May 2016
Missionaries in Our Own Backyard
When most people hear the word "missionary" they immediately think of traveling to a faraway country to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. While this is accurate, it's just as true that you and I are missionaries for Jesus, even if we never leave our own country, state, city, or neighborhood! God has called each of us to share the hope of salvation with all people, especially those we already have relationships with and are connected to in our lives.
 
Since last September, the young adults in SEND North America, the 10-month discipleship training experience, have been learning what it means to be disciples who make disciples. Their training has taken us to many cities in the Midwest to learn and serve, but a constant focus throughout has been our own "backyard." SEND's home base is Kendallville, Indiana, and each Thursday throughout SEND training, Sarah, Quinn, and Ze have experienced a local mission excursion. From serving the homeless at The Rescue Mission in Fort Wayne, to raking leaves and building relationships in Kendallville, to worshiping and praying with seniors at Sacred Heart Assisted Living in Avilla, the SEND team has been learning how God uses us, in our own communities, to be His missionary.  
 
As we are now in the final weeks of this team's discipleship training, we challenged Sarah, Quinn, and Ze to take what they've been learning themselves one step further ---- for their final domestic mission excursion weekend, their challenge was to not just experience a mission excursion but to plan one in their local community! The SEND team hosted Ignite 72, an evening event where teens and youth in northeast Indiana came to learn about mission outreach to their friends. This was an inspirational evening at St. John Lutheran Church in Kendallville, as our SEND young adults led games, served a meal, worshiped, and gave a message to more than 30 teens about igniting the passion for sharing the gospel with friends and classmates. This event gave our SEND team the opportunity to experience leading mission training for others, and it was largely impactful for the teens and youth that attended.
 
It is a huge blessing and learning experience for our young adults to travel to many ministry sites throughout the U.S. and internationally while in SEND, but it is also invaluable to learn how to serve our great God right in our own circles of relationships, in our own neighborhoods and families. This is one of the most important lessons of all ---- we are ALL missionaries for Jesus Christ, and sharing the gospel is closer than we think! This past month, I've been so grateful to watch how God is transforming the lives of these young adults to not just be disciples, but to be disciple-makers for the rest of their lives, beginning with their own friends, families, and neighbors.

Mackenzie (Kenzie) RItchie
Leader, S.E.N.D. North America
We welcome your SEND engagement
Tick tock! The time is getting close and applications are coming in for our fall team that starts in September. If you are 18-29 and want God to do big things in your life, get hands-on mission experience, and find your purpose for His Kingdom, then apply by July 15. Don't miss out on the opportunity of a lifetime. Apply by July 15 at sendnorthamerica.com.

Are you a young adult, parent, or pastor? Come and experience a day (June 14) in SEND. You will experience worship, expert teachings from the leader of Church Doctor Ministries, Tracee Swank, and ministry founder, Dr. Kent R. Hunter, and a time for questions and answers about SEND. 

Do you want to partner with SEND to help disciple young adults? You may play an important role within the SEND family. Just remember G.A.P.
  • Giving is an important part of the ongoing mission to SEND. If God is stirring your heart to invest financially in the next generation of leaders in His church, please hit the donate button below.
  • Apply and join the SEND adventure. If you're 18-29, your life will never be the same by joining SEND! And that's a good thing. Find your calling and invest in yourself by taking time out for investing in your relationship with Jesus! Reaching your potential could be just a click away. Apply for SEND today at sendnorthamerica.com. To young adults from the U.S., your application deadline is July 15.
  • Pray! Our SEND young adults are getting ready to embark on a mission trip to Belize in Central America in May. Please pray for protection, provision, and for divine God appointments that will impact lives.
To get involved in any of the above you may e-mail jonhunter@churchdoctor.org or give us a call at 1-800-626-8515.
Partner to rebuild the Nehemiah House
          Nehemiah House
The Nehemiah House needs some serious repairs soon: a new roof, plumbing, windows, some paint. We need help for this special project to provide housing for our new SEND female young adults. The remaining need is $20,000.

We invite you to join us as Nehemiah House support partners. Please pray: ask God what He would have you generously invest in these young missionaries and more to come. Nehemiah had many generous helpers. 

Help us invest in the next generation. Please click on the donate button below to make your tax-deductible gift to Church Doctor Ministries/SEND for this special project.
 

                 Like us on Facebook                        Visit our blog                               Follow us on Twitter                        View on Instagram

S.E.N.D. North America ---- a ministry initiative of Church Doctor Ministries

Church Doctor Ministries is a member in good standing of The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.  Contributions are solicited with the understanding that Church Doctor Ministries has complete discretion and control over the use of all donated funds.