Brandon and Courtney live off the main town square in a suburb of Kansas City. They’ve recently become much more intentional about planting the gospel in their neighborhood. They decided one of the best ways to get people out of their houses and interacting together was a block party. They took over 60 flyers around to their neighbors. They were able to meet and speak with some neighbors and for others, they left the flyer in the door. God brought nearly 50 people to the block party! Many spiritual conversations were had. From this intentional reaching out to the community, they now have a DBS with one neighbor, are serving a single mom by letting her borrow their car, and are able to let other neighbors serve them. Recently, they took dinner to one neighbor who is fostering and adopting children. Then, that neighbor brought his children to Brandon and Courtney’s for dinner. Intentional prayer and action is leading to spiritual conversations and beautiful relationships. Neighbors are now asking about another party, so they are planning one for next month.

Leah and her husband went to Bible school to be missionaries. They yearned to go overseas, but those doors never opened for them. When they moved to Kansas City, Lea knew that they were in their neighborhood for a reason. She began to go to the park with her son to play and while they were there, she began to meet mothers who were refugees from other countries. The skill of being able to speak Spanish quickly became a gift to these mothers. She quickly realized the vast number of needs in these women’s lives: clothing, food, jobs, transportation, help getting their IDs, WIC, Medicaid, and on and on. After hearing one specific mother’s story of fleeing her country to get to the States, Lea’s heart broke and she knew she had to jump into action. One by one, she began loving and building relationships and meeting the needs in the lives of these women. Now she is planting the Good News of the Gospel in these women’s lives every day by praying, listening, serving, and sharing the Good News.

Haylee wants to be a light for Jesus wherever she goes. She also has a heart for the nations and for children. However, finding the context where she could make the most impact for Jesus seemed to be challenging. Then she learned about other missionaries seeking to plant the gospel among children by helping coach their soccer teams. Even though Haylee did not have much experience with the sport of soccer itself, they paired her with a head coach who does. That frees her up to be able to bless the children and their parents. As an assistant coach, she’s at every practice and game, but she is praying and building relationships. After each practice or game, they share a meal with the kids and their families, do a Discovery Bible Study, and have conversations about life together. Parents join in as well, so the gospel is reaching the entire family.

6 years ago, James found himself attending one of the first Share the Hope microchurch gatherings ever. After a life filled with what he describes as “thuggin’, druggin’, and muggin’” he fully surrendered his life to Jesus. Within the Share the Hope family (a network of microchurches emerging out of the post-incarceration and addiction communities in KC), James grew as a disciple and a disciple-maker. Over time, he launched a new Share the Hope microchurch gathering, and later stepped into a primary leadership role for the Share the Hope Hub. James has a passion for sharing the Good News of how Jesus transformed his life with anyone and everyone he encounters. He now spends his days pouring into men who have a similar background as himself, as he mentors and disciples those coming out of jail and walking through recovery. He also has a heart to launch new Share the Hope communities throughout the city, and see the Gospel saturate this entire city.

Angie and her husband have a beautiful family with five children. For years, they have sought to find the school that would be the best fit for their children. Montessori education has been deep in the foundation of Angie’s educational thoughts for years. Then God gave her the vision to start a Montessori school. But not just so kids can receive that type of education; so that they can also hear the word of God, be loved and prayed over, and also give their families an opportunity to engage with Jesus. Over a year's time, God provided Angie and her team with funds, a building, beautiful piece of land, students, and a teacher and classroom aide! As they walk further down this road, they are seeking ways to plant the gospel in the lives of these students and their parents and families.

Ted and Tami, along with their two kids have been faithful missionaries in Peculiar, Missouri. Their rural context is unique in that the geographical distance between neighbors requires some greater creativity in creating spaces of belonging. Through consistent presence in their city, relationships have formed. Whether it be camping, bonfires, community festivals, outdoor concerts, serving neighbors or allowing neighbors to serve them, God is on the move. But they don't see gospel planting as just for their community - it's evident in their home as well. Their daughter just stepped into the waters of baptism last month.