Segaar-King April Update

Dear Friends and Family:

Just hours before his betrayal, Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” Mark 14:36.  Probably no words better sum up Jesus’ attitude and posture toward his ministry and his relationship with his Father.  Despite his identity, power and charisma, Jesus Christ was, in all things, fully submitted to his Father’s will—even to the point of death.  Because of this submission, we celebrate the defeat of sin and death on Good Friday and Easter.  May God help us to embrace Christ’s attitude more and more (Phil 2) so that God can use us for mission.

 Please pray for:

1.       The CRC governing board meetings May 1-3.  Zach will have to present many key ministry initiatives to board members.  Pray for grace and good communication!

2.       Spiritual resilience for missionaries, church planters, campus ministers and community chaplains that partner with Resonate.  Spiritual forces of the Enemy seem to align themselves against Gospel workers.

3.       Peace and stability in many countries where Resonate works throughout Latin America and Africa.  We give thanks for some improvement in the security situation in Haiti.

4.       Resonate continues in its season of evaluation and reflection.  Pray for courage to speak the truth lovingly and move into the future confidently.

Please give thanks for:

1.       A productive trip to Pella, Iowa in March to meet with CRC church leaders, mission leaders and donors.

2.       A successful Glocal Mission Summit in Los Angeles, California.  Zach preached three times at TtoKomsa Mission Church which hosted the Summit.  Zach appreciated the opportunity to meet many key CRC ethnic leaders.

3.       Peace and grace in several key program and staff transitions at Resonate.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

Zachary, Sharon, Hannah, Vivian, Isaiah and Esther Segaar-King

Serving with Resonate Global Mission

Family Update

It is amazing how quickly time has passed.  It has been nearly two years since we returned from Haiti.  However, our heart still longs for our adopted country. During the last months of turmoil in Haiti, we have said many prayers for colleagues, friends and ministries affected. We give thanks for some stabilization. Our children seem to finally be growing accustomed to their lives in Michigan. Hannah has developed a passion for feats of strength and dexterity and can now move into a handstand from a seated position. Vivian continues to play the violin and has been enjoying swim team. Isaiah is making good progress on the clarinet and started soccer for the spring.  Esther finished basketball and began tennis.  Socializing with friends is her greatest passion.  Sharon has been renewing herself physically and spiritually and has dived into job searching as she seeks the next stage in her ministry. If you know of any part-time ministry positions, please let her know. Zach is enjoying many aspects of his role as Director of Resonate Global Mission—especially opportunities to see the mission work on the ground.  Adapting to all the changes mentioned on the first side of this newsletter keep him quite busy.  We greatly appreciate your prayers and we give thanks to God for helping us grow in faith and trust in him through this period of transition.

Spring break in Michigan with ice bergs and snow is a far cry from Haiti.  One thing that has not changed, however, is that our children still love the beach (even if its covered with snow).

Local and Global Working Together

The world is changing. The vast majority of growth in the CRC has come from ethnic minority church plants and church affiliations (especially immigrants).  The majority of the decline is from predominantly Caucasian congregations. As demographics change, the CRC increasingly resembles the biblical image of a church from all nations and races. As this change occurs two things must happen.  First, leaders from dominant culture congregations must make space for their brothers and sisters of other cultures to serve and lead.  Second, believers from ethnic minority congregations must take up roles of service and leadership in the church more broadly. In April, Resonate invited key ethnic minority leaders from all over the CRC to participate in the Glocal Mission Summit, an opportunity designed to provide a space for ethnic minority and immigrant churches in the CRC to share their perspective on mission leadership.  It was such a blessing to see mission leaders from many races and cultures share their passion and vision.

Zach preached at TtoKomsa Mission Church, a CRC near downtown Los Angeles.  Ttokomsa has a passion for supporting missionaries and has placed many throughout the world.

Leaders from many cultures shared communion together at the Glocal Mission Summit. In the Lord’s Supper, our physical and cultural differences give way to our oneness in Christ.