Segaar-King Family Update

 

We have much to be thankful for this fall. The blessing of good health has come into sharp focus since Sharon began working at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital as an intern (part of her chaplaincy education process). The hospitals in West Michigan are packed with struggling COVID patients and exhausted staff. At her other job (as a Heartland Hospice chaplain), Sharon has the opportunity to offer God’s love to hospice patients who are spending their last days and months at home or in a facility. We understand better the fragility and tenuousness of life and breath in these troubled days. Every day we can love and be loved is a blessing. This fall Zach has been back on the road, visiting churches and ministries throughout the United States. Lord willing, he will resume international travel this winter. The stresses and pressures of ministry have been heavy, but God has been faithful. Hannah has enjoyed life and academics at Calvin University this fall as part of the Honors program. We give thanks for this good transition. Isaiah and Vivian continue as sophomores at Grand Rapids Christian High School this fall. In a few short years they will be out of the house. Our youngest, Esther, is in seventh grade this fall and growing fast. She is involved in everything, enjoying friends and sports. May you experience God’s faithful presence this Christmas!!

 

He will Save His People From Their Sins

 

Jesus was born in these barren hills surrounding Bethlehem two thousand years ago. He is still here today, leading and guiding his church.

In his work as Director of Resonate, Zach encounters both the joys and struggles of mission. Recently, he participated in the commissioning of the CRC’s first missionary to a particular Muslim country [name withheld] where Christians are only few percent of the population and the government tightly restricts religious activity. While church planting in North America has slowed because of COVID, many new church plants have been initiated among Hispanic groups throughout the US (view story). One Resonate-supported Hispanic church planter in Ontario has transitioned successfully to a fully on-line ministry. He and his family live-stream worship and bible studies to neighbors down the street and acquaintances across Latin America. Despite all these signs of hope, many of our ministries face intractable challenges. As we enter year-three of the global pandemic, the new Omicron variant has again disrupted plans. Many authoritarian governments are using the pandemic as a pretext to block indigenous and expatriate mission workers from ministry. The situation is not unlike the one in which Jesus was born two thousand years ago. As Israel languished under the rule of Rome, the Jewish people cried out for the long-prophesied coming of the Messiah, the son of David, to liberate them. In the fullness of time, an angel delivered a message to an obscure Jewish couple that the Holy Spirit had entrusted them with a child whom they would name Jesus, because “he will save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21). This Messiah is present in our suffering world today. He inhabits the hearts of believers of every race, tribe, language and nation. He will save his people from their sins.

 

Ongoing Prayers for the People of Haiti

 Since we sent out our last newsletter five months ago, the situation in Haiti has become more difficult. In July, Haiti’s President Jovenel Möise was assassinated at his home. In August, Haiti’s southern peninsula was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, killing several thousand people. Throughout the fall, Port-au-Prince’s notorious gangs took control of entire sections of the capital city. In November, one group of gangs blocked the fuel off-loading port, leading to a shortage of fuel throughout the country. Finally, fifteen US and Canadian missionaries continue to be held by kidnappers on the outskirts of the city. As difficult as the situation is, ministry continues through telephone, video conference and occasional in person activities. Please join us in prayer for Haiti.

 

Mission in the Philippines

We give thanks for the work of the CRC of the Philippines and for our missionary family there, Stan and Bessie Kruis (pictured above with leaders from the CRC of the Philippines and other visitors).

For many decades, Resonate has worked in the Philippines in church planting and development. From these efforts and the efforts of many Filipino leaders, the Christian Reformed Church of the Philippines (CRCP) emerged and spread throughout the country. While Resonate mission workers no longer engage in direct church planting, the Filipino churches have owned the vision and are multiplying congregations, especially in the capital of Manila where several congregations have taken root in the last few years. During a trip to the Philippines in February, Zach had a chance to meet with leaders of the CRCP. He also got to meet a few Filipino pastors who immigrated to the US to start congregations there as well and have remained connected to friends in the CRCP. God is at work in Filipinos living throughout the world!

A Time of Pain and Opportunity

The sun rises over a city in Southeast Asia that Zach visited in February. It was a privilege to see how Resonate mission staff are strengthening the church for mission in countries in Asia like this one where Christians make up a few percent of the population. Only weeks after Zach took this photo, COVID-19 impacted this country significantly.

These days the nations are in turmoil. COVID-19 has overturned the order of this world. International and in-country travel has slowed nearly to a halt. Governments have banned nearly every kind of gathering, including those of churches. Offices and businesses are shuttered. Finally, huge portions of the world’s population are sheltering in their homes. The pandemic respects no human distinctions—the rich and powerful are susceptible just as are the poor and oppressed. Everything that human beings thought could protect them has been proven useless as no vaccine or treatment exists for the illness. Into this context our mission workers in North America and around the world have an unprecedented opportunity to share the one  thing that can provide shelter and safety in times of fear and despair: the good news of Jesus Christ. Without a doubt, these are difficult times for mission workers. Without face-to-face communication, they depend on video conferencing, social media, and cell phones to reach outside their homes. Many governments are taking advantage of this pandemic as an opportunity to suppress influences that they do not welcome like the gospel. Pray that God will give Resonate church planters, campus ministers, international missionaries and other gospel workers strength, perseverance and grace in this time of opportunity.

Segaar-King April Update

As a family we are accustomed to epidemics. By God’s grace we survived malaria, dengue fever, zika, and chikungunya. Our scariest epidemic moment was the 2010 outbreak of cholera in Haiti which claimed many thousands of lives (and many of them in less than 24 hours after onset of symptoms). Nevertheless, like many families, we are finding the COVID-19 crisis challenging. We give thanks for Grand Rapids Christian Schools which pivoted to distance learning extremely quickly. As parents we are grateful that learning continues without interruption. A few of our children are challenged by this new learning environment, however.

The situation of the churches around the world weighs heavily upon us. Please pray for our friends in the Christian Reformed Church of Haiti and the Ministry of Christian Development. These organizations have been threatened by a gang that is taking advantage of recent instability and shelter-in-place requirements. Pray for the church globally as many group and face-to-face mission efforts have been scaled back or cancelled. We give thanks that Resonate’s mission workers have leveraged technology so quickly to keep sharing the Gospel in these challenging times. COVID-19 is an opportunity for Christ’s gospel and his church to give our confused and suffering world a solid hope.

Family Update

This fall we have remained in contact with friends in Haiti. It has been extraordinarily difficult in Port-au-Prince. Massive demonstrations and daily roadblocks have forced the closure of schools (including our former school, Quisqueya), businesses and our ministry partners. The protesters are demanding the resignation of the current President, Jovnel Moise. The instability has resulted in economic collapse, high inflation, and food shortages. Like the people of Israel 2000 years ago, the people of Haiti are waiting for the Prince of Peace to bring some wholeness to this long-suffering country. Pray for our Resonate colleagues, Johnny and Kim Gryglewicz, as they faithfully serve under difficult conditions.

We give thanks to God at the end of 2019 for his great faithfulness to us and our family. Sharon continues her internship at the Metro Health Hospital south of Grand Rapids through March. Zach has experienced God’s presence through some very intense periods of change as he and his team lead Resonate Global Mission. Hannah is doing great academically during her Junior year and will get her driver’s license before the year is out. Vivian, Isaiah, and Esther are all enjoying middle school and being challenged by ample homework. May God bless you in 2019!

The Long View

The long view often reveals God at work. But it is almost always the most difficult view to take. This fall Resonate Global Mission recognized the 100th anniversary of the departure of Johanna Veenstra for Nigeria. Veenstra was the first Christian Reformed overseas missionary. As a single young woman, Veenstra was not embraced by many in the CRC who thought she would be better off at staying at home. Also, there were many racist attitudes against Nigerians within the CRC in 1919. Against all odds, God worked through this young woman from New Jersey to bring many to Christ until her death in 1933. During this time, Veenstra’s passion and eloquent writing changed perceptions back home about international missions and encouraged many young people (including women) to get involved in Gospel outreach. Through Veenstra’s work and that of many other missionaries and Nigerian evangelists, two Nigerian denominations were established that number many hundreds of thousands of more believers than are within today’s Christian Reformed Church in North America. In 2002-03 Sharon and Zach had the opportunity to teach at Veenstra Seminary in Donga, Nigeria, not far from Veenstra’s original mission station. We personally witnessed the “long view” of what God did through the early ministry of the CRC in Nigeria.

Christmas Greetings from the Segaar-Kings

Be Strong and Courageous...

Johanna Veenstra

Johanna Veenstra and fellow female missionaries serving in Nigeria

Veenstra Seminary where Zach and Sharon taught in 2003-04

This fall, Resonate Global Mission is recognizing Johanna Veenstra, the CRC’s first female missionary and first overseas missionary. One hundred years ago in October, she began her long voyage to Nigeria from New Jersey. She faced incredible physical and emotional challenges, including the fact that the CRC did not recognize her as a missionary or the importance of mission work in Africa. Nevertheless, Johanna remained faithful to her call, sharing her faith and showing mercy to the Nigerian people she met. She continually called CRC members to support the mission work in Nigeria through magazine articles, letters and visits to churches. Veenstra died of appendicitis only 13 years after she first arrived in Nigeria. But her work, as human and flawed as it was, contributed to the growth of Nigerian churches whose membership far outnumber the CRC today. Veenstra took the message of Deut. 31:7-8 to heart, “Be strong and courageous…the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you, he will never leave you or forsake you.” Johanna Veenstra was strong and courageous in her mission to share Christ with the Nigerian people because she knew God was with her.

Family Update

After a very busy summer with many camps, sports, work trips and vacation (see above), big changes happened this fall. Sharon began a six-month-long internship in pastoral care at Metro Health Hospital south of Grand Rapids. This three day a week assignment will give her an opportunity to provide spiritual support for individuals and families experiencing illnesses and accidents. While we are excited about this opportunity, we expect that there will be a lot of juggling with all of our schedules and Zach’s travel. Please pray that God will grant Sharon wisdom as she will have many opportunities to share her hope in Christ. Our children have successfully begun their new school year. Hannah is a junior and all three of our other children are in middle school this year (Isaiah and Vivian are in eighth grade and Esther is in fifth). Two of our children are playing sports (Esther and Isaiah) and three are taking music lessons (Isaiah, Esther and Vivian). Hannah will soon be driving on her own.  We give thanks for our continuing opportunity to serve in mission.

Networking for Transformation

MLK's ministry principles were deeply biblical and transformational.

MLK and Coretta's final resting place in Atlanta.

Ebenezer Baptist Church is a hub for the civil rights movement.

A key strategy Resonate uses in is mission work is networking and connecting mission leaders for spiritual and social transformation. Perhaps the best example of this strategy is Martin Luther King, Jr. As the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, MLK could not have made a dent in the plague of institutional racism present in the United States since its earliest days. But through   his connections to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, community leaders and governmental officials, MLK organized and inspired a movement of Christian leaders who changed the hearts and minds of many thousands of Americans. MLK’s network of mission leaders continued his work even after his death. Where we work throughout the world, Resonate seeks to build networks of mission leaders who follow the Spirit proclaiming the Gospel to bring spiritual and social change for the Kingdom.

Missional Hospitality

One of the greatest mission opportunities for established churches today is hosting church plants. Church plants are effective in evangelism and enfolding of new believers. Church plants cast a vision for mission and catalyze spiritual renewal within their host congregation. Also, immigrant church plants can teach their host congregations to reach out to different ethic groups within the neighborhood. Zach had a chance to spend a day with Pastor Ricardo, a church planter in a rural West Michigan community. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit and the partnership of a core group of committed believers, Pastor Ricardo’s growing congregation has witnessed a number of baptisms in the last year. The church plant is especially effective at discipling new believers among the many Latino immigrants who make their home in the area. Through a partnership with Resonate, the established CRC congregation in the community provides financial support, worship and meeting space, and mentoring for Pastor Ricardo and the church plant. The best part of the arrangement is that it blesses both the church plant and the established church. Together the church plant and established church are growing in the love and knowledge of Christ—learning from each other and following Christ in mission.

Pastor Ricardo and his wife are hard working and dedicated leaders serving in their community. The community is itself has great socio-economic struggles like unemployment, crime and addiction. Pray for strength and perseverance for Pastor Ricardo and his family. 

A Holy Spirit Movement

MLK made the ultimate sacrifice and became a martyr for the Kingdom of God. This preacher of non-violence was killed because of his message of equal rights for African Americans. 

These words of MLK parallel so closely the practice of the early church which joyfully suffered for the Gospel.

The church where MLK grew up in would also become the church he co-pastored with his father. It was in this church that MLK delivered some of his most inspired speeches. Ironically, it would also be the church where his mother was gunned down while playing the organ.

I imagine young MLK staring at this cross above the pulpit. MLK's willingness to suffer for a Gospel vision of equal rights for all races makes his message extremely powerful and compelling.

One of the most powerful movements of the twentieth century, the Civil Rights movement, owes much to the Spirit-inspired vision of Martin Luther King. Sharon and I had the privilege of spending a day in June at Martin Luther King Historical Park in Atlanta. MLK was a inspiring speaker, preacher and visionary. Most importantly, MLK was a modern day missionary whose Gospel message called people to spiritual and social repentance.

Engaging Young People

Zach had an opportunity to participate in the CRC Campus Ministry Conference held at Loyola University in Chicago. Attending this conference were around forty campus pastors and young leaders from university campuses around the US and Canada.

A pressing concern on the heart of today’s church is how to engage young people in the faith. This was a subject often on our minds throughout our ministry in Haiti because the vast majority of Haitians were less than twenty-five-years-old. The same reality is present throughout the developing world where high birth rates and high unemployment mean that cities are full of young people looking for ways to improve their lives. In such countries, the church is young and leaders must focus on training and discipling young people for mission. In the United States and Canada, the situation is very different, but the need to engage young people in their faith is equally pressing. Many churches in the US are “greying,” because of low birthrates and lack of interest among young people toward organized religion. Throughout history, it has been Christian youth who catalyzed and propelled mission. Resonate Global Mission contributes to the development of young Christian leaders for mission through its campus ministry.  Resonate supports 37 CRC campus ministries throughout North America (and several internationally). The ministry is diverse—some engage undergraduates and others postgraduates, some include worship communities, some focus on discipleship and evangelism, some minister to faculty and even a few are active church plants!

Segaar-King July Update

Dear Friends and Family:

One of the stories that has resonated with us over the last year is the story of Moses’ discussion with God as the people of Israel were leaving Mt. Sinai (Ex 33). At issue was whether the Lord would accompany the people after they had just provoked him by worshipping an idol. Moses implores, “You have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me.” After Moses’ heart-felt pleas, the Lord responds, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” There is nothing we need more in the work of mission than the presence of God and God’s rest. Please pray that we will experience God’s presence and rest as we move forward in faith!

Please pray for:

1.       Implementation of recommendations coming out of all our evaluations. We passionately want to be a nimble mission organization that can respond to the changing context of ministry.

2.       Spiritual resilience for missionaries, church planters, campus ministers and community chaplains that partner with Resonate.  This continues to be a time of trail and testing for many of our Gospel workers.

3.       Planning for this fall’s ministry activities. Pray that we would be receptive to the Spirit’s direction.

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 good conclusion to our ministry year. Zach participated in the CRC Campus Ministers’ Conference at Loyola University of Chicago in May (see attached newsletter). It was amazing to see the mission work happening among our young people!

2.       Four nights of spiritual retreat near Atlanta in June. This was a great opportunity for Zach and Sharon to focus on their relationship with each other and God.

3.       Progress made on Resonate’s evaluation process for its church planting, advancement and two-year review.

Thanks for your prayers and support,

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

Serving with Resonate Global Mission

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.

Segaar-King February Update (a few days late)

Dear Friends and Family:

What must have been going through Joshua’s mind when Moses announced that he would not lead the people of Israel into Canaan at the end of the book of Deuteronomy?  While Joshua had seen all of God’s miracles in Israel’s exodus from Egypt and subsequent desert wanderings, fear and doubt must have certainly been present.  Why?  Moses’ final words to Joshua were aimed at strengthening his resolve: “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land . . . the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave or forsake you” (Josh 31:7-8).  These words are a great comfort for those involved in mission, whether in North America or around the world.  The Lord and his Holy Spirit go before us!  That’s a good reason to be strong and courageous.

 Please pray for:

1.       Safety and success as Zach will be going to Iowa and California to meet CRC leaders, mission workers, and donors.

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.  Haiti has especially seen instability in February.

4.       Resonate has entered into a season of evaluation and reflection.  Pray that we will listen to the Spirit’s voice.

Please give thanks for:

1.       Safe travel to Lithuania and Germany in February.  Take a look at our blog to see some powerful stories of what God is doing through Resonate missionaries in these countries.

2.       In January, Zach led a retreat for Resonate’s Leadership Team.  It is a blessing to have colleagues that are passionate about Jesus and his mission to the world.

3.       Fun celebrating Sharon’s birthday with neighbors and friends in February. 

Thanks for your prayers and support,

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

Serving with Resonate Global Mission