Big News from the Segaar-Kings

Dear Friends and Family,

Greetings in Christ.  We hope that this letter finds you well. 

As Christians and as servants of the Gospel we have sought to understand God’s ways and his will for our lives.   Twelve years ago when we learned that we would start our ministry with Christian Reformed World Missions in Haiti with newborn twins and a twenty-month-old, we struggled to accept this as God’s will.  Now, nearly twelve years later, after countless blessings and many trials, God is leading us into a new ministry every bit as challenging and surprising.  The Christian Reformed Church in North America, through its various boards, has chosen Zachary as its candidate to serve as the first director of its New Missions Agency (a union of Christian Reformed World Missions and Christian Reformed Home Missions).  Zach’s candidacy, along with the official name of this New Missions Agency, will need to be ratified by the Synod of the CRCNA which will meet June 9-15, 2017.  We are surprised, humbled and honored that Zach was chosen to serve as director in such a critical moment in the enterprise of mission in the CRCNA.  Please pray that God will give him wisdom and perseverance for this new responsibility.

In addition to this new opportunity to serve, there are several other changes that will be occurring. 

First, our family will be making a transition from Haiti to Grand Rapids, Michigan in the summer of 2017.  We will leave behind ministries, colleagues, and friends in Haiti whom we treasure and whom we will miss deeply.  It will be very difficult for us to leave the place we have called home for so long.  It will be very challenging for those we leave behind in Haiti to follow the Spirit’s lead in ministry with fewer hands to support the work.  Pray that God will give grace in abundant measure and new candidates for open missionary positions on the Haiti field.

The transition means also that Sharon will be leaving her part-time position in Haiti as a Church and Leadership Developer and opening a new page in her ministry.  Pray that God will guide her to new opportunities to use her gifts for God’s glory and the building up of his people.

Finally, our children will be making the transition from Quisqueya Christian School in Port-au-Prince to the Grand Rapids Christian Schools.  Pray that change would bless them and that they can find new friends and reconnect with old ones.

Please continue to pray and support our ministry in Haiti.  The Mission Support Department of our agency will be making some decisions in the future regarding our support which we will inform you of as soon as possible.

Here is an article from the CRCNA about Zach's appointment.

Here is an article from the Banner about Zach's appointment.

Thanks so much for walking beside us as our colleagues and partners in God’s work in Haiti.  You have been Christ to us during all joys and tears of life and ministry.

Zachary and Sharon Segaar-King and family

Finally...

After five years of late nights, early mornings, and no little amount of stress, Zach finally graduated from his PhD program in New Testament at the Free University of Amsterdam.  The defense ceremony required a tuxedo, two "supporters," and a series of tough questions from five "opponents."  It was such a blessing to finish this long odyssey of education at such a great university.  Thanks to Sharon who put up with all of Zach's work, our children who probably got less attention than they deserve, and Bert Jan Lietaert Peerbolte and Peter Ben Smit who were his supervisors.  Thanks also to God who gave Zach the strength to start and finish well.

The Diploma

The Free University was founded by the famous statesman and theologian, Abraham Kuyper.  Here is Zach next to his statue.

Zach on the "hot-seat," being examined by five "very" or "highly learned opponents" (the official terms). The questions were actually quite difficult.  Luckily, Zach had no shortage of words, even if some weren't that smart.  Louis and Andreanna, Zach's father and sister, were his "supporters" or paranymphs.  Their job was to answer questions if Zach passed out.

Side Projects

We give thanks that God has given us so many opportunities to serve in Haiti.  It seems that those opportunities multiply every year.  One side project that Zach has become involved in is recruiting a new pastor for Quisqueya Chapel, our "home church" when we are in Haiti.  Quisqueya is an international, English-speaking, inter-denominational fellowship.  In terms of its membership, it is about 70% Haitian and about 30% expat (American, Canadian, and an assortment of many other countries).  Quisqueya is one of the most well-known international churches in Haiti and has excellent opportunities to reach out to the many English-speaking individuals and families that come to Haiti to work for non-governmental organizations, embassies, etc.  Please pray for Quisqueya Chapel as recruiting a new pastor is no easy task.  Pray that Zach can make time and have the spiritual discernment to do his part in recruiting the next pastor!  Here is a link to the opportunity profile for the senior pastor position at Quisqueya.  Please let anyone know who might be interested!

The Quisqueya Chapel worship team gets warmed-up for Sunday worship.

Segaar-King February Update

NOTE: We sent out this update as an e-mail on February 1, 2017!  Sharon and Vivian are now back in Haiti.

Dear Friends and Family:

As I (Sharon) write this update from Michigan with Vivian while my husband is in Haiti with our other three kids, I think fondly of you all as our cloud of witnesses.  You have each touched us and supported us in so many ways.  Hebrews 12 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us . . .”  This last month has been a month of weariness, but also one of fixing our eyes on Jesus and feeling surrounded by a cloud of witnesses.  I had to take Vivian to Michigan for medical treatment due to persistent abdominal pain.  Though the treatment she received in Michigan has helped, Vivian will be taking several medications for the foreseeable future.  Meanwhile,  Zach has been fathering three of our children, working with Calvin Seminary intern Cara DeHaan,  receiving our new missionary family (Cody, Jessica, and Hudson Zuiderveen), and coordinating a team from Sussex CRC.  Soon Vivian and I will return soon to Haiti so that our family can be reunited for a few short days before Zach has to travel.    Thanks for being our cloud of witnesses in times of joy and weariness.  Here are some prayer requests and praises.

Please join us in giving thanks for:

1.       Political stability in Haiti.  The election season has finally concluded after five years of false starts.  Please pray that Haiti’s new president (Jovenel Moise) and other elected leaders would seek God’s will for the country.

2.       Cara DeHaan’s successful internship.  We pray that God will bless Cara in her future ministry. 

3.       We give thanks that Vivian is feeling some better and that we have survived the five weeks of family separation.

4.       The graduation of eleven Timothy Leadership Training students in Jean Rabel in January.  The graduates will start doing their own training of Christian leaders in February.

Please join us in praying for:

1.       Pray that Vivian will fully recover from this illness and that her pain will go away completely. 

2.       Pray that God will allow us a few moments of rest as we are exhausted physically and mentally.

3.       Pray for the Zuiderveens as they adjust to living in Haiti.  In a few days they will begin their language learning posting in Pignon, Haiti, for three months. 

4.       Pray for a candidate for our open missionary position in Haiti https://crwm.org/opportunity/promotions-assistant-haiti

5.       Pray for Zach as he will give his oral defense for his PhD in New Testament on 14 February in Amsterdam.  Lord willing he will become the Reverend DOCTOR Zachary King!

Returning to Haiti

Haitian Goats basking in sun on tap tap outside our office

Vivian and I, Sharon, have been back in Haiti for almost a week now. Vivian has adjusted back to school though has a hefty load of school makeup work that is somewhat stressful to her.  She is improving health-wise and has less abdominal pain; though it is likely to be a long journey before she is completely pain-free.  With God, medicine and time we pray that she will become pain-free again.   Zach is preparing to orally defend his PhD.  We are looking forward to receiving a team from Lakeside today and then one from Rochester CRC soon after.  Above is a picture of goats outside our office on a "tap tap" which is one common type of public transportation in Haiti. Scenes like this are so common in Haiti but would be shocking to see in North America.  We pray that this New Year of 2017 has been going well for you.  Blessings and prayers,

Zachary and Sharon Segaar-King