November 2018 NEXT

Next

/ November 2018

This issue of NEXT celebrates the legacy of NCCer Wendy Martinez, who modeled compassion and justice throughout her life. To read Wendy’s story, please see page 46.

MISSIONS EDITION

Pastor Mark & Lora We have a little saying at NCC: we want to be great at the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Of course, I like putting a little hyphen in co-mission for emphasis. Each of us is called to be on mission, but it’s a co-mission with God and with each other.

We believe church is a two-way street. We want to be part of the dream God has given you, and we want you to be part of the dream God has given us. We’re called by God and commanded

by Jesus to love our neighbors and bless our cities by banding together to combat poverty, suffering, and brokenness. Our 2019 missions year presents an astonishingly vast array of opportunities for us to make a difference. The opportunities are there. It’s our job to pray and to listen. Transformation begins when we step out and begin to humbly serve!

Mark Batterson, Lead Pastor Lora Batterson

Welcome!

Get involved.

It’s the best way to meet people and make NCC your church home!

New to NCC?

There are so many great ways to jump into the life of NCC.

See you at the Connections Table!

We want to meet you, answer your questions, and give you a gift. We can show you how to get connected at your campus. or . . .

Fill out the tearout card in the center section of this issue and drop it in the offering. or . . .

Go to ncc.re/connect and fill out the quick form. We’ll be in touch soon!

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• Join one of our small groups. ncc.re/groups

• Join a team and serve at your campus. ncc.re/team

• Join a local or global mission team or show up at Second Saturday Serve as we work together to make a difference in our communities. ncc.re/onmissioneveryday

• If you’re new to church or following Jesus, pick up a Next Steps booklet at the Connections Table and check out our Alpha groups. ncc.re/nextsteps

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@theaterchurch

Subscribe: ncc.re/podcast | Learn more or get involved: ncc.re/connect 2

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@NCC

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

Note from

Contents What’s Going on in November. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 From Missions Pastor Dave Schmidgall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Transformation Journey: A Strategy for Local and Global Partners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Causes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 NCC Missions Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Get Involved Locally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Listen & Learn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 DC Dream Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 A Holy Exchange: Why We Need this Next Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Wherever, Whenever with NCC Kids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 A1:8 Commons. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 2019 Mission Teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 November Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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PHOTO CREDIT: (L) JAKE RUTHERFORD AND (R) JEN EUN

What’s going on

Night of Prayer for the Persecuted Church Saturday, November 10, 7:00-9:00pm ncc.re/events Join Christians from all over the area at Chinese Community Church in Northwest DC (500 I St NW, 20001) to intercede for the Persecuted Church around the world.

Second Saturday Serve Saturday, November 10 ncc.re/secondsaturday What keeps you up at night? What injustice, cause, or brokenness propels you to action?

Second Saturday Serve is one place to figure that out—a starting point to living life on mission.

Every second Saturday, we get together to meet tangible needs in our communities. Join us in DC or VA!

Serve at Thanksgiving DC: Nov. 17 VA: Nov. 24 ncc.re/events

Join one of several teams to help serve.

No long-term commitment is necessary and all are welcome. See you this Second Saturday!

NCCers love to celebrate Thanksgiving by serving those experiencing homelessness. Join us to serve or prepare food for either of these NCC traditions:

Second Saturday Serve: DC - Rally and project overview at 9:30 am at Ebenezers Coffeehouse Performance Space.

DC: Friendsgiving Saturday, Nov. 17 Sign up here: ncc.re/friendsgiving

Second Saturday Serve: VA - Rally and project overview at at 9:00 am outside Regal Cinemas Potomac Yard.

VA: Alexandria Gratitude Table Thursday, November 22, 12-2pm alexandriagratitudetable@gmail.com

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We’ve combined a wide variety of serving opportunities by region. We’ll all gather together first thing Saturday morning at a central location —one in DC and one in VA—to get to know each other and pray together, then we’ll head out to the various projects.

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See you Saturday!

The face of global Christianity is changing

by Pastor Dave Schmidgall

issions is less and less from the West to the rest, but from everywhere to everywhere. The day of Westerndriven missions that sets its agenda independently of majority world Christianity is shifting. If our goal is to do the most good with the least amount of harm and bear witness to the full gospel, then this is a welcome shift.

the global church to be part of the hope and healing that Jesus modeled. Over seventy nations are represented within our community.

From experience, we know that we’re better together in both commonality and sometimes fierce differences. Only from a place of gospelcentric unity and partnership can we see communities truly transformed.

This, in part, is why our approach must be conscientious, seen through the dynamic range of lived human experience. That’s why language like “partnership, alongside, listening, exchanging, mutual empowerment” is so critical in our missions landscape at NCC. We go—whether across the street, the cubicle, or an ocean—as servants, bearing witness to the healing and redemptive power of love and suffering in the midst of devastation, disease, and poverty.

NCC takes our model of transformation from Jesus’ illustration of a tree and its fruit in Luke 6:43. Unhealthy beliefs, values, and behaviors keep communities trapped. In order for holistic, gospel-centered transformation to take place, we believe spiritual, physical, and social change must lead the way.

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But we know these issues are complex, and that injustice is often at the root. Poverty isn’t simply economic. Often it is accompanied by broken relationships, abuses of power, and gender-based violence. Many stuck in the cycle of poverty are also victims of generational poverty characterized by a sense of hopelessness.

Despite these complexities, the gospel calls us to respond, inviting us as members of

The Transformation Journey shown on page 8 and 9 allows us to use our free market system to maximize our impact through collaboration with local organizations in our city and around the world, leveraging technology, shared experience, and funding. This model allows us to partner with other communities as we pursue the cyclical journey of holistic, gospelcentered transformation together.

We hope the following pages give a glimpse of the heartbeat of this church.

A church that lives within its four walls isn’t a church at all.

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HOW ARE WE ON MISSION EVERY DAY?

OUR MISSION IS TO MOBILIZE PEOPLE EMPOWERED BY THE SPIRIT TO DO WHAT JESUS DID TOGETHER WHEREVER THEY ARE. ACTS 1:8

Jesus calls us to

ACT

Address poverty by

Assisting

THE POOR and OPPRESSED Address suffering by

Caring PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

FOR THE SICK and SORROWFUL Address brokenness by

Transforming

THROUGH RECONCILIATION

oration and Expl Mobilization

phase 4

ds and Relatio Nee ssessment nal A

phase 2

ainability an Sust d Multiplication

phase 1

phase 3

Tru

st a n d C a p a cit B u ild i n g

y

Transformation Journey Our Strategy for Local and Global Partnership elationship is at the heart and soul of how we do missions at NCC. And relationship, by nature, is cyclical: as we grow in relationship with our partner organizations, we move in everdeepening circles of understanding and commitment. Our desire is that missions will be a journey of transformation for NCCers, for our partner organizations, and for every person we come together to serve.

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Transformation Journey is our model for collaborating with local and global missions partners. The Journey

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allows us to most effectively leverage teamwork, technology, shared experience, and funds. Our partners benefit when we come alongside to serve and to learn. We benefit from our partners’ deep expertise in specific causes and cultures. NCCers grow as servants and students as they continue to participate on the journey.

Our free market missions partnership system is an effective and sustainable method for NCC to be on mission.

Even more, it maximizes the impact of humanitarian organizations in our city and around the world.

PHASE 1

Exploration and Mobilization We identify and come alongside global and local partners through a free market system.

What we look for in partnerships: • Church-affiliated, gospel-centric • Common vision • Strength of relationship • One of our nine causes (see pages 10 & 11) • Transparent leadership • Global and local integration • Evidence-based approaches PHASE 2

Needs and Relational Assessment Driven by local leadership, we identify the assets and needs of the community, setting goals for time-bound, measurable outcomes. We seek to define and strengthen mutually empowering relationships.

PHASE 3

Trust and Capacity Building We seek transformation together, fostering trust to create and implement strategy that builds on the assets of the community and helps address their needs.

PHASE 4

Sustainability and Multiplication Physical, spiritual, and social transformation within the community is measurable. The cycle of ongoing transformation includes joint evaluation with local leadership of initiatives that are sustainable and multiplying.

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What’s the injustice, the need, the cause that propels you to action?

As a church working together, we will fulfill the call of Acts 1:8 through nine core causes we believe are central to our participation in God’s mission in the world.

Anti-Trafficking There are an estimated 40 million slaves today worldwide. This statistic covers all areas of slavery, including sexual exploitation and labor trafficking. Serve with our partner organizations to help eradicate slavery.

Child Advocacy Partner with families and organizations to ensure that all children grow up in environments where they can thrive.

Community Development One of the goals of living on mission is to develop long-term relationships, not short-term projects. Through knowing our neighbors by name, we can help meet needs within our own communities.

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Evangelism

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

We are called and compelled to share the good news of Jesus in word and deed wherever we are. Whether in our workplace, in our neighborhoods, or coming alongside NCC partner organizations around the world, we live out our faith so all may know the love of God through Jesus Christ.

Health Through local partnerships, we are serving those living with HIV/AIDS. Through international partnerships we are supporting work to provide clinics and health education.

Homelessness We have been serving those experiencing homelessness since 2004. We began by meeting people where they are with lunch and conversation. Over the years, our investment has evolved but we continue to remain committed to building relationships with individuals.

Peacemaking As ambassadors of reconciliation, we will continue to seek peace and justice through the ways of Jesus in places of extreme violence and conflict in our city and around the world. Areas of focus include Israel and Palestine, DR Congo, South Africa, and racial reconciliation in our own cities.

Poverty By partnering with local and international organizations, we support efforts to develop sustainable solutions to material poverty locally and worldwide.

Refugee Care For refugees resettling in our community after enduring tremendous loss and hardship, we work and pray for comfort and peace. We reach out to the vulnerable and marginalized, providing loving care, generous support, and meaningful collaboration with other engaged agencies and partners.

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

We have over 150 partnerships with local and global missionaries, churches, and organizations.

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Explore these opportunities at ncc.re/missionsmap

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PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

#OnMissionEveryDay: Local Opportunities

DC127

Refugee Care REFUGEE CARE

We partner with local nonprofits, hold educational and awareness events, and work directly with refugee families in all areas from setting up apartments and picking families up from the airport to walking long-term with families as they rebuild their lives.

CHILD ADVOCACY

DC127 exists to reverse the foster-care wait list in DC, helping prospective foster and adoptive parents and recruiting volunteers to support families in crisis. Get involved by caring for some of the most vulnerable children in our city.

InService DC Dream Center CHILD ADVOCACY

One person at a time, the DC Dream Center inspires youth and adults to dare to dream, equipping them to reach their God-given potential. Lots of opportunities to serve by mentoring or tutoring kids.

HOMELESSNESS

We build relationships with neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.

We do pass out lunches — and we also offer kindness, prayer, encouragement, and listening ears. We meet people where they are and invite them into a community where they feel welcome and cared for through the love of Jesus.

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HOMELESSNESS

Anti-Trafficking ANTITRAFFICKING

Invest in relationships with survivors of human trafficking by making a longterm commitment to love through relationships, foster accountability, and implement a plan to create life change. In partnership with Love146, we seek to end human trafficking through awareness building and education.

The Way Home Campaign HOMELESSNESS

Restore Alexandria COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Restore Alexandria exists to empower neighbors and strengthen communities in the city of Alexandria. A partner of NCC, they focus on community, leadership, and economic development that will lead to healthy, whole, and thriving neighborhoods and families and the spread of the gospel.

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WIN seeks to create long-term influence through a broad and united front across the divides of race, culture, income, faith, and neighborhood in order to initiate public action on a variety of issues. National Community Church partners with WIN to care for and serve with our most vulnerable District residents on everything from housing to immigration.

November 2018

No one should be homeless.

No one should be homeless for years. The Way Home believes that the District of Columbia has the resources, creativity, and ability to end chronic homelessness. This is a vital step in our greater efforts to end homelessness in our community.

Second Saturday Serve COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Washington Interfaith Network COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Living Room is a small group that brings people together from all walks of life to fellowship and study scripture over a meal. While all are welcome, many individuals in this small group have found themselves living on the streets, in a local shelter, or as part of the working poor.

Second Saturday Serve is a first step in engaging what it means to be on mission every day.

Through local partnerships we are given a monthly opportunity to build relationships and serve our community.

Crocus Collective REFUGEE CARE

The Crocus Collective, a partner of NCC, engages in interfaith dialogue and relationships with refugees in our community of Northern Virginia. They host events, informal get-togethers, and English as a Second Language classes.

For more information on these and other opportunities to serve in your community, reach out to your campus A1:8 director (see page 48).

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

The Living Room

Listen + Learn So much of our world is oriented toward speaking out and being heard. This is a chance to push against that paradigm, to lean in, to listen and learn.

At Listen + Learn we gather around a newly-resettled refugee family as they share about their experiences and teach us a skill or craft from their country, often times involving food. These are intimate gatherings designed for interactive learning, candid conversation and honest curiosity. Listen + Learn is an on-going monthly event. You can buy your ticket at ncc.re/listenandlearn. All proceeds go directly to the family you’ll meet.

REFUGEE CARE

DATE:

November 29 Congolese song and dance LOCATION:

Ebenezers Performing Arts Space

DATE:

December 14 Syrian food LOCATION:

ncc.re/listenandlearn

NE DC

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PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

DC Dream Center “It’s amazing how the entire community immediately caught the vision for the DC Dream Center,” says Executive Director Ernest Clover. “NCCers, corporations, and others in the community have just jumped in and said, ‘Here’s what I can offer. Can I

help?’” The brand-new community center in Southeast has been open for just over one year now, and it has already been significantly shaped by the dreams, hard work, and creative ideas of everyone involved.

Creative and Engaged Volunteers “Most programs at the Dream Center are created, run, and sustained by volunteers, many of whom are NCCers,” says Clover. Volunteers have given over 16,000 hours so far this year.

• After-school tutoring

• The Vibe Teen Group

• One-on-one mentoring (Fifty mentors so far have committed to at least 10 hours per month)

• Art classes

• Year-round music classes (Students have the opportunity for one-on-one lessons each semester, and there is a general class so that every child can be involved, even if they are new to music classes. Kids can learn guitar, piano, keyboard, violin, or percussion.)

• Bible studies

• Food distribution

• Self-defense classes • Martial arts classes • Health and fitness classes

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PHOTO CREDITS: (L) REBECCA ONDREY; (R) ERICA BAKER

Partnering with Corporations, Churches, and Organizations “We’d love to have you consider having your company or organization partner with us,” says Ernest Clover. “Just shoot us an email at info@dcdreamcenter.com.”

• The Leesa Mattress company donated 190 mattresses worth over $130,000 to DC|DC neighbors, some of whom did not have a bed at all

• The Dwellus Group hosts an annual fundraising golf tournament

• 22 staffers of the Nehemiah Security Company helped refurbish the grounds and rebuild a wall

• We’re grateful to these and the many other community groups and businesses that have invested in DC\DC this year!

• Deloitte delivered and spread 20 cubic yards of mulch on the grounds

• Purple Strategies, Inc donates web hosting and communications consulting

A Hub for the Community DC|DC has fulfilled a significant need in the area as it offers its warm, bright spaces for neighbors and organizations to meet. “We have become a much-needed gathering space for people in the community. That has created room for increased relationship, deepened mutual understanding, and real celebration.” says Clover.

• Monthly Police Service Area meetings

• Thanksgiving dinner basket distribution

• Randle Highlands Citizen Civic Association

• “Made in the DMV” conference for over 150 creatives

• Job Fair with over 400 attendees • Pop-up shops for locally-owned businesses

• Christmas party and Santa’s Toy Shop for neighborhood kids

• MLK Day service project with 200 teens

• Easter party

• Prison Fellowship Road to Second Chances Prayer Walk and Resource Fair for Returning Citizens

• Twice-monthly Wednesday Reconciliation Lunches • Weekly Tuesday Prayer Breakfasts

• Back-to-school supplies distribution

Share the Dream!

Get involved at DC|DC Just show up any Second Saturday 10am-noon: serve with us 1pm-2pm: info session and tour

Learn more: info@dcdreamcenter.com DCDreamCenter.com DCDreamCenter

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

A Holy Exchange: Why We Need This Next Generation

by Pastor Brooke Perry

ome people tend to see young people as those who we should be on mission to, but at NCC Youth, we would challenge that way of thinking.

We believe that more than anything, we should really be thinking of young people as those who we are on mission with.

S

I would argue that we cannot fully see those around us unless we are constantly seeing through another’s eyes, and the eyes that I have found to be the absolute most powerful and challenging are the eyes of this next generation.

The prophet Joel penned a prophecy that we hold tightly to for this next generation. God speaks through Joel in chapter 2, verse 28 when He said in those days I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. I believe that God was talking about the days here and now, and it is a very powerful thing that God saw fit to give our young people vision. It makes me wonder how I have stifled my own because I have not fully invited theirs in.

There is so much we can do to affirm this

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vision in our youth. There are so many contexts of wisdom that we can create for them to explore their passion and gifts here and now rather than dismissing them until they’re older.

When these contexts of wisdom are created, there is a beautiful intergenerational exchange that results in a much fuller picture of how Jesus has called us to see and serve one another. To partner with those coming up behind us is to show others how Jesus wants to partner with them. This is the holy exchange between wisdom and risk-taking that makes up a much more complete view of who God is. We need more than wisdom. We need the boldness that this next generation brings, and they need the wisdom that we have to contribute!

So, whose eyes are you seeing through?

Whose vision are you allowing to challenge your own? And who might you be dismissing that God has actually put in your path on purpose? Invite a young person alongside you this month in whatever mission God has called you to be on. We need one another, and that is a powerful truth to embrace.

PHOTO CREDIT: OBI OKOLO

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

We are excited to see kids and their families serving this month!

Our prayer is that kids will learn that they can serve others anytime and anywhere. “Whenever, Wherever!�

Watch this video to be inspired about how God can use YOUR family: ncc.re/wheneverwherever

How Families Can Participate Serve together: Step out and serve as a family! Each NCC Kid will be given a t-shirt to wear when they serve others this month. Kids can make a checkmark on their special punch card each time they serve. There is a prize for each child who turns a completed card at the end of the month! Post on social media and tag #onmissioneveryday so we can see the incredible things you are doing!

Support a local family: NCC Kids can bless a local family with a holiday meal!

Each child will receive a coin bank encouraging them to collect or raise funds to support a family in their city. $20 raised or donated to the DC Dream Center will cover the cost to bless a family with an entire Thanksgiving dinner.

Provide Blessing Bag Supplies: Once again, NCC Kids is excited to prepare blessing bags for the annual DC InService Thanksgiving Dinner (and local partners). We are hoping that each family will donate the supplies for at least one complete blessing bag for our friends experiencing homelessness. Kids will receive a bag to collect donations throughout the month, bringing them to kids church Sunday, November 11. Blessing Bag supplies include basic survival necessities, personal care items, and thoughtful extras that might brighten someone’s day.

Thank you for serving Whenever, Wherever!

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PHOTO CREDIT: PEARCE MURPHY

A1:8 Commons Meeting the needs of our cities with the resources and skills of our church.

As the church began, those who believed had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. (Acts 2:44-45) A1:8 Commons is a database of needs, skills, and resources. Getting involved is easy. Just go to the website and: 1. Create a profile 2. Offer your skills and resources 3. Meet needs in our community

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

2019 Mission Teams For you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:8 The goal of every Christ-follower is to live on mission every day, wherever we are. The deepest level of gospel transformation results in living out the mission of Jesus wherever we walk.

Our mission teams serve as ambassadors of reconciliation, providing on-the-ground support to long-term partners, establishing new relationships, and witnessing how God is working to bring all nations to Him. For more information, updates, or to sign up for a mission team, visit ncc.re/missions.

Africa.....................................................................35 Asia/Pacific..........................................................38 Europe..................................................................39 Latin America/Caribbean..................................40 Middle East/North Africa..................................42 North America.....................................................43 34

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PHOTO CREDIT: JEN EUN

Africa South Africa (Jeffreys Bay)

CHILD ADVOCACY

PEACEMAKING

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

May 18, 2019 - May 25, 2019 $2,250 / Leaders: Reagan Chaney, Amanda Gann, and Emily Pan For the seventh year we are partnering with Victory4All Ministries—an organization dedicated to providing education and care to children to help break the cycles of poverty in their communities. We will support the leaders, teachers, and students in prayer, as well as helping in the creation of a community arts center/coffee shop for the community of Humansdorp.

DR Congo (Uvira) Strategic Skills PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

April/May 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHILD ADVOCACY

$3,175 / Leaders: Dave Samuel, Kim Scott, and Marisa Brown We will be taking a specialized team to partner with Congo for Christ Center to implement a new business model for their Mango Tree School, conduct due diligence on potential business opportunities, develop a long-term strategic plan, and teach valuable business skills to the team on the ground. If you are interested in using your professional skills to make an impact, we would love to hear from you!

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DR Congo (Uvira) July 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHILD ADVOCACY

$3,150 / Leaders: Kristen Bower and Nik Hanlon Focused on education and teacher training, we will be returning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the ninth consecutive year to work with Congo for Christ Center, a ministry replanted after devastating war that has grown to become a robust children’s center, a thriving church, and an exemplary primary school. If you work in education, we highly encourage you to become part of this mission team.

Zambia (Chingola) August 2019

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

$3,000 / Leaders: Davina Chu and Jamie Friedrich We will be returning to Chingola, Zambia for our seventh year, working with Lusungu Children’s Home and Mercy Kids Africa. We will be working with children in the community— hosting kids programs, tutoring, teaching life and job skills, and providing medical care. If you want to work with children or have expertise in social work, teaching/training, medical, agriculture, construction, storytelling or business development we encourage you to become part of this team!

Kenya (Nairobi) August 2019

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

$3,100 / Leaders: Brandon Harder, Kristina Harder, and Kyle Klein In Nairobi, Kenya over 1.5 million people live in Kibera—one of the largest slums in the world. For the second year, we are partnering with First Love International Ministries to build relationships with our brothers and sisters 7,000 miles away. During our time in Kenya we will engage in education, health initiatives, service work, and relationship building, spending time at a grade school, a high school, and at First Love’s children’s home.

Ghana (Accra) October/November 2019

CHILD ADVOCACY

HOMELESSNESS

$2,500 / Leaders: David Collier and Althea Holford At the center of our mission team are the children of Ghana. For the second year, we will partner with Future of Africa as they provide literacy and arts programs, meals, and mentorship for at-risk youth in the region. We believe in the promise of Jeremiah 29:11 for each of the children in Ghana. If you have a heart for children, passion for social justice, and a willingness to share God’s love in a place of great need, we invite you to join this team.

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PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA GANN

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

Asia/Pacific India (Pune)

ANTITRAFFICKING

CHILD ADVOCACY

October 2019 $2,600 / Leaders: Direna Cousins and Emma Voigt For six years now, National Community Church has partnered with Sparsh in Pune, India.

Sparsh, as a Christian based organization in a predominantly Hindu society, is uniquely positioned as a bridge builder. They work to provide housing, food, medical care, education, and hope to the women and children in the red light district.

Thailand (Bangkok) Late Summer/Early Fall 2019

ANTITRAFFICKING

$2,700 / Leaders: Amanda Baker and Jill Carmichael According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Thailand is the “top destination for victims of human trafficking” and Bangkok is considered the hub of the international sex industry. Thailand and DC aren’t so different—both have high numbers of human trafficking and exploitation. We will focus on prevention, care, and outreach with partners such as MST Project and The Well.

Our goal is to come in as learners and then translate that back into serving our own community.

While this team is limited to ages 18+ we welcome all knowledge and skill levels.

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PHOTO CREDIT: OBI OKOLO

Europe Germany Spring 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

$2,000 / Leader: Juliet Main Focusing on urban ministry, we will be traveling to Germany to learn how the church in Europe is finding new ways to reach the unchurched in its post-Christian culture. We’ll learn from our ministry partners serving in neighborhoods across the European cities and provide support through cleaning, painting, and light maintenance projects. This team is for those who want to be challenged to consider new ways of neighboring in our cities.

Belgium (Brussels) May 30 - June 5, 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

$1,950 / Leaders: Lori Feliciano and Ramon Santiago This mission team will be in partnership with Chris Zickmund, a trained civil engineer and pastor.

Throughout Europe, the church has lost its reverence and relevance, and Chris has a passion to bring revival to the heart of the European Union through renovation and construction. If you want to join us to see how God is moving in Brussels, all you need is a heart to serve and a willingness to get a little dirty.

Romania (Bucharest) June 8 - June 23, 2019

ANTITRAFFICKING

$2,800 / Leader: Melissa Burns-Johnson This first-time team will be serving the Open Door Foundation. Their goal is to give full assistance and protected shelter in emergency situations to survivors of human trafficking, help transition them for reintegration into society. They also raise awareness of trafficking throughout the local community. Partnering with a local church, we will assist them by investing in and caring for their staff.

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Latin America/Caribbean Argentina (Buenos Aires)

HOMELESSNESS

POVERTY

February 26 - March 5, 2019 $2,200 / Leader: Robb Schmidgall We will be returning to Argentina for the second time to work with Teen Challenge in addressing homelessness and poverty caused by life-controlling addictions. During this mission team, we will be doing manual labor at the ministry’s farm, working alongside teenagers within the program, as well as teaching life and job skills. The only requirement is a willingness to work hard and serve well, but construction skills would be a huge bonus!

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Haiti (Port Au Prince)

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

June 2019 $2,250 / Leaders: Heather Corsi and Karen Lewis NCC is sending a team to Port-au-Prince for the seventh consecutive year to partner with our friends Julie and Franceli Joseph at Redeemer’s Child Orphanage (Bisoul Timoun). This year we will focus on providing long-term support to the children’s home through fundraising and continued relationship building. If you have never been on a mission team before, this would be a great trip to experience the heart of serving internationally!

Honduras (Choluteca) July/August, 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHILD ADVOCACY

$1,800 / Leaders: Jeanne Almeida, Caleb and Kelly Hii PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM MASON

We will be partnering with Koinonia Children’s Ministries to share the gospel with children from several church communities in two cities. We will also spend time with and invest in the staff and little ones at Koinonia’s transition home. We will also work on small-scale construction and repair projects to bless local families that Koinonia is empowering and equipping to remain independent and unified.

Jamaica (Ocho Rios) August 2019

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

HEALTH

$2,300 / Leader: Tiffany Slater We are going to return to Ocho Rios—the location of one of our oldest mission teams—to partner with Teen Challenge Jamaica as they endeavor to implement a holistic approach to helping men and women become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive. They seek to meet these goals through mentoring, vocational training, and biblical studies. Through encouraging entrepreneurship they have a dream to see their ministry and students become self-sustaining.

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

Middle East/North Africa Jordan (Mafraq)

PEACEMAKING

REFUGEE CARE

Spring 2019 $2,500 / Leaders: Ashley Anderson and Alex Capestany We are excited to return to Jordan for a second year, where we will serve in a town whose population has doubled due to the influx of Syrian refugees since the start of the crisis. Our team will be supporting our partners on the ground as they do sustainable and impactful refugee care, relief, development, and reconciliation in the midst of conflict.

Israel/Palestine - Practical Peacemaking

PEACEMAKING

May 2019 $2,800 / Leader: Teresa Casale Practical Peacemaking is an experimental learning intensive that will help participants better understand the multifaceted, holistic nature of peacemaking, as well as advance their knowledge of the complexities of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. In this way, we seek to become better partners for peace, in Israel/Palestine and beyond. Previous experience in Israel/ Palestine and/or peacemaking efforts in conflict settings is preferred!

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PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

North America Phoenix, Arizona

ANTITRAFFICKING

March 2019 $1,200 / Leader: Alyssa Crozier For the seventh year, NCC will partner with StreetLightUSA. We will have the opportunity to learn from StreetLightUSA’s work and minister alongside them, supporting their programs to bring restoration to survivors of trafficking and increase awareness of the issue.

Nogales, Arizona

PEACEMAKING

Spring 2019 $1,400 / Leaders: Jill Carmichael and Lauren Gruebel We will be going to Nogales, Arizona, seeking to learn from people who live on both sides of the Mexican-American border. The team will visit immigrant detention centers, attend workshops on immigration, visit meal programs and health centers on both sides of the border, and participate in facilitated dialogue sessions around immigration. It is our hope to learn from people who experience all sides of immigration and take the posture of peacemakers as we seek to bring what we have learned back to our local community.

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Washington View, DC

CHILD ADVOCACY

April 15-21, 2019

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

$500 / Leaders: Joel Buckner and Joel Frye Led by a team of men from NCC, we will be partnering with KIPP DC: Heights Academy (Douglass Campus) to help 3rd & 4th grade boys navigate the journey from childhood to adolescence. Through mentorship, participants will safely experience a week of physical challenges, character building exercises and exposure to Washington, DC’s amazing natural landscapes and wildlife. We will conclude the week with an overnight camping trip at a local state park. Men ages 18+ only.

Nashville, Tennessee

EVANGELISM

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

July 2019 $1,250 / Leaders: Heather and Ryan Zempel Music City, USA is a cultural center of publishing, music, and fame. In September 2017, NCC commissioned worship pastor Kurtis Parks to plant their first network church: Bridges Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Our team will help Bridges train small group and ministry leaders, launch ministry programs like Celebrate Recovery, and participate in various outreach projects.

Champions in Action DC July 2019

REFUGEE CARE

CHILD ADVOCACY

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

$1,400 / Leader: Emily Hendrickson This year we will be hosting our second youth soccer camp in partnership with Champions in Action DC. Over the past several years hundreds of refugee youth have been resettled in the DMV area. While adapting to a new city, culture, and language, soccer has given them an outlet and a place to belong. Volunteers will make lunches, run activities, and build relationships with the kids. Camp will run Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 1pm for ages 8-16. No overnights necessary.

Waynetown, Indiana

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

July 17 - July 20, 2019 $750 / Leaders: Pam Gilray and Patrick Gooley This trip will take you into the heartland of America where we will be working on community development through building renovations and conversations with the people of Waynetown, Indiana. For the fourth year, we will be joining forces with former NCCers Brad and Kathryn Eads and their ministry Be the Church.

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Jackson, Mississippi (NCC Youth)

PEACEMAKING

August 2 - August 11, 2019 $950 / Leaders: Steffen Humbert and Brooke Perry NCC Youth will be returning for our second year to learn from and pour into the city of Jackson, MS. We will partner with We Will Go to serve those experiencing homelessness, drug abuse, and poverty among other hardships. We will also be learning from those at Mendenhall Ministries which was started by Dr. John Perkins and continues to be a powerful source of transformation in the name of Jesus across lines of race, gender, and class differences.

Monterey, Virginia

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

October 2019 $200 / Leaders: David Steele and Stewart Elzinga

The Monterey Woodcutting Ministry has gathered each October to cut, split, and load logs into trucks, and deliver the wood to community members who lack the physical or financial means to provide it for themselves. In partnership with the local church, participants will also spend time developing relationships and praying with community members. Experience with chainsaws, axes, mauls, and hydraulic splitters is highly desirable but not necessary.

Join a mission team ncc.re/missionteams

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Love Wins endy Martinez, an NCCer from our Lincoln Theatre campus, lived on mission every day. She knew God’s love and gave away that love to everyone around her. Tragically, Wendy was taken from us this past September. We celebrate Wendy’s life and honor her in this missions-focused edition of NEXT. May we all be inspired by her life of love and compassion.

W

Wendy was part of the 2015 A1:8 mission team to Bethlehem, running the Right to Movement marathon. She was being the hands and feet of Jesus as she modeled compassion and justice and worked to build bridges of peace. Standing beside the wall, she wrote the words “love wins.” It was her declaration that in the end, the love of God conquers evil.

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Her fiancé, NCCer Daniel Hincappe, shares this tribute: “Wendy Karina Martinez was called home on September 18, 2019. In her 35 years on this earth, Wendy lived beautifully, intentionally, and generously. To those who were lucky to know her, Wendy was a constant source of inspiration. She was a fearless professional, a disciplined and talented athlete, a devout Christian, and a dedicated and loving friend, sister, daughter, colleague, and fiancée. Wendy was also a constant source of joy. She had perhaps the most contagious laugh in history, a big, iconic smile, and a zest for life that lit up every room she graced. Wendy will be dearly missed by her parents Cora and Juan Carlos, her brother Juan Carlos Junior, her fiancé, Daniel; and the countless friends, colleagues, and acquaintances she impacted in her short but purpose-filled life. If Wendy leaves behind one lesson for us, let it be this: love wins.”

Coming Up at NCC

Learn more at ncc.re/events

Saturday, November 10

Prayer for the Persecuted Church (see page 4)

Saturday, November 10

Second Saturday Serve at DC Dream Center | Potomac Yard | Ebenezers Coffeehouse

Sunday, November 11

Blessing Bags due to NCC Kids check-in table at your campus (see page 30)

Saturday, November 17

DC Friendsgiving (see page 4)

Thursday, November 22

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 22

Alexandria Gratitude Table (see page 4)

Thursday, November 29

Listen & Learn (see page 19)

Saturday, December 1

NCC Kids Christmas Program, The Miracle Theatre

3 Ways To Give “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

theaterchurch.com/giving TXT “$(amount) NCC” to 45777 Cash or Check (Find offering envelopes at the Connections Table)

Do you already give online? Please remember to switch your giving to NCC Central! ncc.re/central

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#OnMissionEveryDay with Your NCC Campus Community Being on mission every day with your NCC campus has many faces. It can look like helping a neighbor in need. It can look like inviting a friend to church. It can look like teaming up to serve your city. Here’s how to get involved on mission and stay informed about what’s going on at your NCC campus.

Barracks Row - Saturday

Saturday Nights, 5pm Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/barracksrow Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsBarracksSat

A1:8 Campus Director: Jonathan Flores aoneeight.ballston@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Bailey Ulm aoneeight.barracksam@theaterchurch.com

Gainesville - Sundays, 10am

Barracks Row - Sunday

Sundays, 9am, 10:30am, and noon Pastor Joel Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/barracksrow Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsBarracks Join our Facebook Group: Barracks Row NCCers A1:8 Campus Director: Bailey Ulm aoneeight.barracksam@theaterchurch.com

Echostage - Sundays, 9:30am Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/echo Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsEcho Join our Facebook Group: Echostage NCCers

Join our Facebook Group: Gainesville NCCers A1:8 Campus Director: Pam Gilray pam.gilray@theaterchurch.com

Kingstowne - Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette theaterchurch.com/kingstowne E-news: ncc.re/enewsKT Join our Facebook Group: Kingstowne NCCers A1:8 Campus Director: Chris Todd aoneeight.kingstowne@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Bailey Ulm aoneeight.barracksam@theaterchurch.com

Lincoln Theatre - Sundays, 10:30am Pastor Dave Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/lincoln Subscribe to E-news: ncc.re/enewsLincoln Join our Facebook Group: Lincoln Theatre NCCers

Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am Pastor Jon Vaughan theaterchurch.com/potomacyard E-news: ncc.re/enewsPY

Join our Facebook Group: Potomac Yard NCCers A1:8 Campus Director: Matt Gillette matthew.gillette@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Bailey Ulm aoneeight.barracksam@theaterchurch.com

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Pastor Robb Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/gainesville E-news: ncc.re/gvemail

Virginia

Washington, DC

Pastor Heather Zempel theaterchurch.com/ballston NCC Kids at 9:30am E-news: ncc.re/enewsBallston

Join our Facebook Group: Ballston NCCers

Join our Facebook Group: Barracks Row Saturday Night NCCers

nationalcommunity.com

Ballston - Sundays, 9:30am & 11am

205 F Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

/nationalcommunitychurch

@theaterchurch

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202-544-0414

@NCC