Happy New Year from the Segaar-Kings

Thank you so much for your prayers, encouragement, and support in 2018.  We wish you and your family God's richest blessings in 2019.

The Segaar-Kings

Christmas Family Update

Isaiah 55:9 says, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.”  As we look back on eighteen months in Michigan, we can certainly agree with Isaiah’s perspective.  God continues to surprise us with challenges and opportunities.  Sharon has enjoyed getting back into choral music.  As a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Choir she has sung several challenging pieces in concert halls this fall.  She has had opportunities to preach and sing in worship services as well.  Zach was on the road a lot this fall with preaching and ministry trips to Japan, Korea, Alberta, Ontario, Chicago and Orlando.  With four children going four separate directions, life can get pretty complicated in his absence.  Isaiah enjoyed soccer, band and playing his clarinet this fall.  Esther, our social butterfly, surprised us by playing lacrosse and basketball with her friends this fall.  Vivian continues to improve on her violin and make new friends at school.  Hannah, our oldest, has perfected feats of strength and dexterity such as the splits, handstands and l-sits (in addition to being a great student).  It seems that all of our children are enjoying their second school year at Grand Rapids Christian Schools, which is a huge answer to prayer.  Though we didn’t expect to finish 2018 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, God has blessed us tremendously.  May God bless you this Christmas!

My Favorite Thing

Pastor Juan Flores founded Christ’s Vineyard CRC in the Humboldt neighborhood of Chicago.  In the 80s when he began the ministry, the neighborhood was in the midst of economic crisis and increasing crime.    Christ’s Vineyard reached out to the economically and spiritually struggling residents of the neighborhood.  Because of gentrification, today the neighborhood is increasingly affluent and many long-term less affluent residents have been displaced.  Despite these changes, Christ’s Vineyard continues to serve the spiritually and economically struggling residents of its neighborhood.

CRC pastor Rick Abma founded a ministry called Good Neighbour Coffee in which he roasts Guatemalan coffee and serves it from an expresso bike (pictured above) in local neighborhoods.  Over coffee and conversation Rick builds relationships and takes advantage of opportunities to share Christ’s love with his neighbors.

Many people ask me (Zach) what I enjoy the most about my job.  Without a doubt, my favorite part of being the Director of Resonate is the opportunity to witness the amazing things God is doing in mission around the world.  Last October I shared the story of the Reformed Church of Japan. I want to share the stories of two pastors I met this fall: Rick Abma and Juan Flores.  Rick, who lives in Lacombe, Alberta, is a Resonate Local Mission Leader and part of Resonate’s Western Canada Regional Mission Team.  The second pastor, Juan Flores, has worked in urban mission in the inner city of Chicago for over thirty years.  Both Rick and Juan have an infectious passion for evangelism and mission which is a blessing to me and those they serve.

Building a Team for Mission

Resonate's Michigan and Ontario-based team.

At Resonate, we know that God uses teams for the work of mission. Jesus’ disciples were a mission team sent from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.  Building a team with a mission-focused culture is one of Zach’s primary tasks.  This fall, Resonate gathered its Grand Rapids and Burlington-based staff at Camp Geneva to reflect on Resonate’s core postures: prayer, listening, serving, learning, mutual care and accountability and peace-making.  At Resonate, we saturate all we do in complete dependence on God.  We listen to God’s Spirit and Word to discern where God wants us to act.  We encourage local leaders, congregations and communities by following Jesus in taking the posture of a servant.  We continually seek to learn from each other and others rather than presuming we have all the answers.  We seek to build mutual care and accountability into all aspects of our organizational life as well as ministry relationships.  Finally, we model authentic relationships of trust and respect across barriers that divide people.  Please pray that God will help us build a strong culture of mission at Resonate.

Segaar-King December Update

Esther enjoying a Michigan fall in 2018

Chicago is one of the key areas for Resonate's church planting work in the US.  Zach took this picture from the Hancock Building after spending a day learning about that work.

Dear Friends and Family:

 Our desires can be powerful vehicles to bring us closer to God and his mission for our lives.  Simeon, a devout Jew who “was waiting for the consolation of Israel” is a case in point (Luke 2:25-32).  The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he would not die before his desire was granted.  When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus into the Temple on the eighth day to be circumcised, there was Simeon, patiently and joyfully awaiting the fulfillment of his desire. Simeon held the baby Jesus and praised God, “For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”  May God shape our desires in 2019 as he shaped those of Simeon so that we may share God’s light and salvation with all people.  Merry Christmas!

 Please pray for:

1.       God’s wisdom and grace as Resonate enters into its budgeting cycle in January.  We will need that wisdom and grace to make difficult decisions about ministry priorities.

2.       God’s guidance as Resonate evaluates its church planting ministry in North America.  We have about 250 church planters, spouses, and parent church pastors who have given us feedback about the CRC’s church planting system.  Pray that God will give us courage to act wisely on what we learn.

3.       Peace in the countries where Resonate has mission workers.  It seems that civil unrest and government persecution of Christianity has increased in many places in the fall of 2018.

4.       Generous giving to mission from God’s people so that Resonate’s work can continue in 2019.

 Please give thanks for:

1.       A safe but intense fall of travel for Zach.  Zach was in Orlando, Japan, Korea, Alberta, Ontario and Chicago this fall for Resonate.  We appreciate your prayers and support for this ministry of leadership to which we have been called.

2.       God’s blessing on our family in 2018.  As we finish our first full year in the US, we give thanks for progress made adapting to our new home.

3.       The tremendous privilege to witness how the Gospel of Jesus Christ is changing the world in which we live.  In the attached newsletter you will read the story of two people that God is using “as a light of revelation for the Gentiles.”

Thanks for your prayers and support,

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

Serving with Resonate Global Mission