Summer '2026 Newsletter
This summer we had the privilege of supporting our church (Bayside) during their "Serve Week" outreach initiatives. In 2025, our church saw more than 12,000 individuals make decisions for Christ and baptized over 1500 people—what a true blessing! Outreach has played a significant role in making those decisions and baptisms happen, and we cherish being involved in it! This year, we led 6 out of the 80 outreach events our church hosted throughout Serve Week. It was wonderful to collaborate with many people we hadn't previously met to assist others we didn't know. A heartfelt thanks goes to Pastor Isidro and his family and team! They did a wonderful job coordinated Serve Week for the Lakewood Campus! Together, we created a meaningful impact for the community!
Doing a Lot of Good Locally
Ministry Highlights
Blessing our Community at the Resurection House
We both led teams at the Resurrection House in Sarasota, where we provided numerous free services to the local homeless population. It was wonderful to be involved in a place that provided solutions such as hot meals, clothing, showers, laundry, as well as free legal assistance and haircuts. Most importantly, they offered prayers and spiritual guidance in their chapel area. Life can be challenging, but a little kindness can make a significant difference!
Turning Points
Bridge a Life
Gathering the Seeds
We collaborated with Bridge a Life Ministry to support a foster home. We all got involved in painting a room for this lovely family and also installed some TVs and ceiling fans. It was wonderful to learn about their needs and to pray for them too.
Rhoda managed a large group at the church where they put together numerous bags of seeds and other nutritious supplies that will be distributed globally to assist those in need. Combating world hunger is a significant challenge, and it's wonderful to contribute to the solution!
Tom also led a team a "Turning Points" Outreach Center in Bradenton. This is an amazing ministry that helps people with getting jobs, food, fixing their bikes, health care and financial services. Our team was blessed to to paint their cafeteria and brighten it up a bit!
Loving on People at Salvation Army
The Salvation Army has been doing a remarkable job assisting homeless individuals in overcoming addiction, securing employment, finding housing, and discovering purpose. They have been carrying out this mission since 1865! We were fortunate to partner with them and visit their facility, which accommodates up to 150 individuals and provides many people with hot meals every day. Our team served their leadership group as well as those seeking help in the community. It was also a wonderful opportunity to sit down and converse with some of them to learn their stories, share the Gospel, and pray together.
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and restraint and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4
Loving People!
Jesus proclaimed, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35). Why did Jesus refer to it as a "new command"? It was new because He introduced a deeper and more meaningful way of loving than previously taught. He desired His disciples to love others as He loved them.
And how did Jesus express His love for others? His love was flawless, humble, and unconditional. He exemplified this love by serving, even washing His disciples' feet (John 13:1-17), and ultimately by sacrificing His life on the cross. This establishes a new benchmark for how His followers should love—beyond mere emotions or ordinary kindness, it is a love defined by sacrifice and grace.
The Apostle Paul also spoke extensively about love when he said, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight." (Philippians 1:9). These teachings are not just nice Bible stories; they reveal a better way to think, live, and love. At times, loving those we aren't familiar with, perhaps those less fortunate, can require a change in mindset. Jesus didn't focus on factors like skin color, where individuals came from, their past sins, or their socioeconomic status. He loved everyone equally, and we should too. After all, grace is something we all need because we all fall short.
Loving and serving others doesn’t imply we agree with their lifestyles, but it does provide us the chance to engage in their lives and bring them hope. We must keep in mind that it is the kindness of God that brought us to repentance (Romans 2:4), and our kindness might just lead others to discover His love as well.
Thank you so much for your prayers and financial support! Without it we would be very limited in what we can do. We try to do as much as we can to fund our own ministry but support from friends and family is so helpful! Every life we touch is an extension of your ministry! If you want to know more about joining us or supporting us, click the button below for more info. Thanks again!
Thank you!
What's Next?
The Weekly—We will continue our active schedule of ministry networking, leadership teachings, and small group studies
Montana Mission Trip—We leave Saturday, August 1st for Montana and we'll be ministering there until the 20th.
Our Salt & Light Mission Team will be joining us the 9th-17th. Please pray for our camps and vbs and community projects. We want to see God do an amazing deep work with these amazing people!
If you're interested in sowing into this mission trip, please click the Support button. Thanks so much for your prayers!
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