Imagine a disciple-making movement in Kansas City...a movement that permeates the entire city and operates outside the traditional structures of the Western Church.

You have a unique opportunity later this month to learn about this concept, and hear from some leaders in the U.S. who are working with disciple-making movements in their cities.

This is a very unique and significant learning opportunity for pastors and church leaders in the Kansas City area.  The focus and approach of this conference is fresh and ancient all at the same time.  It's very first-century church in its system and style, and yet it seems new because today's Western Church has drifted so far away from it's simplicity.

The Sending Project is glad to be a sponsor of this great conference that will take place during January 23-25, 2012. Roy Moran, and Shoal Creek Community Church (a Sending Alliance church), will be hosting this event in Liberty, MO.

Click HERE for more information and to REGISTER.

Pastors and church leaders...this special event is for you.  I strongly encourage you to attend, and bring some key leaders with you.

Eric Rochester

Executive Director

The Sending Project

The Sending Alliance now has a church from the Crossroads District!  We are glad to announce that Crossroads Church KC has become the 27th church to join this diverse alliance of churches from the KC metro area.

The Pastor, and TSP Liaison, for Crossroads Church KC is AJ Vanderhorst.  AJ is married to Lindsay and daddy to four rambunctious boys. He planted Crossroads Church in downtown Kansas City, Missouri in 2009. He loves coffee, the arts, indie music, and adventures that God endorses. Pound for pound, he is probably a better basketball player than you.

Mission plans: Crossroads Church KC is a small two-year-old church, growing slowly and steadily in Kansas City's urban arts district, where the common threads are the arts, young professionals, and deep cynicism about Christianity. As people who love Jesus and love cities, their immediate goal in the years ahead is to continue to invest people and money to bring the gospel into city centers. They want to see the gospel lived bravely and articulated clearly by people who are dedicated to cities for the long haul.

You can visit this faith community during their weekly gatherings on Sundays at 10:30am, in the ArtsTech building at 1522 Holmes St, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108.  For more info, go to the church website.

For more information about this growing, citywide, multi-ethnic, and multi-denominational alliance of churches, please click on the following avatar:

There is a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blowing in the Kansas City metro area. More and more pastors andchurch mission leaders from different churches are devoting serious chunks of time listening to each other, learning from each other, becoming friends with each other, and even serving alongside each other.

What will it take for the big "C" Church of Kansas City operate in unity for the purpose of mission?  Let's not overlook the obvious--it will take pastors and church leaders sacrificing some of their time that would've normally been spent on their own church duties.  Oh, you could probably brainstorm a long list of things that will be required for this citywide missional unity to occur, but why not go right for the proverbial jugular right from the start?  

Time--the precious resource that vanishes so quickly.  Let's say each pastor and church mission leader works an average of 50 hours per week.  (That's probably a serious underestimation.)  Imagine what could and would happen if each one would spend a tithe of this time on citywide learning, connecting, and collaborating.  A tithe means one-tenth. You can easily do the math.  Ten percent of 50 is five.  So...we're talking five hours a week.  That's about 20 hours per month.  (For those of you who are not paid to work full-time for the church, just base it on 10% of the total number of hours you serve in the context of your church each week and month.)

At first, this may sound unreasonable, but think about it...for the sake of God working through the Church of KC to reach our city and beyond--even to the ends of the earth.  Imagine a thousand pastors and church mission leaders achieving this goal.  That would be 20,000 collective hours per month spent on building unity in the church of KC for the purpose of local and global mission.  The result, no question, would be astounding.  

We would likely witness one of the most dramatic advances of God's kingdom we've ever seen in our context.  In addition, I believe cities (maybe even nations?) around our globe would be profoundly impacted with the message and love of Jesus.

How do we get there?  It's just like someone who isn't currently giving any money to God and His work.  They may not be able to start at 10%, maybe they start with 2%, and then after a while they get to 5%, but all the while their goal is to get to at least the 10% level.

Someone might wonder...would there really be enough supply of work to do for this type of citywide missional unity building, that it would demand that pastors and church mission leaders spend about five hours a week to get it done?

Well, the answer is a giant YES, there would be not only enough, but always more work needing to be done than time would allow.  Just ponder the vision of a city of 2,000 churches..not only with a "sitting around the campfire singing Kum-Ba-Yah" type of unity...but also with an "action-oriented, Kingdom-advancing" type of unity.

This requires a lot of learning...a lot of seeking to understand.  That's work...especially for pastors and church mission leaders who are leading the charge for their own congregation.  There is so much each of us needs to learn...and the gateway for that is listening. If each of us spent a couple hours per week on listening to other pastors and church mission leaders, related to citywide missional unity, that alone would bring about phenomenal developments in the Church of KC.

The second thing to emphasize here is that these five hours a week will partly be spent on relationship building--coffees, breakfasts, lunches, praying together, praying for each other.  Much of this doesn't require homework--it just requires showing up.  The community and friendship aspect of this movement is one of its most vital elements.  No friendship + no trust = no collaboration.

Those leaders with apostolic gifting will naturally begin to speak into possible structures for how to go about the work. Shepherds will care for those along the way in the midst of this advance.  Prophets will help us see the needs and know the applicable truth to meet those needs.  Evangelists will bring people into the Kingdom as it advances in this way, and those with teaching gifts will educate the leaders of this movement as it's taking place.  There is a place for everyone to be involved with this huge and unprecedented wave of unified mission.

So who will go first?  Who will boldly proclaim it, and better yet, live it out?  Five hours per week toward the big "C" Church of KC.  There is no formula, or particular organization to which you must attach your five hours each week. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide you.  The point of this open challenge is to help us all imagine the possibilities.  You will have to decide which of your tasks and responsibilities will get the ax in order for you to have these five precious weekly hours to dedicate toward building unity in the Church of KC for the purpose of mission.

Will you take this challenge?  Please let me know if you do.  I know some of you are already living this reality, and some of you are giving even more than 20 hours per month to it.  Thank you for being trailblazers and apostolic servants for God's Kingdom in KC and beyond.  If you're not currently giving five hours a week toward these types of efforts...please take this seriously...pray about it...and make a decision.

Let's tithe our time to the big "C" Church of KC.

As I mentioned above, many KC-area pastors and church leaders are already blazing the trail in this effort, and are already tithing their time to citywide unity for the purpose of mission.  Gary Kendall, lead pastor of Indian Creek Community Church in Olathe, Kansas, is one example.  Please take the time to go to the following link and read a blog article he recently posted, called "What Will It Take?"  He helps us understand not only the current-day scenario that is developing, but how different things are now, compared to 2 or 3 decades ago.

Please don't hesitate to comment on this article. I'd love to know how you feel about this open letter of challenge.

Blessings...

Eric Rochester

We are blessed to announce that Centennial United Methodist Church has joined The Sending Alliance!  This church is led by Pastor David Anthony Gilmore.  You can read about Pastor Gilmore's many achievements and learn more about him by clicking on the Centennial United Methodist Pastor's Bio.  This church is located at 1834 Woodland Ave, in Kansas City, Missouri.

The TSP Liaison for Centennial United Methodist is Joyce Peeples (pictured at left); she's the chairperson of Missions, and has been a member at this great church for over 50 years! She taught Sunday School for over 20 years, and has been chair of several ministries, i.e. family, children, and missions. She is married, has one son, and is retired from American Telephone and Telegraph, The Greater KC YMCA and Swope Parkway Health Center.  She was a big sister in the Big Brother Big Sister program for over 20 years.  She has been on several Boards throughout KC.  And she is now serving on the board of Benjamin Banneker Charter School for over four years.  She is a graduate of Park University and KU.  Joyce says, "I Love being a Servant of Christ and will continue to serve others!!"

Centennial United Methodist Church will be cooking and providing lunch for the Less Fortunate at the ReStart Shelter, 918 E. 9th Street, KCMO 64108, on Saturday, October 15, 2011, from, 10:30 to 1:30pm. The menu will be spaghetti, green beans, cake, bread and punch. To volunteer and help, you can contact: Joyce Peeples, mission chair, 816-365-5449.

You can learn more about Centennial United Methodist on the church website.

We welcome sister Joyce, Pastor Glimore, and all those in the Centennial United Methodist congregation to The Sending Alliance!  We are glad to be on this journey with you to see the big "C" Church of KC express itself collaboratively in connection with God's world mission!

For more information about this growing, citywide, multi-ethnic, and multi-denominational alliance of churches, please click on the following avatar:

TSP welcomes our newest Advocate--Lindsey Rochester!  

Lindsey recently graduated with a degree in Spanish from Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, OK.  She has a heart for helping people make connections and also for serving the marginalized in society.  Great combination for her role with TSP!

Lindsey has served on the staff of YouthFront Camps for the last four Summers, and with various local and global mission ministries.  

Of course, she's heard a lot about TSP from her dad, Eric, who is TSP's Executive Director. Hopefully, you'll get a chance to meet Lindsey at an upcoming TSP event. 

Shoal Creek Community Church has joined The Sending Alliance! We are glad to welcome this missional church to this growing citywide alliance that is building unity in connection with God's global mission.  Shoal Creek is led by Pastor Roy Moran (pictured at left).

Roy's heart to see the Gospel shared across Kansas City has led him to explore disciple-making movements as experienced in places like Eastern Africa.  Roy is prayerfully pursuing the goal of seeing a similar disciple-making movement take place in KC.

The TSP Liaison for Shoal Creek is Nicholas Comninellis (pictured at right), who also leads a wonderful medical mission organization called, INMED.

The Sending Alliance now has a French-speaking church!  That's right, the Ministry for World Evangelization -- located at 3829 Main St, in Kansas City, Missouri -- speaks French.  Their Sunday service (1:30pm start time) is bi-lingual, so with English you can still fully understand and participate.

This church is led by Pastor Abel Dossou Sognon (pictured here with his wife, Maria, and their son).  He is also serving as the Liaison between his church and The Sending Project.  Pastor Abel has planted 9 churches in West Africa, before being sent to the U.S.A. to plant a church in Kansas City.

With his many church planting experiences in West Africa, including the Ivory Coast and Benin, his KC-based church has many mission connections with that part of the world.  Bonus fact: Pastor Abel speaks 9 languages!

To read Pastor Abel's amazing testimony, and to learn more about his family and the Ministry of World Evangelization, click HERE.

For more information on this growing, missional, citywide, multi-ethnic, and multi-denominational, alliance of churches, please click on the following avatar.

We are glad to welcome Leawood Presbyterian Church (LPC) to The Sending Alliance!  This church is led by Pastor Ryan Kapple (pictured with his wife, Amy, and their kids, and the TSP Liaison is Jeremy Wikler (pictured below), who serves as the overseer for LPC mission ministry.

There were 32 pastors and church mission leaders in attendance, representing 16 different churches! The group had great diversity--ethnically, geographically, and denominationally. A pastor of a French-speaking congregation was there.  A Hispanic mission leader was there.  Several African-American church mission leaders and pastors were there.  And a bunch of suburban churches were represented, too.  

It was exactly that...OUTSTANDING.  Here is a photo of most of the group.

Mark your calendars!  The NEXT SENDING NETWORK gathering will be held on DECEMBER 1st, from 6:30-8:30pm, at Graceway (previously called KCBT), located at 5460 Blue Ridge Cut-off, Kansas City, MO  64133.

Click HERE to get MORE INFO and to REGISTER for DECEMBER 1st.

God is moving in a BIG way, bringing pastors and church mission leaders together in Kansas City.  All glory to Him!

The Sending Project enthusiastically welcomes LifeQuest Church to The Sending Alliance!  LifeQuest, located at 1400 N Scott, in Belton, Missouri, is led by Pastor Chris Pinion.

The TSP Liaison for LifeQuest is Dan Blankenship (in photo), who serves as Mission Director. Dan is also the Pastor for LifeQuest's North Campus, located at 1510 NW Vivion Rd, in Kansas City, Missouri.

In addition to local mission efforts, LifeQuest also has mission activity in Joplin and Haiti. For more information about LifeQuest Church, please click HERE.

To learn more about The Sending Alliance--this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

We are excited to announce that Paseo Baptist Church has joined The Sending Alliance!  This is an historic church in urban Kansas City, Missouri, that is located at 2501 Paseo Blvd.  Greg Ealey, Paseo Baptist's Senior Pastor, has a kingdom mindset to go along with his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary.  You can hear Pastor Greg Ealey on The Living Word Broadcast each Sunday Morning on KMJK Magic 107.3 from 7:30-8:00am.

For more information about this great church, please check the Paseo Baptist Church website.

To learn more about The Sending Alliance--this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

The Sending Project welcomes Doc Butler as our new Director of Advancement.  Doc has served as an administrator in the Kansas City, Missouri, school district for many years, and has recently transitioned to pursue a full-time role with mission mobilization.

While Doc believes that someday God will very likely lead him to actually go long-term and serve cross-culturally in foreign mission someday, he says "...in this season He has charged me to mobilize others to go, including those who do not have a tradition for going over salt water.”

Doc continues, "Passionately, I am called to stir up our gifts for this Great Commission by mobilizing, recruiting, calling and encouraging people of various ethnicities toward cross-cultural mission. This is not an either/or situation of home missions versus foreign missions—but an affirmation for both.  The vehicle that can best help me pursue this vision is...The Sending Project."

TSP is very glad to welcome Doc (who has already been serving as a TSP Advocate) into his expanded role now--which includes helping develop and lead the overall ministry.  His responsibilities also include continuing to build a citywide network and alliance of churches for the purpose of mission, and nurturing TSP involvement from churches of various ethnic, geographical, and denominational identity.

Pray for Doc as he launches this next season in his life by furthering the TSP mission and vision; as a part of his role he will be raising and maintaining adequate financial support.  If you'd like to support the ministry of Doc Butler with The Sending Project, please let us know at: thesendingproject@gmail.com

TSP Executive Director, Eric Rochester, notes: "God has blessed Doc with some amazing spiritual gifts, and allowed him to have a wealth of experience in community service and global mission.  The timing of the intersection with Doc and The Sending Project is synergistic.  It makes me wonder what God is up to in the weeks, months and years ahead as we continue to focus on a citywide unity for the purpose of mission."

The Sending Project welcomes Pastor Jorge Herlein and Conquistadores Centro Cristiano to The Sending Alliance!  Founding Pastor Jorge and his wife, Ester, are leading the way for this Hispanic church, located in Olathe, Kansas, at 220 Rogers Rd.

Coquistadores, celebrating 10 years of ministry in August of 2011, is a church where you can find God and discover your destiny!  This Hispanic church conducts worship services that include bi-lingual worship music, and sermons in Spanish.

The mission activity of Conquistadores reaches to Argentina, Honduras, Mexico, and the U.S.A in Texas, Missouri, and Kansas.  A central focus of this mission activity is the equipping of people for ministry, and also specialized leadership development.

To learn more about The Sending Alliance--this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, located in Kansas City, MO, on 35th Street just East of Cleveland Ave., has joined The Sending Alliance!  The Sending Project is so encouraged by Palestine Missionary Baptist's kingdom-mindedness in seeking to network and connect with other churches in the KC metro area for the purpose of mission.

This church is led by Pastor Leonard Butler, and the Mission Director is Edwina Martin.  Edwina (pictured to the right) is the TSP Liaison for Palestine Missionary Baptist.  She has started churches in Ohio, Alabama, and New Mexico, and served as missionary in Nashville, Tennessee, for seven years, and in Haiti for one year.  She has been a teacher in the KC, MO, school district for 20 years, and is currently an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher in the same district.

In 1988, Edwina married James Martin, and also became a member of Palestine Missionary Baptist Church of Jesus Christ.

For more information about Palestine Missionary Baptist, check out the church website!

To learn more about The Sending Alliance--this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

The latest addition to our Sending Project Advocates Team is Doc Butler.  We welcome Doc to our team of individuals who are passionate about seeing churches in KC work together to extend their ministry locally and globally. TSP Advocates share the TSP vision with pastors and church mission leaders, inviting them to get connected with this effort to see the Church of KC united in world mission.

Doc has worked as a principal and administrator in the Kansas City, Missouri, school system for many years.  Now, he is transitioning to follow a call that God has put on his heart.  He is joining the ranks with TSP partner, Avant Ministries, to recruit people from various ethnic groups to get involved with the Great Commission.

Doc is an involved member at Palestine Missionary Baptist Church in KC, MO, led by Pastor Leonard Butler. Palestine Missionary Baptist is a great church and is located on 35th Street, just a little West of Cleveland Ave.

TSP is very excited about Doc joining the Advocates Team, as we hope and pray that as the network and alliance of churches continue to grow, that they will reflect all areas of metropolitan KC--both suburban and urban.

Click HERE to see the rest of the TSP Advocates Team.

Hillcrest Covenant Church has recently joined The Sending Alliance!  This is a church with a robust array of missional activity, and a serious commitment to carrying out the Great Commission.  Mission Pastor, David Chan, is the TSP Liaison for Hillcrest Covenant, and he oversees global mission outreaches in locations like Brazil, Kenya, and India.

For more information about Hillcrest Covenant and its missional ministry, click HERE.

To learn more about The Sending Alliance--this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

This update is provided by Amber Bailey from Cedar Ridge Christian Church in Lenexa, Kansas.

I know that Brian Wright, Dave Porter, and a couple other guys are going down to Joplin in the next week or two to meet with key people from the church we are connected with to get a better understanding of how we can best serve and set up teams to volunteer.  It kind of sounds like they may want to bring the "What if the Church" idea that has formed in KC and take it to Joplin.  

Today at church they announced that they will be putting updates on the What if the church website which is http://www.whatifthechurch.org/.  

They will also be putting up info on our church's website which is http://www.cedarridge.cc/#/get-involved.  

We will be working with a church in Joplin called Christ's Church of Oronogo.  

There is no doubt in my mind that this will be a long-term partnership for our church, b/c of how many people in our church have ties and connections in Joplin.  That is all I know for now, and any updates should be appearing on the two websites above.

Thanks,
Amber Bailey

This update is provided by Forest Fisk, with Central Church of the Nazarene.

Central Church of the Nazarene, on 87th near I-35 (and Quivira) is going to Joplin, Saturday, June 25th.

It will take months for the town of Joplin to recover from the tornado that struck in May. Sign up to offer a helping hand.

• Central's church van (which holds 10 people) leaves Central at 7:15am. Returns at 6:00pm. Others may meet at the church to carpool.
• Bring: hats, gloves, sunscreen, and snacks for yourself. (Food and water provided.)
• Bring to donate: Soda, gift cards to Wal-Mart, diapers (no clothes).
• If you are a builder, please bring tools to help with construction

ffisk@kccentral.org  or  913-638-9037.

This update (provided with permission from Liz Sears) is from the Heartland Community Church website.

Join a Saturday workgroup to help Joplin recover.

Each Saturday beginning June 18th until July 30th groups of volunteers will be sent from Heartland to one of four distribution sites to help out in whatever way we can be of service.

Groups will meet at Heartland at 8:15 each Saturday. You must register ahead of time so we can effectively prepare for your work day.

Email Harold Eastman at harolde@heartlandchurch.org and let him know what Saturday you are available to work in Joplin.

Work available

• making meals
• sorting items
• distributing meals and supplies
• finding out what tornado victims needs are
• helping victims clean and sort through their stuff

Joplin Update

Make sure to check The Sending Project blog for future updates on how KC-area churches are responding to the Joplin tornado disaster.  If you are a KC-area church mission leader or pastor, please let us know about your church's efforts to connect with disaster response in Joplin. Please send your update to: thesendingproject@gmail.com Thank you.

The following update is provided by Randall Leonard, 

Director of IMPACT Ministries at Colonial Presbyterian Church

Here is the most up-to-date list of needs for the Joplin area. New needs are being brought forward with the intense heat and weather.

______________________________________

Cases of Gatorade
Wide Bandages
Spray on Sunscreen
Sunblock
Aloe Vera Gel
Neosporin ointment or triple antibiotic ointment
Antiseptics like Benedryl
Insect repellant
Chapstick
Diapers (all sizes)
Cases of baby food
Baby formula & bottles
Baby formula
Tooth brushes (individually wrapped is best)
Tooth paste & Denture paste
Bar soap
Shampoo
Shaving cream
New wash clothes
New hand towels
Depends - small and medium sizes
Liquid laundry soap
Dish soap
bleach
sewing kits

Food
Non perishable food supplies…such as canned protein (chicken & tuna) and peanut butter.

New Creation Church is feeding 200+ people breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. They have a need of perishable food items such as eggs, milk, fresh fruits & vegetables and sack lunch items (bread, sliced meats, and cheeses).

New Bibles (NIV or NLT)

Walmart gift cards are being requested for personal items
Coolers (cube shaped) on wheels for ice storage
Plastic storage bins
Wheel barrels
Trash bins on wheels
Work gloves

The need for the plastic storage bins is great! As people find some of their belongings-many become discouraged because when they find something they have no way to store & protect it.

Urgently needed household items:
Small fans
Masking tape
Electric cooking or campsite cooking equipment
Working small appliances

If anyone has a used bucket truck for sale or loan it would be tremendously helpful for clearing trees and yard debris.

We are happy to announce that Central Church of the Nazarene has joined The Sending Alliance! Central Nazarene is located at 12600 W 87th Street Parkway, in Lenexa, Kansas, and has both local and global mission involvement.

Forest Fisk, Pastor of Missions Mobilization, is the TSP Liaison for Central Nazarene.  Here's how Forest describes his role:  

"My pastoral job is to get the church (the people) to go outside the walls of the church and "be Jesus" in the greater community. My job is to get people out and doing ministry projects or volunteer opportunities (what I would call "local missions projects"). I will try to actually connect the needs of the community to the gifts and abilities of the people in our church because I like finding where the needs are. I also really like to see where God is actively working the most. I believe that if God is active in anything, we had better jump on board because that's where LIFE is. I hope that you are interested in partnering with God, because God has a mission to make the world a better place, and God wants to partner with YOU to accomplish God's Mission. Would you be willing to transform the world with His help? Read John 14:12-14 and jump on board!"

Great vision, Forest!  We are so thankful for Central Nazarene's involvement in The Sending Alliance!

For more information about this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

The Sending Project is glad to announce that Mosaikon has joined The Sending Alliance!  Mosaikon is the first Hispanic church to join this alliance of churches who have committed to go on a missional journey of grace and trust in connection with God's global purposes.

This young Olathe church's unique name-Mosaikon-reflects the vision of church-planting pastor, Brontis Varona, to develop a multi-cultural church that brings a redemptive presence to peoples with a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Teaching classes for English as a second language (ESL) has provided a missional outreach and has helped open doors for Brontis and his wife, Norma, to begin developing interest in the Mosaikon church.

Mosaikon--welcome to The Sending Alliance!  We are so thankful to be on the journey with you, and we love your vision for a multi-cultural church reaching out to people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds!

For more information about this growing, city-wide, multi-denominational, missional alliance of churches, please click on the following image:

Make sure to check The Sending Project blog for future updates on how KC-area churches are responding to the Joplin tornado disaster.  If you are a KC-area church mission leader or pastor, please let us know about your church's efforts to connect with disaster response in Joplin. Please send your update to: thesendingproject@gmail.com Thank you.

Hillcrest Covenant

1) Today the Covenant People Respond shower trailer arrived in the parking lot of Forest Park Baptist Church on 7th and Range Line Road, right on the northern edge of the damage zone.

This trailer needs 2 people per day to operate it. If you know of anyone rearing to go and would like to operate the showers, maintain them, wash towels, etc. please contact Michael Gromer at (913) 915-4873.

2) We are inquiring about Volunteer Team opportunities. In the meantime it’s best to plan day-trips to the area to help with clean-up and tree removal, as well as installing tarps on damaged roofs. If you have a group ready to do any of this, you can sign up through the Samaritan’s Purse website or contact me and we can set something up through a local church.

A GREAT source of current information is a local Joplin radio station that you can stream at: http://www.newstalkkzrg.com/

3) Supplies: Currently they are well-stocked with basic needs, but they are asking to be remembered 2-3 weeks from now! So if you are collecting water, food, and basic needs, it’s probably a good idea to collect them for a couple of weeks before delivery. I can help you locate a delivery point if you need that.

Current supplies they DO need for salvage efforts: Tarps, plastic bins with lids (tote’s), and boxes. If you have these and need a delivery mechanism, you can start with the CPR trailer or contact me for other options.

May God be glorified as His people work together with compassion, mercy and generosity!

J. David Chan
Global Missions Pastor

Hillcrest Covenant Church

www.hillcrestcov.org

Olathe Bible

To Give:

1.      We are partnering with Christ's Church of Oronogo  www.ccochurch.com  in providing supplies.
Please follow their recommendations.  Please do not donate other items they have not specified.

You can deliver supplies to OBC during office hours (8:30am-4:30pm) beginning Friday, May 27th.   We are teaming with Mill Creek Church to truck supplies to the Joplin area.

PLEASE NO CLOTHING except baby clothing & undergarments of all kinds.

• Baby Food, Formula & diapers
• Basic Hygiene Products (toothbrush, deodorant, Feminine products)
• Bottled Water
• Large Rubbermaid Containers
• Cardboard Boxes
• Tarps
• Trash bags
• Ziploc Bags
• Duct Tape / Strapping Tape
• Can Openers
• Non-Perishable Non-canned food items
• Basic Medical Supplies (Tylenol, Bandages, etc.)
• Chainsaws
• Bar Oil
• Empty Gas Cans

2.      If you want to write a check and bring it by OBC, make the check out to Christ's Church of Oronogo.
All dollars given will be distributed 100% to individuals and families with confirmed needs.

3.      There is also need for blood at local centers.

To Go:

We have registered for group trips with Samaritan's Purse beginning June 25th and continuing throughout July.   Samaritan's Purse is setting up their base at the campus of Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin.   If you are interested in joining in this disaster relief effort, sign up at www.olathebible.org.  More information will be coming as the need is clarified over time.

To Pray:

• For God to comfort the people affected by the storms as well as the churches and ministries in the surrounding area
• That God would direct our Church as we respond
• For safety from more storms for Joplin residents and relief teams as they rebuild

Rex Bonar

Global Outreach Pastor

Olathe Bible Church

Central Church of the Nazarene

EARLY RESPONSE OPPORTUNITY FOR JOPLIN:

The following update was originally sent on Tuesday, March 24th, from:

The Church of the Nazarene

KC District Disaster Response Team

The Red Cross is giving Joplin District Nazarenes permission to begin working in the affected areas on Thursday and Friday of this week. The work will be to help with clean up and debris removal. Many opportunities to assist. Here are the details:

Meet at Carthage First Nazarene at 8:00am Thursday morning. Buses will leave from the Cook Center at MNU at 5:30am. (Coordinated by Tom Craig, District NYI President). Please contact the District Office (913)-381-4466 or kcdistrict@kc.rr.com or http://www.kcdistrict.org/contact.html) if you are sending people, regardless of transportation you choose.

The following items would be helpful:

• Wheelbarrows
• Chain saws
• Rakes
• Gloves

You will need to bring all the food and water you'll require for the day. There is no way to purchase food in the area. Buses will leave Joplin for MNU at 6:00pm. Bring money for an evening meal along the way or pack enough food for the entire day.

Again, if you are planning to go or if your church is sending a group, please contact the District Office (913-381-4466 or kcdistrict@kc.rr.com) with that information. It is important that we let the Joplin District Coordinator know how many people are coming.

Information will be forthcoming on how we can also help in Reading, Kansas on the Kansas District.

KCD Disaster Response Team

This update was relayed to The Sending Project by:

Forest Fisk

Pastor of Missions Mobilization

Central Church of the Nazarene

http://www.kccentral.org

The devastation in Joplin is staggering and overwhelming.  The Church in Kansas City is responding to this mega-disaster which is only about 3 hours away.  Here are some examples of what churches are doing in this early stage of relief efforts.

Cedar Ridge Christian

The Cedar Ridge Extend team is meeting this week to work some details, that could include GO! (sending a team to help with initial relief) Give (items and funds) Pray

In the short term, Cedar Ridge is directing people to a great church in the Joplin area that is actively involved in the relief efforts: Christ's Church of Oronogo. They have put together good info and response brief on their website:

http://ccochurch.com/joplin-tornado-information/

"...share your food with the hungry, provide the poor wanderer with shelter, clothe the naked, do not turn away from family... spend yourselves..." -Isaiah 58:7,10

Brian Wright

spiritual janitor
cedar ridge christian church

www.cedarridge.cc

Westside Family

A place to GIVE – Westside recommends financial gifts go to “The Convoy of Hope” based in Springfield, Missouri (about an hour east of Joplin). You can give online at their website –

 http://www.convoyofhope.org

 If you want to drop off a check at Westside please make your check payable to “Convoy of Hope.”

A way to GO – College Heights Christian Church in Joplin (http://www.chcchurch.org/the-storm) is organizing teams of volunteers to assist in various ways. If you would like to volunteer, please contact the church at (417) 624-6915. (The church does not currently have email or internet access.) Upon your arrival in Joplin you will need to check in at the Volunteer Coordination Office which is temporarily located at Missouri Southern State University. As you can imagine, hundreds of people want to volunteer immediately, often the best response is to wait a few days.

Be in prayer for the people of Joplin and for the churches and ministries in the immediate area.

MATT Adams

Pastor of Community Impact

matt@westsidefamilychurch.com

Twitter: impactpastor

www.westsidefamilychurch.com

Heartland Community

Currently, two options for involvement.

1.  Buy supplies and bring them this Sunday.

• Bottled water
• Hygiene Items (travel size) Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, Shampoo/Conditioner, Soap, Tampons and Pads (various sizes)

• Baby Items:  Diapers (any size), Baby bottles, Formula, Baby wipes

Currently, we are waiting for Joplin to declare their need for volunteers to help with the cleanup effort. Bill McMurtrey will be heading down there at that time. If you would like to help out with this effort please contact Bill at 913-271-1477 or fix4_u@yahoo.com

Thank you for rising up to meet these needs,
Dan Deeble & Harold Eastman
on behalf of the Heartland Mission Team

www.heartlandchurch.org

Indian Creek Community

Indian Creek is recommending that medical professionals connect with Heart to Heart International at 913.764.5200. Others please check out this link from the Kansas City Star, with several good connection options: 

http://bit.ly/lgGPRn

As Joplin moves past the initial relief phase, Indian Creek will provide recommendations for going to serve in Joplin, and will notify its congregation if it is coordinating teams to go and serve there.

Gary Kendall, Lead Pastor

and the Live Out Executive Team

www.indiancreek.org

On June 12, 1987, at the Brandenburg Gate near the Berlin Wall, United States President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear Down This Wall."  About 30 months later, the Berlin Wall started coming down.

I had the privilege of being at the Berlin Wall not long after it had started being destroyed.  There were several business-minded entrepreneurs there, renting hammers for $5 so visitors could chip off a piece of the wall as a souvenir.  I immediately decided to chip away!  I still have a couple pieces of this historic wall.

Just as the Berlin Wall kept many people from crossing over from the East to the West, and West to the East, there are many other types of walls that prevent good things from being accomplished.  Sometimes these walls prevent God's will from being accomplished. (For sure, sometimes walls can be very good and helpful, but the focus here is on what I would call "destructive" walls.)

At The Sending Project, we are energized about 3 types of "destructive" walls coming down.  The tearing down of each of these 3 types of walls is extremely important, and when experienced together simultaneously, they have an incredible impact!

First, the walls of injustice around the world.  Things like poverty, racism, human trafficking, hunger, lack of safe water, and people not knowing about the love and message of Jesus. These walls are prevalent in various locations around the world, and in many places they're extreme.  In Luke 4, Jesus quoted from Isaiah, and said of Himself:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor."

We can be sure that breaking down walls of injustice in the world is central to the heart and mission of Jesus.

Second, the walls of division within the universal Church--the followers of Jesus Christ.  By taking note of Jesus' prayer in John 17:23, we can see the clear connection between the unity of believers and the mission of God in the world being more fully realized.  Jesus was praying for unity, but not just for unity's sake--He was praying for unity for the purpose of mission.  Not only will unity in the Church draw others to Jesus, but I believe we'll be more practically effective in our missional efforts when we're unified.

Third, the walls within the hearts of individuals--walls within our own hearts. As we get connected with God and His mission, and serve in unity with other believers--even those from other churches than our own--walls in our own hearts will start to crumble.  I know God has begun a good work in me, and He says He'll be "faithful to complete it." (Philippians 1:6)  I believe this is one of the ways He is doing that.  I know He has a lot of work to do in me, so I'd better be focused on tearing down some walls of division within the Church and walls of injustice in the world!  You want to grow in your understanding of God and His love?  Start getting connected with others in the context of tearing down some destructive walls in your city and/or around the world.

When you experience the convergence of these 3 types of walls coming down, it is an amazing and exponentially dramatic thing!  I encourage you to get involved with a wall-breaking adventure with people from other churches...tearing down walls of injustice in the world, walls of division in the Church, and walls of selfishness in your own life.  This is all stuff that the Spirit of God does as we take steps of faith toward involvement with Him and His mission. All glory and honor to God!

Let's tear down some walls...together! 

We are glad to announce that Atonement Lutheran has joined The Sending Alliance! The missional life ministry at Atonement Lutheran is led by Brooke Hodnefield and Maryann Grace. Both of these ladies have a great zeal for our missionary God. Atonement Lutheran is located at 9948 Metcalf, in Overland Park, KS, and is involved in a variety of mission work.

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One of the global outreaches of this church is to Tanzania.  You can check out the church website for more info. If you're interested in connecting with a great adventure of God in Africa, we encourage you to give Atonement Lutheran a call, and get more info.