Operation Epaphroditus to Dorm Pounding: Creative Church Support

Creativity is one of the core values of Christar, and many of our partner churches also demonstrate this trait in the ways they come alongside the workers they send and support. God has given members of these congregations innovative ideas to bless their friends who serve around the world, demonstrating their care in unexpected ways and enabling these workers to continue in ministry to the least-reached.

As you read this sampling, praise the Lord for the many ways our workers have been blessed through outside-the-box support!

Perfectly Timed Encouragement

Bethany wasn’t seeing evidence of progress in her work among the Middle Eastern medical community. “My motivation had hit a low,” she shares. But that’s when God sent a group from a supporting church to encourage her.

This team, part of “Operation Epaphroditus” didn’t arrive expecting their short-term trip to be about themselves. Instead, Bethany relates that they took the opportunity to speak into her life, encouraging her that they saw God working through her faithful service.

More than a year later, Bethany says that their time in her host country and the validation they shared “can still lift me now on a low day when I recall how blessed I was by this very dedicated and focused visit.”

Swift and Surprising Generosity

Matt and Eliza knew they’d need a car to minister effectively in the mountainous area of Southeast Asia where they planned to move after language school. When they made their need known to their sending church, Jason, one of the pastors, admits he was skeptical about the possibility of raising all of the money needed.

But then a member of the church sold back several vacation days he had been saving up and donated the money. Numerous others gave generously. One contributed the final $25,000 in a lump sum. Within six weeks, God had moved in people’s hearts to contribute the entire $56,000.

The couple have since purchased a four-wheel drive pickup truck with a caravan on the back. As Matt and Eliza continue seeking God’s leading about exactly where and how to serve after graduation, they’re thrilled by the options this vehicle makes possible.

Remodeling and Connecting

Manuel and Barbara could have hired a remodeling company to complete some needed updates to their home. Instead, one of their supporting churches sent a team to bless them for a week. In addition to putting in a new bathroom, repainting the dining room and installing a basement ceiling, the church paid for the materials as well.

And they didn’t just make it a construction work trip: They also desired to learn about Manuel and Barbara’s ministry among least-reached people living in North America, an intentional focus that helped to make the whole experience “so sweet and encouraging,” as Barbara describes it. The church has continued to go the extra mile by planning a reunion with team members during the couples’ recent trip to visit the church, continuing to build connection and understanding.

Teens Putting in the Work

The teens from a church in Illinois have never met Nathaniel and Trudy, a couple who serve in Japan. Neither has their youth pastor, Joseph. But through a group in which he participated in Bible school, Joseph caught a vision to pray for their ministry—one he’s passed on to members of the youth group. 

Last summer, Joseph urged them to take it to the next level: getting involved by earning money to support Nathaniel and Trudy. Together, four teens worked on projects for the congregation, including yardwork and a carwash, earning about $500—enough for Nathaniel and Trudy to purchase a reliable PA system to use during outdoor church services.

“The hands-on experience helped enforce for them the importance of effort, sacrifice and teamwork,” Joseph explains.

Housing Provided!

When James and Dawn’s daughter needed their support in person last year, they didn’t know how they would afford rent of $3,000/month in the area near her university, especially on top of continuing to pay rent for their apartment in Albania, where they serve among the Roma. But God prompted a member of a supporting church nearby to open one of his rental properties to them and pay for their utilities for a year. By sacrificing the income he otherwise would have received, he blessed James and Dawn immensely. This generosity allowed them to focus on their daughter when she needed it without the added burden of raising additional support.

Coffee Support

As Victoria, a worker serving among the Deaf in West Asia, knows, one great way to connect with least-reached people around the world is to take them out to coffee. When she shared this with her home church, the youth group decided to start a coffee fund for her. On Sunday mornings, members of the congregation can come to the café at church and give money specifically for Victoria to treat her new local friends.

This has been a “huge blessing,” she explains, as it provides opportunities to build relationships and trust. Once that foundation is laid, something as simple as another cup of coffee allows Victoria to learn about her new friends’ stories and chat about Jesus!

“Because of [these donations], I was able to sit with a young Deaf woman in my new city and hear about her long journey to faith and her struggles now that she’s a believer living in an unbelieving home,” Victoria adds.

Dorm Pounding

College is a time when many young adults want to express themselves and make a statement. One supporting church has gone the extra mile to bless the children of cross-cultural workers when they reach this stage of life by providing everything each incoming college freshman needs for his or her dorm room!

Together, the student and the church make a list of needs (including preferred colors), which is then shared with the congregation. So far, the church has served all four of the college-bound students from a family serving in North Africa. As their mom explains, “It has been a huge blessing for us and our kids, helping them definitely feel seen and loved.”

None of these churches necessarily set out to change the world. But by playing important and direct roles in the lives of workers they send, the members of these fellowships are in fact impacting the least-reached communities around the globe for Christ.

Is there a special or unique way that you could bless a cross-cultural worker you know? How could you make them feel seen and remembered or help to meet a need? Consider adapting one of the ideas in this blog, or come up with your own creative plan!