God is doing amazing things, and His presence during our recent Commissioned 2025 Week was unmistakable. What a time of celebration! From the powerful flag parade to the bilingual service and rollout of our 2026 trips, God is moving. There is a buzz of interest among people who feel called to “Go.” Applications are being completed, and 2026 missions teams are being formed.

We were especially blessed to hear from two of our missionaries, Jeff Hartensveld and Jacob Bock, who shared inspiring updates regarding the work God is doing through their ministries.

It was also amazing for me to be able to share a message on the last Sunday of Commissioned Week. I reflected on what it means to go into ALL the world and preach the Good News to everyone. You can watch the sermon here. I’ve included a few highlights below.

Why do we PRAY?

• Because Scripture commands it and tells us that prayer works
• For boldness to have the right words and divine opportunities to be witnesses for Jesus

Why do we GIVE?

• It’s a form of worship
• To reach lost people!

Why do we GO?

• 5.4 billion people need to know Jesus
• Our lives and perspectives will be changed forever

I invite you to look through and share the 2026 Commissioned brochure. If you would like to have a printed copy, please stop by one of our Welcome Centers at either of our campuses. It is my prayer that you will be obedient to the call and join a missions team in 2026!

“Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matthew 21:22
 
God answers prayer in a variety of ways when we pray according to His will. The 2025 Thailand team had the opportunity to experience an immediate and miraculous answer to prayer. Team member Allison shared, “We were praying the prayer points our missionary host Mark gave us, and the storehouse next to the temple holding all the offerings for the idols came crashing to the ground. No one was hurt, and we watched God’s glory come down with an immediate answer to prayer by literally bringing the house down.”

Prayer Challenge

• You don’t have to pray 25 hours a day, but you have to pray!
• What does your prayer life look like?
• How are you praying for God’s will to reveal itself in your life?

Prayer Tools

• AGWM Prayer Page (missionaries and prayer requests)
• Online Prayer Video (CLA supported missionaries)
• Changethemap.net
• Opendoors.org

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

We can’t buy our way into Heaven or earn God’s love or forgiveness. Giving is an act of obedience and will feel natural when our hearts are in alignment with His. Whether it is going or giving, God provides us with opportunities to honor Him. A few of the 2025 opportunities that CLA friends and family participated in are listed below.

• Recurring monthly giving to support nearly 200 missionary families and missions initiatives
• Convoy of Hope – Disaster Relief (Texas)
• Kenya land purchase and construction project
• El Salvador construction, compassion and outreach
• Project42 and Priority One to reach the lost
• Missions Dinners to support students so they could "Go"
• Many generous donations to help support adults and students called to "Go" on a short-term missions trip

Giving Challenge

• How are you supporting missions?
• How can you take a step of faith in supporting missions in 2026?

Giving Tools

• You don’t have to give your whole salary, but you have to give!
• Evaluate your income and expenses regularly to align your budget and keep it in check
• If you need assistance learning how to budget for long-term success, consider participating in Financial Peace University
• Don’t give out of guilt, but instead give with prayerfully considered obedience
• Consider setting up recurring giving for your monthly Mission 10 offering through our online giving option (simply select ‘Mission 10’ under the Fund dropdown)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere – in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Imagine what your life would be like without Jesus – no hope, no future. God isn’t calling us so we can go somewhere new or to feel good about ourselves; He is calling us to go because His heart yearns for the lost. He wants EVERYONE to hear His name and to be given a chance to say yes to Him and experience life change.

God sent His Son for ALL who have sinned. That includes you, but it also includes the people who don’t look like you or talk like you, those who are homeless, those who are in prison, those who live near and those who live far. Saying yes to Jesus doesn’t present you with an option to share the Good News of Jesus; saying yes to Jesus presents you with the power of the Holy Spirit so that you WILL be His witness, telling people about Him EVERYWHERE!

Please pray about being a part of one or more of the 2026 local, domestic and/or global missions trip opportunities…and then step into the place He has prepared for you!

King’s Castle, El Salvador | February 28-March 7, 2026 (Deadline - December 1)
Experience life change by being a part of reaching the country of El Salvador through medical, construction and evangelism. These teams all serve the same goal, which is reaching all of the children in El Salvador every year! No matter what your skills or talents are, you are valued and needed. This is a perfect opportunity for those who are ready to experience a first-time foreign missions trip!

Sumba, Indonesia | May 3-11, 2026 (Deadline - February 1)
Be a part of this unique trip that contains both an Arts Camp and a Pickleball Camp. Through this unique opportunity, you will invest in the next generation while building a bridge to the community, especially when the participants showcase what they have learned for their families.

Go Challenge

• Who do you know who needs to hear the message of Jesus?
• How can you step out of your comfort zone to share Jesus with at least one person this week?

Go Tools

• God may not be calling you to go to the other side of the world, but you have to go SOMEWHERE
• Participate in our Discover Discipleship Process
• Regularly practice sharing (out loud in your car or at home, for example) a 1-minute and a 3-minute version of what Jesus has done in your life; this will help you be ready to share with others when the opportunity arises
• To learn more or to sign up for one of these or another missions trip or opportunity, visit our Missions page