While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” —Acts 13:2

The gospel has always been a seed that spreads.

We see it early in our history when the Church is scattered by persecution in Acts 8. In this case, the gospel spreads through a diaspora movement of displaced people who nonetheless take this good news wherever they go. This is still happening today. Many of our church planters in the Great Lakes Region are those who have been displaced because of persecution, war, or severe economic hardship. These communities, like the Dutch immigrants who founded the CRC, are committed to the gospel, to prayer, to God's Word, and to sharing the good news with their fellow displaced neighbors.

We also see the seed spread through the Church sending committed servants in Acts 13. The gospel spreads in this case through intentional planting of the seed in new soils. Sometimes that seed begins to bear fruit right away as in Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:13-52). Other times it was really difficult as it was in Iconium (Acts 14:1-7). In both cases, the gospel is sown and spreads.

We have a long history of sending committed servants to new places to share the good news of Jesus. Today we send these servants to five continents (including North America) to sow the seed of the gospel in communities. They, too, are committed to the gospel, to prayer, to God's Word, and to sharing the good news with their neighbors.

This newsletter is filled with ways to learn about, connect with, and support those servants. They are our missionaries, set apart for the work the Lord has called them to so that the good news of Jesus spreads to every nation. 

—Scott Stark, Great Lakes Regional Mission Leader 

• Partnering with missionaries is an important way to spread the gospel, but these partnerships can also help your church grow. Supporting a missionary is about more than providing finances, however—it's also about prayer, care, and community. Here are some resources to provide you with ideas for caring for your missionaries well.
  
  
• Expand your church's vision with a Witness Trip. Visit one of Resonate missionaries, church plants, campus ministries, or other partner ministry to see how people live out the gospel in a context different from your own. When you return, you'll work with a coach to design steps toward growing your witness to Jesus in your own community.
  
  

• Global Coffee Break (GCB) members and anyone interested are warmly invited to visit the new CRCNA Ministry Support building on February 6th, 10:00–11:30 AM. Connect with your local GCB representative, enjoy coffee and fellowship, and explore the latest Discover Your Bible studies. View event details here.
  
  

• Is your church looking to support a missionary? Resonate missionaries Charles and Hensel Oh have been serving in the Philippines, but now they're following God's call to Japan—where less than 1% of the population identifies as Christian. Learn more about their ministry here.

Thank you for your work spreading the gospel in your community and throughout the world. Resonate exists to plant churches, send missionaries, and support you and your church as you join in God's mission. Want to talk? Send me an email!

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