November 2017 NEXT

Next

/ November 2017

A1:8 MISSIONS EDITION

Pastor Mark & Lora I honestly think one mission team is worth more than 52 sermons. When you go on mission—whether it’s around the corner or around the world—you’re in for a radical life change! When you go as a servant, not a savior, God will bless that humble attitude. Your investment will bear fruit and your eyes will be opened in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

NCC offers dozens of opportunities for you to serve locally and globally. I hope you’ll prayerfully peruse these opportunities and jump in this year as you never have before.

Mark Batterson Lead Pastor

Welcome!

The best way to meet people and get connected is to become involved.

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. And let us 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 weekend ministry team. ncc.re/ministry • 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 new to following Jesus, pick up a Next Steps booklet at the Connections Table, and check out our Alpha groups. ncc.re/alpha

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

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PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM MASON

Note from

Contents What’s Going on in November. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 What’s Your Brave? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 BRAVE Sermon Series. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Profiles in BRAVE: Dr. John Perkins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Causes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Profiles in BRAVE: Allison Moses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Get Involved Locally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 DC Dream Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Uprising Youth Mission Camp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Profiles in BRAVE: Amy & Adam Hammond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 #OnMissionEveryDay with Crosswalk Kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Introducing A1:8 Commons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Introducing the NCC Missions Fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Profiles in BRAVE: Baquaa Valley, Lebanon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Profiles in BRAVE: Washington, DC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 2018 Mission Teams. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Profiles in BRAVE: Nea Kavala, Greece. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Profiles in BRAVE: Cedeno, Honduras. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 A1:8 Missionaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 November Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

On the cover: Originally from Syria, Majed and Walaa were resettled in the US in 2016 with their two beautiful daughters, Rahmah and Laura. They are bravely adjusting to life in the DC area learning English, using their skills, and raising their daughters to be courageous and loving.

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER theaterchurch.com

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Night of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Saturday, November 18, 7:00 - 9:00 pm ncc.re/events Join Christians from all over the area at Chinese Community Church in Northwest DC to intercede for the Persecuted Church around the world. Hear from Joseph Hovesian of Iran, Pastor Mario Barroso of Cuba, Asif Mall of Pakistan, and Grace Jo of North Korea.

Sunday, November 5, 5pm Register: ncc.re/parentsharelivebrave Current events, political issues, race relations, divorce, death in the family. Join us as we explore how to engage in tough issues and have ageappropriate conversations.

FREE! Child care provided for a small fee.

Serve at Thanksgiving

Second Saturday Serve

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

Serve our community and build relationships, no strings attached! Join the team at your campus every second Saturday of the month. No need to sign up; just show up.

DC: Nov. 18 VA: Nov. 23 ncc.re/events

DC: Friendsgiving Saturday, Nov. 18 Sign up here: ncc.re/friendsgiving Alexandria: Gratitude Table Thursday, November 23, noon-2pm alexandriagratitudetable@gmail.com

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Parent Share Live: BRAVE

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Saturday, November 11 at all campuses ncc.re/secondsat

Contact your campus A1:8 Missions lead or visit the Connections Table to learn more about this month’s project.

PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM MASON

What’s going on in November

What’s Your Brave?

/brAve/ - verb; ready to face and endure trials, to show courage, to take heart

by Pastor Dave Schmidgall

In this world you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

MATTHEW 16:33 ashir has changed my life. In our world of instability and sharpened lines of division, how could a pastor from DC and a Muslim man from Daraa, Syria become so close?

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Despite our language, cultural, and religious differences, we’ve discovered the root of our common bond: we both bear the image of God. This is where relationship begins.

Bravery is crossing lines of division. Bravery is risky. Bravery requires something of us.

Bravery is loving anyway.

And for some, that’s energizing. For others, it’s overwhelming and scary.

But Jesus made an empowering statement to his followers, knowing that trials and difficulty would lie ahead of us. He doesn’t tell us to take heart because we

can overcome these challenges. Instead of pointing to our strength, he reminds us of His. And that’s where it all starts. The source of our bravery comes from knowing what Jesus did for us in order to have the strength to display His love for others.

To be brave means addressing our greatest challenges: poverty, disease, spiritual and relational brokenness.

During this series, a simple, yet challenging question we ask is: What’s your brave?

Each page in this issue of NEXT offers opportunities for addressing challenges in our world and entering into the mission Jesus called us to: assisting the poor and oppressed, caring for the sick and sorrowful, and transforming through reconciliation.

May the spirit of God lead you to enter bravely into our mission to love others.

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November 4 & 5 / Go Through Samaria / Pastor Mark Batterson November 11 & 12 / Community Renewal / Interview with Dr. John Perkins November 18 & 19 / Global Poverty and Fragile States / Rich Stearns, President of World Vision November 25 & 26 / A1:8 Storytelling / Foodhini, Casa Chirilagua, Tony Sebastian, Uprising Mission Camp December 2 & 3 / Sharing Everything in Common / Pastor Dave Schmidgall

What’s Your Brave?

Add the #braveseries photo frame to your Facebook profile at ncc.re/brave

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PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE TRESS

What’s Your Brave? / Missions Series Overview

DR. JOHN PERKINS is an internationally-known author, speaker, and teacher on issues of racial reconciliation and Christian community development. He is president of the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation of Jackson, Mississippi, an organization promoting and teaching

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reconciliation, leadership training, and community development.

“There is no reconciliation until you recognize the dignity of the other, until you see their view—you have to enter into the pain of the people. You’ve got to feel their need.” Dr. John Perkins sits on his front porch in Jackson, Mississippi, where he has spent over 50 years advocating for racial and economic justice and living out the gospel of reconciliation. NCC youth will spend a week learning and serving with Dr. Perkins this coming August.

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HOW ARE WE ON MISSION EVERY DAY?

A1:8 is the missions arm of NCC

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

WHICH BEGS THE QUESTION:

WHAT DID JESUS DO? Addressed poverty by

ASSISTING

THE POOR + OPPRESSED Addressed suffering by

PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA GANN

CARING

FOR THE SICK + SORROWFUL Addressed brokenness by

TRANSFORMING

THROUGH RECONCILIATION

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

As you prayerfully browse the following opportunities, listen to how the Spirit moves you to live on mission.

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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A1:8 has over 150 partnerships with local and global missionaries, churches, and organizations.

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Explore these opportunities at map.aoneeight.org

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“When I moved to DC I was shocked to see the level of chronic homelessness. After so many commutes to work and walking past people in desperate need, I decided to do something about it and learned

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about NCC’s activities and heart for serving people experiencing homelessness. It’s not just about people who are on the streets without housing, but a reminder to all of us that millions of Americans are living on the margins of homelessness and food insecurity, and that God calls us to help people in their most troubled times.”

ALLISON MOSES

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#OnMissionEveryDay: Local Opportunities

Barracks Grow POVERTY

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

In a partnership with Cultivate The City, this urban garden grows food for families who lack access to healthy, affordable food. We pray for this space to be a place that brings together community members from both sides of the Anacostia River.

DC127 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.

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.

InService HOMELESSNESS

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.

We build relationships with neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.

We do pass out lunches — but more important, we 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 prevention in 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 2017

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 additional ways 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 + Learn.

At Listen + Learn we gather around a newly-resettled refugee family as they share about their experiences and teach us to make a delicious dish from their country. These are intimate gatherings designed for interactive learning, candid conversation and honest curiosity.

You can buy your ticket at ncc.re/ listenandlearn. All proceeds go directly to the family you’ll meet.

REFUGEE CARE

DATE:

November 10 FAMILY:

Bashir and Ghosoun Alhumayer LOCATION:

SE DC

DATE:

December 7 FAMILY:

Husni Almansour

ncc.re/listenandlearn

LOCATION:

TBD

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DC Dream Center his past August 23, we all got to celebrate a dream fulfilled as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser presided over the Grand Opening of the DC Dream Center.

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The DC Dream Center is the the culmination of nine years of collaborative dreaming and planning by NCCers, community members, DC residents, other partner churches, and area businesses.

The brand-new, four-story community center in Southeast DC will be a place where DC youth, individuals, and families can come together in the spirit of unity to awaken dreams.

The 10,000-square-foot Dream Center houses an art center, dance studio, computer lab, basketball court, and general meeting

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spaces to serve the needs of the community and offer youth and adults the best possible chance to succeed. Says DC Dream Center Executive Director Ernest Clover, “Thanks to all our supporters, what used to be an abandoned apartment building is now a place for people to explore and realize dreams. We’ve just opened our doors, but we already have a full schedule of youth mentoring programs, dance classes, basketball camp, homework help, and arts activities. And the best is yet to come.”

There are lots of ways to support the DC Dream Center. Volunteer as a mentor or tutor. Give financially. Pray for each person who walks through the doors. Find out more at dcdreamcenter.com.

PHOTO CREDIT: SCOTT-LONG CONSTRUCTION

PHOTO CREDIT: BRITTANY BALLENSTADT / BRITT B. PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO CREDIT: REBECCA ONDREY

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Uprising Youth Mission Camp June 22-27, 2018

It’s the best of two worlds—the fun of summer camp fused with the heart of missions. At Missions Camp, something happens in students. The Bible goes from being talked about to being experienced.

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” MICAH 6:8

“This generation is itching to make a difference.

Missions Camp teaches them how.”

STEFFEN HUMBERT, YOUTH PASTOR

To learn more check out

ncc.re/missioncamp2018

“Uprising Youth’s Mission Camp was the springboard where it all began for my children. Prior to Mission Camp, I had told my kids they needed to attend six Uprising Youth gatherings and Mission Camp. They both despised me in that moment. Reluctantly they went but came back transformed. They were hooked. Between the crazy fun and depth of purpose they came back with a more earnest faith and desire to serve others.”

MARY MILLER

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PHOTO CREDIT: CRISTINA GORE

“We came up to this lady and she was laying on a bench and we asked if she wanted a bag lunch. She was like, “yeah, sure.” When she said she was a single mother that had three children I kind of felt that was partially my situation because me and my mom were always alone. So I kind of felt like I

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could relate to her.

Jesus cared about everyone not just a specific group of people.

So we’re called to be like him. And getting to know that type of people and getting familiar with them meant that I could care about them in a different way than I did before.”

JUAN MEDINA

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“One of our favorite NCC-isms suggests that God doesn’t call us to do easy things. So true!

Being a foster parent—loving and letting go—

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is the hardest thing we’ve ever been called to do, but it has blessed us as a family far more than we could have ever imagined. We get to be His hands and feet every day.”

AMY AND ADAM HAMMOND

PHOTO CREDIT: MEGAN SCHMITZ PHOTOGRAPHY

#OnMissionEveryDay with Crosswalk Kids Crosswalk Kids is excited to engage with your family this month as we learn what it means to be Brave. Our prayer is that kids will learn what it looks like to live a Brave life of obedience to God. We believe that the foundation for a missional heart is love for God, love for others, gratitude, and generosity. This month we will dive into several Brave stories from the Bible and we want to invite your family to live Brave, too!

Our theme for this month is BRAVE.

et a

Kids g

FRhEirtE! ts

“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the LORD your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.”

JOSHUA 1:9

How Families Can Participate Serve together: Families will have a unique opportunity this month to step out of our comfort zones and serve together. We’re asking kids to wear their BRAVE t-shirts when they serve. Every time kids serve, they can make a checkmark on the door hanger they’ll be receiving in Crosswalk Kids. Each child who turns in a completely-checked-off door hanger will receive a prize!

Support a local family: Crosswalk Kids will receive a coin bank encouraging them to collect or raise funds to support a family in their city with a holiday meal. Consider raising money as a family and donating $20 to the DC Dream Center. A $20 donation will cover the cost to bless a family with an entire Thanksgiving dinner.

Provide Blessing Bag Supplies: Crosswalk 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. Bring donations on Sunday, November 12. Blessing bag supplies include basic survival necessities, personal care items, and thoughtful extras that might brighten someone’s day. We will also be making decorations for the celebration on Sunday morning in Crosswalk Kids.

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Introducing A1:8 Commons Sharing resources, skills, and needs For years we’ve been asking how we can better share our skills and resources to those who need it most in our communities.

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: 1. Create a profile 2. Offer your skills and resources 3. Meet needs in our community Learn more and get started today.

commons.aoneeight.org

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Introducing the NCC Missions Fund When we give together, change happens.

God’s Kingdom comes to earth.

Call the missions fund a mutual fund for the Kingdom of God. It’s our way of giving above and beyond to serve the poor and the oppressed through people, places, and partners.

The NCC Missions Fund will support partners like Breakthrough Thailand, which strikes at the roots of trafficking and exploitation through community-based education, economic empowerment, and leadership development; and Champions in Action, which connects disadvantaged youth to life saving mentorship through soccer.

For more information go to PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM MASON

aoneeight.org/missionsfund Launching in January.

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“I felt a sting in my arm.”

Baqaa Valley, Lebanon – Just 5 miles from the Syrian border, I sat in a small tent that housed a family of 10.

The father offered us tea while his daughter rolled up her sleeve to reveal a severely scarred forearm. Fleeing from their home as bombs fell overhead, the father dragged his daughter to safety, but not before she was

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shot by a sniper.

In a country of 6 million, there are an estimated 2 million refugees (Syrian & Palestinian) in Lebanon— one-third of the population. That would be as if 100 million refugees showed up in the United States in need of immediate care.

World Vision continues to provide critical support.

Learn more at Worldvision.org.

DAVE SCHMIDGALL

PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE SCHMIDGALL

“It’s a hard time to take care of yourself on the streets. I don’t have anyone. Being able to eat everyday helps a person to have some sensibility to work out things the best way that they can. You can’t sleep with two eyes closed out here. It’s not safe. But when Jesus comes, it’s all going to be alright.”

(Dennis Love)

BRAVE

“Dennis just turned 54 and has a dream of getting housing and going to trade school to become a mechanic. He believes we’re never too old to learn and go back to school. Originally from North Carolina, he moved up to DC to care for his mother and grandfather and couldn’t find a job that would cover his rent payments. He is a faithful Redskins fan, loves seafood, and going to the movies.”

ALLISON MOSES

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

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2018 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 you 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 aoneeight.org.

Africa.....................................................................33 Asia/Pacific..........................................................35 Europe..................................................................36 Latin America/Caribbean..................................38 Middle East/North Africa...................................41 North America.....................................................43 32

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Africa (L) PHOTO CREDIT: JAKE RUTHERFORD | (TOP RIGHT) PHOTO CREDIT: AMANDA GANN

South Africa (Jeffreys Bay)

CHILD ADVOCACY

PEACEMAKING

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

May 18, 2018 - May 26, 2018 $2,250 / Leaders: Joel Buckner and Reagan Chaney For the sixth year we are partnering with Victory4All Ministries, working to provide education and care to children to help break the cycles of poverty in their community. We will be on mission in multiple ways—using surfing to disciple youth at-risk, providing care for children living with disabilities at the Rainbow School, and working on a property to build an additional school.

DR Congo (Uvira)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHILD ADVOCACY

July 2018 $3,150 / Leaders: Jennifer Connell and Sarah Parr We will be returning to the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the eighth consecutive year to work with Congo for Christ Center, a growing ministry replanted after devastating war, that has 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.

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July 2018 $2,950 / Leaders: Amy Wall and Krista Back Focusing on community development, we will be returning to Uganda for the fourth consecutive year. We will come alongside those currently serving on the ground, partnering to do some manual labor, and spending time learning about the cultural context we are serving in.

Zambia (Chingola)

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

August 2018 $2,950 / Leaders: Tim Torres and Davina Chu We will be returning to Chingola, Zambia, for our sixth year, working with Lusungu Children’s Home and Mercy Kids Africa to tutor and to teach life and job skills, and provide medical care.

If you want to work with children or have expertise in any of these areas, we encourage you to become part of this team.

Kenya (Nairobi)

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

August 2018 $3,100 / Leaders: Brandon Harder and Kyle Klein In Nairobi, Kenya, over a million and a half people live in Kibera—one of the largest slums in the world. For the second year, we are partnering with First Love International Ministries. With a message of hope and love, we will spend time working with those who call Kibera home.

Ghana (Accra)

CHILD ADVOCACY

HOMELESSNESS

Fall 2018 $2,500 / Leaders: Stacy Jeffries, David Collier and Elsie Hayford On this first-time mission to Accra, we are partnering with Future of Africa as they provide literacy programs, meals, and mentorship for youth at-risk in the region; and with IJM to learn how they are working to prevent child abuse in Ghana. We invite you to join us as we fight for the causes of children, as they have the potential to transform the future of Ghana.

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PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Uganda (Jinja)

Asia/Pacific ANTITRAFFICKING

Thailand Summer 2018 $2,600 / Leader: Amanda Baker and Tasha Gibbs

In Thailand, we will partner with a local organization doing outreach in the red light districts of Bangkok, and engage in prayer and prevention efforts in the rural area of Issan.

Our goal for this mission is not only to engage with the issue of exploitation and trafficking in Thailand, but also to translate and apply what we will learn to serve our own community in DC.

India (Pune)

ANTITRAFFICKING

CHILD ADVOCACY

October 2018 $2,600 / Leader: TBD For five years now, we have partnered with Sparsh Pune (sparshpune.org) with the focus of investing in the lives of children whose parents are in the sex industry. We will be working directly with local communities and with woman and children in the infamous red light districts to bring hope, joy and love while facilitating healing.

China (Kunming)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

EVANGELISM

October 2018 $3,200 / Leaders: Dana Peterson and Temi Akinrefon This first time mission will partner with longtime NCCer and ministry partner Inga to participate in different ministry initiatives such as english clubs and community dinners, as well as learn about the Marketplace Ministry Movement from local servant leaders. If you have a heart for “business as mission� or just missions, this is the team for you!

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(L) PHOTO CREDIT: EMILY HENDRICKSON / MURAL BY DAVE TRESS | (R) PHOTO CREDIT: DAVE TRESS

Europe Northern Ireland (Derry)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

PEACEMAKING

June 28, 2018 - July 10, 2018 $2,600 / Leaders: Melissa Burns and Colleen O’Leary We will return to Derry, Northern Ireland to work with Cornerstone City Church to bring continued healing and hope to a historically tense region. If you like people, enjoy working with children, get passionate about restoration of relationships, have a heart for evangelism, and/or are a qualified medical professional, please seriously consider joining us for this trip!

Belgium (Brussels)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

June 2018 $1,750 / Leaders: Joshua Symonette and Matt Johnson In Brussels, Belgium, where church has lost its reverence and relevance, our missionary partner Chris Zickmund, a trained civil engineer and pastor, has a mission 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.

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“While on a mission team, I was commissioned to create a piece of art for a new café space in Cyprus. Days before, the mission team had been serving in a refugee camp in Greece, and I had let some of the kids play around with my camera. What was intended as a time to connect with the children resulted in a unique way to see the camp through their eyes. Out of the resulting images, I chose one portrait of a young man living in the camp to chisel into the café wall.

NCC missionaries Tony and Jamie Sebastian have been sharing their lives with the

Profiles in

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people of Greece for the past 10 years. They ran a popular café, planted a church, and have been at the forefront of caring for refugees entering Greece. Now the Sebastians are opening a new café on the island of Cyprus, a country physically divided between Greek Orthodox and Turkish Muslims.”

“So the actual image is a picture of a refugee, taken by another refugee. And so, when people see this iconic image in our cafe, they say, “Oh my gosh, that’s so cool!” And we have the opportunity to share the story about how we care about the marginalized, and who we are, and that just opens up an incredible amount of doors.”

(Tony Sebastian) DAVE TRESS

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Latin America/Caribbean COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Puerto Rico (San Juan) April 4 - April 21, 2018 $1,200 / Leader: Circe Torruellas

In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Maria, this mission team will partner with local churches to assist in the local rebuilding efforts of communities throughout the island. This will be particularly in the central mountainous area of Puerto Rico, as well as disadvantaged communities in the capital of San Juan.

Guatemala (Guatemala City)

CHILD ADVOCACY

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

Summer 2018 $1,700 / Leader: Jacob Eckles In partnership with Champions in Action, we support a five-day, premier soccer camp with the goal of connecting the youth with mentors for a 52-week mentorship program. Some of the daily activities include teaching soccer skills and supporting camp operations, rocking out with the teens to our team worship band, and showing God’s love to teenagers desperately in need of him.

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Haiti (Port Au Prince)

CHILD ADVOCACY

POVERTY

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

Summer 2018 $2,200 / Leaders: Heather Corsi and Kara Lewis PHOTO CREDIT: CRISTINA GORE

We are heading to Port-au-Prince for the seventh year in a row 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 orphanage through fundraising and continued relationship building, all while learning more about the beauty of Haiti.

Cuba (Havana)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

EVANGELISM

August 24, 2018 - September 2, 2018 $2,000 / Leaders: Jose Hernandez and Lindsay Gonzales For the third year, we will partner with Koinonia Children’s Ministries, Assemblies of God, and other churches to learn from and encourage Cuban believers. Collectively, we will promote principles of community service, missions, and evangelism. If you love to serve and promote the Gospel through evangelism, then consider joining our team.

Ecuador (Sucúa)

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

August 2018 $1,950 / Leader: Christina Borja We will work with NCC missionaries Joil and Leah Marbut joining with them to minister to the Shuar and Achuar people in villages surrounding Sucúa, as well as serve at the Hope House, a home for displaced girls, many of whom are victims of trafficking and abuse.

Bolivia (Cochabamba)

CHILD ADVOCACY

December 2018 $1,900 / Leader: Kelly Kenney Our Bolivia mission team supports NCC missionary Brian McArthur as he shares love and restoration through his outdoor adventure therapy program, Fundación Aventura. A large part of our mission will be spent backpacking and camping with teenage boys, helping them overcome hurdles, obstacles and past hurts.

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CHILD ADVOCACY

August 4, 2018 - August 12, 2018 $1,800 / Leaders: Jeanne Almeida and Caleb Hii We will be partnering with Koinonia Children’s Ministries to share the gospel with children from several churches in two cities. We will also spend time with and invest in the children at the Ministry’s transition home, as well as work on small-scale construction and repair projects to bless and encourage families in the community.

“We distributed hundreds of eyeglasses over multiple days to many people. It was a wonderful experience witnessing the gift of sight returning to so many. Many individuals were no longer able to read or perform their trade of sewing because they could no longer see at close

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distances. One elderly gentleman no longer went outside after dusk because his vision was so poor. Everyone worked together—those on mission, the local community we partnered with, and those receiving glasses to bring language in order to accomplish the task at hand of fitting those in need of eyeglasses. It was as much a blessing to us to serve as it was to those who received.”

RENEA RAMOS

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PHOTO CREDIT: STEVE JETER

Honduras (Choluteca)

PHOTO CREDIT: LINDA HUGHES

Middle East/North Africa Lebanon (Beirut)

PEACEMAKING

REFUGEE CARE

April 2018 $2,000 / Leaders: Emily Hendrickson and Dave Schmidgall With a focus on engaging culture in a learning posture, we will immerse ourselves in the language, customs, and rich history of Lebanon. As we partner with a local church and other active NGOs, we will interact with Lebanese families and Syrian refugees in their homes, at the church, and in camps.

Israel/Palestine

PEACEMAKING

May 2018 $2,850 / Leaders: Teresa Casale Learn the foundations of peacemaking in the land where Jesus called us to be peacemakers.

This trip will take place in partnership with local friends The District Church and Telos. Telose is a nonprofit that builds and equips a network of church leaders who view peacemaking as a core component of Christian discipleship and are willing to be partners for peace in Israel/ Palestine and beyond.

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Spring 2018 $2,800 / Leaders: Tiffany Dukes and Geoff Yeowell Come with us as we return to Iraqi Kurdistan for the second year in a row to partner with World in Need International. We’ll spend our days teaching English to university and adult students in the Ranya/Qaladze area through conversation in the classroom and over meals. We’ll also spend time with the local church, learning what it means to be a follower of Jesus in that region.

Jordan (Mafraq)

PEACEMAKING

REFUGEE CARE

July 2018 $2,000 / Leaders: Ashley Anderson and Alex Capestany Join us for our first mission team to Jordan, where we will serve in a town whose population has doubled due to the influx of Syrian refugees since the crisis. Our mission team will partner with a local Jordanian church that has been helping meet the tangible and spiritual needs of the refugee community for the past 5 years.

Sign up for a mission team aoneeight.org

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PHOTO CREDIT: JAKE RUTHERFORD

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Iraqi Kurdistan (Ranya)

North America Phoenix, Arizona

ANTITRAFFICKING

CHILD ADVOCACY

March 17, 2018 - March 24, 2018 $1,390 / Leaders: Alyssa Crozier and Circe Torreuellas For the sixth year, NCC will partner with Street Light USA. We will have the opportunity to learn from StreetLightUSA’s work and minister alongside them, supporting their programs to bring restoration for victims of trafficking and increase awareness of the issue.

ANTITRAFFICKING

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina May 2018 $1,300 / Leaders: Cara Shirley and Sharon Baker

In Myrtle Beach, we will partner with a local church plant and Love146—an anti-trafficking organization that we work with in the DC area—to raise awareness about trafficking during Bike Week. We will also engage in hotel and street outreach, interacting with visitors and local businesses.

Waynetown, Indiana

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

June 17, 2018 - June 23, 2018 $750 / Leaders: Bruce Bryant and Pam Gilray For the third year, we will be heading to Waynetown, Indiana, to work with Be the Church, a community development organization founded by former NCCers Brad and Kathryn Eads.

Projects for 2018 will include renovating a library, other development opportunities, and working with local churches.

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Appalachia

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

PEACEMAKING

June 24, 2018 - June 30, 2018 $500 / Leaders: Curtis Marshall and Charles Williams Partnering with World Vision, our team will be heading to Flemington, WV, in the region of Appalachia with the goals of serving the local church and helping build bridges across economic, racial, and generational divides.

The Justice Experience (DC)

HOMELESSNESS

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

PEACEMAKING

June 25, 2018 - June 28, 2018 $225 / Leader: Chris Wells Partnering with National Coalition for the Homeless, this experience will allow you to step into the shoes of someone else, learning more about what it means to walk alongside them. As a participant in this experience you will see the world through the eyes of someone experiencing homelessness, all in an effort to love more like Jesus loves.

Jackson, Mississippi

PEACEMAKING

August 3, 2018 - August 12, 2018 $975 / Leaders: Steffen Humbert and Brooke Perry

Champions in Action DC

REFUGEE CARE

CHILD ADVOCACY

GREAT FOR FIRST TIME

August 2018 $300 / Leader: Kate Schmidgall Next summer, we will partner with Champions in Action DC to host a five-day soccer camp specifically for refugee kids (U-14) in Maryland. Soccer or sport experience is highly recommended but not essential, as we will need volunteers to make lunches, run activities and build vital relationships with the kids.

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PHOTO CREDIT: NICK WELSH PHOTOGRAPHY

NCC Uprising will be heading to Jackson, MS, to work alongside the John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation and We Will Go ministries. Our youth will get to learn how they are committed to pressing into conversations and action surrounding injustice in their neighborhood that reflects injustice throughout the entire country.

A1:8 Missionaries In partnership with Commission to Every Nation (CTEN.org), we empower NCCers to give up to two years of their lives in missions abroad. Our A1:8 Missionaries work in areas such as child advocacy, anti-trafficking, community development, and evangelism, and seek to serve established missionaries already in the field.

Contact aoneeightmissionaries@theaterchurch.com for more information.

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PHOTO CREDIT: NICK DONNER

NCC Families

Uprising Youth (6th-12th grade)

Subscribe to the monthly Parent Insider:

kids@theaterchurch.com

Learn, be inspired, get encouraged:

We’re calling for an INVASION! On Sunday, November 5, ALL Uprising Youth locations will come together to invade Uprising Youth Springfield located at 5514 Alma Ln. #300 Springfield, VA from 5-7pm.

For DC students, bus transportation will be provided from Ebenezers Coffeehouse at 4pm and will return at 7:45pm.

parentshareblog.com crosswalkncc

therealuprisingyouth

PHOTO CREDIT: NICK DONNER

Make a Difference with Your Small Group

One of the three goals for every NCC small group is to “make a difference.” There are lots of ways to make a difference with your small group! Join together to support an NCC missionary.

Add NCC mission teams to your small group prayer list. Serve together at your campus’ Second Saturday Serve. Looking for more ideas and opportunities? Get more info from your campus Small Group director or A1:8 Missions director.

New to Following Jesus?

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Let us help you take your next steps! Visit the Connections table and we’ll make sure you get your own Bible and our Next Steps guide. You can read this workbook on your own, but we encourage you to do it with a group of friends, or in a small group.

Want to talk with someone about your new faith?

Contact your campus pastor, and consider joining an Alpha group. More info here: ncc.re/alpha.

Coming Up at NCC

Learn more at ncc.re/events

November 2017

November is all about missions at NCC!

• Brand-new opportunities to serve locally and globally

• Learn about two powerful new ways to steward our missions resources

• Rollout of NCC’s 2018 mission teams

• Get ready to be challenged, empowered, and stretched as we ask, “What’s Your Brave?”

Saturday, November 5

NCC Family Ministries presents Parent Share Live: BRAVE

Friday, November 10

Listen + Learn

Saturday, November 18

DC InService Friendsgiving Dinner

Saturday, November 18

Night of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Thursday, November 23

Alexandria Gratitude Table

Sunday, November 26

Advent Begins

Sunday, December 2

Kids Christmas Show at The Miracle Theatre

Thursday, December 7

Listen + Learn

*Follow A1:8 on Instagram to pray for our mission teams (@aoneeight).

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

PHOTO CREDIT: ERICA BAKER

theaterchurch.com/giving TXT “$(amount) NCC” to 45777 Cash or Check

(Find offering envelopes at the Connections Table)

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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 Nights, 5pm Pastor Mike Whitford Sundays, 9, 10:30, and noon Pastor Joel Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/barracksrow E-news: ashley.anderson@theaterchurch.com National Community Church - Barracks Row

Ballston - Sundays, 9:30 & 11am Pastor Mike Whitford theaterchurch.com/ballston Crosswalk Kids at 9:30am E-news: ncc.re/enewsballston

National Community Church - Ballston

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

BRAM A1:8 Campus Director: Heidi Marble aoneeight.barracksam@theaterchurch.com BRPM A1:8 Campus Director: TJ Coggins aoneeight.barrackspm@theaterchurch.com

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

National Community Church - Gainesville

Echostage - Sundays, 9:30am

Pastor Marion Mason theaterchurch.com/echo E-news:echostage@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Pam Gilray pam.gilray@theaterchurch.com

National Community Church - Echostage

A1:8 Campus Director: Avery Marks aoneeight.echostage@theaterchurch.com

Georgetown - Sundays, 5:30pm

Kingstowne - Sundays, 9am & 10:30am Pastor Joshua Symonette theaterchurch.com/kingstowne E-news: ncc.re/enewsKT National Community Church - Kingstowne

Pastor Jeremy Steffens theaterchurch.com/georgetown E-news: jeremy.steffens@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Chris Todd aoneeight.kingstowne@theaterchurch.com

A1:8 Campus Director: Don Pitz aoneeight.georgetown@theaterchurch.com

Potomac Yard - Sundays, 10am

National Community Church - Georgetown

Lincoln Theatre - Sundays, 10:30am

Pastor Dave Schmidgall theaterchurch.com/lincoln E-news: lincoln@theaterchurch.com

Pastor Jon Vaughan theaterchurch.com/potomacyard E-news: ncc.re/enewsPY

National Community Church - Potomac Yard

A1:8 Campus Director: Matt Gillette matthew.gillette@theaterchurch.com

National Community Church - Lincoln Theatre

A1:8 Campus Director: Michelle Loomis aoneeight.lincoln@theaterchurch.com

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Gainesville - Sundays, 10am