A Sending Community

Central to the DNA and vision of NieuCommunities is the act of "sending." As a community that creates a place of for young leaders to discern their gifts, skills and passions, each leader is being led to culminating act of diving deep into their calling as active participants in the Mission of God. Janny and I have now been part of NieuCommunities for just over 2 months and we have tasted and seen the fruit of this vision in both our own lives and in those around us.

While Janny and I have committed to the leadership of NieuCommunties indefinitely, most participants are only here for one year as they are trained, mentored and sent into their vocational call...whether in the marketplace, traditional church context, international missions, etc. We are finding it is both bitter and sweet to be part of a community that develops leaders, but also "sends" them into their missional calling. The "bitter" part is having to say goodbye to friends, but the much more sweet part is sending them into a context that we know will enliven their spirits and benefit the Church.

One of the couples that is just finishing up their year down here as part of NieuCommunities has made the decision to launch into the next phase of their leadership within the Church. They will be heading to Indonesia indefinitely as they plan to extend the love of Jesus in a Muslim culture by supporting local churches and starting sustainable businesses that may bring hope to a people in need.

We had the opportunity to hear a bit of their story and send them off with prayer and support this past Sunday evening. As they pack up, they are working to give away most of their belongings. As an affirmation of rich community and close relationships, they gave each one of us one of their most prized possessions.