 22314 Nurline A. Lawrence: 716-634-4821 intervarsity.org Jon & Yolande Hasselbeck: 716-773-4337 11 West Main Street, Springville, NY 14141 christianca.com 888-466-4673 Generation Church northgatebušalo.com Keith Clark: 716-560-4704 worldhope.org Isaiah 61 Project springvillecrossing.org Christian Counseling Ministries 1001 East Robinson Street PO Box 255, Niagara Falls, NY 14305 North Tonawanda, NY 14120 Patch Our Planet XCEL Leadership Center of WNY, Inc. Jim Haid: 716-870-9557 PO Box 441, Holly Springs, GA 30142 Steamtown Church Chad Rieselman: 716-243-9504 isaiah61niagarafalls.org 567 Hertel Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14207 9070 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031 ntgeneration.org Steve Gillis: [email protected] PO Box 112, Scranton, PA 18504 Toni Benjamin: 716-819-4100 patchourplanet.org Dennis D’Augostine: 570-290-7250 Dr. Timothy P. Chambers: 716-632-3200 Jericho Road Ministries & Family Practice xcelleadershipcenter.com ccmwny.org Global Fellowship steamtownchurch.com 184 Barton Street Peace of the City Youth With a Purpose Inc. 500 CrossPoint Parkway Bu alo, NY 14213 Circle “C” Ranch 146 Parkdale Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14213 Teen Challenge of WNY 157 Locust Street Getzville, NY 14068 Eric Budin: 716-348-3000 10451 Ashcra˜ Road, Delevan, NY 14042 Mark Cerbone: 716-883-2799 124 Locust St. Bušalo, NY 14204 Bušalo, NY 14204 Dwight Smith: 716-631-2636 x270 jrm-bu alo.org Wes Aarum, Sr.: 716-492-3687 gfmission.com peaceo›hecity.org Kurt Tarkington: 716-855-0602 Bob Keubler: 716-830-8240 circlecranch.org tcwny.org Kingdom Bound Ministries, Inc. youthwithapurpose.org Global Outreach Mission Presidir.net City Vision 8550 Sheridan Dr. Box 2010, Bu alo, NY 14231 c/o World in Need The Rock Community Church 512 Pearl St., Bu alo, NY 14202 Williamsville, NY 14221 1420 Celebration Blvd. Suite 200 9403 Garfield Blvd. Brian Albrecht: 716-688-5048 Donna Russo: 716-633-1117 Jim & KJ Swearingen: 614-580-1769 missiongo.org Celebration, FL 34747 Garfield Heights, OH 44125 city-vision.org kingdombound.org Alejandro Belmar: [email protected] Dave Brunelle & Mike Hopkins: presidir.net 216-429-2636 therockcleveland.org MINISTRY PARTNER DIRECTORY

La Voix de l’Evangile Renovation Church theWELL (The Voice of the Gospel) 567 Hertel Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14207 781 Maple Road 13320 Bouc Bel Air, France Brek Cockrell: 716-819-4100 Williamsville, NY 14221 Bill & Anne Aldin therenovationchurch.com Darrick Castronova: 716-404-WELL Contact: Global Outreach Mission theWELLbušalo.com missiongo.org Restoration Church 504 Frankhauser Rd., Williamsville, NY 14221 Transformation Mongolia Let Them LOL Dan Trippie: 716-541-0794 PO 49 Box 412, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia PO Box 180, East Amherst, NY 14051 restorationbušalo.com Axel Fischer: [email protected] Joe & Kate Vacanti: ltlol.com Transformation.mn Broadway Hope Compassion International Good News Jail & Prison Ministry Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. 6101 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086 Colorado Springs, CO 80997 Jurisdiction #46 Niagara County Jail Life Transforming Ministries P.O. Box 1013, Williamsville, NY 14231 True Praise and Worship (Food Pantry) Scott Steger: 716-684-5129 800-336-7676 5526 Niagara Street Ext., PO Box 496 8 Holleran Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335 Terry King: 716-893-1840 559 Humboldt Parkway broadwayhope.org compassion.com Lockport, NY 14095 Dolph Laraio: 484-467-3505 sgmworld.org Bušalo, NY 14208 Chaplain Alex True: 716-438-3316 Buffalo Christian Center Cross Training Football goodnewsjail.org Lockport CareNet Pregnancy Center SCORE International Urban Christian Ministries 512 Pearl Street, Bu alo, NY 14202 P.O. Box 156 229 East Avenue, Lockport, NY 14094 PO Box 9994, Chattanooga, TN 37412 967 Ješerson Avenue, Bušalo, 14204 Jim Swearingen: 716-856-7495 Bowmansville NY 14026 HBI Global Partners Cindra Enzinna: 716-434-0251 Ješ Hackett: 423-894-7111 Alexander Wright: 716-882-9472 thebcc.org Mike Masters: 716-432-5152 PO Box 584, Forest, VA 24551 lockportcarenet.com scoreinternational.org urbanchristianministries.org crosstrainingfootball.com Bobby Gupta: 877-424-4634 Buffalo City Mission globalpartners.org Lockport CARES Saturation Church Planting Village Church 100 E. Tupper Street, Bu alo, NY 14203 Destination Life Fellowship Emergency Homeless Shelter Chad Smith: spci.org 410 Elmwood Ave, 2nd Floor Stuart L. Harper: 716-854-8181 22nd Street & Linwood Ave. Heritage Christian Services PO Box 586, Lockport, NY 14150 Bušalo, NY 14222 bu alocitymission.org Niagara Falls, NY 14305 3790 Commerce Ct., Suite 800 716-438-2273 SEND International Jeremy Hazelton: 716-551-0677 Mark Perkins: 716-297-7799 North Tonawanda, NY 14120 lockportcares.org PO Box 2426, Buena Park, CA 90621 villagechurchbflo.com Campus Ambassadors Samantha DeMart: 716-743-2020 Kent & Joan Wilson: 714-269-1659 Vision New York University at Bu alo Eagles Wings heritagechristianservices.org Missio Church send.org 10 River Road, Apt. 6P 191 N. Linden Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 PO Box 450 620 West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13204 New York, NY 10044 Paul Decker 716-626-7082 Clarence, NY 14031 Houghton College Jordan Stinziano: 315-383-1452 Set Free, Inc. Jim Hines: [email protected] campusambassadors.com Robert Stearns: 716-759-1058 One Willard Avenue missionchurch.org PO Box 245, Bušalo, NY 14215 eagleswings.to Houghton, NY 14744 Al & Deb Warner: 716-553-0009 visionnewyork.org Campus Crusade for Christ Mark Hijleh: 800-777-2556 Mission of Hope Haiti setfreeinc.org houghton.edu Word of Life Bolivia 100 Lake Hart Drive, Dept. 2100 EduNations P.O. Box 60004 Orlando, FL 32832 PO Box 119 Singing Waters Christian Center Palabra de Vida Fort Myers, FL 33906 C.C. 4038, Cochabamba, Bolivia Michael and Amy Ramos: Kenmore, NY 14217 International Students Inc. PO Box 1544 Drew Garrison: 239-791-8125 Juan and Noemí Lella: 407-826-2000 Rick Kennedy: 716-380-6076 520 Lee Entrance Avalon, Santa Catalina Island, CA 90704 mohhaiti.org [email protected] cru.org edunations.org Suite 108-B The Commons Enrique Dominguez: 310-510-0073 Amherst, NY 14228 Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission Inc. singingwaterscc.org Word of Life Local Church Ministries Christ Together Fellowship of Christian Don Manta: 716-639-0605 PO Box 2657 1200 American Way, Libertyville, IL 60048 bu aloisi.com SonRays Ministries, Inc. 76 Marlow Road, West Seneca, NY 14224 Athletes Ice Hockey Niagara Falls, NY 14302 Rod & Jamie Whitney: 716-822-1256 Ryan Kozey: 716-631-2636 Shaun Smith: [email protected] PO Box 673, Tonawanda, NY 14150 2513 Brook Crossing Circle InterVarsity Christian Fellowship rodwhitney.wol.org christtogether.com Raleigh, NC 27603 niagaramissions.com Alice Murchie: 716-695-9494 100 Willow Ridge Drive sonraysministries.org Christian Central Academy Rick Randazzo: 443-404-1747 World Hope International fcahockey.org Amherst, NY 14228 NorthGate Community Church 39 Academy Street, Williamsville, NY 14221 Brian To¢emire: 716-563-1545 Springville Crossing Church 625 Slaters Lane, Suite 200 50states50cities.com 5225 Harris Hill Road, Williamsville, NY 14221 Alexandria, VA 22314 Nurline A. Lawrence: 716-634-4821 intervarsity.org Jon & Yolande Hasselbeck: 716-773-4337 11 West Main Street, Springville, NY 14141 christianca.com 888-466-4673 Generation Church northgatebušalo.com Keith Clark: 716-560-4704 worldhope.org Isaiah 61 Project springvillecrossing.org Christian Counseling Ministries 1001 East Robinson Street PO Box 255, Niagara Falls, NY 14305 North Tonawanda, NY 14120 Patch Our Planet XCEL Leadership Center of WNY, Inc. Jim Haid: 716-870-9557 PO Box 441, Holly Springs, GA 30142 Steamtown Church Chad Rieselman: 716-243-9504 isaiah61niagarafalls.org 567 Hertel Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14207 9070 Main Street, Clarence, NY 14031 ntgeneration.org Steve Gillis: [email protected] PO Box 112, Scranton, PA 18504 Toni Benjamin: 716-819-4100 patchourplanet.org Dennis D’Augostine: 570-290-7250 Dr. Timothy P. Chambers: 716-632-3200 Jericho Road Ministries & Family Practice xcelleadershipcenter.com ccmwny.org Global Fellowship steamtownchurch.com 184 Barton Street Peace of the City Youth With a Purpose Inc. 500 CrossPoint Parkway Bu alo, NY 14213 Circle “C” Ranch 146 Parkdale Avenue, Bušalo, NY 14213 Teen Challenge of WNY 157 Locust Street Getzville, NY 14068 Eric Budin: 716-348-3000 10451 Ashcra˜ Road, Delevan, NY 14042 Mark Cerbone: 716-883-2799 124 Locust St. Bušalo, NY 14204 Bušalo, NY 14204 Dwight Smith: 716-631-2636 x270 jrm-bu alo.org Wes Aarum, Sr.: 716-492-3687 gfmission.com peaceo›hecity.org Kurt Tarkington: 716-855-0602 Bob Keubler: 716-830-8240 circlecranch.org tcwny.org Kingdom Bound Ministries, Inc. youthwithapurpose.org Global Outreach Mission Presidir.net City Vision 8550 Sheridan Dr. Box 2010, Bu alo, NY 14231 c/o World in Need The Rock Community Church 512 Pearl St., Bu alo, NY 14202 Williamsville, NY 14221 1420 Celebration Blvd. Suite 200 9403 Garfield Blvd. Brian Albrecht: 716-688-5048 Donna Russo: 716-633-1117 Jim & KJ Swearingen: 614-580-1769 missiongo.org Celebration, FL 34747 Garfield Heights, OH 44125 city-vision.org kingdombound.org Alejandro Belmar: [email protected] Dave Brunelle & Mike Hopkins: presidir.net 216-429-2636 therockcleveland.org 500 CrossPoint Pkwy. | Getzville, NY 14068 716.631.2636 | thechapel.com