Welcome: What this is all about…

This is the third edition of the NCC A1:8 missions newsletter! We hope that this will accomplish three goals: 1) give opportunity to the greater community to participate in the experiences of our missions teams and the amazing work that God is doing around the world 2) be an educational resource to learn more about each of the seven issues A1:8 is focused on this year 3) provide a space for missions events, fundraisers, prayer requests, and art to be highlighted and lifted up. Perhaps this will inspire a life lived more fearlessly.

Issue Brief: HOUSING/SHELTER

WE HAVE A GLOBAL HOUSING CRISIS. There are over 100 million people without homes, and another 1.6 billion living in substandard housing. About 32% of the global urban population lives in urban slums. We also have a domestic housing crisis. Approximately one third of people in the United States (about 95 million) struggle to maintain adequate housing. Tackling the issue of housing and shelter is imperative to addressing the root issues of poverty. With a home, with the most basic needs met, families can focus on climbing out of poverty. Educational and occupational opportunities increase, and a tangible form of hope is restored.

Arts & Mission

Back From the Field: Kent & Melanie Adcock

Twelve NCC’ers left DC for Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to begin a second story addition to Moises Iglesia Accion Misionera (roughly translated – Moses Missionary Church).  For one of our group, Kent Adcock, this mission trip continues a relationship that spans over 20 years.  Moises is part of a family of churches scattered throughout the city of Santo Domingo and each church has a unique character in the specific neighborhoods where they are located. When the work is completed in Moises, the addition will serve as a new sanctuary and will open up the ground floor for expanded ministry to their neighborhood.

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Mission Dominican Republic

(Team [names of team members not in order]: Rich Hall, Natalie Keuppens, Elly Pickett, Theresia Tong, Kent Adcock (rear), Melanie Adcock (front), Gabrielle Boykin, Jennifer Bindhammer Blair, Jovonne Williams, Clinton Blair, Jackie Dillon, Frank Kim, Wayne & Paula [missions coordinators])

Quote

“Watching blocks, mortar and concrete become the walls for building future ministry was very satisfying. Watching the blocks of new relationships being cemented by sharing work, lives and faith into friendships – priceless.” – Kent & Melanie Adcock

Witness: Ben Brophy

Many people know Tom as perhaps the most recognizable homeless man near Union Station – both for his warm always-at-the-ready smile and for his distinct physical handicap- a back bent from illness and years sleeping on the streets.  Tom joined National Community Church several years ago and has become part of the In-Service family, a community of believers committed to working to help the homeless in our city. During his time with us, Tom has enriched the lives of many with his testimonies to Christ’s goodness; his friendship to homeless and volunteers alike; and his recent transition into a home of his own this last summer.

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Introspective: Reflections on the Dominican Republic, Jackie Dillon & Jovonne Williams

1 Peter 4:10-11 – As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Growing up I never imagined I would be in a position to physically help in building a church, let alone doing so as part of an international mission’s trip.  Going to the Dominican Republic for my first mission trip was a life changing experience as God used me to further spread his Word and build his Kingdom.  Now I am not even close to fluent in Spanish, and only remember a few phrases from my classes in high school, so I was hesitant to try to speak in Spanish due to my fear of messing up a word or not knowing what to say. But as Pastor Mark has said; “Knowing how to say Please, Thank you, and I’m sorry” can get you very far in life.  So I held strong to his advice and trusted in God that He would provide a way to communicate in those times when I was at a loss for words. I initially went to the DR not knowing a soul; but after working for a week side-by-side with my home church family and the individuals of the Moises community, I left blessed with an even greater extended family in Christ.  Their compassion and giving spirits were unlike anything that I have ever experienced, especially from a group of people that I had known for less than a week’s time! I am grateful to God to have met and worked together with them; and this trip for me was a true testament that we are one body and family under Christ.

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Investigation: Gracias a la Iglesia de Moises de la Comunidad de Accion Misonera, Frank Kim

As I prepared for my first missions trip, I did not know what to expect truthfully.  Friends and others had told me that missions trips were very rewarding, satisfying, fun, hard, trying at times, but ultimately something worthwhile.  Our team of 12NCCers went down to the capital city of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic for one week to help build the walls to the second level of the MoisesIglesiaAccionMisionera.  Our goal was to help construct the walls of the second level by laying concrete blocks to the Moises church.  I tried to anticipate as best I could on how I would enjoy, learn, and react to our mission trip to the Dominican Republic.  The experience was positively and exponentially far better and greater than I could have ever imagined it would be.

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Snapshots in the Community: DC Habitat for Humanity, Dana Ayers

Interviewed by Courtney Brode

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6

Every Second Saturday a small group of NCCers have the opportunity to help the local community by volunteering their time with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a national nonprofit Christian Ministry that provides new homes for families in need.  Habitat has been around since 1976 and has built more than 400,000 affordable homes for over 2 million people worldwide. One of the greatest things about Habitat is that it encourages volunteers from the community to invest in a neighbor in need and serve both tangibly and significantly. Not only is Habitat serving the needs of the community, but it is creating and binding unity worldwide through service.

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