Volunteer of the Month: October 2013

Jim & Shirley at the Jungle Village Celebration in October. 

Most people think of retirement as a chance to rest, relax, and check out from job and duty. School to the Nations is blessed beyond measure that Jim and Shirley Fox do not see it this way. Rather than spend their retirement traveling to exotic places, resting, and not doing much of anything they have chosen to spend their retirement continuing in the Lord's work.

For seven years they have served STN faithfully doing anything from carpentry to weed eating, without complaint and with smiles on their faces. More recently Jim has spent countless hours on helping complete our Jungle Training Village on campus. Jim and Shirley serve with a ministry called Campers on Mission which means they live in their camper and serve full-time as volunteers for our ministry.

"They love Christ and the Kingdom and truly have served the cause of the Gospel on a 

daily basis. What a joy and example of growing older in Grace." 

-Randy Copeland (STN Founder/Director) 

"Jim & Shirley are a godly example of what it means to serve Christ on a daily basis. 

Their consistency and faithfulness are an inspiration to all of us at School to the Nations."

 -Jackie Arnold (Office Administrator) 

Jim & Shirley are blessed with six children, 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren! They are avid St. Louis Cardinals fans as well. Jim loves photography and Shirley enjoys doing crafts. They are members of Starling Road Baptist Church.

Thank you Jim & Shirley for your passion to reach the unreached and for using your gifts to help School to the Nations. This month we honor your hard work and dedication!

July Volunteers of the Month: Larry and Josh Stevens

Larry and Josh working on the Asian Village

For the past few months a group of men have been working hard at designing and building our newest addition to our U.S. Base Campus, our Asian Village Training Center. Two of these men, Larry and Josh Stevens (father and son) are both custom home builders and have grabbed hold of the vision that the Lord has placed in their hearts to reach the nations using the gifts that God has given them. We are so thankful to have these men as critical members of this crew as they not only have the skills needed to construct such a project but also they both grasp why School to the Nations exists.

The Stevens Family

In their free time, Josh enjoys bow hunting and is a competitive bow shooter while Larry enjoys fishing and boating. When asked why enjoy serving for STN they said, "We have a heart to see people come to Jesus and we both want to make a greater impact with our gifts...to serve with our building skills to help reach the nations for Christ." Pictured on the left with Larry's wife Melody, and both sons (Josh and Jared) the Stevens are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Springfield, MO and live in Republic, MO. 

Proverbs 22:29 says, "Have you seen a man who is expert in his business? He will take his place before kings; his place will not be among low persons." These two men are experts in their business and are using all that they have to help future mission teams prepare to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Thank you Larry and Josh for your commitment to Christ's calling and for using your gifts to reach to the ends of the earth!

May Volunteers of the Month: Bethany Webster & Hanelle Reeder

School to the Nations believes that every gift can be used to impact the world for the Glory of Jesus. We are blessed to have volunteers with a variety of God-given gifts and talents who are using them to be involved in missions and in carrying out the call that the Lord has placed on their lives. 

This month we want to honor two women who are using the gift of dance to proclaim the message of Jesus. Bethany Webster and Hanelle Reeder recently choreographed and performed a dance at our Sowers & Fields Festival at Remington's in April. It was a joy to see these women dance with such skill and passion! 

The Webster Family

Bethany Webster is a close family friend of the Copeland's and has been involved here and there with School to the Nations over the course of the ministry's development. She has traveled with STN to Africa and has a sincere servant's heart. She is the wife of Jacob Webster and they have two children, Landon (5) and Storri (3) and a third baby on the way! They attend Revolution Church in Nixa. She works at VIP Hair Studio in Nixa where she uses her gifts not only to cut and style hair but to impact her community by offering great service as a means to share the love of Jesus. She has been involved with dance for many years whether teaching, choreographing, or dancing herself. What an inspiration to see Bethany dance with such passion! 

Hanelle Reeder

Hanelle Reeder came to School to the Nations through our college house church that meets weekly during the school year. Originally from Nixa she is one of eight children in her family and other than dancing enjoys painting, violin, and piano. She is a member of the Petra Ballet Company and attends Parkcrest Baptist Church. Hanelle has always wanted to dance for the Lord and feels that it is a huge part of her ministry. She loves the work that STN is doing and appreciates that Randy and the staff are so real! Hanelle has a hunger for the Living Word of God and it was an honor to watch as she used her gifts for the Glory of Jesus.

We are grateful for Bethany and Hanelle's part in making our April event a success and most of all for welcoming us into the presence of the Lord through dance. We pray that they continue to use their gifts for His glory! If you know these ladies, take some time to bless them with your words and know that these two ladies are living testimonies of God's specific gifting all for His Glory. 

Sowers & Field Festival - April 2013

 Thank you Bethany and Hanelle for your work and service not only for School to the Nations but for the Lord! 

Focus on the Unreached: The Deaf of Botswana

This monthly blog feature focuses on one of the 12 major fields with which School to the Nations works. This month we’ll shed some light on what’s happening in Botswana, a nation in southern Africa.

“What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.” Matthew 10:27

Learn

School to the Nations began work in Botswana last fall – our first outreach to touch a largely unreached group – the deaf. Although Botswana is one of the wealthiest and most democratic nations in Africa, the HIV/AIDS epidemic of past decades continues to impact young generations. The disease is believed to be one major cause of deafness among children and families in Botswana. Botswana strongly supports the deaf of their communities, giving free public education to all children including specialty deaf schools and students with other special needs. In fact, many teachers in these schools are Christians, but they become burned out and discouraged and are often not able to fully utilize their training due to time and other restraints. One of the discouragements with deaf children is that they are at a disadvantage compared to their peers because they are often not taught any ASL or other sign until they start school. Overall, 70% of Botswanans are Christians, yet these Christians are in desperate need of encouragement as well as training to reach the deaf and other unreached in their communities.

Connect

        

School to the Nations will send a team out to share the Gospel and train and encourage the church of Botswana sometime this fall. If you’d like to take part in this trip, either by going or supporting those on the team, contact our Cross-Cultural director and leader of this trip, Jenna Kilgallin at jenna.kilgallin@gmail.com. The team start out in the capital city, Gaborone,  to host a discipleship conference for the deaf and those who want to reach out to the deaf. They will also travel to the city of Maun to work in both primary and secondary schools building relationships with students and faculty alike.

You can read Jenna’s stories from the last trip to Botswana on her blog. 

Pray

• That the church in Maun will grow and the gap between the deaf and the hearing in Maun will be closed as the hearing of Maun are trained and encouraged to share Christ with their community.
• That similar ministries will be planted in and around Maun to support the deaf community.
• That the small deaf church in Gaborone will grow exponentially to create a Christian community for the deaf.
• That deaf children will begin to be taught ASL from a younger age so that they can keep up with their hearing peers.
• That the teachers of deaf schools will be encouraged, supported, and strengthened to continue their work among deaf children.
• For the team headed for Gaborone and Maun early this fall. 

Heart to Serve: Larry Stevens

Any missions organization must surround itself with people who not only have a heart for sharing the Gospel with all people, but also those who are experts in their field of work and excel at what they do. Larry Stevens, with his wife Melody, is a man that we are blessed to have as a part of our U.S. Home Base Camp Advance Team. 

Larry is a talented builder, as he runs and operates his own building company, Larry Stevens Building. Not only that, Larry has a heart to serve and see God's love taken across the world to those who have never heard. We are blessed to have such a talented man who knows the business, yet maintains integrity in the midst of the competitive business world. 

He and his wife, Melody have two sons and are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church where Larry serves as a deacon. Larry has a heart to serve locally but is extending his reach to the ends of the earth by partnering with School to the Nations and sharing his gift of building with us. 

Thank you, Larry and Melody, for using your gifts to not only bless our ministry, but to be a part of God's global purpose and helping us reach the unreached! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Heart to Serve: Kristy Ogden

Kristy Ogden has been involved in missions for many years, her heart is full of love for all people and she is a key part of what goes on at School to the Nations. Currently Kristy takes care of our Leadership Development and has created an orientation for all new staff members and volunteers. She is crucial in helping these people become acclimated to our ministry, and learn the ins and outs of School to the Nations. 

Having travelled overseas herself to places like Brazil and Bosnia, she is very aware of the need for Christ around the world and is using her gifts to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. She and her husband Matt (our Director of Buildings and Grounds) are involved locally at Ridgecrest Baptist Church and have one son, Asher. Her heart to serve is played out on a daily basis as she works full time with the Missouri Baptist Children's Home caring for local children who are in need of God's love desperately. Not only is Kristy impacting people globally through her work at STN, but she is impacting people locally as well! 

Thank you for partnering with us Kristy! Your heart to serve is such an important part of School to the Nations and we want to honor you for using your gifts to serve the Lord. In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Heart to Serve: Stu & Marry Lou Hulsebus

We are blessed to have had quite a few retired couples join us at School to the Nations from the Campers on Mission ministry out of the North American Mission Board. This month we want to honor one of these couples, Stu and Marry Lou Hulsebus. 

Stu and his wife attend First Evangelical Free church in Springfield, MO and also serve with Campers on Mission as mentioned before. For a few months now, Stu has been helping us with maintenance on our Home Base campus, whether it's carpentry, electrical, or simply being Mr. Fix-it for the day. We are so blessed by his service and partnership in taking the Gospel across the world. 

What a wonderful picture of the idea that God is never done using you, as Stu and Marry Lou are still serving even after retirement and plan to continue for as long as they can. 

Thank you, Stu and Marry Lou, for using your gifts to not only bless our ministry, but to be a part of God's global purpose and helping us reach the unreached! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Heart to Serve: James & Abi Copeland

Joining the vision that God gave his father for School to the Nations, James Copeland has served with School to the Nations since the beginning. After marrying his wife, Abi in 2007, the two entered into ministry together and share a calling on their lives to live a life committed to bringing the Gospel to all nations. 

"James and Abi have a unique commitment for the cause of Christ globally and within the local church," says STN Founder (and James' father) Randy Copeland. 
James has served in the local church since 2005 working mainly with students ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-five. He is currently on staff at Ridgecrest Baptist Church as a Student Associate Pastor where he serves junior high, senior high, and more recently college aged students. Both James and Abi have a passion for discipling young people and helping them develop a global vision. 

The Copeland's have been overseas numerous times with School to the Nations, and have led teams of students as well across the globe on short-term trips. They have been vital in our church plants in the tribal villages of West Africa and both witnessed the first baptisms among a people group in 2008. 

Currently, James is in the last year of his Global Studies degree at Missouri State University. Abi attended Evangel University where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Mission Studies. They are parents to two little girls, Anabelle (3) and Mya (2). Abi serves as our Journalist for School to the Nations and James serve on our Frontier Advance Team and is our Media Director. 

Thank you for your heart to serve with us James and Abi! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

International Day 2012 Recap

International Day 2012 looked a little different this year than in years past. Roughly eighteen hours prior to this year's event, our leadership team was faced with the decision to move locations due to a threat of severe weather hitting the Ozarks on Thursday afternoon. Tracy, Randy, and other leaders sought the counsel of local weathermen and made the choice to move the event indoors to Remington's in Springfield, MO. What could have been a stressful eighteen hours, turned into a wonderful picture of the body of Christ working together to show His love to all people and accomplish a goal.

We had hundreds of students come, and despite the darkness that loomed outside during the rainstorm, Remington's was lit up with new friendships and an excitement among students from all over the world.

The students enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by amazing volunteers.







Local businesses including the Springfield Police Force set up information tables to answer questions and inform the international students of what Springfield has to offer.





Also campus ministries were able to showcase their group and hopefully gain many more members for the upcoming school year!




Entertainment kicked off with the Red Bridge Bluegrass Band using their talents in Bluegrass music to give these students a little taste of the Ozarks through music!

Following the band a local ballet company, Petra Ballet, did a short performance featuring native dances from across the world. The students loved seeing the different types of dance!





Ending the evening, Real Encounter Ministries demonstrated the extreme talent of two of their BMX riders on an indoor ramp. These guys did flips, tricks, and jumps and were for sure a crowd favorite!




The event was a great success and we look forward to maintaining the friendships formed and seeing how God uses this event to energize the local church and community in welcoming all people to enjoy the Ozarks.

 Thank YOU for your prayers and support for the event. This event was not a success because of the efforts of man, but because of hundreds of prayers and amazing partners that allowed us to function underneath God's blessing!

Check back with us next week to learn more about Remington's and the amazing crew that allowed International Day to happen!

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(Photographs by Matt Douglas) 

Call to Prayer: International Day 2012

On Thursday August 16th, we are welcoming over 400 International Students from local colleges to our Home Base campus for our annual International Day event. We are so excited at this opportunity to host so many nations literally in our own backyard and hope that this event is a catalyst to many friendships and to many hearts turned towards Christ.

Would you join us in praying for this event? As with any event of this size there are a lot of details and energy that go into making it happen. We hope that this event will fan the flame among the church for the nations. Our prayer is that these students feel at home here and will become connected in some way to a local church or ministry throughout the school year.

Here are some prayer points. Will you join us in covering this event in prayer?

-Pray for great weather on Thursday

-Pray for all the preparations going into Thursday's event

-Pray for the students that will attend, that friendships will be formed and connections made that will outlast the event

-Pray for protection and safety

We truly believe that this event is crucial in the impact of School to the Nations in our local community!

****Look for a recap of this year's event next week here on the blog...complete with pictures!!****

Heart to Serve: Adam Chambers

What a joy it is to have such incredible volunteers join us in our mission to bring the Gospel to the frontiers around the world. This month we want to honor one of these people, for his dedication to serve in whatever way is needed and for his heart for the nations. Adam Chamber has served with us in many different ways over the past few years and we are so honored to watch him use his gifts to make a global impact. 

Adam and a friend in West Africa

Adam currently is serving as a volunteer on our Buildings and Grounds team and also as a Facilitator on our Extreme Adventures Challenge Course. He has also been on many trips overseas with School to the Nations and it is on these trips that his true servant's heart is visible. He has a passion for God's Word, and for sharing Scripture with those around him. This passion is unique among his generation and the Lord has great plans for Adam as he continues to serve and allow God to direct his paths. He is currently a member at Stonebridge Church in Nixa, Mo where he is involved in discipling young people. 

Adam's heart is truly the heart of a servant. He is loyal, not only to the Lord, but to his family, friends, and the ministries he serves. We are so blessed to have him on board to STN and look forward to all that God has in store for this young man's life! 

Thank you for your heart to serve with us Adam! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Biblical Partnerships: Raising up the Next Generation of Missions Leaders

School to the Nations is honored and excited when the opportunity comes to train young people on our Home Base Campus. We see the importance of raising up young men and women with a global perspective and a heart to serve ALL people.

Recently we were able to host students from two area churches and are excited to share that experience in hopes that we will continue to see churches encouraging their students to gain a global vision and a heart for missions across our world.

On July 11th, fifteen students from East Sunshine Church of Christ  in Springfield came out and volunteered on our grounds. They were a huge help in completing some maintenance work on our Kelunka Tribal Village and we are so thankful for their hearts and willingness to partner with STN in this way.

Following that, on July 12th, 184 students from Northpoint Church in Springfield took part in a variety of things including working on our Extreme Adventure Challenge Course and took part in a missions awareness event including the Prayer Trail where they were introduced to different unreached people groups and spent time in prayer for each group. We are thankful for churches like Northpoint who are building global missions awareness into the DNA of their student ministries.

Praise the Lord for each student and leader that came out and took part in advancing God's Kingdom into the unreached places of the world!