One At a Time 2019

O N E AT A T I M E 201 9

Table of Contents Local Missions 8

Wreck the Roof How Groups from Sports & Fitness, LifeBridge, and the Crestwood Campus Are Serving the Community

12

Festival Por La Vida Southeast’s Indiana Campus Helps Reach Spanish Speakers

16

Shelby County Connection

22

Southwest and Blankenbaker Campus Volunteers Serve with Hope Collaborative

26

Walking with West Louisville Churches

30

Grip the Plow A Spotlight on Local Volunteers

32

Transforming the Community One Home at a Time

38

A Change in Perspective

40

Shine!

A Night for Celebration and Joy

44

Elizabethtown Serves Vulnerable Children

National Missions 50

Planting Multiplying Churches

54

From South Louisville to River Valley and Beyond

58

From Crestwood to SLO A Church for the Never-Churchers in San Luis Obispo

62

La Grange Hosts Trafficking Alliance Providing community and resources for those serving human trafficking survivors

66

Spire Former Senior Pastor Dave Stone Serves Pastors Nationwide

70

Christ in Youth Serving MIX, Bible & Beach, and Beyond

International Missions 76

Refugees on Our Border Piedras Negras, Mexico

80

The Gospel for Refugees in Greece

86

Infographics 4

2019 Missions Giving Impact

20

Local Map

36

Local Scope of Services

Grip the Plow The Story of Dr. Tom McKechnie

52

National Engagement Map

68

Short-Term Mission Trips

88

Where Christians Are Persecuted Connecting to Jesus in Closed Countries

84

International Engagement Map

92

Empty the Jar A Story of International Adoption

96

BeFriend From Crestwood to Uganda

100

Southeast Online Wherever You Are, We’ll Be There

102

Praying Muslims Connect to Jesus

104

SE!Kids on Mission in India

108

God’s Word in Another Language A Kinyamulenge Bible

112

Is Europe Really a Mission Field?

116

From Southeast to Bosnia

118

Taking Your First Mission Trip

120

GMHC Southeast’s Annual Missions Conference

Copyright © 2019 Southeast Christian Church All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America.

First printing, 2019.

Southeast Christian Church 920 Blankenbaker Parkway Louisville, KY 40243 southeastchristian.org

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011

by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.

All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan. com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

LETTER FROM KYLE

As a church, we want to have a bold faith that takes God-honoring risks to reach people one at a time. We want to be followers of Jesus who willingly wreck the roof of tradition and conventional thinking in order to bring others to the feet of Jesus. We want to have a bias for action to reach people for Christ regardless of what it may cost us.

And this book, in short, is a celebration of that. It is a celebration of the radical obedience and sacrificial generosity displayed over the last year to get one more person to Jesus. It’s a celebration of all that God has done and a proclamation of hope for Him to do it again. I hope this book encourages you, but more than that, I hope it empowers you to raise the sails and catch the wind in your home, your neighborhood, your city, and the world.

As a church may we never put out the Holy Spirit’s fire. It is our desire to leverage the full force of the church to love people one at a time.

Kyle Idleman Senior Pastor Southeast Christian Church

3

2019 Missions Giving Impact

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:20-21

2019 MISSIONS GIVING IMPACT

Each year, we increase our support to our inter partners serving where Gospel is scarce:

At Southeast Christian Church, we’re excited about Connecting people to Jesus and one another.

64%

Here are some of the ways we did that through Missions in 2019!

$ 1,574,151 * *Through October

Twenty percent of all Southeast giving goes to Missions and impacts our community, our nation, and the farthest corner of the globe.

2019 1

2

3

4

5

6

Local

6.8%

$ 3,943,300

U.S.

3.4%

$ 1,971,500

International

6.8%

$ 3,943,300

Education

1%

$ 579,900

Benevolence

1%

$ 579,900

Orphans & Widows

1%

$ 579,900

7

60% $ 1,429,832

Sou givi

We walk with and support many churches, organizations, and missionaries!

e rnational e the

30%

18

39

39% $ 958,123

Missionaries

16 National

2016

52%

54 11

$ 1,332,749

7 01

2

utheast’s cumulative missions ing since 1999 exceeds $135M.

Churches

Organizations

Missionaries

20 International

2

8 01

Churches

Organizations

201 5

20 1

9

Local

$ 786,717

Churches

4

Organizations

31

Missionaries

64

Local Missions

Southeast members live here.

We live in these cities, towns, counties, and neighborhoods. We’re proactively involved in our own communities—from aiding partner organizations as they engage the vulnerable, to partnering with neighborhood churches, to working closely with area missionaries. In 2019, Southeast invested almost $4,000,000 in the 17 churches, 35 organizations, and 16 missionaries involved in our communities, but our biggest potential for Kingdom impact is our people— connecting others to Jesus and one another.

LOCAL

8

LOCAL

Wreck the Roof How Groups from Sports & Fitness, LifeBridge, and the Crestwood Campus Are Serving the Community hurch is a great place, but the Church is not a building, a worship service, or even a mission trip. The Church is God’s people, determined to follow Jesus no matter what. We take the message of Jesus outside church walls into everyday life, our hands to the plow as we pursue God’s Kingdom on earth. We go to church to learn, to worship, and meet with other believers. We leave the building to be the Church.

Crestwood Women’s Ministry Every Monday and Tuesday in June of 2019, dozens of women from Southeast’s Crestwood Campus broke off into groups to serve local nonprofits and some of Southeast’s Mission Partners as part of their Summer to Serve project.

Southeast members Debbie Cook and Amanda Turner led a group of women who served at the McCauley House, a women’s transitional house

It’s especially sweet when we get to be the

owned by Prodigal Ministries in Crestwood.

Church together.

Women from Southeast served women living at the McCauley House by adopting one of the rooms of the home. They painted, decorated, and prayed for women living in the house.

continued on page 10

9

LOCAL

continued from page 9 Other groups served different ministries, such

living facilities as small groups of volunteers

as Pillar, a nonprofit that supports people with

hosted parties for residents. Three times in 2019,

disabilities by promoting opportunity and

Southeast’s LifeBridge ministry assembled party

connection to the community through residential

boxes with gifts, crafts, and party supplies for

housing for adults, supported employment, case

groups to create a memorable time in facilities

management, and more.

in Jefferson County, Elizabethtown, New Castle (Henry County), and Southern Indiana.

On Monday nights, women visited Pillar to do landscaping and beautification projects.

More than 40 groups of Southeast members,

On Tuesdays, a group from Pillar visited the

including some from High School Ministry’s

Crestwood Campus for activities, community,

Kingdom Worker Wednesdays, Shine Disabilities

and a lot of memories.

Ministry, and a Shepherdsville home Bible study, have returned repeatedly to the same

Crestwood Campus Women’s Ministry Leader

care facilities to build relationships and connect

Susan Wilder said she is still hearing stories

people to Jesus.

of how Summer to Serve has impacted the community and the lives of the women who stepped out in faith to serve.

Parties are just a beginning—a bridge to build relationships. It doesn’t take long for volunteers to love the seniors they meet. Studies show as many as 80 percent of senior residents have few

LifeBridge

visitors and battle loneliness. Many volunteers

Another way Southeast groups were able to serve

return often to visit and lead Bible studies.

the community was in nursing homes and senior

“Adopting” these seniors becomes a two-way street of blessing.

We go to church to learn, to worship, and meet with other believers. We leave the building to be the Church.

10

LOCAL

Sports & Fitness and FCA Twice a year, there’s a unique partnership between Southeast Sports & Fitness and the Greater Louisville Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Over the Summer, Sports & Fitness helps FCA host a week of basketball camp, allowing students to not only sharpen their skills, but also spend extended time with coaches, loving adults, and Christian mentors.

In the Fall, all through the grounds at the

Children’s Ministry provides ice pops for runners, and sponsors provide so many medals that the runners are well rewarded for their effort. Volunteers are everywhere as parents follow their runners through the course. It’s an amazing opportunity to serve public school students and coaches.

As Southeast volunteers and groups fan out over the community, it becomes clear that no task is too small to make an impact, and that service isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a whole new way of life.

Blankenbaker Campus, hundreds of elementary students from area public schools gather for

Learn more about joining a group or finding ways to

the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Fall Cross

serve at southeastchristian.org.

Country Meet. It’s a team effort as Sports & Fitness helps with the cross country course,

11

LOCAL

Mike Silva teaches at Festival Por La Vida.

12

LOCAL

Festival Por La Vida Southeast’s Indiana Campus Helps Reach Spanish Speakers hy not have one in Louisville?

growing Hispanic-populated state in the nation!

Statewide Hispanic growth is at 130%. Louisville is now the second-largest Cuban-populated city

This question began a long journey

in America behind Miami. However, statistics

that led to the very first Festival Por La

show that less than 1% of Spanish speakers

Vida in North America in May 2019.

attend church on any given Sunday statewide.

Mike Silva International, one of Southeast’s

Statistics like that keep me awake at night!”

ministry partners, has put on large

Leading up to the conference, Mike Silva’s

evangelistic festivals in Spanish-speaking

team lived in Louisville for three months,

countries for over a decade, but had never

recruiting Hispanic churches to engage with

hosted one in the U.S. until last May.

the conference—preaching and teaching

Mike Silva felt like Louisville was a natural choice. “It’s really because of the overwhelming need,” Mike explained. “Kentucky is the fastest

various trainings for the churches. These included everything from children’s and youth ministry training, discipleship training, and even a marriage conference for Hispanic church continued on page 14

13

LOCAL continued from page 13

pastors and leaders. The goal was to have

it also had a significant impact on Mike Silva

healthy, vibrant churches that would be able to

himself. Even though he has spoken in more

participate in the conference and follow up and

than 35 countries through his ministry, Mike

disciple those who made decisions for Christ.

shared, “As the son of an immigrant to this

After months of preparation and training, and with the help of more than 200 volunteers from Southeast’s Indiana Campus, the event was a resounding success! More than 5,000 people attended the event, filling Iroquois Amphitheater to standing room only. Additionally, there were 1,216 decisions for Christ and recommitments that are now being followed up by the 35 Hispanic churches that took part in the festival.

country, I have never felt more at home than I felt in Louisville—speaking to people and their children who are just like I am! It was the most powerful experience of my life and ministry, without a doubt. Louisville will always and forever be the city that taught me that it’s ok to have a heart for the uttermost parts, but DO NOT ever turn my back on the Jerusalem where I have come from!”

The event not only impacted the local Hispanic community, churches, and many lives eternally,

Learn more and get involved at mikesilva.org.

Impact of Por La Vida

14

1,216

600

total recorded decisions and recommitments to Christ

leaders were at the pastors conference

35

750

churches united to reach their city with the Good News

attended The Fruit That Remains legacy event

147

425

workshops and trainings

individuals were trained to pray with those making decisions

180

2,500+

attended the marriage conference

attended the family fair and FestiKids event

LOCAL

Thousands participate in Louisville’s Festival Por La Vida.

15

LOCAL

16

LOCAL

Shelby County Connection ax and Sara knew Shelbyville was

Campus Pastor for the new Shelby County

the place they wanted to live. God

Campus, knew home groups were the catalyst

was creating in them an unexplained

for connecting those residents to Jesus and

interest in that city. It started on a date night with another couple from the area. Max asked the couple what they thought God was doing in their community. This led to a long conversation about population increase, heroin addiction, and the local churches. Soon after, Max and Sara moved to Shelbyville.

one another.

One day, a volunteer asked Max what it would take to start Man Challenge in Shelbyville. Max said they would need a space to meet in, and the volunteer quickly found The Brick Room, a gathering space in downtown Shelbyville. It became the gathering space that brought all the

With more than 3,500 Southeast attenders

leaders together where Max could pour into them

in Shelby County who need community and

and everyone who participated.

a shared vision for their area, Max Semenick, continued on page 18

17

LOCAL

continued from page 17

Over 17 churches are represented at Man

Operation Care partners with the local

Challenge. Pastors and para-church leaders

community, helping those in need find solutions

come to be refueled away from their ministry.

to everyday problems. Awake Ministries

If you were to ask the men who attend Man

equips individuals with essential resources

Challenge what gathering at The Brick Room

for an abundant, addiction-free future. ALC

has done for them, they would tell you it has

Shelbyville supports women and families

increased their desire to serve God’s Kingdom

facing or having faced an unplanned or crisis

in their community. Disciple-making questions

pregnancy. These three organizations and over

have been asked, answered, studied, and put

a dozen local churches model the unity and

into practice, resulting in more intense, deeper,

collaboration Jesus prayed for in John 17.

and life-giving hope for the future as they’ve gathered in The Brick Room together.

Max and Sara know why God was leading them to the area. “The collision of our personal lives, and

Soon, there were numerous regular events at

partnerships with nonprofit ministries within

The Brick Room. In addition to Man Challenge,

the city creates community,” Max reflected. He

several women’s Bible studies and community

knows God has a bigger plan for Shelby County.

outreach events meet regularly, with the number of attendees growing all the time.

They collaborate with each of Southeast’s local Mission Partners in Shelbyville, who are all working together to care for Shelby

As Southeast prepares to launch the Shelby County Campus, The Brick Room has been a valuable place in Shelby County to build community and grow together in Christ.

County’s most vulnerable residents.

To get involved with the new Shelby County Campus, find SECC in Shelby County on Facebook.

Operation Care serves the community in Shelbyville.

18

LOCAL

More than 3,500 Southeast attenders in Shelby County are finding community and a shared vision for their area.

19

Local Map

To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Mark 12:33

WA S H I N G T O N COUNTY

Local Map Southeast engages deeply with partner organizations, churches, and missionaries throughout our communities.

FLOYD COUNTY

24 38

13

57 53 65 39 67 69 44 8 22 62 14 2 45 64 58 54 15 5 18 11 16 60 40 56 33 7 42 12 6 34

23

66

HARRISON COUNTY

Bethlehem Baptist, African Service City Church Inc. Evangelical Church for Winning All Franklin Street Baptist Generation Church Grace Kids Greater First Timothy Church Greater New Beginnings Harvest Church for All Nations Kentucky Myanmar Christian Liberty Tabernacle Mt. Hermon Baptist Church Nomad Church No More Limits Christian Church Portland Memorial Missionary Baptist Senda de Luz Taylorsville Community Church True Believers

3

35

10

JEFFERSON C O U N T9 Y

BULLITT COUNTY

LOCAL PARTNER CHURCHES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

70

50

HARDIN COUNTY

27

Legend Local Mission Partners

Local Partner Churches

26 48

ELIZABETHTOWN

CLARK COUNTY

52

OLDHAM COUNTY

55

37

LOCAL MISSION PARTNERS

46 29

4 63

61 47 32 36 31

68

SHELBY COUNTY

30 59

19 21 51

28

LOUISVILLE

1

SPENCER COUNTY

17

20

HARDIN COUNTY

Southeast also supports 16 families or individuals as local missionaries!

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

ALC Shelbyville ALC Shepherdsville Awake BSideU for Life Choices Corydon Choices New Albany Choices Salem (not on map) Clarity Elizabethtown Clarity Radcliff Crossroads Missions Crossroads PRC Elevate Dance Ministry Endeavor FCA Metro Louisville FCA U of L Friends of International Students Hope Collaborative – Hope Place Hope Collaborative – Public Schools Hope Health Clinic Hope Southern Indiana Hosea’s House Ignite the Ville Isaiah’s House (not on map) KY Racetrack Chaplaincy Lifeline Christian Mission (not on map) Love City Love Thy Neighborhood M.E.R.C.Y. MCLA Clinic (Various Locations) Mission Hope for Kids – Elizabethtown Mission Hope for Kids – Leitchfield (not on map) Mission Hope for Kids – Radcliff Operation Care and Mercy Medical Operation Parent Portland Promise Center Priscilla’s Place Prodigal CW Prodigal Louisville Re:Center Indiana Re:Center Louisville Refuge Scarlet Hope Bakery Scarlet Hope Bakery Scarlet Hope Bakery Scarlet Hope House Scarlet Hope Office Shawnee Christian Health Clinic Shively Area Ministries The Fuller Center Young Life Youth for Christ—Louisville Youth for Christ—Southern Indiana

LOCAL

22

LOCAL

Southwest and Blankenbaker Campus Volunteers Serve with

Hope Collaborative ope Collaborative, a unique Local

The first is the Public Schools Outreach, which

Missions Partner, was launched

mobilizes the church to serve in public schools

just over a year ago by Southeast

as mentors and volunteers. The second, Hope

to help churches in our community work

Place, involves outreach and services to meet

as one body to bring wholeness, unity, and

the needs of the South Louisville community.

healing to our community. Hope Collaborative

About 200 volunteers serve regularly with

currently provides two specific programs.

Hope Collaborative. continued on page 24

23

LOCAL

continued from page 23

Public Schools Outreach Volunteer: Carol Miller

nervous to meet the four little girls who had been entrusted to her. As each girl created a project about themselves on their first day, Carol

After roughly 50 years as a teacher and principal,

watched as their coping walls began to crack,

Carol Miller (Blankenbaker Campus) was looking

and she could see the beautiful souls who were

for ways to serve while she enjoyed retirement.

already carrying more weight than their young

She had a deeply rooted love for elementary

lives should warrant.

students, especially those who needed just a little extra boost. When she heard about Public Schools Outreach with Hope Collaborative, she was intrigued. She wanted to be a mentor for vulnerable kids!

As they met each week, Carol saw the girls learn to solve problems, think of others, walk with one another, and feel truly loved and seen. The girls grew and changed, but Carol also experienced God challenging and shaping her own life. As she

Though Carol had been through hundreds of

learned more clearly the burdens her girls were

hours of training in her years as an educator, she

carrying every day, her heart grew softer and her

couldn’t believe how much she learned at the

prayers grew stronger. Carol considered it a great

Hope Collaborative orientation and training. The

privilege to serve her girls with love, constancy,

event walked through policies and expectations,

and hope each week.

but also equipped her with ideas, insight, and a community as she entered into a new season.

Carol could also see the joy and excitement from the other mentors, who truly believed God was using them to make a difference in the lives of the kids they were serving.

Members from the Blankenbaker, Indiana, Crestwood, Southwest, La Grange, River Valley, and Chapel in the Woods Campuses currently serve in Public Schools Outreach, and there are hopes of expanding to Elizabethtown and Shelbyville soon.

When Carol arrived for her first day of mentoring at Blue Lick Elementary School, she was a little

To learn more or get involved with Public Schools Outreach, visit thehopecollaborative.org.

Carol Miller Volunteer Blankenbaker Campus

24

LOCAL

Hope Place Volunteers: Amy and Hannah Cunningham

community, they could all find a place to fit at Hope Place. On any given day, there are dance classes, mentoring meetings, international

When Hope Place launched in June 2018 with a

churches worshipping in their own languages,

neighborhood block party, Amy Cunningham

refugee women crafting quality products to

(Southwest Campus) was one of the volunteers

support their families, job skills workshops,

that day. From its beginning, Amy has embraced

fitness classes, English lessons, and much more.

the mission and purpose of Hope Place, and before long, her grown daughter Hannah was

Amy has helped in many ways, including as a

involved, too. Now, both of them serve faithfully

mentor, building host, lunch server, and tutor.

each week in a long list of roles.

She loves Hope Place because of what it gives those who walk into the building. She often

In addition to serving as a mentor for a group

considers H.O.P.E., the acronym Hope Place

of young girls, Hannah helps teach and tutor

uses to identify what happens there: Healing,

English each week. She’s building relationships

Opportunity, Purpose, and Education. She has seen

in very genuine ways with vulnerable children

how this is fulfilled in the lives of the families

and women in her community. As God shapes

that Hope Place serves, but also in her own life.

her future plans and next steps, Hannah

God has used her time serving at Hope Place to

recognizes that Hope Place is, in many ways, a

bring more than she even knew she needed, both

glimpse into what she sees herself doing full-

relationally and spiritually.

time down the road.

God didn’t just bring Amy and Hannah to Hope Hannah loves Hope Place because it’s a place for

Place. He brought Hope Place to them.

everyone—children, teens, and adults. Whether they’re refugees, immigrants, or locals from the To learn more or get involved with Hope Place, visit thehopecollaborative.org.

Amy and Hannah Cunningham Volunteers Southwest Campus

25

LOCAL

Walking with West Louisville Churches N

o matter the size, demographic, or location, the people following Jesus belong to one unified body—the body of

Portland Memorial Missionary Baptist Church

Christ. As Christ followers, we are called to love

We have walked with Portland Memorial

the Lord our God with all our hearts and to love

Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor

one another as we love ourselves. When we love

Stephen Smith to address vulnerable children

others the way Jesus loves us, we find ourselves

in Shawnee by assisting in their creation

living in unity. When we live in unity, no matter

of a Summer enrichment program in 2019.

the denomination, color, or race, we will find

Functioning as a Summer camp, the program

ourselves loving others as Jesus loves us.

helped children improve reading and math skills—often increasing multiple grade levels!

That’s the philosophy behind Southeast’s partnership with churches and ministries in West Louisville.

continued on page 28

First, we unite together through prayer. We come together to pray for schools, communities, city officials, city-wide concerns, and pastors. Leading up to Easter, dozens of churches pray through the same daily requests before coming together in a united prayer service on Palm Sunday. A similar prayer meeting kicks off the school year.

When we are united, if one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers with it. Thus, we intentionally walk with congregations and pastors close to suffering in our city.

26

“When we love others the way Jesus loves us, we find ourselves living in unity.”

LOCAL

27

LOCAL

continued from page 27

The campers appreciated the opportunity to learn and the love they received from teachers. The love and care impacted many

Greater New Beginnings Christian Church

families, and some have visited and joined the

Greater New Beginnings Christian Church

church as a result of the program. Portland

with Pastor Darrell Wilson reaches out in

Memorial wanted to make a difference in

Louisville’s California neighborhood through

the lives of the community youth which,

special events and meeting neighbors one

in turn, impacted the whole family.

at a time. Southeast assisted in the support to hire David Thomas as their new Outreach

During the school year, members from Portland

Pastor. He and other members go door to door,

Memorial are engaged in several neighborhood

listening to the concerns of their neighbors

schools serving as tutors, mentors, and

and working at meeting those concerns.

wherever the school leadership needs them. Because of the trusted relationship

Some families have lived in the neighborhood

between the church and the school, the

for 50 years and had never entered the doors

church has become the first responder in

of the church. Because of the relationships

times of crisis for students and families.

being built in the community, neighbors have come to the church for the first time.

One example of this kind of community

There’s a true appreciation that the church

collaboration is the Shawnee Neighborhood

is reaching out in the community.

Association and the Shawnee Ministries and Community Collaborative—a group

Greater New Beginnings has begun a monthly

comprising many of the church and ministry

pastors’ prayer breakfast for the purpose of

partners of Southeast, including Shawnee

praying for one another and building unity.

Christian Health Care, Youth For Christ, The

The churches come together to pray for the

Fuller Center, Portland Memorial Missionary

city and one another. David Thomas leads

Baptist Church, and No More Limits Christian

in neighborhood prayer walks and reaches

Church, as well as other businesses,

out to families. He also leads Monday night

individuals, nonprofits, and churches.

prayer meetings, when the church body prays for church and community members.

As they seek to connect the Shawnee neighborhood to Jesus, they’ve experienced the power of unity and being better together.

“Working together has brought more unity,

greaternewbeginningschristianchurch.org

open communication, and a better, more

or portlandmmbc.org.

positive community that impacts more people. It’s hard work; we all have to give of ourselves, but the togetherness is worth it,” said Southeast Community Pastor Luke Chase.

28

To learn more or get involved, visit

LOCAL

Southeast partners with Portland Memorial Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor Stephen Smith.

Pastors Darrell Wilson and David Thomas serve at Greater New Beginnings Christian Church.

29

LOCAL

Grip the Plow

A Spotlight on Local Volunteers

Countless people from Southeast serve locally throughout their communities. Here’s how a few people are getting involved.

“Our group needed to be more like Jesus than doing another Bible Study about Jesus, so we started serving meals at the Mercy Street service for addiction in New Middletown, Indiana.

I saw how addiction destroys people and their families; Jesus is the ladder to get out of this hole and to recovery.”

Michael Shaughnessy, Indiana Campus

“God really does want His name known and He invites us into this mission wherever we are. HighPoint Charitable Services in Oldham County uses our previous life experiences at this ‘retirement’ stage to allow us to continue to serve God and be Kingdom workers right here at home!”

Debbie and Glen Rodriguez, Crestwood Campus

“My family serves at Stoneridge twice a month at the Backyard BBQ hosted by our La Grange First Impressions Team. This has been an amazing opportunity to simply love our neighbors as Jesus calls us to do.”

Heather Faulkner, La Grange Campus

“On the sports teams I coach, we have Bible studies for team members and their parents. Many of those athletes have been baptized at Southeast over the last several years. We go from team members, athletes, players, and coaches to eternal brothers!”

Dave Hare, River Valley Campus

To learn more and get involved, contact your Community Pastor at community@secc.org.

30

LOCAL

“I pray every Monday with Clarity Solutions for an hour for the volunteers, staff, vulnerable moms, and their children. And I pray every time I receive an urgent text message to pray for an abortion-minded client. God has brought me freedom and healing through receiving training and serving.”

Juanita Spalding, Elizabethtown Campus

“I volunteer at Doss High School to support teachers and staff and also to pray with those in our community through our Pop-Up Prayer events. Being the hands and feet of Jesus has definitely changed my heart and outlook more than anything that I could ever do for those that I serve. I can’t believe at times that I get to do this.”

Pam Chancey, Southwest Campus

“I serve with Open Table in Fern Creek to talk with recipients while we offer dinner twice a month for anyone in the community who is hungry. This experience has taught me how to love others and accept love from others. No matter how much love we pour out, we receive back ten-fold from the group.”

Mark Mitchell, Blankenbaker Campus

“I must be gifted at going through people’s junk! I’ve served at LifeBridge sorting donations for over 20 years. Currently, I serve every Monday morning. Working regularly with this group of volunteers created community that supported me through the death of my three-year-old granddaughter. Their support gave me confidence to know I’ll see her again.”

Margie Lester, Chapel in the Woods

“Although I’ve been a part of Southeast for 13 years, I’ve struggled to find a place to serve—especially with multiple cancer diagnoses and treatments.

As a chat host for SE Online, I can be a people person without risking my health. In volunteering, Jesus has used my brokenness to pour into others, which fulfills me too. Going on a mission trip isn’t possible with my health, but I can reach around the world every week with SE Online.”

Amy Coleman, SE Online

31

LOCAL

32

LOCAL

Transforming the Community One Home at a Time

R

ahabu Nsenga keeps a picture of

After years in the camp, their dream began

her home in a Rwandan refugee

coming true when they settled in the U.S.,

camp on her phone. The one-room

applied for citizenship, and moved to

house with a door and no windows reminds

Louisville to join the Evangelical Church

her of how far God has brought her family—

Winning All led by Jean de Dieu Nzeyimana

how He has answered their prayers.

and his wife Pauline Mukeshimana.

For years, Rahabu and her husband Maurice prayed that one day they could live in a place of peace, work to provide for their children, serve the church, and tell people about God. They dreamed of making their home a place of prayer, a place to gather around the table and talk about faith and hope.

Missional Living Program The Nsengas are perfect candidates for the new Missional Living Program with CrossRoads Missions. The goal is to transform the community one person, one home, and one neighborhood at a time. continued on page 34

33

LOCAL

continued from page 33

“We pray there are 100 Nsengas in homes

Pauline and Jean de Dieu believe God

in the next five years,” said Tim Anderson,

brought the Nsengas to Louisville because

Assistant Director at CrossRoads Missions.

the church needed them. “We prayed

The Nsengas purchased a house—the first they have ever owned—because there was space in the basement for prayer, and the dining room had plenty of room for guests. Their covenant with the church and CrossRoads Missions promises to use the house for the Lord.

It’s what they always planned to do.

Volunteers with CrossRoads, many from Southeast, repaired the front porch, renovated the basement and bathroom, and redid a back porch sitting area. Southeast member John Boyd said working on the

for someone to lead women’s ministry.

Rahabu is doing it. We prayed for leaders.

Maurice is an elder,” she said. “The church welcomed them. They serve all day Saturday and Sunday. They are Godly people with integrity.”

The Nsengas are grateful for every hour volunteers invested in their home.

“We are very happy,” Maurice said. “We can’t have anything big enough to reward them or show our gratitude. If we paid for all the work this home needed, we could not afford it.”

Nsenga home was an honor.

34

“We will use the dining room as a way of

To participate in this effort with CrossRoads

sharing the Gospel,” Rahabu said. “We’ll

Missions, by volunteering your time to help

invite people to eat with us. We cook very

renovate homes or becoming a missional

well. It’s what we do.”

family, visit servelouisville.com.

LOCAL

“For years, Rahabu and her husband Maurice prayed that one day they could live in a place of peace, work to provide for their children, serve the church, and tell people about God.�

35

Local Scope of Services

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

Matthew 25:35-36

LOCAL SCOPE OF SERVICES Collaborating together, Local Mission Partners meet felt needs holistically in order to make disciples and connect people to Jesus.

Pregnancy Resou

Students

Prevent Vulnera

Internationals

Learn more about Southeast’s Local Mission Partners at southeastchristian.org/ministries/missions/mission-partners.

LOCOverview.indd 1-3

Reside

Family Resources

Crisis Assistance

Job Preparation

urces

Legal Assistance

tative Work with able Populations

Meeting Tangible Community Needs Medical Clinic

Recovery and Restoration

ential Program

Home Ownership

Adult Entertainment Outreach

Drug Rehabilitation

Prison Transition

12/10

LOCAL

A Change in Perspective A

s Margaret nervously walked into her

Through powerful testimonies, the class

first Perspectives class, she had no way

highlighted a balance of cultural adaptation as

of knowing how catalytic it would be

well as practical strategies for going into the

in her faith journey. Margaret had been involved

field. The stories conveyed not only a devotion

at Southeast Christian Church for a couple of

to living a spiritual life, but also a deep desire to

months when her mentor, Katie, encouraged

evangelize the lost.

her to take the course, Perspectives on the World Christian Movement.

stirring in Margaret a passion for missions. She

Margaret enrolled in the course and began to

felt deeply impacted by Matthew 28:19 (NIV):

learn about the history of missionaries and

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

the Biblical foundation for the importance of

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the

sharing the Gospel with unreached people.

Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Margaret served with Life in Abundance in Africa.

38

As the 15-week course progressed, God was

LOCAL

Life In Abundance Margaret recognized a calling on her life to go, but wrestled with what that would look like as she entered into her senior year at the University of Louisville. As she continued to seek the Lord for guidance on what it meant to live on mission for Christ, her mentor reached out again.

Katie shared a 6-week internship to go to Kenya and Ethiopia with the ministry Life In Abundance the following Summer.

In faith, Margaret applied and was accepted with Life in Abundance. She felt the Lord had purposefully prepared her through the Perspectives classes to go into the field after graduation.

215 Residency Program The Lord was calling Margaret into full-time ministry, and soon she heard about the 215 Residency Program at Southeast. Through the application process, the Spirit kept reminding her of the foundation that the Perspectives course had given her for ministry. She was accepted to the program as a Resident on Southeast’s Missions team for two years.

The day she entered her first Perspectives class in the Fall of 2018, her story began a new chapter. The Lord equipped her through her travels to Africa with Life In Abundance, and now He is continuing her story at Southeast. The transformation all began as Margaret learned how to pursue God’s global purpose for her life through Perspectives.

To register for Perspectives and see other missions-equipping classes, visit southeastchristian. org/ministries/missions.

39

LOCAL

Shine!

T

A Night for Celebration and Joy

ravis Bailey was the homecoming

Travis came for the first time in 2016. When

king in high school. His peers good-

his family pulled into the parking lot, they

naturedly referred to him as “The

were greeted with the welcoming cheers of

Mayor,” because he knew everyone and was

countless volunteers. With the contagious

universally liked. He naturally draws people

joy of a massive celebration ringing in his

into his joy. He’s also a proud member of

ears, Travis rolled through the crowds in

Southeast’s Shine Disabilities Ministry.

his wheelchair, right up to where former Southeast Senior Pastor Dave Stone was

The first time “The Mayor” came to the Shine

waiting to give him a high five. Travis

Gala, he was treated like a king.

brought him in for a hug instead.

The Shine Gala is an annual prom-like event

For Travis and the other friends who attend,

for those with developmental disabilities

the Shine Gala is a rare and lovely gift. It’s a

in the Louisville area. It’s a huge night of

night to celebrate who they are and an event

celebration and joy. The Blankenbaker

designed specifically to let them reflect God’s

Campus is transformed to match the year’s

light with all their smiles, dance moves, and

theme, and hundreds of volunteers come

contagious laughter.

together to create one memorable night.

There’s dancing, karaoke, games, and a full

continued on page 42

salon to pamper the guests like royalty.

41

LOCAL

continued from page 41

Why It Matters The Shine Gala is easily one of the biggest events Southeast hosts each year, and it takes countless hours, meetings, plans, and volunteers to put it together. But all of that is worth it because of the value it provides to the guests and their families, the volunteers, and the entire community.

For many of the guests who attend, the Shine Gala is the highlight of their year. They get to have a big party, but they also get to see all their friends each year. Southeast welcomes guests who come from all over the community, not just from within the church.

It’s a truly missional event.

The Shine Gala also provides the families an opportunity to hear, “This person that you love so much—we love them, too! We can’t wait to celebrate them!” These families may often experience pity and insensitivity, but Shine is the opposite of that. It’s an affirmation of some amazing people whom God loves deeply and individually.

Volunteers are powerfully impacted when they serve at the Shine Gala. They gain compassion, humility, perspective, empathy, kindness, gentleness, joy, and wisdom through serving at the Shine Gala. No one can serve as a volunteer there without having it challenge and change them deeply.

The Shine Gala is not an event that benefits only those who participate. The entire Southeast family is blessed through the event. We don’t just get to celebrate a community of people—we desperately need those people. God’s Church includes those

42

LOCAL

God’s Church

with many different

that their faith grew. Now, they’re members

includes those

abilities, gifts, and

with the church, they’re involved in classes

with many

experiences, and

and groups, and they see steady growth

when we embrace

in their walk with Christ. Travis was even

the disabilities

baptized in a special chair during one of

community, we’re

Southeast’s Baptism Weekends.

different abilities, gifts, and experiences.

When we embrace

gaining valuable insight and unity.

Travis loves his church. He volunteers weekly in Café 920, sang with the Hope

the disabilities

It’s this very belief

Praise Team at Celebrate Christmas Together,

community, we’re

in the value of

helped pack meals for the churchwide

people with special

Famine Relief efforts, and eagerly joins his

needs that fuels

Bible class every weekend. Travis engages

Southeast’s Shine

with anyone; he’s never met a stranger. He

Disabilities Ministry.

lights up everything around him just by

gaining valuable insight and unity.

Travis Bailey’s family was attending

being himself every single day. But on one

Southeast, but it wasn’t until they became

special night of every year, he really gets

connected to the Shine Disabilities Ministry

to Shine.

Learn more and get involved with Southeast’s Shine Disabilities Ministry at southeastchristian.org/ministries/deaf-and-disabilities-ministry.

43

LOCAL

44

LOCAL

Elizabethtown Serves Vulnerable Children S

outheast’s Elizabethtown Campus

When Lauren arrived at Clarity, she almost

partners alongside some great

immediately felt like the medical staff were

ministries serving the community,

family because of their care and love for her.

including Clarity Solutions and Mission

After talking to the nurse and seeing her baby

Hope for Kids. Clarity Solutions provides

on an ultrasound, she decided to choose life for

help and hope to women, men, and families

her baby. When her ultrasound was finished,

experiencing an unplanned pregnancy

she went into a mentoring room to talk more,

situation. Mission Hope for Kids exists to make

and that very day she also decided to give her

their community a better place by proactively

life to Christ.

investing in the lives of at-risk children.

As a result of Lauren’s

“These ministries

Both organizations are faith-based, nonprofit

decision to choose life,

ministries that are intentionally meeting

she moved away to be

the physical, emotional, and spiritual

closer to family so they

positive impact

needs of some of the area’s most vulnerable

could help her. Months

for vulnerable

children and families. The ministries serve

later, when she had

in love, hope, and with the unsurpassed

her baby, a little girl,

families by

grace of Christ—one person at a time.

Lauren named the baby

providing Godly

Clarity—as a daily

help and hope for

reminder in her life of

a bright future.”

One Woman Lauren* came to Clarity Solutions with abortion on her mind. She had just taken a home pregnancy test with a positive result.

Lauren already had a child with special needs at home and her husband had just deployed, so she was scared and didn’t

the new hope and path

are making a

given to her through Christ by the team of staff and volunteers at the ministry. continued on page 46

think she could have another baby.

45

LOCAL

continued from page 45

One Volunteer

Because of this, how Shelby shares the love

Each ministry has faithful volunteers who

of Christ with them looks different every

bring the hope of Christ to the individuals

day. Sometimes, it is showing patience with

who turn to them. Shelby Coble is one of

a frustrated child who has a lot going on at

those volunteers. After taking the role as

home. Another day, it looks like reaffirming

the First Impressions Coordinator at the

the growth and the positive changes she sees

Elizabethtown Campus, she soon felt the tug

in their lives.

to serve in the local community. She wanted to get to know more people and feel at home

When you look at Mission Hope for Kids and

in her new town.

Clarity Solutions and how they are reaching the community, you see they are working

Shelby talked with one of Southeast’s

toward the same goal—making a positive

Community Pastors, Chris Garrett, about

impact for vulnerable families by providing

Mission Hope for Kids and their need for

Godly help and hope for a bright future.

academic mentors. She loves serving elementary age children and using her gifts

God is at work everywhere. When you jump

to engage with vulnerable children, and was

in and start serving with a local Mission

eager to learn what volunteering at Mission

Partner in your community, you will be

Hope for Kids would look like for her. Now,

blessed and encouraged to see the tangible

she’s been serving with a group of kids each

ways ministries are making a difference in

Wednesday for more than a year.

our community!

On any given day, her group of kids could

*Name changed for privacy

be dealing with any number of things.

Learn more about Southeast’s local mission partners at southeastchristian.org/ministries/missions/mission-partners.

46

LOCAL

Mission Hope for Kids serves vulnerable children in the community.

47

National Missions

We are called to show the love of Jesus beyond our local communities—to our nation. That’s why Southeast partners with 11 organizations and has sent out 20 missionaries across the country.

These partners and missionaries work with vulnerable children, individuals with disabilities, women coming out of sex trafficking, and much more.

Southeast has also been a part of planting 58 churches in the last several years, mostly in large, urban areas with few churches. We are excited to partner with each in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of those whom they serve—helping each of them connect people to Jesus and one another.

NATIONAL

Planting Multiplying Churches tudies continually show that new

Josh for three years, then left to launch

churches are more successful in reaching

Foundry Church in Baltimore. So when

those far from God than established churches.

Revolution Church was started, it was

This is what motivates us to plant new

already moving toward reproducing.

churches. Since 2002, Southeast has been involved in planting more than 50 churches in less-churched areas of the United States.

When Southeast is involved in planting a new church, our goal is for the church to become self-sufficient, self-governing, and self-replicating. We want the idea of multiplication to be embedded in this new church so they will become a reproducer in their city or region.

Expectant Church Planting

Cluster Church Planting Another way to approach church planting with multiplication in mind is to implement cluster church planting. In this scenario, a church-planting team moves into a city with the intent to plant multiple churches one at a time. After the first church is established as a healthy church, a second church is planted in a different area of the city. This process continues for a third church, fourth church, and beyond. Establishing the first church is usually the most difficult. The succeeding

For some new church plants, there is already a

churches have the advantages of ready-made

quality leader on staff from the beginning who

core teams, knowledge of best evangelism

will help for the first few years and then be

practices in the area, and credibility in

sent out to plant another church in a different

the community.

area. This leader gains valuable experience in the context of the community and learns

We have seen this play out beautifully in

the best practices for connecting with the

Providence, Rhode Island. Northpointe

unchurched. By the time the leader is ready

Christian Church was launched on the north

to plant another church, there is already a

side of the city. After growing to about

core group of locals who will serve together in

175, they sent out some people to launch

launching the new church.

Southpointe on the southern side of the city.

Southpointe grew more rapidly, reaching

50

Southeast has been involved with this

around 250 when they assisted with launching

kind of church plant with Revolution

Bridgepointe in east Providence. Bridgepointe

Church, led by Josh Burnett in Annapolis,

grew even faster, reaching around 300 before

Maryland. Scott Ancarrow served with

helping launch Oceanpointe in Newport.

NATIONAL

Worshippers gather at Revolution Church.

When Southeast is involved in planting a new church, our goal is for the church to become self-sufficient, self-governing, and self-replicating.

In each of these efforts, the next church

their church, so they are highly motivated

grew faster and larger. The third church,

to also invest in church planting. When

Bridgepointe, now runs 500 in attendance,

Southeast partners to establish a new

and the fourth church, Oceanpointe, runs

church, we are making an investment in a

600 in attendance. Before the process

reproducing church.

started, there were no independent Christian Churches in Providence.

Beyond the significant financial investment in this church planting movement across the

Multiplication in Mind All the churches that Southeast partners with to plant begin tithing their church budget to church planting from the beginning. It is built into their first budget. They recognize that other churches made investments to establish

country, Southeast has various members serving on launch-management teams for these new churches, and we have more than 10 short-term mission trip opportunities to serve with these church plants throughout the year!

To learn more about Southeast’s church-plant partnerships, visit southeastchristian.org/ministries/missions/church-plants.

51

National Engagement Map

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Acts 1:8

NATIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Church Plants 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Southeast partners with 11 nationwide ministries, and has helped plant 58 churches!

13

14

15

16

17

40

Rehoboth Victory Church

18

Discovery Church

19

LifePoint Christian Church

20

EastPointe Christian Church

21

Live Oak Christian Church

22

Forefront Church

23

Kinetic Christian Church

24

Watermarke Church

25

Parkside Church

26

Ridge Community Church

27

Velocity Christian Church

28

Momentum Christian Church

29

Reunion Christian Church

30

Common Ground

31

Mosaic Christian Church

32

Velocity Christian Church

33

Legacy Christian Church

34

Winston Salem, NC Launched 2002

Simi Valley, CA Launched February 2003 Raleigh, NC Launched February 2004 Portland, ME Launched March 7, 2004

Bluffton, SC Launched September 1, 2004

Manhattan, NY Launched September 18, 2005 Charlotte, NC Launched February 2005

Canton, GA Launched September 2005 Kansas City, KS Launched October 2005 New Berlin, WI Launched January 1, 2006 Richmand, VA Launched March 19, 2006

Cleveland, OH Launched October 1, 2006

Boston, MA Launched February 18, 2007

Tampa, Florida Launched September 9, 2007 Baltimore, MD Launched September 14, 2008 Cleveland, OH Launched April 5, 2009

Allentown, PA Launched September 20, 2009

55

57 35

Church of the Incarnation

Manhattan, NY Launched September 27, 2009

Northpointe Christian Church

Providence, RI Launched October 25, 2009

Restore Community Church

Sterling, VA Launched October 25, 2009

Verve

Las Vegas, NV Launched January 1, 2010 31 54

The Avenue

Louisville, KY Launched October 10, 2010

Revolution Christian Church

56

Annapolis, MD Launched October 24, 2010

2

SouthPointe Christian Church

21 39

Providence, RI Launched October 30, 2011

CityEdge Christian Church

Cleveland, OH Launched September 11, 2011

Village Christian Church

Buffalo, NY Launched October 2, 2011

Everyday Christian Church

Manhattan, NY Launched Fall 2011

Restore Christian Church

In addition to these nationa Southeast has helped launc Nairobi, Kenya; Cape Town, Lagos, Nigeria; and Paris, Fr

Silver Springs, MD Launched October 1, 2012

BridgePointe Christian Church

Providence, RI Launched March 17, 2013

Foundry Christian Church

Baltimore, MD Launched September 22, 2013

Redemption Church

35

Oceanpointe Christian Church

36

Renaissance Church

37

Renewal Church

38

San Francisco, CA Launched February 1, 2014 Newport, RI Launched March 16, 2014

Harlem, NY Launched October 1, 2014 Chicago, IL Launched September 7, 2014

Church of the City

39

Col

Community Lincoln Square

40

Intr

Restoration Church

41

Res

Miami Church

42

Epi

Portland, OR Launched January 25, 2015 Chicago, IL Launched March 1, 2015

Philadelphia, PA Launched March 22, 2015 Miami, FL Launched September 20, 2015

Los Lau

Sea Lau

Bos Lau

Bro Lau

CA N A DA

4 49

26

10

36 34

12 16 25

8 9

9 7 5

22 11

3 1 2

3

4

7

5 6

5

7 8

repid Church

44

store Church

45

iphany Church

46

ooklyn, NY unched March 20, 2016

2

8

43

ston, MA unched October 18, 2015

Partners 1

11

4

10

1

llective Church

attle, WA unched October 4, 2015

37 3 53 52 15 30 48 23 20 28

51

Legend

44

al churches, ch churches in , South Africa; MEXICO rance!

s Angeles, CA unched September 20, 2015

17

41 13 6 58 19 24 50 29 42 6 18 32 33 27

14

Church Plants

38

Mavuno Church

47

Thrive Church

48

Pro Deo Church

49

City Church

50

Nairobi, Kenya Launched September 1, 2016 Lake Nona, FL Launched December 4, 2016 Cape Town, South Africa Launched February 4, 2017 Lagos, Nigeria Launched March 1, 2017

Eglise Saint Lazare

51

Encounter Church

52

Movement Church

53

The Gathering

54

Paris, France Launched September 3, 2017 Washington, DC Launched September 10, 2017 Manchester, NH Launched January 1, 2017 Harlem, NY Launched September 17, 2017

Partners

9 10 11

CU Church

55

United Church

56

Delaware Church

57

Bay City Church

58

Champaign, IL Launched September 17, 2017 Owings Mills, MD Launched October 1, 2017 Wilmington, DE Launched April 22, 2018 San Francisco, CA Launched September 9, 2018

Cookson Hills

Kansas, OK

Ability Ministry

Louisville, Tennessee

The Samaritan Women

Baltimore, MD

Christian Student Fellowship

Lexington, KY

Christ in Youth

Joplin, MO

Sojourn Collegiate

Boston, MA

Manhood Journey

Louisville, KY

World Impact

Cincinnati, OH

The Post/Lantern Network

Alton, IL

Crescent Project

Nashville, TN

Bob Russell Ministries

Louisville, KY

Icon Church

Seattle, WA Launched September 8, 2019

SLO City Church

San Luis Obispo, CA Launched September 8, 2019

Generations Church

Vancouver, WA Launched October 6, 2019

Renaissance Church

Boston, MA Launching in late 2019

NATIONAL

From South Louisville to River Valley and Beyond Sunday morning, 53 people gathered in a school lunchroom with the goal of planting a church in Louisville’s growing East End. That was the first service of Southeast Christian Church.

They came from South Louisville Christian Church, a booming congregation far ahead of its time, which had already given faithful members and funds to plant churches in growing corners of Louisville. It was a risky choice to step out from this established congregation into a new venture that could have easily failed.

continued on page 56

54

NATIONAL

Southeast’s first worship service was in 1962 at Goldsmith Elementary School.

55

NATIONAL

Daniel Dabney leads worship at CU Church.

After starting out as a church plant in an act of faithful, risky obedience, that church-planting mentality continued to shape the heart of Southeast.

56

NATIONAL

CU Church members serve the community. continued from page 54

For these founding pioneers, the risk was

Throughout the last 20 years, Southeast

worth it to connect more people outside the

has planted 58 churches. It is a new day as

walls of the church to Jesus, though there

people gather to worship in theaters, schools,

were no superstars in this church plant.

warehouses, and restaurants. Practical sermons still center on Jesus. Each one

Garland Hedgspeth ran a business. Emory

looks different, though they all still carry

Cockerham worked for the railroad. They

the church-planting torch, and the network

were secretaries, homemakers, factory

continues to grow around the world.

workers, and accountants. Butch Dabney led worship. He owned an office supply store.

In many ways, the original 53 sojourners continue to have an impact. Two of the

A committee who was building a megachurch

first members were Durham and Frances.

might have overlooked them to choose a

They didn’t remain at Southeast forever,

more educated, talented group. But God

because God called them and others to

was writing this story, and He specializes

begin a new church named River Valley

in using small things like loaves, fish,

Christian Church. In 2019, that church became

manna, and a stable in Bethlehem.

Southeast’s River Valley Campus.

Planting Churches

And in September 2017, Southeast sent

After starting out as a church plant in an act of faithful, risky obedience, that church-planting mentality continued to shape the heart of the church. Southeast began planting churches in parts of the U.S. where less than 3% attend church. The new churches reached out to the

several staff members to launch CU Church in Champaign, Illinois. Butch Dabney’s grandson, Daniel Dabney, leads worship. They meet in a hotel, serve the homeless, and meet needs in the community. It’s a different church with the same timeless message.

disappointed and disillusioned—those hurt and those turned off by church.

Learn more about Southeast’s commitment to church planting at southeastchristian.org/ministries/missions.

57

NATIONAL

From Crestwood to SLO A Church for the Never-Churchers in San Luis Obispo t first glance, it’s hard to believe people in San Luis Obispo need anything. The historic California city is framed by mountains on one side and a rocky ocean coast on the other. It has colleges, outdoor restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. It is a fun city where people surf, kayak, and hike.

But it’s what people in San Luis Obispo lack that brought Brent Bramer and his family 2,400 miles to start SLO City Church. The city ranks second in the nation as “never churched.”

Amid all the beauty of a cultured beach town, people are hungry for authentic faith, hope, and community.

“We have experienced when hope calls your name,” said Brent. “Hope restores and overflows. It changes everything for our neighbors, friends, and families.

We know people are hungry for authentic community and faith.”

SLO City Church launched September 8, 2019 to a packed crowd. Julie Moore was there that day. She heard about the new church as she

continued on page 60

58

NATIONAL

Amid all the beauty of a cultured beach town, people are hungry for authentic faith, hope, and community.

59

NATIONAL

continued from page 58 faced surgery for a brain tumor. She didn’t want

“We see people are hungry for something real and

to tackle it alone. A pre-launch community that

honest,” Brent said. “We’re not getting buttoned

began with two people, then four, then more

up for church. We are creating an environment for

prayed for Julie and made Scripture cards that

people to come face to face with Jesus. He rescues

her husband read to her in the hospital. She told

us so we can rescue others. Jesus redeems our

her story of finding hope, faith, and community at

story so we can be part of the redemption of our

the launch service.

city. We believe SLO City Church will outlast us.”

Laura and Matt Graham were ready to leave San

In addition to sending the Bramers from the

Luis Obispo when the Bramers moved in across

Crestwood Campus staff, Southeast sends short-

the street. Their son launched a paper airplane

term trips in support and financially supports

over the Bramers’ fence. “My name is Mattie. Will

SLO City Church.

you be my friend?” That paper airplane answered Jenna Bramer’s prayer for fast friends for their

Southeast has planted more than 50 churches

family. Even their yellow Lab, Moose, gained a

in the last 20 years as we’ve seen the wind of

friend with the Grahams’ dog, Riley.

the Holy Spirit fill our sails and lead us to more people who desperately need to hear

“We were ready to give up,” said Laura. “This has

the Gospel.

changed everything for our family.”

God built a network of people to live out the Gospel in SLO.

60

Learn more at slocity.church.

NATIONAL

61

NATIONAL

62

NATIONAL

La Grange Hosts Trafficking Alliance

Providing community and resources for those serving human trafficking survivors

uman trafficking is an epidemic in our

The NTSA was established to offer a platform

nation, and the issue is growing faster

where members can share and learn, develop

than the infrastructure to help the

education to increase staff and leadership

victims. It is estimated that there are roughly

competencies, assert standards of care leading

190 residential shelters for victims of human

to levels of accreditation, and work together with

trafficking in the U.S., but most of these are new

service providers to ensure the highest quality of

and inexperienced, and there are no minimum

care for survivors.

quality standards that have been established to help them grow.

In response to the great need and through the generous giving of the congregation, Southeast helped launch the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance (NTSA) and hosted the first conference at the La Grange Campus.

Currently, of the 190 residential shelters, 40 are already members of the alliance.

“It is critical for service providers to be equipped and empowered, ensuring the highest level of care for these victims,” Melissa Yao, Director of NTSA, stated. “We get calls often from wellintentioned community members who want to

continued on page 64

63

NATIONAL continued from page 63 help survivors, but are severely ill-equipped, which at times causes more harm than good. We feel strongly that service providers must have as many tools and resources as possible to ensure each survivor has the very best opportunity to rebuild their lives.�

This heart for these women and the people who are called to serve them is already beginning to take root, and NTSA members are seeing great benefits of the alliance. When the Wellhouse in Alabama, a NTSA member, applied for state funding for programs, they were able to provide documentation from NTSA that they were meeting minimum care standards. They could confidently say that a national organization had vetted and approved them to do residential care.

Southeast Involvement The La Grange Campus hosted the 2019 Sheltered conference in February, a conference for the staff of shelters across the nation to learn and grow in their efforts. The morning worship sessions, prayer room, hospitality, and the kindness of the volunteers all spoke to the abundant way God loves His people through His Church.

In addition to La Grange, teams from the Blankenbaker and Southwest Campuses have taken trips to Baltimore to work with The Samaritan Women several times a year. These teams do everything from construction work on the residential home to running spiritual retreats for the victims.

It is estimated that there are roughly 190 residential shelters for victims of human trafficking in the U.S., but most of these are new and inexperienced.

To learn more about the Sheltered 2020 Conference, visit shelteredalliance.org.

64

NATIONAL

Impact of the National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance “The Sheltered Alliance is the answer to the need for shelters to share resources and collaborate to develop best practices in shelter care. Her Song is so happy to be in the company of the many pioneers working for liberty and justice for trafficking victims.”

Rachel White, Her Song

“As a newly founded trauma-informed residential restorative care program, Fresh Start is extremely excited about being a part of an alliance that offers such amazing structure, guidance, and care. This opportunity not only allows us to connect and share with others committed to being a help in the profession of restorative care, but it also gives us tremendous access to valuable support that will surely benefit both our agency and clients for years to come.”

Dr. Tracy Gibson, LGSW, Fresh Start

“Wings of Refuge is thrilled to align with NTSA. Their conference was the richest I have been to from a nuts and bolts standpoint on ‘doing restoration’ with survivors. I have had a dream in my heart to work smarter and not harder, that we are better together, and so much can be gained in unifying whenever possible. Being at the NTSA conference was like watching the dream in my heart play out on a national level.”

Joy Fopma, Wings of Refuge

65

NATIONAL

Spire Former Senior Pastor Dave Stone Serves Pastors Nationwide

W

hat does a retired senior pastor do with his time? Bob Russell has shown that “retirement� can be just as busy

a platform with

or even busier than leading a church like Southeast

technology and

by traveling, speaking, and pouring into young

resources that will

pastors. It looks like it will be no different for former Southeast Senior Pastor Dave Stone.

In addition to speaking engagements and a continual life of evangelism and loving people everywhere he goes, Dave Stone is involved with a ministry called Spire, which exists to pour into Christian leaders and promote church health and growth.

66

Spire is launching

allow Christian leaders the opportunity to grow and deepen 365 days a year.

NATIONAL

Southeast is a part of a fellowship of independent Christian churches who, from the outset, have tried to tear down fences that separate churches and denominations and simply be focused on Christ and His Word. For 90 years, there was an annual gathering called the North American Christian Convention (NACC). It served as a source of encouragement and inspiration for our movement of churches and beyond.

Spire is the retooling and expanding of that convention.

While there is still an annual conference in the Fall, Spire is launching a platform with technology and resources that will allow Christian leaders the opportunity to grow and deepen 365 days a year. Their kick-off event was October 8-10, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.

Dave is currently serving in a volunteer position as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Spire. “I was drawn to Spire because of my relationship with the independent Christian churches, the North American Christian Convention, and my desire for us to continue to cross denominational lines and build bridges with other Bible-believing churches,” Dave said. “I truly felt attracted to pour into this ministry because of my experience and heritage. My father, my brother, and I were each a president of the NACC. That gives me a unique perspective and hopefully allows me to honor the past while also leading our churches into the future. The health of a church is closely associated and dependent upon the health of the leader. Spire wants to come alongside pastors and ministry leaders specifically.”

Southeast has been a part of supporting the NACC for many years and the partnership will only continue as the organization repositions itself to focus even more on developing church leaders through Spire.

Learn more at spire.network.

67

Short-Term Mission Trips

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.�

Psalm 46:10

International

15 16 17 18

National 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

19

Alton, Illinois

20

Baltimore, Maryland

21

Chicago, Illinois

22

Floyd County, Kentucky

23

Kansas, Oklahoma

24

Knoxville, Tennessee

25

Lexington, Kentucky

26

Louisville, Kentucky

27

New York, New York

28

Orlando, Florida

29

San Luis Obispo, California

30

1 Trip

5 Trips 1 Trip

3 Trips 2 Trips

3 Trips 5 Trips 1 Trip

4 Trips 1 Trip 1 Trip

Bucharest, Romania

1 Trip

Edinburgh, Scotland

1 Trip

Halmstad, Sweden

1 Trip

Havana, Cuba

5 Trips

Jacmel, Haiti

2 Trips

Kanyuambora, Kenya

1 Trip

Kingston, Jamaica

2 Trips

Kisumu, Kenya

1 Trip

China

2 Trips

Kibera, Kenya

1 Trip

Lilongwe, Malawi

2 Trips

Malenovic, Czech Republic

1 Trip

Nairobi, Kenya

1 Trip

Oland, Sweden

1 Trip

Stockholm, Sweden

1 Trip

Zagreb, Croatia

1 Trip

Zakosciele, Poland

4 Trips

1 5

11

3 8 7 6 4

1 JA M A ICA

Mission Trips

14

Athens, Greece

1 Trip

CUBA

Short-Term

13

Adjumani, Uganda

2 Trips

U N IT ED STAT ES OF A M ER ICA

12

SWEDEN SCOTLAND C ROAT I A

ROMANIA

30 25 29

GREECE

10

CZECH REPUBLIC

POLAND

2

9

15

27 16 28

14 13 22

19 23 26

M A L AW I

24

UG A N DA

12 21

K EN YA

20 18

HAITI

17

To learn more about taking a short-term trip, text Mission trip to 733733.

NATIONAL

Christ in Youth:

Serving MIX, Bible & Beach, and Beyond

I

f you are connected with a middle school

How big of an impact does all of this

or high school student at Southeast,

leave? Just see a few of the numbers

you’ve probably benefited from our

below for the ripple effect.

national ministry partner, Christ in Youth (CIY).

Every Summer, 6th-12th grade students from all campuses experience CIY’s ministry through several weeks of camps. Middle school

The echoes of these camp experiences are felt throughout entire family trees, and many today can look back at these moments as the place in time where everything changed in their faith.

students attend one of our three weeks of MIX at Country Lake Christian Retreat, and high

continued on page 72

school students spend one of now two weeks at Bible & Beach in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

Nationwide

Southeast

2,108

95

decisions to follow Christ

decisions to follow Christ

in 2019

in 2019

2,047

73

students made first-time

students made first-time

students decided in 2019 to

students decided in 2019 to

go into full-time ministry

go into full-time ministry

78,487 total participants engaged in a CIY event in 2019

288

volunteers from all campuses served as a small group leader, advance team, or safety and security in 2019

70

NATIONAL

71

NATIONAL

continued from page 70

The echoes of these camp experiences are felt

CIY assists us in the theme of the weeks,

throughout entire family trees, and many today

coordinating the speakers, transforming the venues

can look back at these moments as the place in

into worship spaces, and supporting the ministry of

time where everything changed in their faith.

Southeast while we are on site.

Many elements come together to make

Churches of all sizes and scope benefit from the

these weeks so impactful—from volunteer

impact of Christ in Youth through similar camps and

leaders, our relationship with Country Lake

conferences, and because CIY partners with local

Christian Retreat for MIX, and the partnership

churches to send out students each year as Kingdom

we have with Christ in Youth for help with

Workers in their local communities. Because CIY

the programming for all of our weeks.

is a national partner of Southeast, we continue to

CIY has been responsible for assembling weeks of impact for students across the nation for the

support that mission both financially and with our collaboration each Summer.

past 50 years. Based out of Joplin, Missouri, they operate all across the country doing MIX camps and conferences like Bible & Beach for students.

Because Southeast partners with CIY for our camps, CIY provides the programming so our pastoral teams can be fully present while on site at a camp. That means more time for our staff to be with students and more time walking alongside our teams of small group volunteers.

72

Learn more about the ministry and function of Christ in Youth at newciy.com.

NATIONAL

73

International Missions

Jesus calls us to make disciples of all nations. In 2019, Southeast Christian Church teamed up with 31 organizations, 64 missionaries, and our 3 international church plants to share God’s love throughout the world. Through short-term trips, sending missionaries, assisting with international adoption, and more, we are thrilled to work alongside our partners to improve the physical and spiritual lives of those across the globe—helping to connect people to Jesus and one another.

INTERNATIONAL

76

INTERNATIONAL

Refugees find rest and hope in Piedras Negras.

Refugees on Our Border Piedras Negras, Mexico ince 2018, the border city of Piedras

They wanted to take full advantage of this

Negras, Mexico has been experiencing an

opportunity, but had limited resources. One

influx of immigrants arriving from Honduras,

local church opened its building and placed

Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Venezuela,

pallets and bedrolls wall-to-wall, but the

Cuba, and even Africa. By early 2019, the

bathroom facilities were inadequate and there

number of these visitors in the city had

were no showers. The kitchen was understocked

reached 10,000.

and overwhelmed. While they could sleep 50, the number of daily visitors far exceeded

A local group of evangelical pastors recognized

that number.

the humanitarian need to offer basic necessities: food, shelter, showers, laundry, and beds— knowing this assistance would open doors to connect people to Jesus. These pastors recognized this as an opportunity to minister to

U N I T E D S TAT E S MEXICO

people on a spiritual level. God had brought a large group of people who desperately

Piedras Negras

needed to hear the good news of the Gospel to their doorstep. continued on page 78

77

INTERNATIONAL

CrossRoads Missions worked with local pastors to expand their capacity to serve refugees in Piedras Negras.

78

INTERNATIONAL

Local evangelical pastors recognized that God had brought people who desperately needed to hear the good news of the Gospel right to their doorstep. continued from page 77

CrossRoads Missions

of these building projects and by providing

CrossRoads Missions, a Southeast Mission

operations. In 2019, additional bathrooms have

Partner headquartered in Louisville, has had

been built at a Salvation Army building, weekly

a presence in Piedras Negras for more than

groceries have been purchased for the food

20 years. Through CrossRoads, a team from

kitchen operating in a local church, electric and

Southeast met with these local pastors and

water utilities have been paid for by the Tower

heard about their plans for this ministry

of Refuge church, and weekly outreach events

opportunity to include expanding the available

are held for immigrants.

a portion of the monthly budget for food and

bed count through other local churches, involving more churches in a food kitchen

This ministry is ongoing. It will continue to

operation that would offer hot meals on a daily

develop and change as the immigrant status

basis, modifying another church property to

in Piedras Negras continues to change. As the

provide a day shelter, and expanding bath,

situation changes, the commitment to love and

shower, and laundry facilities.

serve some of the most vulnerable children and families gathering in Piedras Negras will always

Through the generosity of Southeast’s

remain. It’s an honor to serve the churches who

congregation, Southeast has supported these

are serving these valuable people.

local pastors by helping fund the capital costs

To learn more about CrossRoads Missions, visit crossroadsmissions.com.

79

INTERNATIONAL

80

INTERNATIONAL

The Gospel for Refugees in Greece T

he Syrian war brought more than one

The second ministry initiative was through a

million refugees to Greece in late 2015 and

taxi. The refugee camps are an hour’s trip from

early 2016. Greece is a small country, with

Athens, where refugees must travel each time they

a population of just 11 million people, and it was

need to visit a doctor or the immigration office.

already strained by a national financial crisis. continued on page 82 Greece’s evangelical community has only about 350 churches and 30,000 believers, but they recognized these refugees were coming from a country where they would never have heard the Gospel. Christians couldn’t go to Syria, but God brought Syrians to Christians who could connect them to Jesus. Though small in number with limited resources, the church was determined to minister to these refugees.

In 2016, Southeast began partnering with Advancing the Ministries of the Gospel International (AMG) to open the Alliance Relief Center as a meeting place for refugees to shower, do laundry, connect with one other, and develop relationships with Christians. For most of the refugees, this was their first encounter with Jesus.

81

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 81

AMG began offering free rides in a van

Homespot is also hosting church services

Southeast helped purchase. Each ride created

in Arabic and English, an Albanian Bible

an hour of uninterrupted conversation and

study, and Greek youth activities.

an opportunity to share Christ. There are now three vans with driver-evangelists, and the camp administration provided office space for AMG to schedule rides.

In 2019, the Athens Ministry Center was opened. Each morning, refugees gather for coffee, tea, board games, and conversation.

Afternoons are focused on ministry, with

In 2018, Homespot was opened in Lavrio,

women’s programs, prayer times in Arabic

the home of three large refugee camps.

or Farsi, help with school work, and classes

Homespot is a community center providing

like language or computers. Due to limited

language classes, assistance for completing

capacity, all the ministry events are by

government forms, and Internet access so

invitation only. Imagine telling Muslim seekers

refugees can stay in touch with family.

they can only attend church twice a month!

Mohammed, the Athens Ministry Center leader, became a Christian through the taxi ministry and was discipled at Homespot.

Though he is leading a large Syrian church in Athens, his dream is to return to Syria and preach to Syrians there.

Refugees from all over the world are being impacted by the Gospel in Greece. At a sidewalk cafĂŠ in Lavrio, an Afghan refugee reflected that the war in Afghanistan is horrible, but without it, he would never have come to Greece and would never have heard the Gospel. He is now leading an Afghan church in northern Greece.

To serve locally with refugees, visit thehopecollaborative.org/programs/ hope-place or refugeintl.org.

82

INTERNATIONAL

83

International Engagement Map

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

Psalm 18:49

Directly Involved Afghanistan Austrailia Belarus Bosnia Burkina Faso China Congo Croatia Cuba Czech Republic Djibouti Dominican Republic Egypt England Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia France Germany Ghana Greece Haiti India Indonesia Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kenya Kosovo Latvia Malawi Mexico Myanmar Nepal Nigeria Papua New Guinea Poland Portugal Saudi Arabia Scotland Somalia South Africa South Sudan Sudan Sweden Taiwan Thailand Tibet Turkey Uganda Ukraine United States Zimbabwe

INTE

ARCTIC OCEAN

PA C I F I C OCEAN AT L A N T IC OCEAN

Southeast is actively engaged through partnerships with locally led organizations and Southeast Missionaries all over the world!

ERNATIONAL ENGAGEMENT Indirectly Involved

Legend Directly Involved Indirectly Involved

INDIAN OCEAN

Albania Algeria Angola Argentina Armenia Austria Bangladesh Belize Bengal Benin Bhutan Bolivia Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Canary Islands Central Africa Chad Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cote D’Ivoire Ecuador El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Fiji Finland Gabon Gambia Georgia Guatemala Honduras Hungary Israel Kazakhstan Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Lesotho

Liberia Lithuania Macedonia Malaysia Mali Mauritania Moldova Montenegro Morocco Mozambiquet N Ireland New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Pakistan Panama Peru Philippines Romania Russia Rwanda Senegal Serbia Sierre Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somaliland Spain Sri Lanka Swaziland Switzerland Tajikistan Tanzania Togo United Arab Emirates Uruguay Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Zambia Zanzibar

INTERNATIONAL

Grip the Plow

The Story of Dr. Tom McKechnie Tom McKechnie saw endless trauma in the emergency room. As he treated abused children, watched young and old decimated with disease, and saw good people deal with

A Shift in Execution Because of these big questions, Tom decided his outreach should shift from doing to teaching, so the holistic work could continue long after he left.

terrible things, it seemed difficult to trust

Tom founded Teach to Transform (TTT), which

God. With his life. With his three sons.

equips partners around the world with medical

Then one of his sons came home from school with a question Tom couldn’t answer, “Are we going to hell?” Tom called a friend who connected him to Southeast. When he decided to follow Jesus, he still didn’t have all the answers. Trust became the bridge.

A few years later, on a medical mission trip to a Kenyan village, a woman handed her swaddled baby to Dr. McKechnie. The baby he cradled in his arms was not breathing.

The desperate mother had no idea.

Seeing that mom and baby was heartbreaking to the team. They wondered what could have been done to save the baby’s life. In the few

and vocational skills that open doors to share the Gospel. Once trained, local Christians minister to the needy and share the Gospel.

People in these communities no longer wait for help that may or may not come.

Through the work of TTT, women and babies receive pre-natal and post-natal care. People in the villages learn good health practices such as washing hands, cleaning wounds, and staying hydrated. Babies have been saved by health workers who were trained to recognize warning signs of sickness in newborns. They check on those in the community. As they get to know people and meet needs, they show and share Christ’s love.

days they were there, they treated thousands, but many remained untreated. What if patients didn’t take their medicine? What if they worsened after the team left? And the biggest question of all: What if they never heard about Jesus?

86

Dr. Tom McKechnie

INTERNATIONAL

Training often breaks down the barriers in

As the TTT teams travel the world, they no

communities that are closed to the Gospel.

longer see long lines of people waiting for

In Ghana, an imam shunned Christians in

their only chance. They see trained health

the community until he needed his blood

workers reaching their own communities.

pressure monitored. TTT classes on health and hygiene open the door in villages that have been hostile to the Gospel as communities

To learn more or serve with TTT, visit

see neighbors becoming healthier.

teachtotransform.org.

Churches have been planted in places where Christians could face persecution.

87

INTERNATIONAL

Where Christians are Persecuted

Connecting to Jesus in Closed Countries

J

esus is intimately at work in each

A school in Asia serves street children. The

of our lives and communities,

principal is a local believer who shows the

including the hardest, most resistant

love of the one true God every day in ways

countries on our planet. Presence is powerful

that the children and their families can

in any context, but when there are significant

experience Jesus through him. The school

limitations to sharing the living Gospel,

is now also reaching out to parents. They

presence becomes even more important.

started classes for adults to learn new skills

At Southeast, we have the privilege of encouraging, praying for, and supporting partners and workers of many different

in order to better support their families. continued on page 90

nationalities who make up the global Church.

For those in the hardest of places, we cannot share details of their stories for their own safety, but we know that God is at work!

Undercover Missionaries There is an amazing group of leaders in the Middle East who disciple and train young pastors in an underground church movement. It is risky and dangerous. They continually face the possibility of rejection, prison, and even death.

88

We have the privilege of encouraging, praying for, and supporting partners and workers of many different nationalities who make up the global Church.

INTERNATIONAL

89

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 88

Another group developed a way to match

time with her. Sometimes, they ask why

Christian professionals with jobs in closed

she is different. Grace trusts God in those

countries. Believers can work and live

moments—what to say and what not to say.

incarnationally with their families in places that missionaries cannot go.

In another setting, a family from Southeast has a café where people in the community can gather and connect. They have provided jobs, developed their staff, and have built relationships in city government and law enforcement. They are a significant blessing in their community.

The first time Grace met George, she sensed he was a believer. She and her teammates cannot join his tiny band of believers when they gather because it would only draw unwanted government attention his way. However, they all work together in the same business, so even though much goes unspoken, presence is powerful. Through being present, Grace is able to communicate that George is not alone.

His brothers and sisters around the world are

A Light in the Darkness Grace* is a Southeast missionary in an extreme environment with relentless and invasive surveillance. The spiritual climate

standing with him. God hasn’t forgotten him.

Presence is powerful, especially in the most difficult places. *Name changed

is heavy and there are only a handful of believers in the whole region. She relies on the Spirit for insight in relationships.

90

Did you know you can receive daily prayer

Through the Spirit living in Grace, she is

updates for Southeast’s mission partners

able to impact the people around her. They

in closed countries and around the world?

often feel refreshed and encouraged after

Text TenTwo to 733733 to sign up today!

INTERNATIONAL

91

INTERNATIONAL

Callie and Brian Troyer embrace their son, Gideon.

92

INTERNATIONAL

Empty the Jar

A Story of International Adoption

B

rian and Callie Troyer admit that on

adoption dream was finances. Describing the

their first date, adoption was already

tension, Callie said, “We knew that many of

in their conversation. “We had known

the children who were available for adoption in

each other for a while and just wanted to make

our program had some medical and emotional

sure that if our relationship was going to get

needs. We wanted to direct our finances to caring

serious that we were on the same page,” Callie

for them, not paying off an adoption loan.”

remembered. They both felt a pull toward adoption, but they figured it would be down the road, maybe after having biological children.

Thankfully many friends and family stepped up to help, and the Troyers were able to receive adoption funding from several grant organizations.

Still, they wanted to be involved, so they started sponsoring a child in China named Gideon. After a year, Gideon died due to a respiratory infection.

Brian and Callie were distraught and they felt God

Finding Their Son

leading them to start the adoption process then,

As they finished their paperwork and started

even though they were only 23 years old at the time.

fundraising, Brian and Callie’s focus turned to

After attending an adoption event at Southeast, the Troyers found an adoption agency and began the paperwork and waiting process.

One of the biggest hurdles to following their

their son. Through pictures and files, they were introduced to a 15-month-old boy who they would later name Gideon. “I just had this deep sense of peace—that he was my son,” recalled Brian. continued on page 94

93

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 93

After a few months of waiting, the Troyers

When they returned home with Gideon, the

got some hard news. Gideon was behind

challenges were real and not instantly solved.

on some developmental markers and the

He was grieving his Korean foster family,

agency in Korea believed that Gideon might

behind developmentally, and had issues

be autistic. The agency assumed that the

with food. But Brian and Callie persisted.

Troyers would not want to adopt Gideon, so they did not file the court documents to move forward with the adoption.

After seeing some videos of Gideon, the Troyers felt that God was still calling them to adopt him. As they continued the process, the agency, social workers, and even the judge in Korea

They kept drawing Gideon near.

As the months passed, the bonds of attachment grew and Gideon thrived. After traveling so far and overcoming so much, they realized that what Gideon really needed was someone to draw him near—he needed family.

kept asking them, “Why would you do this?”

Brian reflected, “We knew that it would be challenging, but despite the storm that was blowing in the leaves, we were still rooted in the peace of God.” For people connected to Jesus, it is natural to empty the jar in obedience—considering every sacrifice worth the cost of knowing and following Him.

94

Learn more about Foster Care and Adoption through Southeast at southeastchristian. org/ministries/fosterandadoption.

INTERNATIONAL

As an outreach of the church, Southeast’s Widows & Orphans Fund has helped over 200 families in Kentuckiana adopt in the last 10 years through a Lifesong Adoption Fund coordinated by Orphan Care Alliance. This fund provides matching grants and interest-free loans to families in the adoption process.

95

INTERNATIONAL

BeFriend

From Crestwood to Uganda

N

arrow dirt roads lead into the Alere and Nyumanzi refugee camps where Lifeline, Life in Abundance, and Southeast

Christian Church work together to support 200 vulnerable children.

In 2018, Southeast’s Crestwood Campus launched BeFriend, with 265 families making a

three-year commitment to provide $33/month to meet needs in Adjumani, Uganda. BeFriend participants give through Lifeline’s donor infrastructure, while Life in Abundance (LIA) empowers the local church to care for vulnerable families in the camps.

Through this three-year commitment, Ugandan families in crisis will become self-sufficient. continued on page 98

96

INTERNATIONAL

97

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 96

Rebecca

She had no idea that Kagunda Chege, LIA’s

Rebecca fled all she knew in Sudan to

come true until he came to visit, leading a

save her three children. “We didn’t have

pregnant black-and-white goat by a rope.

regional director, was making her dream

a pan or a sheet,” she said. “We hid and walked days in the bush, begging for

Whoops of gratitude rang through

food until we came to this place.”

the camp; it’s a great day when a dream comes true in Alere.

Pastor Isaacs welcomed her into the church and chose her family to be part of the BeFriend project. Food packets like those packed at Southeast helped

Mutual Transformation

her children survive as Rebecca figured

The whole process is a beautiful cycle.

out how to care for her family.

People from the Crestwood Campus who

“We don’t believe in just giving food,” Isaacs said. “You’ll eat today and be hungry tomorrow. We believe in giving seed to eat for a long time.”

Rebecca now makes soap to sell in the market to buy food and pay school fees.

are connected to Jesus are choosing to faithfully sacrifice each month in order to help local churches in Uganda connect others to Jesus and one another.

Both the giver and the receiver are transformed. For those who benefit from the BeFriend program in Uganda, there is community, dignity, and hope.

Martina

For those who give, they get to see the

Martina works from dawn to dusk

and sending representatives from their

in Alere, tending the small patch of

campus, like participant Paul Ress, who

corn growing beside her hut, carrying

visited and said, “Even in their poverty,

water, and gathering and selling

many of the people in Adjumani were

firewood by the side of the road.

filled with an exuberant type of joy

Her big dream was to own two goats to start a small business.

impact of packing food, monthly gifts,

that’s uncommon in our society. My prayer is that our society can adopt such a heavenly and joyful mindset.”

In spite of a hard history, Martina had hope. God’s people were on her side.

98

They prayed for her and helped her find

To learn more, visit lifeline.org/about-

ways to care for her granddaughters.

adjumani.

INTERNATIONAL

99

INTERNATIONAL

Southeast Online Wherever You Are, We’ll Be There n June 2019, the church launched Southeast Online, starting a live stream of the Sunday

One at a Time Thousands join in each week from countries

service that broadcasts around the globe.

all over the map: the United States, Mexico,

Since the launch, the outpouring of stories has

Germany, Scotland, Australia, India, Kenya,

been incredible as we’ve seen what God is doing

England, Greece, Canada, and many more. Each

through this new outlet for sharing the Gospel.

viewer shows up as a small green dot on a map, but the one-at-a-time stories from each of those

Broadcasting simultaneously from Southeast’s

green dots are the most exciting part of this

website, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live,

new venture.

a digital community has formed during the online experience between viewers in multiple

Online pastors have received prayer requests

countries, online pastors, and chat hosts.

from missionaries away from home, from elderly viewers who can’t physically get to a

Each Sunday, viewers log in wherever they are,

church, from moms carrying painful secrets, and

not just to watch a message, but to experience a

much more.

complete service with hosts, worship, baptisms,

100

and communion. They chat with one another,

Viewers from time zones 12 hours away have

pray for one another, and grow as believers from

been able to speak with ministers on call to talk

wherever they may be.

about their own walk with Jesus.

INTERNATIONAL

One time, viewers in Africa voiced that they’d

SE Online is more than a weekly viewing

like to connect with a Christ-centered church

experience online. It’s an ongoing, regular

in their area. The SE Online team worked

gathering for community, encouragement,

with Southeast’s Missions ministry, who just

teaching, and worship. And it’s reaching people

happened to have a missionary partner right in

around the world with the Gospel.

the region. Southeast introduced the viewers to the partner, who was able to connect with them and help them plug into a local church.

Live streaming occurs each Sunday at 11:30 a.m., with replays at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. To see the

Live streaming has not just spread the Gospel

stream and to share it with others around the world,

beyond the community, but it has allowed a

visit online.southeastchristian.org.

global community to continue the conversation from a Sunday morning into the workweek, with midweek online question-and-answer forums.

101

INTERNATIONAL

102

INTERNATIONAL

Praying Muslims Connect to Jesus O

n May 31, 2019, 1.8 billion

only way they will hear the Gospel.

people—roughly a

So how can we connect people we

quarter of the world—

don’t know and might never meet

celebrated a time called Night of

to Jesus? With prayer, trust, and

Power during the Muslim time of

faith in a God of miracles. And God

Ramadan. On this annual night,

answers those expectant prayers

Muslims around the world pray,

in amazing ways. It would surprise

asking for dreams and visions.

you how common it is for Muslims to meet Jesus in their dreams before

Many Christians, including a special

they ever encounter a Christian.

group from Southeast, also use this night to pray that very same prayer for

Prayer helps us connect with Muslims

them. We pray for God to show up in

around the world that we’ll likely never

dreams and visions and reveal Himself

meet, but it also paves the way for

to Muslims. In many of the nations that

relationships with the Muslim friends,

are predominantly Muslim, there is

neighbors, and co-workers in our own

often no local church, available Bible,

lives. When we pray urgently for them,

or even a Christian within reach. Until

we aren’t trying to avoid the burden

Christians can get to those people,

of that relationship. Our prayers

miraculous dreams and visions are the

prepare the way for a relationship.

To join in daily missional prayer, text TenTwo to 733733.

103

INTERNATIONAL

104

INTERNATIONAL

SE!Kids on Mission in India S

outheast’s kids made a way for

each mission project. She wanted to know

more people to hear the Gospel

what tangible thing could be purchased for

in India!

his ministry for that amount of money.

Each year, SE!Kids chooses six ministries

Caleb asked her if Southeast’s kids

to emphasize. They focus on each

could provide a motorcycle.

mission for two months—learning about the ministry, praying for its impact,

Caleb oversees a team of pastors, and

and collecting offerings to provide

each of them travels to several villages

a physical goal for the mission.

to lead churches and share the Gospel.

The villages are often far apart and the

While the SE!Kids team was planning

roads are difficult to navigate. When the

which ministries to emphasize, the

pastors have a motorcycle, they can travel

Blankenbaker Campus 3rd-5th Grade Small

quickly and safely from village to village.

Groups Ministry Leader, Cheryll Kimbler,

They can spend more time preaching the

talked to Caleb, Southeast’s partner with

Gospel and equipping the believers!

Harvest Ministries in India. She told him that our children’s ministries from all

Cheryll felt confident that Southeast’s

campuses usually raise about $2,000 for

preschool and elementary kids could raise continued on the page 106

105

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 105

the funds for a motorcycle during their

and made a set designed like village houses.

two-month focus on Harvest Ministries.

That week, instead of seeing a photo on the screen, the younger kids got to imagine that

Soon, the kids were engaged and involved.

they were seeing a pastor navigating his

Each weekend during chapel, they got to hear

motorcycle to remote villages in India. The goal

more about the mission and pastors, and a

was even more important to them than before.

motorcycle chart was colored in to show their progress. The kids were excited to see how

By the end of the two-month emphasis

their small gifts could make a huge impact.

on Harvest Ministries, SE!Kids had raised $2,250, which was enough for a reliable new

One week, a class of 3rd-5th grade students

motorcycle for a pastor in India, and a surplus

got to plan the chapel service for the younger

to go toward another pastor’s motorcycle!

kids. Some of them were in charge of the music.

106

Some helped with the lesson. And two boys

Today, because of the generosity and

were in charge of leading the missions time.

commitment of the kids at all of Southeast’s

Those two boys got really excited about the

campuses, a pastor in India has a way to

motorcycle fund. They brought in a dirt bike

reach remote villages with the Gospel!

INTERNATIONAL

Caleb and his team at Harvest Ministries are sharing the Gospel with many men, women, and children in remote parts of India.

Learn more about how your kids can get involved with SE!Kids from your campus page at southeastchristian.org.

107

INTERNATIONAL

God’s Word in Another Language A Kinyamulenge Bible

W

hen he was nine years old, Victor Mikebanyi heard and believed the Gospel. He

preached in the streets as a teenager, made shoes and guitars to pay Bible college fees, became a missionary to Somali Muslims in Nairobi, then later served in Somaliland, Haiti, Jamaica, Djibouti, and Sudan.

But Victor has never had a Bible in his own language. Though more than 500,000 people from Central Africa speak Kinyamulenge, the language has never been written.

Without a written language, there are no books—or Bibles.

Bible poverty like this is real for 1.5 billion people from 2,100 language groups.

Victor speaks 11 languages. Though he reads the Bible in English and Swahili, it’s not quite the same. For 33 years, he prayed that one day he’d read a Bible in the same language he uses to think, pray, and worship.

Kinyamulenge Translation Project That prayer was answered last Summer as Victor met with 60 pastors from around the U.S. who speak Kinyamulenge and staff from continued on page 110

108

INTERNATIONAL

109

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 108

“The Bible in our mother tongue will change

Pioneer Bible

Victor believes the translation

Translators (PBT) to

will lead to revival.

strategize a plan.

The partnership

“The Bible in our mother tongue will

is a first—the

change everything,” said Victor. “I still

only time PBT has

pray in Kinyamulenge. It says exactly

been able to work

what I want to say. Having a translation

with members

will help people clearly understand the

It says exactly

of a specific

Word of God. Many will want to read and

what I want

people group who

hear it in our language. We know that

settled in the U.S.

faith comes by hearing. I believe they

PBT linguists

will understand and follow Jesus.”

everything,” said Victor. “I still pray in Kinyamulenge.

to say.”

will collaborate with members of the church Victor

The Banyamulenge people who speak

founded in Louisville to write the

Kinyamulenge have suffered discrimination

language and translate the Bible. It

and genocide. Many lived harrowing stories

could shave years off the usual 7-year

of faith and survival. In the Bible, they will

process to translate a New Testament.

learn about Joseph, Daniel, and Jesus, who also suffered. And about God who sent

Linguists have seen churches grow

His own Son to pay the penalty for sin.

three to four times faster when people have God’s Word in the language in

“It’s an honor to see this happen

which they think, pray, and dream.

in my lifetime,” Victor said.

To learn more about Pioneer Bible Translators, visit pioneerbible.org.

110

INTERNATIONAL

Members gather to worship together in their heart language at Victor’s church.

111

INTERNATIONAL

Edinburgh, Scotland

112

INTERNATIONAL

Is Europe Really a Mission Field?

E

urope has had the Gospel for thousands of years, and was instrumental in the protestant missions movement

starting with William Carey in the early 1800s.

But the evangelical church has been slowly fading in Europe ever since. Missiologists call this the “Post-Christian Era.� According to Operation World, only 2.5% of the population in Europe are evangelical Christians, meaning Europe is certainly a mission field.

Southeast has several Mission Partners in Europe who are working to bring the Gospel back into the countries there. One ministry, Josiah Venture, works in 15 central and eastern European nations. In the Bible, King Josiah came to power during a time where the Word of God had been forgotten. He had to reach back two generations to find a Godly heritage so he could reinstitute the Bible to its rightful place in society.

This is exactly what Josiah Venture and other mission organizations in Europe are fighting continued on page 114

113

INTERNATIONAL

Worshippers gather at a 20 Schemes service.

continued from page 113 to do today: reclaim a rich Christian

Southeast also has partners in Greece

heritage from two generations ago,

and Italy that are working with refugees

when the church was thriving in

coming from Africa and the Middle East.

Europe. At this point, in many European countries, the youth have never heard

The challenge is helping people see

a clear presentation of the Gospel,

Europe as a mission field. “Too many

and many don’t have any viable

Americans see missions as merely a

churches in their own hometown!

social justice issue,” said Ben Thornley, Director of International Partnerships

114

Some of Southeast’s partners—like

at Southeast. “It is much easier to

Josiah Venture, PROeM, and Sport for

raise funds to go on a mission trip to

Life—reach youth through camps and

Kenya than to Sweden because people

other evangelistic activities. The ministry

associate missions with poverty, not

20 Schemes plants churches among

the advancement of the Gospel. So even

the marginalized people of Scotland.

though evangelicals make up 47.57% of

INTERNATIONAL

A Southeast short-term team serves with PROeM.

In many European countries, the youth have never heard a

the population in Kenya, while only making up 5.79% of the population in Sweden, we still see Africa as more of a mission field.�

clear presentation of

Missions is about reaching lost people with

the Gospel, and many

the Gospel, something Southeast is committed

don’t have any viable

to doing wherever there are lost people. In our communities, across the U.S., or to the

churches in their

outermost corners of the earth, no matter

own hometown!

how rich, poor, or hard to reach they may be, they need to be introduced to Jesus.

To learn more about short-term trips to visit one of these partners, text Mission Trip to 733733.

115

INTERNATIONAL

I

magine leaving your professional career in the United States and moving to a foreign country to share the Gospel full-time with

people who have never heard about the love and grace of Christ. Two families from our Southeast community did just that 15 years ago when God called them to be missionaries in Bosnia, a predominantly Islamic country, after they attended a Perspectives class at Southeast.

In Bosnia, the missionaries set about adapting to

From Southeast to Bosnia

the culture, learning the language, and creating a community around them. The families started to create roots for their ministry by engaging in a Disciple Making Movement strategy, where they helped new believers develop in their faith. Over the years, they continued to train and mentor people who have a desire to learn more about who Jesus is. To create a sustainable ministry in Bosnia, they began to challenge and encourage believers to take leadership in the Church and community.

These families have dedicated

“Their biggest prayer request is for new workers to help advance the Gospel and make disciples in all nations.”

their lives to following the commandment in John 13:34 (NIV): “...As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

They have now spent years sharing the love of God with the people of Bosnia and cultivating a deep relational trust.

116

INTERNATIONAL

One couple, Jim and Jacque, are involved in

These Southeast families have been faithful

Voice of Life, which empowers women to seek

in serving in Bosnia for more than 15 years.

guidance on pregnancy and parenting. They

The fruit from their labor has often been

educate women who are in crisis situations

slow in coming, but they’ve gained joy in

and advocate for the rights of the pre-born.

creating lasting relationships with the

Their ministry also includes a Discovery

church that exists there now.

Bible Study, which is an inductive way to dive deeper into the Word.

As they are reflecting on their service in Bosnia, their biggest prayer request is for

The other family, Jeff and Beth, have focused

new workers to help advance the Gospel and

on serving the influx of refugees in the area

make disciples in all nations.

by partnering with the Red Cross. They are reaching migrants with the Gospel by

The work in Bosnia is not always easy, but

attending to their basic needs, like food

these dedicated missionaries have eagerly

and clothing. With each area of ministry

taken seeds from their time at Southeast and

in Bosnia, these couples have been very

lovingly planted them in the hearts of men

intentional to love one person at a time.

and women in Bosnia. They pray for the day when the Lord brings the harvest.

To explore becoming a missionary overseas, email missions@secc.org.

117

INTERNATIONAL

Taking E Your First Mission Trip

ighteen years ago, Smitty took his first mission trip to teach golf with Southeast’s Mission Partner, Sport for Life, in Sweden.

After the first trip, he was hooked. He thought he would lead for a couple of more years. Then, the relationships between the campers and the American teams began to grow, and there was no looking back.

He and three other team members vowed to return every year, making sure they kept their eyes open for new ways to connect the campers to Jesus.

Smitty and his team quickly noticed the campers needed an

of ten Swedes

intimate setting to discuss

are either “not

their faith and struggles.

religious” or

They learned from many conversations at the camp that it’s not normal in

118

Almost eight out

“convinced atheists.”

INTERNATIONAL

Sweden to talk about your faith with others. A study carried out by polling firm WIN/Gallup International confirmed their observations when it concluded almost eight out of ten Swedes are either “not religious” or “convinced atheists.” Those campers needed the refuge a week at a Sport for Life camp could give them.

Year after year, Smitty and his team continued to recruit and go back to the golf camp. After about five years, everything changed because of one conversation with a tearful camper. The team changed their strategy and vowed to be more intentional with evangelism and discipleship. At that point, even their relationships with the local churches and golf courses went from just putting on a good golf camp to working together for the good of the community and expanding into other areas of the country.

For three years, Smitty invited Ted, a PGA professional golfer, to help with the camp.

In 2019, Ted finally said yes. He didn’t know for sure that he was ready, but through some life-changing events, meeting the staff from Sport for Life, and feeling confirmation from the Lord through a Bible study, he signed up. He was a pro golfer, but a novice missionary. Fortunately, he was with Smitty.

At the camp Ted was able to meet several Swedes who had started as campers and were now volunteer leaders. He was impressed with how comfortable they were sharing their faith, bonding with the campers, and just being themselves. He saw their faith in action.

Ted saw Southeast’s mission in a new way through his trip to Sweden. “When I read the

people to Jesus and one another, it reminds me how it is lived out through this mission trip.”

Like Smitty after his first trip, Ted is now planning to go back next year. He’s not the only one. The grandmother of one of the campers has already declared she is sending her grandson back again. She’s seen the changes in him. Ted and Smitty can relate. It’s pretty clear that one week of golf camp is really just the beginning.

mission statement of Southeast, Connecting

To learn more about taking a short-term trip, text Mission Trip to 733733.

119

INTERNATIONAL

120

INTERNATIONAL

GMHC

Southeast’s Annual Missions Conference

very November, thousands from

The speaker schedule for GMHC gives some full

around the world gather for the Global

names, many first names, scattered aliases, and

Missions Health Conference (GMHC), a

a question mark beside some workshops and

ministry of Southeast Christian Church. Those

plenary topics where names cannot be shared.

attending are students, missionaries from around the world, businessmen and women, those just

The truth about these speakers is sobering.

beginning careers, and those who are retired.

They serve in dangerous places where their lives are at risk. Giving their names and showing

They gather for one purpose—make God’s

their faces could threaten the lives of their

name known to every people in every corner

families, friends in country, and their work.

of the world.

That’s what makes them unforgettable.

There is no way to measure the full impact of this conference throughout the last 26 years.

One favorite speaker lives with a large bounty

It is the largest medical mission conference in

on his head. Another serves the underground

the world. It meant so much to those coming

church in a war-torn nation where kidnappings

from Africa that in 2013, in partnership with

are common. Others serve in countries such

Southeast, they launched GMHC Africa. A few

as Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, India, and Indonesia,

weeks before the conference in Louisville,

where sharing the Gospel is against the law.

thousands of mission workers from across Africa gather in Nairobi to pray, strategize, learn, and

Workshop topics include human trafficking,

network. It is changing the face of missions as

finding God’s will, the theology of poverty,

they advance the Kingdom of God in corners of

Bible storytelling, understanding Islam,

the earth not typically open for evangelism.

HIV care, missions as a second career, and serving in restricted-access countries.

continued on page 122

121

INTERNATIONAL

GMHC is changing the face of missions as participants advance the Kingdom of God in corners of the earth not typically open for evangelism.

122

INTERNATIONAL

continued from page 121

Packed exhibit halls give people a chance to talk

“These are some of the most inspiring speakers

with hundreds of mission organizations. Many

you will hear,” he said. “They don’t just tell

have found their place in missions in those halls.

you about faith. They live it. They go to hard places. You don’t have to be a medical person

The conference is designed for doctors

to hear about setting up a hospital in the

and nurses, physical therapists, dentists,

jungle or meeting needs after a disaster.”

missionaries, and medical students figuring out where and how God wants them to serve. But it is also for those who give and those who pray.

Learn more about GMHC and how to get involved at medicalmissions.com/scc.

Southeast member Charles McKibben, who has no medical background, attends and volunteers for GMHC every year.

123

Contributors Thank you to everyone who contributed to this book, whether as a writer, designer, photographer, or story participant. May we always strive to capture the heart of how God has been using His people at Southeast Christian Church to impact our community, our nation, and the world—one person at a time.

Writers Shannon Biery

Jon McCallon

Drew Davis

Charles McKibben

Eugene DePorter

Craig Miller

Bonnie Epperson

Vanessa Parker

Bailey Foxworth

Ruth Schenk

Margaret Geraghty

Jay Schroder

Blaine Hamilton

Ben Thornley

Terry Jackson

Carla Williams

Designers Kristen Bittel

Michelle Hay

Jerry Farmer

Janine Morris

Josh Green