While serving as Missions Director at Heartland Community Church in Olathe, Kansas, Eric Rochester began to feel a tug on his heart for churches working together in connection with God’s mission in the world. That tug would come and go, and would not stay away. And it seemed like each time it would return it would be stronger.

Eventually, by 2009, that sense of calling was so compelling in Eric’s heart that he felt like he had to start pursuing it. Toward the end of 2009, Eric decided to leave his staff position at Heartland and launch a new organization…an organization that would have as its purpose: uniting the Church to eliminate physical and spiritual poverty in the world.

In late 2009, preparations began for applying for 501c3 non-profit status. Of course, this also included the official naming of the organization and the forming of the Board of Directors. 501c3 status was approved by the IRS, and The Sending Project is now recognized as a tax-exempt, public charity.

While the official formulation of the organization was taking place, efforts were also being made to establish an initial core group of churches—the first 5 churches of The Sending Project Alliance: Cedar Ridge Christian, Heartland Community, Indian Creek Community, Olathe Bible, and Westside Family. Since then, more foundational work has been done, and there has been the clear realization the Lord has been the orchestrator along the way. To Him be the glory!

In addition to the Board of Directors, the infrastructure of The Sending Project includes some key teams: The Advocates Team, The Event Team, The Liaisons Team, The Operations Team, and The Prayer Team.

During 2010, The Sending Project (TSP) Alliance conducted mission projects in China, Israel, Poland, Russia, and South Africa. On the South Africa project, called Beat the Drum, 15 different churches were represented, including eight from the Kansas City area.

Four other churches were added to TSP Alliance during the Summer of 2010: Kansas City Baptist Temple, Grace Church, Or HaOlam Messianic Congregation, and Covenant Chapel. The big event for the Fall of 2010 was the conference: Exploring the World of Islam.

Christ Church Anglican joined the TSP Alliance in the Fall of 2010, and 2011 started off strong with the following churches also being added: First Baptist of Platte City, True Light Church of the Nazarene, Blue Valley Baptist, and Community Covenant.

TSP has intentionally not designed a specific program that TSP Alliance churches have to fit into. Rather, it is our hope that we can build an incredibly strong team of churches, where there is a lot of trust. In the context of that team, there are already amazing mission works going on, and there are some brilliant and devoted mission mobilizers.  As these churches and individuals pray together and seek God for direction, we believe He will show us what specific goals to pursue in connection with His global mission.

Executive Director, Eric Rochester, describes The Sending Project this way: “The wrong paradigm about TSP is to think of it as an organization that has only its own stuff going on, and it’s telling churches to join up. The correct paradigm about TSP is to see the heart and soul of it as the actual churches that are involved in the alliance.”

Imagine hundreds of churches from a city working together, strategically joining forces to eliminate physical and spiritual poverty in various places around the world--making God’s name more famous among the nations. That’s the vision, dream, and prayer of God that keeps us moving forward.