Being Stirred By A Noble Theme

• 2014 •
ON MISSION
Being Stirred By A Noble Theme
FAITH
Promise
There is just one mission,
God’s Mission, to reach every man, woman, and child
on earth with repeated opportunities to see, hear,
and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s
mission has become our mission at The Chapel in
an ever-deepening sense of how we develop and
leverage partnerships locally, regionally, nationally,
and internationally for more fruitful outcomes
through our Kingdom Come initiative.
We flesh out this mission in diverse ways in
different contexts with a variety of partners. As
true with any mission, there is a need for fuel. In
response to this need, Faith Promise giving began
providing the capacity needed to take giant steps
toward accomplishing our mission. Through prayer
and financial support Kingdom Come is a “by
faith” venture that each year invests millions of
dollars, countless man-hours, and other resources
to care for orphans and widows, provide clean
water wells, support anti-human trafficking efforts,
and participate in church plants and evangelistic
endeavors at home and in strategic areas around
the globe.
So what is a Faith Promise? Each year, those who
belong to our community of faith at The Chapel are
asked to pray about what they believe God would
have them give to Kingdom Come over and above
their regular systematic giving. As God provides
the means to fulfill the Faith Promise, people then
give to Kingdom Come. Giving by faith is a great
adventure as we seek God’s guidance and then
watch His hand provide for that promise.
For more information on Faith Promises, visit
thechapel.com/kingdomcome or contact the
Kingdom Come office at 716.631.2636 x209.
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Editor: Amy Tartick
Graphic Designer: Katie Brooks
Contents
Published: October 2014
© 2014 The Chapel
500 CrossPoint Parkway
Getzville, NY 14068
716.631.2636 | thechapel.com
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5
Letter from the Editor
Cheektowaga
New Chapel Campus Launch
9
Cover Photo: Mission of Hope Haiti - See page 14
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TELESCOPING
Dominican Republic | Haiti | Sierra Leone
CHRIST
TOGETHER
and more from
our National Partners
NYC Urban Project
36
49
Kingdom
Come
Being Stirred
by a Noble Theme
24
Global Values
Interview: Building
A Corporate Culture
and more from our
International Partners
42
Tactical Prayer Map
DISCIPLESHIP
and more from our Chapel Ministries
Imagine Community Gardens
and more from our WNY Partners
Renovation university
and more from our Regional Partners
44
51
62
CHURCH
PLANTING
72 84
Partner Directory
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When you read our mission statement “to
ensure every man, woman, and child has
repeated opportunities to see and hear the
gospel...” where does your mind take you?
Perhaps you travel to distant lands, deep into
thick, steamy jungles to a people with painted
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
states, “There is more in Christ to engage our
love, than there is or can be in any creature.
... By his word, his promise, his gospel, the
good will of God is made known to us, and
the good work of God is begun and carried
on in us.”
A Letter
This year we asked our
ministry partners to
share in light of being
stirred by a Noble
Theme—how is God
making His good will
known to you and how
is He carrying out His
good work through your
ministry.
F R O M T H E E D I TO R
faces and living in huts, or to Bedouin tents
that edge an oasis in a sea of sun-scorched
sand dunes where a young person clad in a
jalabiyya is tethering camels for the night.
Maybe you stay a wee bit closer to home and
find yourself sharing your grace story on a
street in New York City or Los Angeles. You
might even find yourself prepping the evening
meal at a homeless shelter in your own city.
Because of God’s faithfulness, our Kingdom
Come partnerships are engaged locally,
regionally, nationally, and internationally
in diverse places. It is an amazing privilege
to see God at work in and through so many
people and to bring their stories to you.
As you will discover in
the pages that follow,
we have had an exciting
year
with
Kingdom
Come. Through your
prayers and financial support, you are
partnering with Kingdom Come to help
make these and so many other stories of
grace possible—Thank you. I hope you are
blessed and encouraged as you read how God
is making His good will known at home and
around the world through our partners and
their ministries!
On mission for His glory,
Amy Tartick
Our theme for On Mission this year “Being
stirred by a Noble Theme” is taken from
Psalm 45:1. This is a beautiful and incredibly
rich Psalm speaking of the Messiah.
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KINGDOM CoME
Being Stirred by a Noble Theme
by Daryl Largis
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite
verses for the king...” This is what the Psalmist
proclaimed in Psalm 45. Is this true of you and me?
Are our hearts stirred by a noble theme when we
recite the verses of the true King, the King of Kings—
Jesus Christ? They hopefully are and will remain so.
I pray this is true for each of us as individuals, and I
pray that corporately we are captivated and even
called by a broader, deeper, and grander theme that
is stirring our hearts. When we begin to understand
what God is doing in the world through Jesus as part
of His plan before time began as revealed in Scripture,
we see not only ourselves in that amazing grace work,
but we can also comprehend what God intends for His
people. There is a far-reaching noble theme echoing
God’s sovereign redemptive activity in the world. It
is the one embodied in our mission statement—to
ensure that every man, woman, and child has repeated
opportunities to hear, to see, to experience and then to
respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Many of us, perhaps even most of us know our mission
statement but can we say that it stirs our hearts? It
should. Perhaps a way to look at this is to think in terms
of as God’s Word stirs in our hearts it is desiring and
even intending to write something that remains, that
deepens, and that gives birth to a conviction. For a
conviction—a deep-seated belief—to remain so, it must
be affixed, even anchored to our hearts. This is stirring
with a purpose and an expectation. I believe God’s
Word does exactly that if we allow it. Perhaps we should
ask God to give us a deeper seated belief, a conviction
if you will, regarding His noble theme to redeem the
world as embodied in our mission statement. This type
of conviction enables me to say I believe fully and I will
obey completely. It says I will do all that God asks of
me. The Apostle Paul in his first letter to the church at
Thessalonica said it this way: ”For we know, brothers
loved by God, that he has chosen you because our
gospel came to you not simply with words, but also
with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction”
(1 Thess. 1:4-5 NIV). The same passage in the Message
Bible states it this way, that “the Holy Spirit put steel”
in their convictions when they accepted the gospel.
Wow, steel in our convictions. May it be so for me and
for you—that is exactly what God intends for His Word,
His Spirit, and His gospel to do to us. It is not only to
change us permanently but also presently. The noble
theme for us to embrace should harden the steel of
our convictions so that we are even more emboldened
and empowered to be a part of the mission God has
called us to.
So, what can we do? First, we can pray that we, as an
expression of the global Church under the Lordship of
Jesus Christ, will remain faithful to God. May His Spirit
put steel in our convictions so that no matter what, we
are true to all that God desires and expects of us. To be
successful in this regard will require much from each of
us so that corporately we can do what God intends in
and through us. Second, may we boldly ask that God
through His Spirit strengthen our convictions towards
the mission He has called us. May He in doing so, stir
our hearts to such a degree that our convictions to this
mission resemble steel. Third, may we as a people, as a
local church, continue to live like it is so—a people filled
with grace and driven by conviction affixed steadfastly
to the mission of God.
Kingdom Come then becomes one of the primary ways
we as individuals, and more importantly as a community,
express our convictions towards the mission God has
called us. The deeper the convictions we hold the more
they shape how we live, how we love, and how we lead.
Simply stated, a way to describe our noble theme using
Chapel vernacular is Kingdom Come. May we not lose
the passion and purpose God intends for us. May
we continue to be in His Word, and may it, with His
Spirit, stir our hearts to such a degree that we believe
fully and obey completely all that God requires of us
related to His purposes in the world as we engage in
Kingdom Come.
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THE CHAPEL AT
Cheektowaga
Coming Soon to a Theater Near You
Rated E for Every Man, Woman, and Child
by Leroy Wiggins
The Chapel is excited to announce that in October 2014
we will be launching a new expression of The Chapel…
formally being called, “The Chapel at Cheektowaga.”
Cheektowaga is a first ring suburb of the City of
Buffalo, New York with approximately 80,000 residents.
It’s geographically centered almost directly between
the North Towns (Williamsville, Clarence and Amherst)
and the South Towns (West Seneca, Orchard Park and
East Aurora).
Why Cheektowaga? Cheektowaga is continuing to
grow and because of the massive Walden Galleria
it continues to be a major retail hub of Western
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New York. With access to the thruway being less than
one mile in any direction, the Walden Galleria attracts
scores of local residents and many visitors daily from
Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Southern Ontario.
With that number of residents in Cheektowaga and
the thousands of daily visitors to the Walden Galleria,
why not just worship the Creator of the universe right
there in the mall? Well, that’s just what we’ve decided
to do! The Chapel at Cheektowaga will join God on
mission in sharing the life-saving gospel of Jesus Christ
in the state-of-the-art Regal Cinema Theaters in the
Walden Galleria.
Through a great deal of prayer, coupled with
demographic and geographic studies, we sense that
God has pointed us directly to Cheektowaga. Granted,
there are gospel expressions in the Cheektowaga area,
however, we believe that The Chapel has a responsibility
and requirement to continue to ensure that every man,
woman and child (in Cheektowaga) has the opportunity
to see, hear, and respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We are planning to have two adult worship services
on Sundays with almost live feed of the message from
The Chapel. Not only will The Chapel at Cheektowaga
have its own worship band and guest experience, but
it will also have Sunday worship services for King’s
World children’s ministry and SHINE! middle school
ministry. Truly a Sunday environment where a family
can come and experience God, develop a rich and
deep relationship with Jesus Christ, and begin to be
part of the Body of Christ that is being sent into the
area to share the Good News.
We will also have a local pastoral and ministry team
centrally located in the Dick–Urban Plaza. We’re
so looking forward to what God has planned for
Cheektowaga and we feel very blessed that He would
allow us to be part of His plan for that area.
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TELESCOPING
“In addition to living out the principles of
Renovation thinking domestically, there is a
need to be connected to the movement of God in
other places throughout the world. Telescoping
is the opportunity that the local church has to
be directly connected to the movement of God
in differing places throughout the world, where
people are invested in trying to reach their
local geography as well. This sort of thinking
compels the local church to understand and be
committed to God’s movement throughout the
world–not just in their local geography.”
Ryan kozey
Director of Strategic Initiatives at The Chapel
Featured Photo: World Hope International Sierra Leone
Pineapple Project - See page 16
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About two years ago we were seeing growth in our
attendance as well as our membership in the Juan
Dolio church. We seemed to be happily moving
along serving God, giving to missions and going on
mission, discipling and worshipping, enjoying baseball
and women’s ministries, and activities for all ages of
people. However, there was within us a stirring and
quiet concern that we just were not doing things as
effectively and intentionally as we could be. We were
doing all the right stuff, but none of our ministries was in
touch with one another, instead each one was working
independently and separately without much support
or teamwork. After praying over it, the Lord reminded
me of the Renovation material that we had started with
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Daryl Largis in some meetings with church leaders. With
The Chapel’s blessing and Daryl’s encouragement,
we began to walk through the material with the core
people of our church, going a little more in depth with
the leaders at different times. What we found was that
God began to give us a strategy and biblical plan to
pull the ministries of our church together.
We began by really defining our purpose as a church.
Why do we exist? What is God’s purpose with us as a
local body and how does that fit into His plan to reach
the nations? We developed our purpose statement as a
church, and with that began to see beyond our normal
worship services to where He had given us influence
TELESCOPING
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Renovation in Juan Dolio, by Nate Jude
to reach our local area in a more effective manner. We
drew a circle around the area we felt God was calling
us as a church to reach, and then started to see how
He could use our gifts, talents and ministries to make
sure that every man, woman and child would receive
multiple opportunities to hear and respond to the
gospel of Jesus Christ. Just one example is this: It led us
to scrap our idea of church planting and local missions,
that consisted mainly in looking for an unreached area
and trying to go there on trips and eventually plant a
church. Instead, we saw in our circle of accountability an
entire town without a true gospel witness. We turned
our attention to developing partners in our area to help
us reach that area and to plant a church. That effort is
in the beginning stages as we are making home visits,
preaching the gospel, and looking for a future place
to meet.
Essentially that is where we find ourselves now. The
various ministries of the church, little by little, are
becoming a connected effort to reach the communities
we serve. The Renovation material has given us a
focus and clarity of direction so that we are all working
toward the same goal. It is far from complete, but we
find ourselves encouraged by the more intentional
effort of our local body of believers.
Nathan and Erica Jude (from West Virginia) answered God’s call on their hearts and arrived in
the Dominican Republic to help serve alongside church planters in 2006. Nathan now pastors two
churches and is on the church planting leadership team. Erica is the director of the Lily House, a
ministry to help rescue ladies from the sex industry. They have two girls, Mali and Brinkley.
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SCORE International
by Jeff Hackett
God is continuing to guide and direct Score
International to be a vessel in His hands. In June, I was
in the Dominican Republic with a church from WNY. We
were visiting a sugarcane village where I recently began
working. It’s very poor and the people often don’t have
food to eat when the sugarcane is not being harvested.
Our team offered music and a gospel presentation
through a drama. In conclusion, I shared with them
how food can satisfy our bodies for a time but we also
hunger spiritually. A relationship with God through
Jesus Christ can fill us so we never hunger again.
After a sweet time of prayer, I asked if anyone wanted
that relationship to please come and talk with me
afterward. Two ladies, 55 year old Anita and 19 year
old Lisa, came right up to me in tears. Lisa shared
how she sought after everything the world had to
offer to satisfy her hunger. Nothing did. She needed
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Jesus desperately. That day she became a believer!
Two days later, we checked to see how Lisa and Anita
were doing. I asked Lisa if she wanted to ride along with
us to our next stop. She happily accepted. In the next
village, our team again provided music and the gospel
drama. I asked Lisa if she wanted to add anything. Lisa
spoke about her life and how God had directed this
team to her village to share about Jesus. She expressed
the whole gospel message as clear as I have heard any
preacher do. Tears were everywhere as several gave
their lives to Christ. Our team was convicted on how
Lisa talked openly with her people and how we hesitate
to share anything about God to our people.
God is doing a great work through short-term teams to
advance the Kingdom. Thank you for your continued
prayer and support for Score International and my family.
TELESCOPING
Water@Work Ministry
by Daniel Blevins and Mark Montonara
Boys giving a “taste test” to water from our system at Grace School, Villa Melia, Dominican Republic.
It became clear to our founder, Tom Flaim, on his first
ministry trip to the Dominican Republic in 2008, that
the will of God was for the poor people of the bateyes
and barrios of that country to enjoy the blessing of
clean, safe water, and with it good health, rather
than suffer from waterborne diseases which could be
easily avoided. The Holy Spirit inspired Tom in this
noble purpose. He began installing water purification
systems among the poorest of the poor. This was the
beginning of our current ministry, Water@Work, which
was founded in 2011.
community into contact with the church and has
allowed more people to know Jesus and His message
of love, and to accept Him into their lives.
Working directly with churches located in poor villages
in the Dominican Republic, Water@Work Ministry has
been able to bring clean water resources to men,
women, and children living there, and we have been
overjoyed to see how these efforts are elevating the
partner churches in their communities. This enhanced
position for the churches has brought more of the
We wish to thank The Chapel for their support of our
efforts. With your help, we have been able to bring
eight of our water installations up to the standards
required by the Department of Public Health thus
providing long-term, sustainable clean water solutions
for people in these communities and helping to spread
the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What began three years ago as a mission calling has
now grown beyond our original hopes. With God’s
leading, Water@Work Ministry has built a unique water
filtration system that not only meets the low power
grid situation of the Dominican Republic, but has
also become the only non-commercial water system
approved by the Department of Public Health.
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MISSION OF HOPE, HAITI
by Annette Boorman
Psalm 45 communicates very clearly that what happens
between the “stirring of the heart by a noble theme”
(NIV) in the first verse and “His memory being
perpetuated through all generations, causing nations
to praise Him for ever and ever” (NIV) in the final verse,
matters a lot! Mission of Hope, Haiti was started when
God stirred the hearts of Brad and Vanessa Johnson
to see Haiti transformed for His Kingdom. But it was
as they stepped out in obedience to begin taking the
strategic steps needed to reach every man, woman,
and child in Haiti, that they began to see person after
person, heart after heart also being stirred to join them
in this God-sized vision.
Because of the faithful partnerships of the ever-growing
MOH family around the world:
•
More than 97,000 nutritious meals are served daily
to school children and orphans throughout Haiti.
•
One hundred ninety seven seniors graduated this
May from the School of Hope, equipped with
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a quality, Christ-centered education to become
the leaders that will change their nation.
•
More than 7,000 children participated in Vacation
Bible School this summer, experiencing the power
of the gospel in practical, meaningful ways.
•
Eleven villages in Haiti are partnered through their
local churches with churches in North America just
like The Chapel, allowing the Church Advancement
team, including the 33 Haitian Village Champions,
to customize life transformation strategies for
each village.
Mission of Hope is so grateful to The Chapel family
for their continued partnership in the village of Bercy
in Haiti, as we continue to ensure that every man,
woman, and child in Haiti sees, feels, and hears the
gospel. It is through this partnership that the people of
Haiti are being equipped to lead their nation to praise
Him forever!
TELESCOPING
Thankful for
Small Miracles
by Linda Caffrey
“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I
would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent
left, and could say, ‘I used everything you gave me.’”
– Erma Bombeck
was in English and the man couldn’t read it. The Village
Champion said he would give her his Creole Bible if she
would give hers to him so he could better his English.
The nurse then gave the Creole Bible to the man who
originally asked. Once again, we said thank you Jesus.
Our team made a wooden cross for the Bercy campus
that now stands before the Caribbean Sea where the
new Bercy Community Training Center and residence
apartments for doctors and surgeons and their families
are being built.
My calling to Haiti began back in January 2010 when
the earthquake hit. I was in the Dominican Republic on
a medical mission trip, but it was God who sent me
back to Haiti to serve three weeks later. Thus began my
love of Haiti and I keep going back.
In Bercy, Haiti we met a woman who said she did not
have a nice outfit anymore so she would not go to
church. We made arrangements with the Bercy Village
Champion to take her some clothes we had at the
Mission of Hope campus as a gift from the Church.
That very night we had services at the Church of Hope
on the Mission of Hope campus. She was there smiling
and proud in her new dress and shoes! She did not
know we would be there. That miracle made many of
us shed tears of joy and whisper, as we did often, thank
you Jesus.
That same day we met a man who asked for a Bible.
One of the nurses offered to give him her Bible, but it
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“For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat.” – Matthew 25:35
We praise God for The Chapel and His generous
provision to help subsistence farmers in Sierra Leone
grow cash crops to help improve their food security
during the hungry months of Sierra Leone’s off
season. God is providing the financial and the human
resources to accomplish the program.
•
Identified and sourced pineapple suckers for the
farming groups
•
We are working with the farmers to grow papaya
for the factory as well, as the factory has requested
papaya in addition to pineapple.
We also have two WHI-employed PhD agronomists
trained at Iowa State and the University of Hawaii
respectively, managing the planting and training for
World Hope International
Sierra Leone Pineapple Project, by John Lyon
As a result of your gift, we have been able to help
farmers finance the training, agricultural inputs, and
negotiate a supply agreement with a buyer for these
farmers to plant and harvest pineapples for cash.
More specifically, we have:
•
orked with all 10 village farming groups to
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establish supply contracts with the factory
•
Helped these farmer groups to establish producer
group cooperative agreements
•
Provided regular training for farmers following an
extensive training manual that we produced about
pineapple production
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farmers that currently live on less than two dollars per
day. We hope to have all ten villages fully planted by
the end of the summer.
(A video report filmed in late May in Sierra Leone of
the first pineapple farm of this year being planted is
available at youtube.com/watch?v=LOLSWefAgF8.)
This program is directly helping hungry people be fed.
As such, The Chapel and WHI can have confidence
that we are carrying out Christ’s commandment
to feed the hungry as though we were feeding
Christ himself.
TELESCOPING
Global Outreach Mission
by Brian Albrecht
A team of 18 short-termers has returned from Sierra
Leone. They had a wonderful ministry of constructing
a new Bible training center for pastors, teachers and
laymen. An additional three deep water wells were
for many in the village. Lucy trusted the Lord, but
suffered many physical problems including much
trauma during the war. A few years ago, she met one
of our well drillers who was touched by her story and
helped her receive the proper medical treatments that
enabled her to return to full health. Lucy continues to
share with others from her meager supply of rice. With
a smile on her face, she always declares, “I can give it
away because my Heavenly Father always provides for
me.” This woman, who has so little, gives so much. She
has nursed many back to health and volunteers with our
ministry. She helps with our short-term teams and has
been a community advocate for our Children’s Feeding
Program, which we are praying about. Lucy helps
with our clinic which serves 175 mothers and infants
each week.
Lucy has become an important part of a new church
plant. Along with several other women of the local
church, she has joined in partnership with women
of Western New York to establish a microeconomic
business in their village. With funds from this business
venture, Lucy was able to purchase first aid supplies
and share them with needy villagers.
completed; to date, GOM teams have completed a
total of 110 wells. The team also held several medical
clinics, and they were able to save lives of infants and
mothers. Many came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
At the present time, we are constructing another
Christian school. The team also completed construction
on a new church building in the village of Mokanji
for the 125 members of the community church who
previously gathered in an open air clearing.
As we continue to plant churches because of our well
drilling activity in Muslim villages, we have trained 38
pastors to faithfully preach the gospel of Christ. We
are now training pastoral candidates from all areas of
the country.
Many of these activities this year have been possible
because of the generous help provided by The Chapel.
We are so thankful to the Lord for the prayers, financial
support and help from the pastoral staff and those who
fellowship at The Chapel.
The team met a community nurse who was in Mokanji
before the civil war broke out. She was captured by the
rebels, but was allowed to feed and provide medicines
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Houghton
College
by Steve Dunmire
Houghton College has had ties to Sierra Leone
since 1889, when it became the first Wesleyan
mission field. Several members of the Houghton
College community have spent considerable time in
Sierra Leone both as missionaries and in economic
development efforts. To this day, Sierra Leone has
a special place in the hearts of most Wesleyans and
certainly many of us at Houghton College.
Houghton’s projects, launched with the assistance of
the Sierra Leone Alliance, are flourishing. Houghton
College has been proud to partner with World Hope
International around the Mango Project. This has
turned the abundant wild mango crop into juice
for export and an economic engine for the nation
of Sierra Leone. The success of the Mango Project
has led to the exploration of other similar projects,
including a Pineapple Project. Houghton College
students are working to conduct baseline studies as
the Pineapple Project expands. In fact, Houghton
College graduate Steven Grudda ’10 is Chief
Executive Officer at Africa Felix Juice, the first fruit
juice concentrate manufacturer in Sierra Leone. Steve
Grudda was initially supported by the Sierra Leone
Alliance as an intern in the nation. Unfortunately,
Houghton was not able to send students to Sierra
Leone in 2014 due to the Ebola outbreak, but we
hope to do so in 2015.
From 1889 to today, we are passionate about building
upon Houghton College’s strong connection with the
nation of Sierra Leone, and we thank God for how our
partnership with The Chapel allows us to do so. On
behalf of President Mullen and the entire Houghton
College community, I would like to offer our heartfelt
thanks to The Chapel for your faithful support and
partnership as we work together to provide every
man, woman, and child with opportunities to hear
and see the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Jericho Road
Global Health
Outreach
by Heather Quinn
Jericho Road’s mission is to extend beyond Buffalo,
NY to areas abroad in great need of basic medical
care, providing healthcare while sharing the gospel
in word and deed. We are in our second year of
being on the ground providing primary medical
care in Sierra Leone. We are committed to serving
people in the Kono district, which is considered to
be one of the most impoverished areas in Sierra
Leone. Phebian Abdulai, a former refugee from
Kono and a registered nurse, is leading our global
health outreach project there.
We’ve been able to witness the faithfulness of God
in our mission there! Our challenges have been
logistical, financial, medical, and political. The great
news is that through these challenges we’ve been
able to grow in faith, advance our medical mission
against all odds, and develop key partnerships in
the process.
EduNations, Sierra Leone
TELESCOPING
Our medical clinic in Koidu, a town within Kono,
is almost complete. Forty construction men are
working hard to finish this building by early 2015.
The clinic has 30 plus rooms including the potential
for basic imaging, pharmacy services, and a
laboratory. In addition, we have a guest house with
ten rooms. World Hope installed a well and water
collections tank so that both facilities will have
running water. They are also installing solar paneling
for us sometime this fall.
We’ve been able to continue our hernia repair
program and assisted 128 patients with hernias.
Hernias are quite common because many men and
women work as farmers or miners. We continue to
provide mobile medical care to five of our target
villages. Three teams from Jericho Road traveled
to Sierra Leone to bring supplies, assist in medical
care, and provide other support to Phebian this
past year.
Jericho Road wants to thank The Chapel and the
Sierra Leone Alliance for their prayer and financial
support. We believe that God is doing something
significant in Sierra Leone out of Western New York
and are privileged to be a part of it together.
EduNations
by Rick Kennedy
In 2002 and 2003, God made His good will known to
several families in Western New York when He called
them to adopt children orphaned by war in Sierra
Leone, West Africa. In 2004 - 2005, God made His
good will known again to those families when their
adopted children prayed unceasingly for Him to
deliver the people of Sierra Leone from their suffering
and privation. In response, several families founded
an organization called EduNations. EduNations’
primary purpose is to build, staff and operate free
schools. EduNations is committed to educating the
children of Sierra Leone to equip them to reclaim
their lives and to ignite hope for their nation.
EduNations is carrying out His good work by
educating thousands of children in its ten schools,
staffed with more than one hundred well-trained and
committed teachers.
God continues to reveal His good will to us by
revealing the full range and close interrelationship
of basic needs in Sierra Leone. Consequently,
EduNations also carries out His good work by
partnering with other Kingdom Come ministries ( Let
Them LOL, Jericho Road, World Hope International,
Global Outreach Mission, and Houghton College)
to meet the pressing need for clean water, for
healthy food, for medical care and medicine, and for
economic development to sustain communities.
All of these needs are implicated in addressing the
Ebola epidemic currently ravaging Sierra Leone and
West Africa. EduNations and the other members
of the Sierra Leone Alliance are carrying out His
good work by working collaboratively to respond to
specific problems in the midst of this crisis.
We are extraordinarily grateful to The Chapel for
its continuing support and encouragement as we
respond in obedience to His good will to carry out
His good work in serving His children in Sierra Leone.
19
Let Them LOL
by Kate Vacanti
It is an incredible privilege to serve God and be a part
of His kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. We
have seen God move in amazing ways this past year in
and through Let Them LOL. Through His body, He has
provided for every need. We had been praying about
ways to drill more wells and bring more clean water
to Sierra Leone. Through a friend, we connected with
a person who was looking for someone to whom
he could give well drilling equipment. That’s
us! A few months later, we brought two of our
Sierra Leonean staff members here to the US to train
on that equipment.
One challenge we had, though, was we didn’t know
where the funds would come from to transport the
equipment to Sierra Leone. That weekend, during the
training, we received a call that the exact amount of
money needed to ship the equipment had been raised.
Later that same day, we received another call from a
couple who wanted to run a double marathon and to
fundraise for wells. They ended up raising enough to
drill the first five wells. In a matter of months, God
provided drilling equipment, the funds to send it, and
enough to drill the first five wells! We are so amazed
at God’s faithfulness to see His mission completed
through His people.
On behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, Let Them
LOL thanks The Chapel family for their leadership,
partnership, and prayers.
20
TELESCOPING
Moments in Sierra Leone
by Katie Brooks
I’ve been asked to share a moment with you – to invite
you into a story from my recent trip to Sierra Leone,
West Africa with Let Them LOL. To be honest, my mind
is reeling – not from the lack of moments, but rather
from a struggle to narrow down so many incredible
stories into just one.
Do I bring you with me as we stare over the edge of pit
after pit of brown dirty water? I could try to help you
understand the wrenching of your heart, seeing small
children and old men and women scoop this mud puddle
into buckets for laundry, dishes, toilet, washing… and
drinking. They know it is deadly, but what other choice
do they have? Do I guide you over to a quiet house in a
small village? I could squeeze your hand at the sight of
a motionless, sick mommy, at the stoic stares of two tiny
girls who will feed themselves again tonight. Through
watery eyes we’d read the pleading inscription above
their humble doorframe: Love Me. Or do I beckon you
to follow as we take off running, singing, and clapping
with a hoard of crazy kiddos who cannot contain their
joy because today they know they will go to school
and this changes everything. That kind of joy stays
with you. Do I pull you into the soft humming of a tiny
frame, resting peacefully against your chest? I could
show you a tiny girl the world forgot, who is starting
to understand what she never thought possible: that
she is the daughter of a Father who adores her. She is
learning that she is not forgotten.
I don’t know how to choose a moment to share with
you. In one moment I heard and knew God was not
suggesting I care for the orphan and the widow, the
people an ocean away without clean water, He was
commanding it. In one moment I said yes. And in three
years of volunteering and two trips across that huge
ocean I am learning that God will use every yes we offer
Him to do crazy things! Each life, each story matters.
And every yes is worth it – every moment of every day.
God is drawing you into His story; say yes.
Editor’s note: Katie Brooks is on staff at The Chapel
and serves in our Worship and Creative Arts ministry
as a graphic designer.
21
22
GLOBAL
ParTNERSHIpS
Jesus went through all the towns and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the
good news of the kingdom and healing every
disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds,
he had compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a
shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send
out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38 NIV
23
Individually, values define who people are and
who they become in life. The same holds true
for businesses and other organizations. Values
determine whether a business culture is healthy
for or detrimental to leaders and other personnel.
According to the 2012 American Time Use Survey,
on an average workday an employed person
spends 8.8 hours on work and work-related
activities1. Imagine the impact godly values could
have in the workplace from CEOs to the typical
employees to consumers who purchase the goods
or services.
Global Values is imagining not only the powerful
effect values can make within businesses, but
also how to convey and implement these crucial
principles in the workplace culture. On Mission was
able to connect for an interview with the key people
forming this exciting new venture coming up on
the horizon!
1 http://www.bls.gov/tus/charts/
Global
Values
Interview
Building a Corporate Culture
by Amy Tartick
24
ON MISSION: We understand that Global Values
is gearing up to move beyond the church walls
and head deep into the corporate sector. How did
Global Values start and what is your mission?
ALEX BELMAR: After serving in several countries,
my wife, Sherri, and I realized that one of the
largest unreached sectors is “business leaders”
and the organizations they represent. We sensed
an urgent need to reach them where they are.
On different occasions we held conferences for
business leaders, but we understood that continuity
was necessary to develop relationships that permit
sharing our story of grace and connecting them
with Christ, His Church, and related community
development efforts.
This is when we began to think and pray about the
possibility of launching a leadership development
enterprise, or in other words, a consulting entity
that delivers needed training to business leaders
and those they lead, thereby building relationships
to share the gospel while generating resources for
the vision to saturate that nation with the gospel.
When we visited The Chapel in January of this year,
we sat down and shared with Daryl Largis what
God had been placing on our hearts for some time.
In October of 2013, we had pre-launched Global
Values in Argentina beginning in Cordoba and later
in Buenos Aires. As we shared what we were sensing
from God, uncertain Daryl would understand the
vision, we saw his face light up. The following day
he told us that he had already been thinking along
the same lines but was considering developing
something for India.
At that point, we sat down together and started
to share what Global Values could look like in the
USA and in Latin America. We realized that God
was drawing us into something larger than us and
that it wasn’t necessarily what we had been doing
directly over the past 20 years. We also realized that
God in a separate way had been working in Daryl’s
heart, and that he has an extensive background
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
in business. We had a vision and burden; Daryl had a
vision and the “know how”.
workplace an opportunity to manifest Christ and share
their story of grace.
OM: With producing a value-based business culture
being at the center of Global Values leadership
training, what are the core values you’ll implement
within a business, how will these values change
the current corporate culture, and why are these
important to the overall success of a company?
OM: What is the anticipated outcome for
corporations employing the Global Values training?
DARYL LARGIS: While “Leading with Values” is a core
piece to the overall strategy developed, it is not the only
piece. Certainly though, they are extremely important
given values shape and ultimately determines who the
organization becomes as in the people individually and
corporately. Values determine the culture and define
success in terms of who people are and who they are
becoming. Global Values contends that for effective
leadership, and by definition a healthy culture, there
needs to be an emphasis on integrity as defined by
humility, character, and honesty; on discipline as
defined by being self-aware, self-controlled, and
self-led; on generosity as defined by being thankful,
compassionate, and living open-handed; and on
service as defined by seeking, trusting, and believing
the best in and for others. So, we believe that while
these values may be expressed in many forms, the
core of what they represent is essential for effective
leadership and for healthy cultures regardless of
context. We are not the only ones who recognize the
importance of values. Research consistently shows
that companies with values that are embraced and
embodied by the employees have higher profits,
lower turnover, and greater customer satisfaction. So
in summary, Global Values exists to enable leaders and
the organizations they represent to grow deeper as in
their understanding of who they are as individuals and
as an organization, to lead better based upon values
and principles, and to reach higher as in achieving the
vision they have for themselves and the organizations
they lead.
OM: How does Global Values connect with God’s
mission of reaching every man, woman, and child
with repeated opportunities to see, hear, and
respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
AB: In addition, when values are implemented on a
daily basis they produce transparency, confidence in
others, lower corruption, and it gives Christians in the
AB: Their management will be value based. It will
lift limitations producing healthy people, effective
organization, and a positive sense of community.
DL: There are two primary ways we envision Global
Values connecting with the mission to reach every man,
woman, and child in a particular place, region, and
ultimately that nation. First is through direct contact
and conversation. In the process of doing the training
and consulting, there will be opportunities to share
the gospel not as part of the training but as a result
of the training through relational connectivity. Second
is indirect in that Global Values is being established
to serve as an economic engine to generate financial
resources to help pay for direct training of church
leaders in that particular city, region, and even nation.
Furthermore, it is intended that Global Values will, as
a legitimately recognized business, enable us to come
and go even in difficult places around the world so
that we can have conversations with church leaders
in that place to discuss what God is doing, what
God desires to do, what that would look like if He
did what He wanted, and then begin to work with
them on accomplishing that task. Again, much has
yet to happen in this regard, and it is and will remain
complex, but we are convinced that these types of
creative approaches will be needed more and more
in the future to enable, encourage, and equip Christfollowers around the globe to complete the task of full
evangelization of their particular nation.
(CONTINTUED ON NEXT PAGE)
25
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Global Values Interview Continued
OM: What are the significant challenges you’re
facing with launching Global Values within the US
and Latin America marketplace?
DL: As is the case with any new not-for-profit
enterprise, we are basically starting with an idea—
albeit, we think a very good one—much passion and
excitement, but not many resources. In many ways,
perhaps even most ways, the ultimate mission of
Global Values is similar to that of The Chapel and other
entities we partner with such as SCPI, Christ Together
and The Global Fellowship to name a few. We want to
see entire geographies saturated by the presence and
proclamation of the gospel so all who live there can
hear, see, experience, and respond to it. Global Values
represents a unique approach, a strategy if you will,
different from the others to see this mission become
a reality. So, in terms of today we are and will be very
selective in how we proceed noting the competitive
nature of the environments we are entering. At this
point, we are working with and through existing
relationships to get this started, and are seeing
many invitations to explore possibilities which is very
exciting. Even so, there will come a time, Lord willing,
when we will need to have other ways and means of
connecting with business leaders and organizations.
Plans are in place to enhance this ability, but again,
until such a time as there are resources available, we
will move at a pace commensurate with our resources,
availability, and opportunities.
AB: In Latin America, we hope to see a company
emerge that is cutting edge and of excellence in
market value being competitive with other consulting
26
companies. Our challenges include developing a
platform and image, resources to become established,
better understanding practical aspects in governments
and organizations with deeply-rooted corruption,
generating space so that Christians have occasions to
share their grace story in the workplace, and engage
mission opportunities.
OM: How can our Chapel family best pray for
Global Values?
DL: We ask for prayer for wisdom, guidance, and
favor in this endeavor noting it is a bit of a different
approach than traditional ministry work. Our hope is
that God blesses this work and uses it for His glory
as we engage with the business community to bring
value to them as leaders and their organizations. At the
same time, we’ll be developing relationships to share
the gospel in addition to generating resources for the
ultimate saturation of that nation with the gospel. It
is our hope and intention that by this time next year,
Global Values will be active in the USA marketplace in
addition to at least two nations in Latin America.
AB: God’s guidance above all! As we envision
businessmen, please pray that God will draw His men
and women with the same vision and heart. Also,
that God would open His doors and His ways for this
endeavor. Our dream and vision is that Global Values
will be self-sustaining and would generate funds for
God’s work in each country.
Giving
is
true
having.
- Charles Spurgeon
27
ABWE Gap
by John and Bev
In the past year, we have reached approximately two
thousand Vietnamese immigrants in Taiwan with the
gospel through films, Bible study, testimonies and
literature distribution, and some have come to Christ.
In addition to these two thousand who heard the
gospel for the first time, a Mongolian woman in prison
in Taiwan accepted Christ and a Nepali woman recently
asked for a Bible and said, “I would like to know what
the Bible says about God.”
are limited by law and custom. We will return to
Myanmar this November to conduct a second Great
Commandment/Great Commission Seminar in a remote
location. Evangelism training and campus work continue
in Vietnam.
Our warmest and deepest thanks to all the brothers
and sisters at The Chapel for your faithful prayer and
financial support.
We also have evangelistic literature distribution
programs in Vietnam and Myanmar where foreigners
Eagles’ Wings
by Robert Stearns
Today, nearly 1.8 million Israelis live below the poverty
line. Many of these are children, elderly Holocaust
survivors, and new immigrants who arrive in the land
with only the clothes on their backs. In Matthew 25:40
NIV, Jesus said, “... whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did
for me.” Remembering Jesus’ brothers and sisters,
our “Abraham’s Bread” ministry is working to meet the
28
practical needs of all citizens of Israel–Jew and Arab
alike–by providing assistance and food in the name
and love of Jesus.
We would like to thank The Chapel family for their
faithful support of our ministry over the years. With
your generosity, we are able to follow God’s will and
make an impact in the lives of the people of Israel.
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
HBI Global Partners
by Paul “Bobby” Gupta
One of our village church planters, Ravi, chose to
work among a community that did not have a single
Christian. Ravi faithfully visited a few families and
shared the gospel. Praise God, in less than two
years he discipled 25 individuals and established a
worshipping community.
The amazing thing that empowered Ravi was
a demonstration of unconditional love when two
children suffering from AIDS were introduced to him.
The village head asked Ravi if he would take these
two children because no one wanted them. Ravi was
uncertain about what to do at first. He decided to
adopt them. It was a “wow” moment for the village to
see someone embrace two socially stigmatized boys
who were suffering from a deadly disease.
Ravi discipled the boys and watched as God
miraculously allowed them to become healthier. They
developed a personal relationship with Jesus and were
baptized. They declared publicly that as long as God
gave them life, they would serve the Lord.
This awesome event opened great opportunity for
Ravi in his village. His home was turned into a child
development center and soon after, his church.
Consequently, new bridges opened into the families
of his village. The church rapidly grew and today more
than 100 members gather regularly to worship God,
standing as a lighthouse in the community revealing
God’s grace and glory.
This is just one testimony of thousands of people who
responded to the gospel this year.
We praise God that He enabled the ministries of HBI
to offer 137,597 people the opportunity to hear, see,
and understand the gospel, out of which, 49,354
individuals were discipled. He also enabled our village
church planters to establish 760 churches. We had
the privilege of equipping 6,042 adults through our
various leadership development programs. Through
our emerging generation leadership program 2,925
children are being enriched through drop-in centers,
child development centers, and schools.
Our dear Chapel family, we want you to know that your
partnership in the gospel is making a great difference in
India giving opportunities for men, women, boys, and
girls to hear, understand, and respond to the gospel,
and then be discipled into communities of believers.
Thank you for sharing your love and prayers for
our ministries.
29
Patch Our Planet
by Steve Gillis
Caring for orphans is the right and noble thing to
do. In James 1:27, God’s Word calls it “pure and
undefiled religion...” But for many church leaders,
the foster system is too complicated, the global road
too unfamiliar, and the challenges too costly to even
take the first step.
I love what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said about the
Good Samaritan, “Don’t get me wrong, I respect the
Good Samaritan, but I don’t want to be the Good
Samaritan. You see, I’m tired of picking up people
along the Jericho Road—I want to fix the Jericho
Road.” I concur. I’ve worked in the orphanages.
I’ve seen the challenges. Still, each time I left an
orphanage, the children remained in the same
state—no permanent family. God has called Patch
Our Planet to help change the road that the Church
has been paving by providing lasting solutions.
We believe that the Church is the permanent patch
to the orphan crisis. Because of that belief, we must
effectively equip her in order to have a permanent
fix. This year, with your support, we were able to
launch our online orphan care curricula to do just
that. Now, every church has access to be equipped
with a foster care and global orphan care strategy!
Our online orphan care curricula are designed as
guides that can be customized under each church’s
vision. By equipping the leaders in the Church, we
are enabling each church to be the answer to the
orphan crisis in their community and within their
influence globally. We have a priceless tool. Now, we
are working to share it with the world.
Thank you, Chapel family, for supporting Patch Our
Planet so that every church in every community will
one day care for every child in need.
30
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Presidir
by Alex & Sherri Belmar
“The seed cast on good earth is the person
who hears and takes in the News, and then
produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”
– Matthew 13:23 (MSG)
God is opening amazing opportunities through
your faithful prayers. Thank you for your practical
demonstration of love through your actions and
generous support of our family and ministry. You are
a part of our story and one of the reasons Presidir is
able to equip pastors and leaders as we communicate
the Renovation Principles. We are assisting almost
200 congregations in a strategic process in Central
and South America to be mobilized towards greater
impact in their communities.
Three months ago, we began a partnership with
several churches in El Salvador, Central America and
started working through the Renovation principles
locally and regionally. One of the pastors we are
SEND
International
by Kent Wilson
Having returned from the SEND Family Conference
in Michigan last month, “Being stirred by a Noble
Theme” (Psalm 45:1), was exactly the theme we saw
in the faces and countenances of the missionaries
who were returning to their mission fields. Many new
missionaries were going to their countries of service for
the very first time. The excitement was evident!
working with is Miguel Angel Lopez, pastor of the
Baptist Church of Flor Blanca. We had the privilege
of leading Miguel Angel to the Lord in 1993 when we
served in El Salvador. At that time, he was a young
man finishing high school, and after this, God called
him into His work. Miguel Angel went to seminary and
currently he has the vision of sharing the Renovation
principles in his country.
Pastor Miguel A. Lopez recently shared, “Presidir is a
strategic partner that is fulfilling the Great Commission.
The principles and practices assist in developing
leadership in the Church and mobilizing the Church,
making the gospel accessible to the community. As a
church, we have been blessed by this partnership and
through their help we have been able to accentuate
the focus of our church. We have gained clarity in
practical ways to reach our community.” Our goal is to
travel into El Salvador three times a year until we see
a national group of pastors and leaders that will carry
the vision of making the gospel accessible to every
man, woman, and child. The Seed truly belongs to
God, comprising all life-bearing qualities, containing
measureless power, potential and purpose.
With new fields of service opening in Southeast
Asia and areas of the least reached people groups,
SEND International has a number of opportunities
available to have missionaries with different skills to
plant churches that become reproducing churches
sending others out to serve the Lord. We have the
pleasure of finding people who have that desire and
to help them through the process of getting into
the field.
We cannot thank The Chapel enough for your
support in our ministry to help plant reproducing
churches in the least reached people groups of
the world.
31
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Saturation
Church Planting
International
by Dwight and Patti Smith
Our colleague in Tamil Nadu, India, Ramesh, and the
church he leads discovered that they had five families
living on a plantation in their circle of accountability
who were bonded slaves. They mobilized their church
to rescue these families, acquire some land to rebuild
their lives, and provide some hands on resources to
allow the families to support themselves. They are
tutoring their children so that the next generation
will have greater opportunity. On the larger scale, this
church has assisted in planting 800 other churches in
Transformation
Mongolia
by Axel Fischer
32
the last year! They
are an inspiration to
all of us!
To our friends at The Chapel, we are extremely
grateful for your years of partnership. It is undeniable
that without your significant help we could not have
done what God has asked us to do. We thank you for
your friendship, love, and partnership.
Cru
by Michael & Amy Ramos
Serving as missionaries on the Global Leadership Staff
and in the Office of the President of Cru, our personal
ministry engages us in many “behind the scenes”
initiatives. These endeavors keep our missionaries
around the world safe and
moving forward in their
efforts to reach the world
with the love of Christ. As
a Global Crisis Director
and
Human
Resource
Representative, we are able
to reach out and care for our
mission staff who might be
working through hardships
and enduring persecution
because of their faith and
biblical teaching. In some
instances, when chaos hits
a country, we facilitate
To reach all the different people in Mongolia—the
kids, teens, women, men, poor or rich, urban and rural
people—we can’t do it with just one approach! It is like
trying to open different doors with the same key. We
see almost all people opening for the gospel, once we
find the right key to their hearts. So we don’t change
the gospel, but we do change the keys!
support and relocation for staff members so that they
can continue to serve on mission. We believe and are
witness to the “Win people to Christ, build them in
their faith, and then send them out to do the same”
ministry mission of Cru.
The Ramos Family is blessed to have the cover of
prayer and the financial partnership of The Chapel.
to be a strong tool for the last nine years. Our girls
became the best in the nation on FIFA level.
•
Youth Events: after the fun, teenagers gather
and open their hearts as they pray and
worship together.
•
Life coaching and business consulting are also
keys we use.
•
Missionaries: currently, Transformation Mongolia
has 18 Mongolian missionaries; our most recent is
a village school teacher.
The list goes on—as we meet people’s needs, they
open to the gospel, and God touches their hearts!
•
Public Marriage Seminar: through many tears, a
new attendant repented, asking his wife publicly
for forgiveness. She had taken care of him as he
convalesced from serious burns covering 70% of
his body, but he had never said thank you.
•
Soccer Clubs: playing soccer with kids has proven
Thank you, Chapel family, for enabling Transformation
Mongolia to have many different keys (ministries) to
serve so that every man, woman, and child can have
a repeated and creative opportunity to hear and see
the gospel.
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34
nATIONAL
PArTNERSHIpS
Therefore God exalted him to the highest
place and gave him the name that is above
every name, that at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and
under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge
that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV
35
CHRIST TOGETHER
National LAUNCH
by Ryan Kozey
As the world continues to expand in population, we
face the reality that in less than 15 years from now,
the United States will have a population of more than
360 million people. The surge in population along with
the continued marginalization of the Christian faith
is a sobering reminder to Christians that the task of
evangelization is staggering. With such a challenge,
there are those who ignore reality and there are those
who seek to seize the challenge to make a difference.
At Christ Together, the search continues to build key
partnerships with churches throughout the country
who seek to make a difference. This past year has
seen some encouraging developments for the team at
Christ Together.
First off, Christ Together is pleased to announce the
addition of a valuable team member, who we believe
will help us immensely in our search to build key
relationships with partner churches throughout the
country. Jeff Shipman currently serves as a Pastor
and Team Leader at Columbia Crossroads Church in
Columbia, SC. Columbia Crossroads’ mission states
that: “Our heart as a church is to see every man,
woman, and child in Columbia have an opportunity to
hear the gospel of Jesus Christ and be transformed by
His radical message. Here at Crossroads we encourage
Communion with God, Community with others, and
Commission to the culture around us.” We are looking
36
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
to identify more churches in this country that possess
the same heart for their context as we do for ours. Jeff
has been a great partner with us over the past handful
of years, and his willingness to step up in this area of
our team has been an immense value. Jeff is excited to
take on the challenge before us: “God is on the move in
this country. Over the last couple of years, we’ve found
more and more churches open to the conversation
about partnering together to reach their cities for
Christ. This is truly a move of the Spirit, and I’m just
excited to be linked up with other churches across the
country that want to
take responsibility for
their cities but also be
open to the broader
conversation
about
the 320 million souls
that call the United
States home. We’re
praying for favor and
grace from our great
God as we seek to join
Him by expanding
into 60 U.S. cities by
the year 2017. May
God be pleased to
raise up an army of
churches, leaders, and disciples that have a heart for
every man, woman, and child in their cities!”
we have celebrated many stories of success as well.
Churches have been planted. Communities have been
repeatedly impacted by the gospel in presence and
in proclamation. Those learnings have been captured
and we use them to educate, envision, and motivate
other churches to collaborative action as they engage
lostness in their contexts.
Finally, Christ Together continues to expand its
presence in other regions of the United States. Much of
this is the faithfulness to spend time with other leaders,
getting to know them,
hearing their stories
about their regions,
and walking alongside
them in the hopes that
a strategic partnership
match could be struck
over the course of
time. Some cities
where
we
have
seen an increased
partnership presence
this year include San
Antonio,
Charlotte,
Louisville,
Orlando,
and
Minneapolis
to name a few. This is in conjunction with the places
where God has already given us a presence (Orange
County, CA; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Chicago,
IL; Cleveland, OH; Akron, OH; Huntington, WV;
Greenville, SC; Columbia, SC; Fort Myers, FL; Virginia
Beach, VA; Philadelphia, PA; New York City; Scranton,
PA; and Syracuse, NY). While the challenge remains
staggering to us at Christ Together, we live in the hope
that this continued effort and faithfulness to build key
relationships in metropolitan regions throughout the
country will lay a framework where, over time, we will
begin to see a change in the tide of current trends.
Specifically, we pray that God will help us to represent
the gospel well in our country and that there will be
receptivity to a cohort of Christians living on mission
in a way that is distinguishably different from what the
world offers. It is through this mobilization of God’s
people that we have hope to see systemic change in
this country.
"GOD IS ON THE
move IN THIS
COUNTRY..."
Second, Christ Together is in the process of completing
and distributing a teaching platform that will seek to
help churches in learning communities all throughout
the country in understanding how to work together
to saturate their geography with gospel presence and
gospel proclamation. On its surface, this seems like
such a straightforward concept. We have learned that it
is one of our greatest challenges. Helping churches in a
region see themselves as representing one church and
knowing how to work together within that context is
difficult. However, as we have learned and grown over
the past number of years, we sense that we are better
positioned to talk about these things with a greater
measure of experience. The blessing of our efforts
and the time invested is that, although we have made
mistakes, we have become wiser in the process, and
37
GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS
Fellowship
of Christian
Athletes
Hockey
by Rick Randazzo
This past year, the Randazzo family has spent one
month in nine different states on our “50 State 50
City” tour. As we start our fourth consecutive year
on the road, we continue to see the Lord move
in a mighty way as He opens up hearts of hockey
coaches, players, and family members as well as
by His constant provision for our family’s every
need. Having responded to the Lord’s call back in
December of 2009, He has lead us by a cloud by
day and a pillar by night while putting families in our
lives to show us His unfailing love. We have been
blessed to give many young and old hockey players
their first-ever Bibles as well as to share the gospel
of Jesus with them. Lives are being changed across
the country.
Thank you, Chapel family, for your years of support
to our family.
Singing
Waters
Christian
Center
by Enrique Dominguez
Psalm 45:17 (NKJV), “I will make Your name to be
remembered in all generations...” Impacting every
man, woman, and child answers the “who” objective
of this declaration. Every location, setting, and
situation answers the “where”. We are transitioning
towards becoming an “Inside-Out” ministry.
Inside: Our building has been converted into a
“community center” providing a game-room, café,
commercial kitchen, and patio area to serve the
needs of our local public organizations. We host
the Prime-Timers Seniors, Girl Scouts, AA, local
service clubs, school programs, youth and young
adult gatherings.
Outside: Our church community has transitioned from
an “attractional” ministry to one that is “missional”.
You will find our folks impacting the “Seven Spheres
of Influence” (business, government, media, arts and
entertainment, education, the family, and religion).
Our Kingdom Come perspective would not be
possible without the prayer, financial, and personal
support The Chapel has provided over the years.
Thank you!
FCA Hockey: Family at rink
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“Let us touch the
dying,
THE POOR, the lonely and
the unwanted according to the graces we have
received and let us not be ashamed or slow
to do the humble work.” - Mother Teresa
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REGIONAL
PArTNERSHIpS
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love
your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the
Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
Featured Photo: Life Transforming Ministries in
greater Philadelphia - See page 46
40
41
Renovation University | MEN
by Michael Nieves
I’m a student of the church. I attended a conservative
church from K-12, attended a Christian school until
second grade, and took multiple denominations for
a test drive after graduating high school, attending
churches of Pentecostal, African American, Spanish
speaking, Presbyterian, country and inner city
persuasion. I’ve worked with children, middle school
students, and youth in barns, basements, and
living rooms.
As a church plant pastor for more than a decade, I’ve
weathered, felt needs, seeker, attractional, emergent,
emerging, vintage, ancient future, and missional
models. I’ve visited churches all over the East Coast,
learning, critiquing, and investigating. Why? Because
I love the local church! I truly do believe that “there
42
is nothing like the local church when the local church
is working right,” to quote the pastor of one of the
churches I attended along my journey.
When the opportunity to sit under some teaching
sponsored by The Chapel became available, I was
skeptical that they would be able to teach me anything
new. I was confident I had asked all the right questions.
But, here was a local church, of substantial influence,
asking other churches to unite, not around its program,
but around a common, shared purpose. A purpose so
simple, memorable, portable, and biblical it could not
be denied; to ensure that every man, woman, and child
has repeated opportunities to see, hear, and respond
to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
As a participant in Reno U, I’ve discovered a crossdenominational brotherhood. I’ve discovered that
gospel saturation must be the “tip of the spear” of the
local church. I’ve returned to the notion that theology
is the foundation that a local church needs to impress
upon her converts.
Spirit in convicting souls of their need for a Savior;
in waking the sleeping giant called the American
church to leverage its mammoth wealth for Kingdom
collaboration and gospel saturation. I am honored to
have been included on this journey of learning and
looking forward to the fruit of God’s faithfulness.
It is undeniable what God is doing around the globe.
There isn’t a more noble purpose than serving the Holy
Renovation University | WOMEN
by Kim Holet
When Reno U for women started, I was not sure exactly
how God would use it; I only knew that He would. I have
been overwhelmed by the simple yet powerful ways
this group has impacted my leadership in ministry and
in life. There are two foundational pieces that Reno U
provides which allow for its success. The first is the level
of leadership expectations being raised to a standard
that better represents Christ. Many times leaders are
placed into a positon of greater responsibility and
left alone to either “sink or swim”; they are not being
continually equipped and supported to handle the
pressure that accompanies higher level leadership.
Reno U seeks to provide women in ministry leadership
positions the equipping needed to ensure their success
at leading themselves and leading others.
in WNY to come to know Christ. We are all working
toward the same goal; having the understanding that
you are not leading alone is powerful. Through Reno U,
we have the ability to share ideas, encourage, support
and challenge each other as women ministry leaders.
Personally, I have been strengthened by hearing how
each woman in the group strives to follow Christ in all
areas of her life.
We are all unique people in different seasons of life,
yet we see clearly how each of us is needed to work
together within the Church of WNY. God has placed
a call on our lives to love and serve with excellence in
our areas of influence; Reno U is helping us to achieve
that goal.
For me, being held to a higher standard as a leader
is incredibly refreshing especially as it is supported
by sound biblical teaching and training. This style of
development encourages me to be the best leader I
can become and helps me sustain a passion for ministry
as I serve others.
The second foundational piece is the impact of
learning alongside people who have the same DNA
or heartbeat for Christ’s mission. Reno U for women
is made up of leaders from five different churches in
our area, yet we all have the same desire for everyone
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With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all
perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that uuerance may be given to me in the
opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador
in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.. Ephesians 6:18-20
Please pray consistently and intentionally for our Kingdom Come Partners
who are laboring on behalf of the gospel in places around the globe.
Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth.
Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit’s prayer.
~ Elisabeth Elliot
REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Life Transforming Ministries
by Dolph Laraio
First, allow me to thank each person at The Chapel for
your faithful support of my ministry. I literally would
not be able to serve without you! The Lord has also
been so faithful to show me His love regardless of my
service for Him. That has been a true revelation for me,
and one that only inspires me to serve Him in even
greater ways.
us in greater Philadelphia. This will be our year for
communicating that vision to each congregation and
equipping the saints for the work of ministry. We plan
to awaken the Body of Christ here and get it moving
again! Other pastors are also taking note, and there is
a growing desire from others to be involved with what
we are doing. God is moving here!
We have been able to make amazing progress with all
of the churches and pastors currently on mission with
The Rock Community Church
by Dave Brunelle
Jesus continues to stir us here at The Rock to more fully
express His Kingdom in tangible ways. Several years
ago, we realized that our efforts to share the gospel with
every man, woman, and child, were hindered by race.
Since that time, He has changed us into something only
He could do. In a beautiful journey, He has transformed
us from an almost exclusively white congregation to a
truly multi-ethnic church. In an area that still has deep
scars from racial division, we have seen Jesus tear
46
down these barriers. He’s given us the opportunity to
demonstrate Christ-centered, kingdom-living, racial
reconciliation to our community. As we continue to
learn and grow in this, He’s given us the opportunity
to challenge and encourage other congregations to
experience the same kinds of blessings.
Thank you, Chapel friends and family, for partnering
with us to make this possible!
THIS IS
how
WE KNOW
THAT WE
love THE
CHILDREN
OF GOD:
BY loving
GOD AND
CARrYING
OUT HIS
commands.
(1 JOHN 5:2 NIV)
47
GOD TAUGHT ME THAT I NEED
TO VIEW OTHERS THE WAY
THAT HE SEES THEM, NOT THE
WAY THAT I SEE THEM.
48
Over my Spring Break, I had the opportunity to attend
the New York City Urban Project as a member of
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Through the service
projects we completed, documentaries we watched,
and Bible passages we studied, God revealed Himself
to me in incredible ways.
NYCUP was arranged in the form of an “Amazing
Race.” Throughout the week, our “challenges” would
consist of mapping resources in the city that will be
compiled into an app. This way when people are
in New York City, they can look at the app (called
LOGOFF: Local, Green, Organic, Fair Trade, and
Slave Free), and refer to resources in the area. The 43
students present were broken up into teams to go out
and serve in the city.
My small group traveled to Brooklyn to map out
resources for the poor, homeless, and disadvantaged.
In our search, we met and talked with many of the
people who run service organizations and we were
able to start conversations with them about their
mission. We went to 34th street in Manhattan to map
out restaurants that are LOGOFF.
We were also sent out to fight sexual exploitation
through prayer in front of massage parlors. When my
group stopped in Washington Square Park to journal
and reflect on the week, I was impatient to go out and
pray. As I pulled out my journal, a young man came up
to me and asked if I was a student at NYU. I explained
that I was there for the New York City Urban Project.
He sat and talked with me, and I had the opportunity to
tell him all about the many things that I had been doing
that week, and the many ways that God had touched
my life. He then proceeded to ask me several
theological questions about Christianity and I was
able to share the gospel in our conversation. He
told me that he was from Israel, and he came from a
Jewish family. Though he was not practicing, he was
familiar with the Jewish faith and he wanted to know
about how Christianity was different. At the end of
our conversation, he allowed me to pray with him, and
he gave me a hug. It was such a tangible act of God
to have put me in that position to be able to talk with
that man when I hadn’t even really wanted to be in the
park in the first place.
I learned so many things during my time in New York
City. I now see how I can steward my resources in ways
that glorify God. I know that through prayer, I have
the power to battle the injustices of this world. God
taught me that I need to view others the way that He
sees them, not the way that I see them. After NYCUP,
I am better able to see every person as a child of God
who is fearfully and wonderfully made.
Thank you for partnering with me to make this ministry
trip possible. I pray that I can continue to use the many
things I have learned to further God’s Kingdom and
love His people.
New York City
URBAN PROJECT AMAZING RACE
by Liesel Zimmerman
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50
CHURCH
PLANTING
“It is only because he became like us that we
can become like him.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Cost of Discipleship
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Missio Church
by Levi Pancake
God continues to make His good will known through
His continued provision and the power of mobilizing
Christ’s people for His mission. We have placed a
concentrated effort on equipping Christ’s people
so that “through the church the manifold wisdom
of God might now be made known,” (Eph. 3:10,
ESV). One way we have seen this is in our people
identifying, praying for, engaging, and sharing
the gospel with their neighbors, friends, family
members, and co-workers. We currently have eight
missional communities (groups of 15-20 people who
have covenanted together to spur one another on
in conforming to the image of Christ and reaching
a particular geography) located throughout the
city of Syracuse and Onondaga County. We are
getting ready to multiply three of those missional
communities to target new neighborhoods with the
gospel. Based on a survey we took in May, we have
seen that through these groups 150 people have
heard the gospel and 19 people came to faith. We
have been so encouraged by our people engaging
those who don’t know Christ with the gospel!
We have also seen God’s good will through our newly
established residency program. On June 1, three
men in their early twenties began participating in
our first residency program. This one-year internship
is designed to develop young leaders as they assist
with the evangelization of a particular place or people
group in Syracuse. This particular group of young
men will be engaging the community in a variety of
ways with the majority of their focus on the Westside
of Syracuse. Two months in, we couldn’t be happier
with the growth in our residents and the fruit we are
seeing from their outreach into this neighborhood.
We have begun to see a real gospel footprint in the
Westside neighborhood!
We are so humbled and grateful for the Lord’s
continued provision and The Chapel family’s faithful
support. Thank you so much for your faithfulness
and generosity.
52
CHURCH PLANTING
NorthGate
by Sara Zawistowski
Entering NorthGate as a college student, I was not
sure what to expect. I was greeted by a gentleman who
led me to a group of college students. I immediately
connected with them and was welcomed as if they had
known me for years. From the first Sunday I attended
at the AMC movie theater, I knew NorthGate would be
a great fit for me. Since then we moved to a great new
building perfect for students.
Through my time at NorthGate, my faith has developed
and my relationship with the Lord has strengthened
beyond what I could expect. It is a place where
your personal relationship with God is fostered by
encouragement, support, prayer, useful teaching, and
a community that is always willing and eager to help.
this ministry allowed me to teach children core values
based on biblical stories and watch them grow in their
personal relationship with the Lord. I was able to work
under the leadership of our phenomenal children’s
ministry director, Laura Stiffler, who pours her whole
heart into this ministry.
After four years at NorthGate, I am soon leaving to live
in North Carolina where I have been offered a fulltime
teaching position. As a new elementary teacher, I will
continue to impact children for the Kingdom. I can’t
express how much NorthGate has prepared me for
this big move. I have developed relationships that will
last a lifetime, and most importantly, I have gained a
relationship with the Lord that has shown me a love
that I could never imagine.
Much thanks to The Chapel family for helping to make
all this possible through your prayers and support!
With so many areas to serve within NorthGate, I was
led to serve in our children’s ministry. Being a part of
Renovation Church
by Michelle Stockton
She’s five foot and full of spunk. And she’s a worldchanger! Every week tiny sets of eyes stare up on stage
at Sydney and imagine being like her. They sing along
to pop beats at her cue and wave their hands in the air.
Sydney’s been on an incredible ride of allowing God to
use her. Her actions are different than they used to be,
she’s more comfortable sharing her faith at school and
with friends.
Her mentor first showed her what being a Christian
should look like; she became intentional about her faith
and now she is able to share that with others. She’s
invested in her childhood friend, Sarah, whom she
has watched come to Christ and emulate her. Sydney
has been meditating on John 3:30 (NIV) which says,
“He must become greater and I must become less.”
She shares, “It reminds me it’s not all about me. I have
to let Him do the work; it’s out of my hands.” She aspires
to be a Christian musician so she can help people
through music.
We love that her “yes” is on the table already. Each
weekend, you can find Sydney serving in PowerZone,
our large group environment for children K-5th grade
where already she delivers biblical truth to our kiddos
through music.
Thank you to our Chapel family for investing in our
community of faith. It’s because of your generosity we
get to see this type of spiritual leadership reproduced.
53
It is not
what
a man does
that determines
whether his
work is sacred
or secular
it is why
he does it.”
-A. W. Tozer
54
CHURCH PLANTING
Restoration
Church
by Dan Trippie
Because of the faithful support of The Chapel, Restoration
Church has been able to grow in maturity. Over the past
12 months our congregation has focused its attention
not only on the immediate geography of the Maplemere
community, but also that of Depew, NY. For the last year our
team of church planters has been trained and released to
repeatedly engage the Veterans Park Neighborhood with
gospel presence and gospel proclamation. The following is
a testimony from our lead church planter, Joe Kwiatkowski:
It has been said that, “Authenticity is the apologetic of
our day.” We are finding that statement to be profoundly
true as we begin our plant in Depew, NY. People want
to see something that is real, that is genuine. They want
something they can hear, touch, and experience. This is
the reason why my wife and I have packed up our lives and
moved into the area: to serve, relentlessly love, and speak
truth into the lives of the people in Depew and Lancaster.
Over the first few months that we have been in the
neighborhood, the common expression that we hear from
the people is, “Thank you. Thank you for coming to us!” I
believe this is the response Paul must have received from
the Thessalonian church. He states in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
(ESV), “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother
taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately
desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only
the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you
had become very dear to us.”
Through our service we have seen two struggling single
moms turn to Jesus and a heroin addict repent, be freed,
and follow Jesus. All three are still connected to the Body
and are being discipled. In the midst of sharing our lives
and the gospel, the team has built over forty relationships
with people in the area who have invited us into their
personal/intimate lives all because we pursued them like
Christ is pursuing us. Through this route of evangelism, I
firmly believe that God will call and build His Church. He
has been faithful and will continue to be faithful.
We are abundantly thankful for the generosity of The
Chapel and the commitment to saturate Western New York
with repeated opportunities to see, hear and respond to the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Steamtown
Church
by Dennis D’Augostine
Throughout the last year, the Steamtown Church family
has been getting acquainted with a new building
located in Scranton’s south side. The new building
and location, along with an increasingly thriving house
church ministry, have provided opportunities to meet
many new people and recharge various ministries. God
continues to show Steamtown His good will through
lives being changed by the power of the gospel. Just
since the beginning of the year, we have had the
privilege of baptizing more than a dozen people, and
throughout the course of last year even more have
come to faith in Jesus.
God has carried out His good work in His new followers
in many ways, including addiction recovery, worship,
56
dance, and street witnessing. One new believer,
in particular, who was baptized this year, has had a
journey of recovery in his own life. He credits God as
having saved him from both physical addiction and
from sin. God has used him to start a Christ-focused
recovery group on Monday evenings where many have
attended to hear about the way Christ can work in
their lives.
God continues to do His good work in spreading the
gospel to every man, woman, and child by moving
others to lead evangelism classes. Members of
Steamtown, both new people who were just baptized
and those who have known Christ for some time, have
been participating in classes and sharing their grace
stories regularly!
Steamtown would like to thank The Chapel family for
sharing in the work God is doing here through their
faithful support.
CHURCH PLANTING
theWELLbuffalo
by Darrick Castronova
It’s been another year of abundant blessings for us at
theWELL. Our physical location moved, our ministries
combined with Bethel Baptist Church, our name changed to
theWELLbuffalo, we renovated our campus, and we remain a
growing congregation committed to our Lord, to each other,
and to our community.
We have found that as theWELLbuffalo, we are even more
committed to creating cultures where people are called
to deeper faith in Jesus Christ, experiencing hope as we
journey through life together, and expressing our love to
God and others. Each week we are blessed to have almost
three hundred adults and children in attendance, and we
are thrilled that so many new people have joined us! Here is
the perspective of someone who recently visited one of our
Sunday morning gatherings:
As a first-time visitor, I pull into an almost-full parking lot...
People outside stop and greet me, signs point me toward
theWELLkids and to the worship space. Groups of people
catch up around the coffee bar; I notice a few folks praying
over requests on the prayer wall. I enter the worship space to
find everyone from well-dressed senior citizens to tattooed
twenty-somethings, and I take a seat towards the back. As
the worship team sets up, three or four people come up
and introduce themselves, “I haven’t seen you here before.
Welcome!” Then a prayer, then beautiful music. Maybe it’s an
old hymn like “Be Thou My Vision;” maybe it’s a newer song
with such relevant lyrics that I immediately feel that God
has something to tell me today. Then announcements–many
opportunities to connect with people... Then, an interview
with someone from the congregation... It gets me thinking
about all the people in the room and how each of them would
have a grace story to tell. And then, a conversation with reallife applications, practical advice, and amazing insight... and
food for thought for the rest of the week.
This is just one of the amazing stories we hear and we are
excited believing that the best is yet to come!
Village
Church
by Jeremy Hazelton
The past few months have been exciting
for Village Church. In February of this
year, we moved our meeting location
to inside the First Presbyterian Church.
Our new location has provided us
with 24/7 space for the first time in
our church’s brief history and given us
some amazing opportunities to impact
our neighborhood. Transforming our
new space was a major undertaking;
there was much cleaning, painting, and
reconfiguring to be done. With the help
of some folks from The Chapel and
others we renewed the space that now
serves as our Village Kids area on Sunday
mornings, our small group space, and
our church office.
It has been such a blessing to meet in
this new location, and we have seen
God use it to bring new folks to our
church and to Himself. We still remain
a “portable” church in many ways, but
we are as committed to the Elmwood
Village as ever and look forward to what
God has in store for this next season.
We offer many thanks to our friends
at The Chapel, for your support and
encouragement of Village Church
and the Kingdom of God in the
City of Buffalo.
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58
CHURCH PLANTING
Renewal Church
by Dick Murphy
Renewal’s mission is to invite people to rediscover faith
in Jesus, renew hope through relational discipleship
communities, and reawaken love for every man,
woman, and child that they might experience the
gospel of Jesus. Located in North Tonawanda, New
York, Renewal Church began weekly off-site “prelaunch” meetings in July 2013 which continued in
September at the church campus on Meadow Drive.
Regular Sunday worship gatherings were launched in
April 2014.
intentionally builds relationships with individuals,
families, as well as area businesses and service groups.
We also hold events such as the “Big Give-Away”
where people came for free stuff: single mom free oil
changes, free pancake breakfast for military veterans,
and Mega-sports camps for kids.
We would like to extend special thanks to The Chapel
for its faithful support of Renewal through prayer,
counsel, and funding.
To accomplish our mission, Renewal Church constantly
reaches out to the community with the gospel and
The Springville Crossing Church
by Keith Clark
We have been deliberately focusing on raising up men
of our community to take to heart Scripture passages
like 2 Peter 1:5-7, “... make every effort to add to your
faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge... selfcontrol... perseverance...”
First, we highlight the opportunity to attend a yearly
men’s conference. Then, we offer on-going men’s
gatherings where we study what it looks like to be a
man of God. These gatherings have seen 20-25 men
in attendance consistently (amazing for a church our
size). It’s really great to see how they attract men who
do not attend church; in reality, these gatherings have
become their “church” for some. Through this journey,
we have seen several spiritual breakthroughs and
family blessings (men burning porn, going to rehab,
higher engagement within the family, etc.). Men are
also working together to share the love of Jesus in our
community through caring projects. All throughout, we
are intentional about the invite: focus on transparency
and confidentiality, and trust the power of God.
Thank you, Chapel family! Your support is allowing Him
to do a great work!
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60
CHAPEL
MINISTRIES
He told them another parable: “The kingdom
of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a
man took and planted in his field. Though it
is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows,
it is the largest of garden plants and becomes
a tree, so that the birds come and perch in
its branches.”
Matthew 13:31, 32 NIV
Featured Photo: The Chapel at Lockport - See page 64
61
DISCIPLESHIp
by Ryan Kozey
This past year has been an exciting one for us here
at The Chapel! Specifically, we have enjoyed the
journey that God has led us on to examine the ways
in which we can be more intentional with cultivating
an environment that puts the need for discipleship on
display. The process that has led us to this point has
been challenging, yet so encouraging to our team. As
we have prayed, searched God’s Word, asked for the
Spirit’s leading, and strategized and dialogued as a
team, we believe that God has given us great clarity on
the steps we are now taking in our context.
In light of this, The Chapel is taking greater steps
toward our communication and training in what it is
we understand being a disciple involves here in our
context. Our common language definition of a disciple
is a very simple one: “A disciple is someone who daily
follows Christ and compels others to do the same.”
While this description is uncomplicated, we like to
think it is profound in a couple of ways. First, it causes
one to pause and examine what daily following Christ
looks like. Second, the opportunity to compel others
to do the same speaks to a missional edge that we are
trying to set and develop within the church.
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When we think about daily following Christ, we have
begun the process of promoting common language in
four specific areas. We want to help people understand
that discipleship involves a commitment to something
in our relationship with God. While there are many
things that can be considered in this, we have decided
to specifically focus on four values:
1. Intimacy with God: teaching our soul that its
satisfaction is found in God alone. Spend time with
God each day through prayer and reading His Word.
2. Christlike Relationships: how would Jesus live my
life were He me? This impacts our relationships to
people and to our stuff.
3. Spiritual Gifts: each Jesus-follower is gifted by God
for the good of others and the advancement of the
gospel. Everyone is necessary.
4. Grace Story: whenever people encounter Jesus,
He leaves them with a story to tell. God’s grace has
invaded our lives; we exist to share it.
While the language is succinct, the potential to
change a region and influence others toward the
same pursuit is tremendous. We live in the hope that
God will help us to form people in their pursuit of
CHAPEL MINISTRIES
meaningful spiritual formation. We are committed to
cultivating these four values in the lives of everyone
who calls The Chapel “home.”
When we think about compelling others to do the
same, we think about believers who have not yet known
discipleship in this way, and we also think about those
who have yet to submit their lives to Christ. When we
follow Christ daily, we will compel others to do the
same. We will compel people in our church who will see
our example and hopefully be motivated to live in such
a way as well. We hope that our lives are so impactful
to others, that they can’t help but ask, “What’s different
about you?” In that moment, our opportunity exists to
not talk about us; rather, we can talk about Christ in us.
And that’s what we see as being possible. If people live
daily in a pursuit of Christ in these four values, we truly
believe that compelling others to do the same (which
ultimately means that lives are submitted to Jesus)
is possible.
encourage people to understand these things deeply.
Our discipleship learning material launches this fall and
is in the process of being implemented in all ministry
domains in a variety of ways. While this undertaking
proposes a challenge to our team and our leadership,
we couldn’t be more excited to embrace what is
before us. We embrace it, because we live in the hope
of truly seeing every man, woman, and child, in this
region, having repeated opportunities to hear, see, and
respond to the gospel message of Jesus Christ! Can
you imagine what Western New York will look like if this
happens? We labor in the hope that we will find out!
While we have communicated about these values and
ideas over the past few years, we sense that we are in a
unique position that we have not been in before. More
specifically, we believe that we have a way to train and
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CHAPEL MINISTRIES
The Chapel at Lockport
We often say, “The Church is not a building.” And that’s
true. We have been beating that drum since the launch
of the Lockport Campus in April 2010. We were afforded
a certain amount of flexibility by meeting in The Historic
Palace Theatre for Sunday morning worship, in addition
to our space for children and students across the street
in The Historic Post Office. But after 217 Sundays, The
Chapel at Lockport moved to a new home at 25 Walnut
Street – right in the heart of downtown Lockport.
Looking back, the situation seemed challenging (to say
the least). We signed the contract in mid-March, with an
anticipated Opening Day of June 1, 2014. In other words,
we had roughly 75 days (and only 50 actual work days) to
renovate more than 14,000 square feet of space. This was
not going to be easy.
But God’s leadership was evident throughout, even when
certain deadlines weren’t being met when we had hoped.
After several long days of working on the building, my
prayer was often, “God, I believe you’ve brought us this
far, so I trust that you’ll get us through.”
And He did. He did it through His people (which shouldn’t
surprise us). Countless people from our Chapel Family –
both CrossPoint and Lockport Campuses – showed up
in a big way. The truth is that without the many, many
volunteers giving of their time and energy, we would
never have been ready.
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But on Sunday, June 1, 2014, we were ready. Well, I should
probably be more specific. The building was ready. But I
don’t think any of us could have been ready for what God
did. Four hundred seventy-three people filled the building
at 25 Walnut Street that morning, and God was glorified.
That is what we’re all about: leveraging our facilities to
accomplish the mission of God. We know that God wanted
us to have a greater permanency in the Lockport area so
that we could continue reaching every man, woman, and
child with repeated opportunities to hear and see the
gospel. It’s far less about a building for God’s people to
gather in (although that’s good); it’s far more about what
happens when God’s people leave that building.
The noble theme of the Lockport Campus really hasn’t
changed: we exist to reach Lockport and the surrounding
region with the gospel. But our hearts have been changed,
because we are stirred to live out that noble theme in new
ways as we leverage a “new” facility to accomplish the
task. The Church is not a building; we know that now more
than ever. But since the church has a building, we are
positioned to join God on the mission in ways we never
could have imagined. And I can’t wait to see what God
does next.
Together for the Mission,
Jonathan Drake
visit our
Website
Want to keep up to date on all the exciting things
God is accomplishing through Kingdom Come and
our ministry partners?
Visit thechapel.com/kingdomcome
for the latest on KC News, fresh field updates, our
online Prayer Wall, ministry partner events, and
upcoming ministry trips you can join!
You won’t want to miss a thing! It’s easy to stay
in the loop with our weekly e-news briefing. On
the homepage, just click the “Sign Up For Weekly
Newsletter” button and complete the online form.
65
Every Child
Ministry
Sam’s and Marnie’s Story
by John Camardo
Sam and Marnie Bodapaty, faithful members of our
congregation, have been involved with the Every Child
Ministry since its inception in 2012. I have personally
known them for a handful of years and it has been great
to see their faith in action as they have responded to what
God was calling them to do as a family.
Marnie grew up in WNY while Sam is originally from India.
He initially came to Canada on a work visa and, eventually,
immigrated to the US after meeting his wife while visiting
in Buffalo.
Sam and Marnie have one biological daughter (Elise) and
are presently fostering three children under two years of
age (two of which are siblings).
When asked what led to their ultimate decision to pursue
fostering with the hope of adopting someday, they said
the launch of the Every Child Ministry was an answer to
prayer for them. They were unable to have more biological
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CHAPEL MINISTRIES
children but felt God was telling them their family
still had room to grow. Before getting too far down
one path or another regarding adoption, the Every
Child Ministry was launched at The Chapel and they
responded right away. Adopting through foster care
is not for everyone, but after much research and
going through the certification process to become
foster parents (through our partner, GatewayLongview), they felt God leading them very clearly in
that direction.
The amazing thing I have observed in families who
have committed to caring for the defenseless is the
way their faith grows as a result of their obedience
to however God is leading them.
Both Sam and Marnie will admit that it has been
an incredibly difficult journey at times, but God
has been faithful time and again in their lives whether through family supporting their decision,
the church coming alongside and helping out,
or the way in which God softened their hearts
toward the birth parents of the children they
are fostering.
Fostering is one of the most rewarding yet difficult
things to do because you are preparing your heart
to be broken. Although the Bodapatys’ situation
is leaning toward adoption now, there were many
months where they were just not sure what was
going to happen - yet they love these children as
their own! How do you reconcile that in your heart?
To me, it is one of the most incredible ways the Body
of Christ can demonstrate sacrificial love. Loving a
child fully (because they need it in order to feel safe
and secure), knowing that they may or may not be
a part of your family long term. It sincerely grows
your faith because you are trusting in God fully with
the end result.
Every Child is grateful for couples like Sam and
Marnie who are willing to open their hearts and
homes to children needing their loving care. We are
also very thankful for our partnership with GatewayLongview, social services, and other agencies in our
region, which make this ministry possible. If you are
interested in finding out more about the Every Child
Ministry or ways to get involved, whether it is caring
for children directly or supporting those who do,
visit our website at every-child.com/getinvolved.
The Potter’s
Hands
by a member of
The Potter’s Hands
Today, we had the honor of touching a young
woman’s life; someone who has lost so much in
these past few months. Today, like countless other
days, we saw Jesus in many ways… particularly
in this young woman we were helping. Her arms
bore the scars of her desperate attempts to save
her three young children from a fire. She, along
with her brother, were successful in rescuing two
out of three children, but she lost her brother in
the fire as well.
The irony was not lost on us as the One who bore
scars to save us all stepped into Tera’s life today.
Jesus displayed a love so incredible that it would
move on the hearts of many people. People she
had never met, and may never meet, were stirred
to provide for her. Because of all who donated,
prayed, and served, Tera was able to receive
everything she asked for and much more. It was
a very emotional day. Thank you for making it
possible for those of us who were there to actually
see Jesus. Thank you Jesus, for allowing us to
witness Your love and serve Tera. There is a feeling
of peace and true joy that is beyond what words
can describe when you walk in the will of God.
I walked away from today feeling as blessed
and moved by the love of Christ as anyone on
this earth.
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CHAPEL MINISTRIES
Vintage
by Jay Perillo
Editor’s note: Although Agape International
Missions in not a Kingdom Come ministry partner,
Vintage has formed a significant partnership with
this worthwhile ministry to help wipe out child
sex trafficking.
Agape International Missions is a ministry stationed in
Cambodia–the epicenter of child sex trafficking. They
seek to rescue girls, some who are as young as five
years old, from the bondage of slavery and restore
them with new life skills and a hope that can only be
Renewed Hope
A place for ministers in crisis
to find renewed hope
by David Drake
Most of us are familiar with the time when Barnabas and
Paul were getting ready to set forth on a new missionary
journey and Barnabas had wanted to bring along John
Mark, a man who had gone on a previous journey but
had deserted. “But Paul did not think it wise to take
him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and
had not continued with them in the work” (Acts 15:38).
However, Barnabas; “being stirred by a noble theme,”
took Mark under his wing and renewed his hope. Years
later, Paul said to Timothy, “Get Mark and bring him
with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry”
(II Timothy 4:11b). We do not know the particulars of
why he had deserted, but in this world of kingdom
building there are those who are hurting, discouraged,
fallen or even have been wounded by the very people
they have sought to serve. Here at The Chapel, we
have been stirred by a noble theme to provide an
opportunity like Barnabas gave to Mark for people in
ministry who have fallen into any one of these areas to
find a place to be healed and restored, undergoing a
process that will lead them into renewed hope.
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found in Jesus Christ. Agape has made great strides in
restoring communities with the goal of preventing this
evil from even happening.
Vintage did a “Fight for Freedom” campaign this past
spring where our young adults went out into their
schools and workplaces to raise both awareness and
funds to help aid Agape in their efforts. Our young
adults also asked the question “What would God
require of me to give?” or “What can I sacrifice to
help rescue a girl?” In a six-week campaign, Vintage
raised $26,518.26. This is a testimony of what God
can do when we respond, by faith, to His call. If God
can accomplish this with “poor” college students and
young adults, imagine the possibilities!
What signifies Renewed Hope?
We are local-church based: Recognizing that for most,
ministers and their families are wounded in the local
church setting; we believe there is no better place for
healing and restoration than within the local church.
We are residential: If accepted, the minister and his
family would move to the Renewed Hope area. Housing,
utilities, and other basic family needs are provided for
the family for an initial period of time (three months) to
allow complete focus on the restoration process.
We are intensive: This clear and defined process of
Renewed Hope ministry is intensive. This means that
the sole priority and complete focus of the family is
healing and restoration.
We are relational: Relationships are central to the
healing and restoration process. In crisis situations
where individuals have been wounded or have fallen,
there is a strong shame-based desire to isolate and
withdraw from that which is needed most: community.
If you feel that Renewed Hope might be a possibility
for you, please contact me at 716.631.2636 ext. 258
or via email at [email protected] to learn more
about this opportunity for healing.
So how do you get almost two years of man hours
work completed in just two days? Well, I’ll tell you.
You host two Love Serves events, invite the Body of
Christ to join you, contact your local Kingdom Come
partners to see what kingdom work needs to be
accomplished, and then you release the Body of Christ
into the community.
In the past year, The Chapel hosted two Love Serves
service days in which more than 600 people descended
on more than 15 of our Kingdom Come Partners to
engage in a variety of service projects that otherwise
might have been very difficult for our partners to
accomplish. All added up we worked approximately
4,000 man hours in just two days. Imagine if you could
do this on your day job!
The range of service projects covered an area of almost
60 miles. From Angola, NY to Olcott, NY, and from
the shores of Lake Erie to the shores of Lake Ontario,
the volunteer teams were out there working to
“get ‘er done!”
Service projects consisted of painting, scraping,
cleaning interior and exterior of churches and
agencies, remodeling rooms, re-organizing areas, yard
work, gardening, bathroom and kitchen demolition,
garage and debris clearing, neighborhood clean-up
and beautification, cable installing, electrical repair…
I could go on and on, but I think you see the picture.
But just in case you don’t get the picture, just read a
few of the testimonies from the churches and agencies
that allowed us to bless them.
On behalf of Lockport Cares, please accept our
thanks for a great day of serving our Lord. The
entire second floor of the homeless shelter was
painted, a new kitchen floor installed, wheel chair
ramp and fire escape paint touched up, and all the
landscaping at both of the houses was completed.
The attitudes were wonderful and the time of
fellowship was uplifting to all. We serve a mighty
God and we appreciate all that was completed on
May 10, 2014.
Your brother in Christ,
Dan Costello
Lockport CARES
On behalf of our Mission staff, leadership and
especially those we serve daily, I just want to say
how grateful to the Lord we are for our friends at
The Chapel—all the folks who came out to help on
Love Serves Day this past weekend!
The projects were the kind that really needed
well-organized and talent-led group laborers, and
this is exactly what we received on Saturday. We
so appreciate the kindness of those who chose to
give up their day off to come serve the Lord in this
special way.
The patio in the back of the Mission will be a place
where men in our New Life in Christ long-term
program can enjoy privacy in a beautiful, quiet
setting. The gardens in the front welcome our guests
and show that this Christian ministry cares about
and are good stewards of our neighborhood!
All in all, it’s a win for all!
God bless you all, and thank you again,
Shaun
Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission
The folks who helped that day through the Love
Serves initiative have at their core a love for Christ
and a desire to ensure that through their hands and
feet the love of Christ would be displayed for all to
see. How does your love serve?
Matthew 20:28, “…the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom
for many.”
Love Serves
by Leroy Wiggins
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CHAPEL MINISTRIES
Cancer Care
Hope for the Journey
by Trish Stewart
Cancer Care is a ministry for anyone whose life has
been touched by cancer. For the newly diagnosed
as well as survivors, it is comforting to talk to
someone who understands what life is like with
this unwanted companion. At group meetings we
share our cancer journey with hope, because for
us, Christ is the real “Big C” in our lives. Along
with God’s Word, we use a variety of resources to
instruct and encourage us to draw close to Jesus
and rely upon God for the outcome of everything.
Meetings are characterized by listening, sharing,
learning and praying. Prayer requests and
devotionals are communicated regularly by email
to our membership. Along with spiritual support,
Cancer Care meets a variety of practical needs.
We minister to those in treatment by providing
meals lovingly prepared by Chapel volunteers and
home or hospital visitation upon request.
Cancer is a challenge that no one wants to face,
especially alone. We are thankful for Jesus’
promise: He is with us always! Romans 8:18
(NASB) also keeps things in perspective for us,
“I consider that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory
that is to be revealed to us.” Life is a terminal
condition; what we are experiencing now is about
what God is doing in and through us for His glory,
for our eternal good and for others as well!
We thank The Chapel for their ongoing support of
our ministry to the WNY community.
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WNY
PArTNERSHIpS
And this is my prayer: that your love may
abound more and more in knowledge and
depth of insight, so that you may be able to
discern what is best and may be pure and
blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the
fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus
Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9-11 NIV
Featured Photo: Cross Training Football - See page 25
71
IMAGINE COMMUNITY GARDENS
by Richard Tedeschi
Bob Zima conceived of Imagine Community Gardens
(ICG) through his experience at a local church plant as
he saw how members became encouraged and rose
up to take ownership of their lives and their community.
Together with Richard Tedeschi, they formed ICG as
a Christian community outreach program, choosing,
“... love one another as I have loved you,” (John 15:12
NKJV) as their guiding Scripture passage. Partnering
suburban and urban churches, along with volunteers,
transform empty city lots into attractive, neighborhood
community gardens.
With the assistance of a local County Cooperative
Extension Service Master Gardener, gardeners plant
one of three ICG provided companion-style planting
schemes which include flowers, herbs, fruits, and
vegetables, and learn how to maintain the garden site
and harvest free, nutritious fruits and vegetables.
ICG also teaches charitable giving in two ways: First
Fruitstm and Community Choicetm. In First Fruitstm,
the gardeners set aside 10% of their first harvest to
distribute freely to other residents in the neighborhood
not participating in the garden. In Community
Choicetm, crops grown and cared for in set-aside beds
are harvested and freely given to nearby food pantries
or soup kitchens of their choice.
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not
grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful
giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV
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But more importantly, as a Christian city outreach, the
partnered church volunteers use the garden as a love
vehicle as they learn to serve resident gardeners in an
intimate setting. Over the course of the season, they
learn how to encourage and support others with loving
friendship, as they demonstrate the living gospel of
Jesus Christ repeatedly. “The harvest truly is plentiful,
but the laborers are few” Matthew 9:37b (NKJV).
What is truly motivating is the transformation we are
seeing in people’s lives. Our gardeners are making
better choices in their lives, starting to go to church,
and responding positively to the love shared in
the garden.
With the City of Lockport’s supportive action designating
the adjacent neighborhood as an “Impact Zone,” the
neighborhood has likewise been transformed as homes
are being repaired, painted, and better maintained.
Residents freely walk around their neighborhood with
their families, use their porches, and intentionally walk
by the garden as they feel safer and take pride in
their neighborhood.
It has been a humbling experience and an honor to
serve in this organization. We are so thankful for our
partnership with The Chapel and for all the generous
patrons who have supported and encouraged us as we
develop this ministry, spreading the gospel of Jesus
Christ to every man, woman and child, repeatedly.
WNY PARTNERSHIPS
Buffalo City Mission
by Cherie Swain
There is not a day that goes by that we do not see the
hand of God working in the hearts of men, women,
and children at the Buffalo City Mission. To see lives
transformed and renewed by His grace and mercy is a
constant reminder of His faithfulness. We see hundreds
of individuals and families fed, clothed, and sheltered
on a daily basis. All because God has called us to this
mission and instilled a passion in generous supporters
like our Chapel family. For that we say, thank you, for
your unwavering love and faithful support.
One of the many ways the Lord continues to bless
us is through our dedicated volunteers. As a retired
social worker, Sally Bojan has always enjoyed working
in a human services setting. So when she retired in
2002, she knew she wanted to get into some kind of
volunteer service. She initially came to Buffalo City
Mission’s Cornerstone Manor with a group from her
church. Bojan has volunteered her time in the Client
Services department, filing charts as well as helping
out with various other office work. She also comes to
Cornerstone Manor with her church each month on
Thursday nights to minister to the women. “I enjoy
doing something that’s helping others. Seeing the
women be successful is what I really enjoy.”
In an average month we see thousands of hours donated
in time by people just like Sally. Volunteers who come
to serve in any capacity they can. From filing papers
and office work to holding babies in daycare, there is
a constant outpouring of love from our community to
help make a difference in the lives of the men, women,
and children we serve.
We serve a marvelous God and are so blessed to be a
part of His Mission—thank you for being the hands and
feet of Jesus.
Campus Ambassadors
(University at Buffalo) by Paul J. Decker
It was in the Autumn of 2009 when I met Sally Henien.
From that time on, I could not forget her as she has a
way of making an indelible impression on your mind.
The first reason is that she just can’t stop smiling. It is so
irritating. No one should be allowed to be this happy.
The second reason is that she does not know how to say
anything that is not nice. This is also irritating, especially
since my expertise in sarcasm stands in contrast to this
(as you can tell by reading this paragraph).
By the time her junior year rolled around, God arranged
Sally’s circumstances so that He had her full attention.
She became convinced she was called for something
different than pharmacy or psychology (not that these
were bad things). There was just something more.
As her senior year was coming to a close at UB, I was
convinced that God was calling her to college ministry.
Interestingly, Sally was convinced, too!
Sally has been raising support for the past year, and I
am delighted to announce that this young lady God
allowed me to disciple has returned to the UB campus
as a Campus Minister.
Your support of our ministry at UB is so vital. UB is the
flagship of the SUNY system, with more than 30,000
students. Christian presence is consistently pushed to
the periphery. But we have a Noble Theme of God’s
good work in this world. It is good news that must be
and is being proclaimed!
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Christian
COUNSELING
Ministries
by Cheryl Chambers
Christian
Central
Academy
by Denise Jentz
Where all may “grow in wisdom, in stature, and
in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52 NIV)
is the mission statement of Christian Central
Academy. From Kindergarten through grade 12,
CCA educates students using God’s Word as
the source of all truth. It is their commitment to
provide an education that serves as a foundation
for students to make honest and confident
choices in the present and future, based upon
God’s direction for their lives.
God made a way for 23 CCA seniors to travel to the
Dominican Republic for their annual ministry trip.
The students found hope in the midst of poverty.
Emily P. stated, “We don’t realize how little other
people have and how good we have it here.”
Each student on the trip prepared themselves to
be a blessing in the DR but also found themselves
being the ones who were greatly impacted and
discovering a deeper faith in Jesus.
Christian Central Academy is grateful to The
Chapel family for their continued support.
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One cannot lead a ministry without seeking
God’s guidance and wisdom on a daily basis. It
has always been evident to us that we are not the
authors of Christian Counseling Ministries, but the
caretakers. God laid on our hearts the desire to
provide quality, professional counseling services at
an affordable price to Christians and non-Christians
alike to help them grow and heal from struggles
in the past and present, and to lead nonbelievers
to Christ as we help them work through life’s
hardships. It is because of our commitment to that
goal that God has made His good will known to
us as He continues to bring people to us and to
provide professional counselors who also have a
commitment to that goal.
God carries out His good work as we see nonbelievers come to Christ. It is our greatest joy to be
a part of the salvation of our clients. We open their
hearts to see God’s love and grace and especially
His redemptive work through every experience
they have had, both good and bad. This then frees
them to live a more abundant life and to rely on
God to face their struggles and losses.
We want to thank The Chapel family for
contributing financially and prayerfully to support
our endeavors. CCM could not be as effective
without that help. May you feel as blessed in
giving as we have been in receiving.
WNY PARTNERSHIPS
City Vision
by KJ Swearingen
City Vision has transitioned to focus mainly on our
inner city, urban church plant, City Reach Fellowship,
and youth outreach, “Merge.” We have one home
church on the East Side of Buffalo, NY, and soon
we will plant one on the West Side bringing them
together for our “Gathering”. We built relationships
with several unchurched urban youth through the
Circle ‘C’
ranch
by Wes Aarum, Sr.
God began making His good will known to us when
we were led of God back in the 1960’s to start a
youth camp. He moved us from Calgary, Alberta
to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There He allowed us
to meet two very successful businessmen, who in
turn were led of God to financially help us get started.
I was also the president of a Bible Conference in New
York and a man on our board wanted to sell his farm.
In short, God allowed us to buy 315 acres of land and
start to build. It has gone from a farm with 85 head of
cattle on it to a full blown camp taking 192 campers a
week. It was started to win young people to Christ and
literally thousands of lives have been changed because
of this ministry.
We are blessed as God continues to carry out His good
will at Circle ‘C’ Ranch. Not one week or weekend has
gone by without souls coming to Jesus in 45 years
of ministry!
You are as much a part of this ministry as we are—
thank you for the help you are giving us. You are
truly investing in eternity. May God richly bless
you all!
Merge Teen Program. In April, they transitioned
to the home church as they became too old for the
teen program. It has been amazing to watch the
relationships form between these young guys from
the streets and the young professionals in the home
church. We praise God that we have seen conversions
to Christ and discipleship relationships begin. There
is so much excitement around our vision to see home
churches helping youth and adults to have personal
relationships with Christ, a loving faith community,
leadership development through personal discipleship,
ministry houses, and loving service toward those
in need.
Cross Training
Football
by Sharon Masters
Cross Training Football’s Playbook proclaimed the
noble theme, “ANSWER THE CALL.” Biblical principles
are changing lives—awakening coaches to their power
to influence more than ever on 45 campuses. This
past winter, two coaches received Jesus Christ as their
Savior. At Impact Camp, 30 young men did the same.
We began the ASAP after school program, an exciting
venture run by interns for third to sixth graders, where
11 boys prayed to receive Christ. The favor of God
extended to CTF for two schools to receive the playbook
for their entire athletic department. Most exciting of
all is the response to the leadership curriculum, “BE
STRONG,” our first character school. CTF will teach
a class on campus, the English department will base
assignments on the Character Word of the Month,
morning announcements will include this theme, and
students will be encouraged to make a commitment to
strong character.
Thank you to our family at The Chapel for the good will
of God extended to help us advance Christ’s Kingdom
in our community!
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Destination Life Fellowship
by Mark Perkins
This has been an exciting year for Destination Life
Fellowship. We have seen our congregation double
in size since the beginning of the year. Many of the
new people who are starting to attend are ones we
have been ministering to through our outreach, prayer,
and compassion ministries. In June, we were able to
baptize eight people. The exciting thing is that most
of those we baptized are now in personal discipleship
relationships. Even more exciting is that “Gary,” who
Good News
Jail & Prison
Ministry
by Alex True
The vision of Good News Jail & Prison Ministry
is to reach every inmate in the world with the
Good News of Jesus Christ so that they might
become growing disciples of Jesus Christ. That
is the “noble theme” that stirs everything we
do in correctional facilities both nationally and
internationally. Locally, God continues to work
through the Niagara County Chapter of Good
News Jail & Prison Ministry in mighty ways. From
January 2013 through June 2014, more than
267 inmates made recommitments to faith, and
more than 160 inmates have come to faith in
Christ as their Savior; that is more than 427 lives
touched and transformed by the truth and love of
Jesus Christ!
Thank you so very much, Chapel family! This
ministry impact would not be possible without
faithful support partners like you.
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considered himself a Muslim, turned his life over to
Jesus Christ in late April—praise God!
We want to thank you all for your support over the past
year. We received help from both of the Love Serves
work days. We were able to accomplish so much in
making our facility more presentable. You also helped
us do landscaping around the building and helped
paint two of our bathrooms and our fellowship hall.
International
Students, Inc.
by Don Manta
I see the goodness of God each time I talk to
Sawyer via FaceTime, half a world away. Sawyer
became a follower of Jesus in 2012 here at
the University of Buffalo. We meet weekly for
discipleship and mentoring. He is facing the
challenges of following Jesus in a godless culture
and he is standing strong. Sawyer is now making
disciples in his country.
Long was hostile to God in 2003 while at UB, but
since an encounter in 2012 with God’s love and
mercy, he has become a seeker of the One who
created him. We meet weekly for Bible study via
Skype with him and his wife who both hunger for
the truth. Whether fruit comes quickly or after 11
years, we remain faithful to the mission.
Thank you for the vital role you play, helping
us reach the world at our door, students
who go home and are missionaries back in
their homelands.
WNY PARTNERSHIPS
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship at UB
by Nate Schutt
How easy it is to forget God’s relentless love for every
one of the 28,952 students on the University at Buffalo
campus, and especially for those who seem to be out
to get the Christians. Two years ago, InterVarsity at
UB made national news after an article came out in
the school newspaper entitled, InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship Pressures Gay Treasurer to Resign. Our
stance on the authority of the Bible and standards for
Christian living were viewed as archaic and bigoted,
and the few steps we had made in trying to reach out
in love to the LGBT community on campus seemed to
be negated by many more steps back.
However, two years later our students have not
forgotten God’s desire that every UB student come
to Jesus. After spending this past year attending their
meetings and building relationships, Ben, one of our
student leaders, was invited to the LGBTA office in
April to lead a discussion about faith which culminated
in a Bible study of the woman caught in adultery. At
the end of the study, he was invited to come again.
We thank God for the ground he’s helped us gain back
in reaching this community, and are so grateful to The
Chapel for their support in helping us reach as many as
possible at UB with the gospel of Jesus.
Isaiah 61 Project
by Jim and Beth Haid
Two years ago, large areas of Niagara Falls (USA) were
void of opportunities and spiritually dark. Trapped in
poverty, its residents didn’t have the skills to make a
living wage. They lived alongside houses dilapidated
and dangerous, but too costly for the city to remove—a
hopeless situation.
Then God showed up. He heard the cry of the people
and the Isaiah 61 Project was born. The guiding
principles were both simple and complex: Provide onsite job training in the construction trades. Give the
unemployed and under-employed the ability to make
a living wage. Renovate vacant houses. Prevent costly
demolition. Put properties back on the tax rolls. Create
beautiful homes and new homeowners. Bring the
saving power of the gospel to others. Repeat.
Through the Isaiah 61 Project, God is restoring lives
and reclaiming a city, all at the same time. Isn’t
God amazing?
Without the prayers and financial support of The
Chapel family, none of this would be possible... so we
say, THANK YOU!
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WNY PARTNERSHIPS
Kingdom
Bound
by Matt Gould
This year we celebrated our 28th annual
Summer Festival. Our theme verse this year was
Habakkuk 1:5, which in the amplified version
reads like a verse from Steven Curtis Chapman’s
Glorious Unfolding: “watch and be amazed…
you’ve just got to believe the story is so far from
over... hold on to every promise He has made
to us”. Once again we saw, first hand, the gospel
impacting lives through the Arts. Hundreds over
the course of four days began or recommitted to
a personal relationship with Christ. We are excited
as we look forward to the months and years ahead,
as we continue to expand our year-round ministry
through the Arts, including training in Music, Youth
Leadership, and Visual/Media Arts. Kingdom
Bound Ministries is experiencing a renewing of
our own, many thanks to the continued support of
caring church families like The Chapel, especially
with events like Christian Musician Summit, hosted
at The Chapel each year in May. We’re expecting
great things for every man, woman, and child!
Lockport
CARES
by Martha ‘Marty’ Nagy
Lockport CARES, Inc. thanks The Chapel for its
ongoing support in many ways: financial, prayer, and
hands on help in the form of “Love Serves.”
We are thanking God for a huge answer to prayer in
the form of a much-needed staff member. Michael Hill
from Oxford, MS will serve at the men’s transitional
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facility, as the Kahler House residential assistant. God
taught the CARES leadership team a valuable lesson
during our waiting time. Through God’s Word, fasting,
and prayer, God prepared Lockport CARES and the
hearts of His servants here to always depend totally
on Him for all things.
Michael has all the qualifications and life skills necessary
to begin a fruitful ministry with the men in Kahler House,
and we believe he is God’s choice for this position.
He is outgoing and has the heart of an evangelist
to reach the neighborhood with the gospel of Jesus
Christ. We are looking forward to seeing all that God
will accomplish through Michael and his ministry at
Kahler House.
Lockport
CareNet
Pregnancy
Center
by Cindra Enzinna
At Lockport CareNet Pregnancy Center we believe
in miracles! Our miracles take place in delivery
rooms and in the quiet places of a woman’s heart.
These miracles will not fade with time. We see
God’s will when an abortion-minded client changes
her mind. We saw His will when four clients last
year made that move toward salvation. “I tell you
that in the same way there will be more rejoicing
in heaven over one sinner who repents than over
ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need
to repent” (Luke 15:7 NIV). We are His hands and
feet; His spirit changes their hearts.
We thank The Chapel family for your faithful
support that enables us to be there with them at
the crossroads, where a human life and an eternal
life are hanging in the balance. You are a part of
these daily miracles.
Saving Grace
Ministries,
Inc.
by Alyssa M. Gross
After two years of planning and working through
the process of receiving funding from the City of
Buffalo, Saving Grace Ministries, Inc. completed
the construction of an eight-unit apartment
building this year. The new apartment building
houses eight individuals, several of whom
were previously homeless, and offers eligible
individuals and families the opportunity to live
in stable, affordable rental housing. Within three
weeks of completion, all eight units were rented
– God brought us wonderful tenants, including
four veterans, to whom we can minister over the
next year.
When one of our tenants viewed her apartment
for the first time, she said through tears, “I moved
away from Buffalo because I was chasing my own
dream and ignoring God’s call on my life. I knew
that He was calling me back here and when I
obeyed Him, doors opened up – I got a job, and
the very day I began looking for housing, someone
said to me ‘Go talk to Saving Grace Ministries.. I’m
so blessed to be here!”
On behalf of our ministry and those we serve,
thank you to our partners at The Chapel for your
support, your service, your prayers, and your
faithfulness to our ministry!
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Niagara
Gospel
Rescue
Mission
by Shaun Smith
How grateful we are to have seen God’s vision
come to fruition over the past eight years in
Niagara Falls. This vision not only called us to the
restoration of a true gospel mission, but also to
provide avenues of access to the Body of Christ for
many opportunities of ministry to the poor.
In this “co-mission,” the loving stewardship of
many “equipped saints” from The Chapel has
greatly blessed Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission
in everything from renovation work to serving
in our “Meal, Message, and Music” ministry for
small groups. We can’t forget Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day meal deliveries to the poor, as well
as help with our daily preaching and teaching
ministries. Indeed, together we fulfill God’s call
to serve the poor, hungry and struggling—daily
bringing true hope in the gospel of God’s grace
through Jesus Christ, our Lord and King!
As of this writing, the Lord is now preparing our
Mission to go to the next level in His wonderful
service! So we thank you in partnering with us as we
press on in this often overlooked city—continuing
to advance the glorious Kingdom of our Lord.
How grateful we are to each of our beloved friends
at The Chapel for your generous blessings and
faithful trust in our ministry, which is demonstrated
in so many and countless ways!
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WNY PARTNERSHIPS
Set Free Inc.
by Al and Deb Warner
We stand amazed! God is transforming our WNY
region in historic ways. Momentum is in the air and on
the ground. Pastor Darius Pridgen leads the Buffalo
Common Council. Several developers with a heart for
God are rebuilding Buffalo. Cranes are returning to our
area for the first time in a generation. We were invited
to bring pastors to pray at HarborCenter, a detonator
SonRays
Ministries
From the Womb to Eternity
by Alice Murchie and Cheri Henry
Intergenerational living was on God’s heart when He
began SonRays Ministries 32 years ago. Our Heavenly
Father provides every man, woman, and child He
sends to SonRays with the help, encouragement,
and prayer they so desperately need. The ministry
began with a burning passion for the unborn and
their birth families, and extended to caring for senior
citizens in our intergenerational Faith Home. By God’s
design, SonRays is a pregnancy help center, and so
much more.
Years ago, we attended a conference and met a young
woman who was working in a crisis pregnancy center
in another city. Immediately, there was a kindred spirit
as we exchanged ideas. Take a moment to praise God
with us as you read her testimony of His faithfulness:
project, as well as the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.
The BNMC is projected to host 20,000 jobs by 2020.
God is answering the prayers of His people and His
gatekeepers are at the center!
Set Free Inc. networks community leaders to create a
support system and incubator for creative ideas, new
strategies, collaborative programming, and economic
projects. Our goal is to develop a critical mass of
leaders who bring a tipping point toward community
transformation. Thank you for your continued prayers
and financial support.
“God blessed the broken road that led me straight
to you...” Maybe you’ve heard this country song? It’s
about how God takes our winding, often painful, paths
and miraculously uses them to lead us to redemptive
love. That is exactly my experience with SonRays, on
so many levels. Ten years ago, I met SonRays board
members at a professional training... Little did I know
how God would use them to have an impact on my
marriage, the adoption of our beautiful daughter
(who now volunteers at SonRays Backyard Club), and
most recently, the placement of my mother in the
Faith Home for Seniors. It’s an amazing story... too
long to tell here. Suffice it to say I am so grateful for
the yieldedness and amazing grace shown through
SonRays, that has been, and continues to, guide many
to God’s redemptive road...
When we let God take the wheel in our lives and our
ministries, He does beautiful things! Thank you, Chapel
family, for your faithfulness in supporting SonRays
Ministries. You are partners with us in the privilege of
seeing lives changed every day by the power and love
of Jesus.
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Heritage
Christian
Services
by Marisa Geitner
From the very beginning, we have felt God’s
calling in our ministry; it’s what drove the founders
of Heritage Christian Services to create the
agency, and it is the reason that we knew we
should start sending teams to minister to people
with developmental disabilities in Guatemala
almost 10 years ago. Last year, we felt God
leading us to expand our ministry in Guatemala; to
help build new homes for families whose current
living conditions consisted of dwellings made of
plastic, scrap metal, and pieces of cloth. It was an
opportunity for us to change people’s lives and to
show them how much they are loved and valued.
We continue to listen carefully and pray for God’s
direction, and we believe with faith that “with God
all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26b NIV).
We extend our deepest thanks to you, Chapel
family, for continuing to support us on our journey.
Teen Challenge
by Keith McWhite
The heart of our founder, David Wilkerson, was stirred
by the images of young teenagers in an issue of Life
magazine who had committed a brutal murder and
were on trial. He was moved by compassion. Who can
have compassion on the guilty? Psalm 78:38a (KJV)
says, “But He, being full of compassion, forgave their
iniquity, and destroyed them not.”
Teen Challenge is a ministry that sees the hopeless
outcast, and our hearts are filled with compassion
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to bring people to Jesus Christ. Jesus said,
“...whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew
25:40). This is the noble theme of the gospel.
Thank you for your Kingdom Come giving. We are the
lives that are changed, the outcasts that are brought to
redemption through the power of Jesus Christ.
WNY PARTNERSHIPS
Urban
Christian
Ministries
by Patrick Tharp
Since 1970 Urban Christian Ministries has been making
a difference in the lives of youth residing in our inner
city neighborhoods of Buffalo. Our mission has been
and continues to provide young people with the life
skills they need to develop positive adult lifestyles,
and we teach that a relationship with Jesus Christ is
the most important step in any significant change in
one’s life.
God has given UCM opportunities to be on the
streets with Block Club Basketball, at our center with
after school programs, and outside of the city with
summer camps and mission trips. Wherever we are,
the message of Christ’s love is shared, and we have
seen the lives of many youth changed because we are
faithfully serving a great God. The ministry is never
easy, but it is rewarding.
We thank The Chapel family for your faithful support
over the years as we serve God together.
Northtown Pregnancy Center
by Colleen Schoch and Lou Anne Soto
God has shown His incredible love for the unborn and
for Northtown Pregnancy Center as we have gone
through the “birthing” of this much needed center.
He has provided all the needs from prayer partners,
volunteers, church participation, and board members,
to the funds that are needed!
He has provided a home that is a perfect fit for NPC
at 2565 Elmwood Avenue. We are planning to open
our doors the first week of September 2014. We will
serve those who are or might be facing an unplanned
pregnancy, need support in parenting, and those who
need healing from a past abortion.
After almost two years of searching for a building, not
only did He prove that His timing is perfect, but also
We want to say, “Thank you!” for The Chapel’s incredible
support in helping us throughout this journey.
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ABWE: GAP
Circle “C” Ranch
Good News Jail & Prison Ministry
John and Bev
Contact the Kingdom Come
office at The Chapel
10451 Ashcraft Road
Delevan, NY 14042
Wes Aarum, Sr.: 716.492.3687
circlecranch.org
Niagara County Jail
5526 Niagara Street Ext.
PO Box 496
Lockport, NY 14095
Chaplain Alex True:
716.438.3316
goodnewsjail.org
Broadway Hope
6101 Broadway, Lancaster, NY 14086
Scott Steger: 716.510.3053
broadwayhope.org
Buffalo City Mission City Vision
149 Bird Ave., Buffalo, NY 14213
Jim Swearingen: 614.580.1769
city-vision.org
100 E. Tupper Street
Buffalo, NY 14203
Stuart L. Harper: 716.854.8181
buffalocitymission.org
Compassion International
Campus Ambassadors
Cross Training Football
University at Buffalo
Paul Decker: 716.626.7082
facebook.com/
groups/1806287053435234
Cru
12630 Moss Park Ridge Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Michael & Amy Ramos:
321.229.8529
give.cru.org/0386559
Christ Together
1200 American Way
Libertyville, IL 60048
Ryan Kozey: 716.631.2636
christtogether.org
Christian Central Academy
39 Academy Street
Williamsville, NY 14221
Denise Jentz: 716.634.4821
christianca.com
Christian Counseling
Ministries of WNY, Inc.
9070 Main Street
Clarence, NY 14031
Dr. Timothy P. Chambers:
716.632.3200
ccmwny.org
Colorado Springs, CO 80997
800.336.7676
compassion.com
.O. Box 156
P
Bowmansville, NY 14026
Mike Masters: 716.432.5152
crosstrainingfootball.com
Destination Life Fellowship
1609 22nd St.
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Mark Perkins: 716.297.7799
facebook.com/
DestinationLifeFellowship
Eagles Wings
PO Box 450
Clarence, NY 14031
Robert Stearns: 716.759.1058
eagleswings.to
EduNations
PO Box 233
Ingomar, PA 15127
Beth Weaver: 412.522.4756
edunations.org
Fellowship of Christian A thletes
Ice Hockey
PO Box 584
Forest, VA 24551
Bobby Gupta: 614.598.8317
hbiglobalpartners.org
Heritage Christian Services
3790 Commerce Ct., Suite 800
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Samantha DeMart: 716.743.2020
heritagechristianservices.org
Houghton College
ne Willard Avenue
O
Houghton, NY 14744
Steve Dunmire: 800.777.2556
houghton.edu
Imagine Community Gardens
7071 Transit Road
East Amherst, NY 14051
Bob Zima: 716.688.0139
imaginecommunitygardens.org
International Students Inc.
520 Lee Entrance
Suite 108-B The Commons
Amherst, NY 14228
Don Manta: 716.639.0605
isibuffalo.com
InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship at UB
293 Ransom Oaks Drive
East Amherst, NY 14051
Rick Randazzo: 443.404.1747
fcahockey.com
Student Union Room 227
University at Buffalo
Nate Schutt:
[email protected]
UBintervarsity.org
Global Outreach Mission
Isaiah 61 Project
670 Hopkins Road
1
Getzville, NY 14068
Brian Albrecht: 716.688.5048
missiongo.org
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HBI Global Partners
PO Box 255
Niagara Falls, NY 14305
Mark Perkins
isaiah61niagarafalls.org
MINISTRY PARTNER
DIRECTORY
Jericho Road CHC
Mission of Hope, Haiti
Restoration Church
184 Barton Street
Buffalo, NY 14213
Heather Quinn: 716.881.6181
jrchc.org
P.O. Box 171500
Austin, TX 78717
Annette Boorman: 512.565.9849
mohhaiti.org
04 Frankhauser Rd.
5
Amherst, NY 14221
Dan Trippie: 716.541.0794
restorationbuffalo.com
Kingdom Bound Ministries, Inc.
Niagara Gospel Rescue Mission Inc.
Saving Grace Ministries, Inc.
8550 Sheridan Dr.
Williamsville, NY 14221
Matt Gould: 716.633.1117
kingdombound.org
1023 Ferry Avenue
Niagara Falls, NY 14301
Shaun Smith: 716.998.3017
niagaramissions.com
2025 Bailey Ave.
Buffalo, NY 14211
Alyssa Gross: 716.893.1840
sgmworld.org
La Voix de l’Evangile
(The Voice of the Gospel)
NorthGate
SCORE International 5225 Harris Hill Road
Williamsville, NY 14221
Jon & Yolande Hasselbeck:
716.574.9365
northgatebuffalo.com
PO Box 9994
Chattanooga, TN 37412
Jeff Hackett:
[email protected]
scoreinternational.org
Anne Aldin
Contact: Global Outreach Mission
missiongo.org
Let Them LOL
PO Box 265
Clarence, NY 14031
Kate Vacanti: 716.536.3004
letthemlol.com
Life Transforming Ministries
PO Box 29
Coatesville, PA 19320
Dolph Lario
godmovehere.org
Lockport CareNet Pregnancy Center
29 East Avenue
2
Lockport, NY 14094
Cindra Enzinna: 716.434.1771
lockportcarenet.com
Lockport CARES Emergency
Homeless Shelter
92 Genesee Street
1
Lockport, NY 14150
Marty Nagy: 716.622.6148
lockportcares.org
Missio Church
620 West Genesee St.
Syracuse, NY 13210
Levi Pancake: 315.299.4101
missiochurch.org
Northtown Pregnancy Center
2565 Elmwood Ave.
Kenmore, NY 14217
Colleen Schoch:
[email protected]
Lou Anne Soto:
[email protected]
northtownpregnancycenter.com
Patch Our Planet
PO Box 841
Placida, FL 33946
Steve Gillis: [email protected]
patchourplanet.org
Presidir
1420 Celebration Blvd. Suite 200
Celebration, FL 34747
Sherri Belmar: [email protected]
presidir.net
Saturation Church Planting
International
Columbia, SC
Dwight Smith
spci.org
SEND International
PO Box 513
Farmington, MI 48332
Kent Wilson: 714.269.1549
send.org
Set Free Inc.
PO Box 245
Buffalo, NY 14215
Al & Deb Warner: 716.446.0663
setfreeleaders.com
Singing Waters Christian Center
530 Meadow Drive
North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Milo Wilson: 716.245.4497
renewalchurchnt.com
46 Catalina Avenue
3
PO Box 221
Avalon, CA 90704
Enrique Dominguez:
619.886.0463
singingwaters
christiancenter.org
Renovation Church
SonRays Ministries, Inc.
Renewal Church
567 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14207
Brek Cockrell: 716.819.4100
therenovationchurch.com
PO Box 673
Tonawanda, NY 14150
Alice Murchie: 716.695.9494
sonraysministries.org
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MINISTRY PARTNER
DIRECTORY
Steamtown Church
Village Church
PO Box 112
Scranton, PA 18504
David Tassell: 570.589.0189
steamtownchurch.com
1 Symphony Circle
Buffalo, NY 14201
Jeremy Hazelton:
[email protected]
villagechurchbflo.com
Teen Challenge Western New York
124 Locust St.
Buffalo, NY 14204
Keith McWhite: 716.855.0602
tcwny.org
The Rock Community Church
9403 Garfield Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44125
Dave Brunelle: 216.429.2636
therockcleveland.org
The Springville Crossing Church
11 West Main Street
Springville, NY 14141
Keith Clark: 716.560.4704
springvillecrossing.org
theWELLbuffalo
995 Dodge Road
Getzville, NY 14068
Darrick Castronova: 716.404.9355
theWELLbuffalo.com
Transformation Mongolia
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Axel Fischer: [email protected]
Transformation.mn
True Praise and Worship (Food Pantry)
59 Humboldt Parkway
5
Buffalo, NY 14208
Urban Christian Ministries
967 Jefferson Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14204
Patrick Tharp: 716.882.9472
urbanchristianministries.org
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Water @ Work Ministry
PO Box 133192
Atlanta, GA 30333
Joe Burns: 404.457.6873
wateratworkministry.org
World Hope International
1330 Braddock Place, Suite 301
Alexandria, VA 22314
John Lyon: 703.923.9414
worldhope.org
Our mission at The Chapel is for every man, woman, and
child to have repeated opportunities to hear, see and
respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe God is
going to fulfill His mission through His people – the Church.
We are prepared to equip the Church (you!) to accomplish
this mission through discipleship.
A disciple of Jesus is someone who daily follows Christ
and compels others to do the same. Your decision to
follow Christ is not simply a one-time choice, but a lifelong
commitment to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19).
To learn more about the Discipleship initiative or to connect
with a group, visit
discipleship.thechapel.com
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500 CrossPoint Pkwy, Getzville, NY 14068
716.631.2636 | thechapel.com