Impacting Young Leaders for Mission

Written by Kevin Schutte, Resonate's Leader for Church Planting

In the 2017-18 academic year, Resonate Global Mission was privileged to partner with Calvin Theological Seminary by sponsoring a 2-semester church planting course at CTS. Designed to provide both theological and practical learning, the course was led by Cory Willson, the Jake and Betsy Tuls Assistant Professor of Missiology and Missional Ministry, and Geoff Vandermolen, the Director of Vocational Formation and also an experienced former church planter.

Students learned about various aspects of church planting, covering biblical foundations, theological concepts, practical strategies and skills, and spiritual disciplines. Two class trips to visit multiple church plants in Ontario and Arizona provided opportunities for on-site learning from local church planters in a variety of church plant models, giving the students a glimpse into church planting that wouldn't have been possible from the classroom.

The student feedback from the course was very positive. One student said this was the most impactful course he'd taken at CTS, and a few students are now considering that they may be called to church planting. In a letter after the course, one student wrote: "...this class gave me a clearer picture of who God has shaped me to be as a leader. I now know that I am called to those considered outside of Christianity." Another student wrote: “I came into the course expecting to learn different models of church planting - maybe to have notes on a few structures or discipleship plans - but my expectations were blown away. Not only did I form deep and lasting relationships with other peers and professors who were asking some of the same questions I was asking, but it felt like we became more aware of what God’s Spirit was doing in and through each of our lives."

Resonate and CTS are excited to be renewing this partnership for another church planting class in the 2018-19 academic year

Calvin Theological Seminary's 17-18 church planting class.  The class visited Arizona and Ontario to learn from church planters.

Segaar-King April Update

Spring Break in Michigan feels a lot different than Haiti.

We spent a few cold Spring Break vacation days in a cottage near Lake Michigan.

Dear Friends and Family:

Greetings from Haiti!  This is my (Zach) first time back to Haiti since leaving on June 6, 2017.  Needless to say, there are many ambivalent feelings swirling in my soul.  We deeply miss our friends and colleagues with whom we have sweated, suffered and celebrated together for twelve years.  At the same time, we recognize that God sent us onward to a new chapter of global mission-work.  Please pray this week that God would help Zach to be a great encouragement to our mission staff in Haiti.

 Please pray for:

1.       Wisdom, grace, and good words as Zach and other Resonate staff explain some of the key changes that need to happen within Resonate to make it sustainable for the future.  Pray especially on Thursday, May 3, as Zach will be talking with some key CRC leaders.

2.       A collaborative reflection by leaders from the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed Church of America on church revitalization that Resonate is organizing in Chicago on May 2.  We hope to clarify the characteristics of a church that God is renewing for mission.

3.       A meeting of Resonate’s fourteen Regional Mission Leaders from around the world in Chicago in May.  Pray that God would clarify strategies and goals for our mission work.

4.       A good finish to the school year for our children.

Please give thanks for:

1.       Johnny and Kim Gryglewicz, Resonate’s new missionaries to Haiti, who arrived in March to begin their ministry.  Praise God for his provision of new staff members to continue the work we left behind.

2.       Success for Calvin Theological Seminary’s church planting class sponsored by Resonate.  Yesterday Zach had a discussion with four students in the class who have said that it is their favorite class and are considering planting churches and working in international mission.  Praise God for raising up a new generation of mission leaders!

The blessing of being able to serve in mission.  Sometimes the transition to Michigan feels overwhelming.  Sometimes the task of leadership at Resonate seems heavy. Despite all this, it is a huge blessing to know God is working his will to fruition through us.