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.