MISSIONS

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:13-15

WHY MISSIONS?

Gospel City is on mission locally, nationally and internationally because we have a desire to see God glorified as disciples are made. We want to see the same gospel that has penetrated our hearts penetrate our own city, our nation and the unreached peoples of the world. We have been commissioned by Jesus to make disciples, to be salt and light, and to be agents of reconciliation between God and man. We are God’s chosen vehicle for the spread of the gospel. We know that without messengers spreading the good news, many will perish apart from the grace of God. And this truth moves us to compassion, to prayer and to action.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! Psalm 96:3

It is our desire that everyone at Gospel City Church would take a step in missions. As we encourage you to live sent, there are a variety of practical ways to move into action:

We can PRAY

The best and most vital step that a disciple can take is committing to pray. Prayer is not a simple item on a list that we do; it is foundational to who we are. Nothing changes without prayer. Pray for the unreached.

We can GIVE

You may not know this, but our 2019-2020 budget has over $425k dedicated to missions. Your faithful weekly giving funds missions.

We can MOBILIZE

We can help train and equip disciples to go.

We can SEND

Send your kids, send your best people, send someone in your small group.

We can WELCOME

We are surrounded by the world coming to our community. We live in such a diverse area. Let’s be a welcoming people. Reach out to your neighbors. Get involved in your community.

We can GO!

Just go. Go short, go long, NORMALIZE GOING IN YOUR DISCIPLESHIP.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

LOCAL MISSIONS

Transformation Ministries

Who they are: We partner with Transformation Ministries in outreach to the youth of inner city South Bend. Transformation Ministries exists to see the youth of South Bend become positive influencers within their families, schools, and communities. As a ministry seeking to provide hope and a better future to youth and families, volunteers are the hands and feet to making that possible. Prepare and serve a meal once a month, become a 1:1 mentor for a school year, homework tutoring, and more.

Ways to pray: That all who serve there would take the posture of a learner, and be transformed into Christ-likeness. That students and mentors would grow in trust and relationship that would result not only in life skills, but real talk about faith in Christ. That the Transformation Center would be a safe place in our city for students.

Ways to go:

  • Small groups provide meals to the ISI groups on Tuesdays-Thursdays. 
  • Become an Iron Mentor! This is the bread and butter, as you are paired with a student and really can get to know them and their family. 
  • Serve a local school or students in tutoring, or in after-school programming. 

For questions on how to get involved with Transformation Ministries, please contact Pastor Micah Klutinoty. Or, apply to serve here: transformation58.com/volunteer

LifePlan

Who they are: LifePlan (of Niles, Michigan) provides caring, confidential support to people facing pregnancy and family related issues. They strive to graciously provide an opportunity for each client to hear the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. 

Ways to pray: For STD testing to lead to gospel conversations. For abstinence presentations in schools. For those in crisis to be ministered to by LifePlan and be softened to the gospel. For God’s financial provision. For more ways to pray, visit lifeplan.org/prayer-warrior/

Ways to go: Whether you like to bake cakes, run, play golf, organize clothes, or counsel families, there’s a place for you to serve at Lifeplan! For ways to serve, visit lifeplan.org/volunteer/. For questions on how to get involved with LifePlan, please contact Pastor Tyler Downing.

More Local Opportunities

Our community has many more opportunities for you to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people in need. We strongly encourage you to do a little research on the needs around us. Pray and ask God where He might lead you to GO. 

 

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:36-38

SHORT TERM MISSION TRIPS

Why short-term missions trips? As we are GOING, we are BEING discipled—to more clearly see and experience God’s heart for the world. Also, as we are going, we may be used to assist others to take their next steps towards trusting and treasuring Jesus above all else and following Him wholeheartedly. 

PUERTO RICO MISSION TRIPS

Why this trip: We wish to continue our partnership with SEND Relief and the people of Gospel City to live sent through serving physical needs within a community and local church in Puerto Rico.

Ways to pray: Pray for the people and churches of Puerto Rico as they rebuild homes and communities that have been devastated by hurricanes, earthquakes, and more.

Ways to go:  We are currently planning 3 trips in January of 2024. We will be serving physical needs within the community, partnering with a local church, as well as sharing the Gospel. More details on these trips coming soon. For questions or interest in the Puerto Rico Mission Trip, please contact Josh Twiddy.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

INTERNATIONAL MISSIONS PARTNERS

Africans Reaching Africa

Who they are: ARA exists to equip African believers to be mobilized to spread the Gospel to unreached and unengaged people groups within Africa. North Africa and parts of western Africa are some of the last countries and people groups in the world to be evangelized. This is because these places are difficult to get to, difficult to live in, and have increased rates of persecution.

Ways to pray: Pray for boldness in sharing the Gospel (Ephesians 6:19-20), protection against spiritual attacks (John17:15), that the Lord will open people’s hearts to believe the Gospel (Acts 16:14), and that “this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

Ways to support them: Send them a note of encouragement at aramissions.org. For questions on how to support and pray for ARA,  please contact Pastor Mitch Helmkamp.

Reinkings in Prague, Czech Republic 

Who they are: Adam and Amy live in Prague, Czechia—one of the most visited cities in Europe, but also one of most atheistic. It is a strategic location for healthy church planting. They serve under the International Mission Board (IMB) alongside South City Church and their vision for the city. Their prayer is that all people in Prague would know and understand the Gospel. 

Ways to pray: The Reinkings have a monthly email update that includes very specific prayer requests . Would you and your family or small group pray for them once a week? To receive this email, shoot them an email at adamamyreinking@gmail.com

Ways to support them: Send them a note of encouragement. For questions on how to support and pray for the Reinkings, please contact Chris Payton

More International Opportunities

Many at Gospel City are doing crazy good things internationally! Start asking around and you’ll soon learn this is an inventive group of people-loving worldwide disciple-makers! For example, Gospel City’s Bob Hogarth and Steve Gundy lead and serve an organization that is reaching many in Ethiopia. This list will grow as we aim to keep you aware and inform you of how God is at work among us.

Ways to pray: 

  • Pray for an unnamed family serving in the Middle East.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

CHURCH PLANTING

Budapest, Hungary

Who they are: Pastor Marc and Charin Patton moved to Hungary over 25 years ago, and have been on mission ever since to see God-glorifying churches raised up in the country. In September of 2019 they launched Focus Church in Budapest, Hungary! Along with Worship Pastor, Daniel Revesz and his wife Agnes, they are committed to boldly preaching God’s Word, unashamedly lifting high the name of Jesus in worship, and getting the Gospel out in the city of Budapest.

Ways to pray: Pray that hearts would be opened to the Gospel, as seekers find their way into the services. Pray that their presence as a Church would be true to the mission of glorifying God and making disciples. Pray for protection from the enemy for the leadership, and for strength and unity as a team.

Ways to support them: Friend Marc and Charin Patton and Daniel and Agnes Revesz on Facebook, look for updates and ways to pray, and send encouraging comments. For questions on how to support and pray for Focus Church, please contact Mitch Helmkamp.

Orange Walk, Belize

Who they are: A few years ago, Gospel City planted a church in Orange Walk, Belize with pastor Enrique Novelo. They share our desire to see God glorified and disciples made.

Ways to pray: Pray for Enrique and his wife Claudia as they till the soil in their city. Pray for the core team and leadership of Harvest Bible Chapel Orange Walk. Pray for God’s provision for the church to have a building to meet in.

Ways to support them: For questions on how to support and pray for Pastor Enrique and Harvest OW Belize, please contact Dan Kletzing.

Liberia

Who they are: We are blessed to aid 9 church plants in Liberia, as they seek to glorify God by making disciples amidst poverty. It is a blessing to be a part of something greater than ourselves, and to provide teams, prayer, and aid within these churches.

Ways to pray: Pray that they would grow in love, wisdom, and purity for the glory of God (Philippians 1:9-11), that God would protect them from the evil one and sanctify them in the truth (John 17:15-17), that they would be one so the world might know God’s love in Christ Jesus unto salvation (John17:23), and that they would make disciples of all the nations, teaching them to observe all of God’s commands (Matthew 28:19-20).

LEARN MORE

HOW CAN I PRAY WELL? Pray for open doors (Col. 4:2-3a), pray for boldness (Eph. 6:19–20), pray that God’s Word will spread (2 Thess. 3:1), pray for protection (2 Thess. 3:2), pray for travel (Mark 16:15), pray for refreshment (Mt. 11:28-30).

HOW CAN I NEIGHBOR WELL? Leverage the power of the home that God has given you. God exhibits hospitality to us and shows us what hospitality looks like when He invites us, through the Gospel, into a relationship with him. As followers of Christ we should extend that hospitable invitation back out to our neighbors, co-workers, family, and friends. If you have a home,  then you have an opportunity to create a culture of invitation. Here is how you can do that:

  • Invite neighbors over for coffee, tea, or dessert. Generate conversation around commonalities that you both possess.
  • Host driveway tailgates in the neighborhood—invite neighbors over for a BYOD (Bring Your Own Dinner) cookout. 
  • Host a “FriendsGiving” the weekend before Thanksgiving. 
  • Pray for your neighbors regularly. 
  • Be open and engaging—don’t isolate yourselves from your neighbors by just going into your garage and being in your home. 
  • Bake cookies for different holidays for your neighbors.

Look for practical ways to interact with your neighbors, or serve them. Shovel their driveway in winter, mow their lawn in summer. Offer help with leaves in the fall. Spend more time in your front yard. Develop and tend a garden in spring. Go for walks with your kids or pets, and stop and talk. Go to garage sales. Wave more! Carry invite cards for our church, we have them available at the resource center. 

HOW DO I PREP WELL? Get your Passport (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html) // Pursue physical health (many mission opportunities require physical expenditure) // Conduct research on the areas we are engaged in. (https://www.imb.org/2017/01/20/8-guidelines-crossing-cultures/https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides) // Learn the language of a country we’re engaged in. 

PARTNER MISSION ORGANIZATIONS