'Twas the Night Before Christmas in the Great Lakes Region

I’m breaking my “no Christmas before Thanksgiving” rule to share with you what our Great Lakes team has been up to this year in a fun, lighthearted way. Thank you so much for your support this year! —Amy Schenkel, Resonate's Regional Mission Leader for the Great Lakes Region

‘Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the region
the Great Lakes Team (1) was praying
their work would further God’s mission.

Some churches were celebrating
their first ever Christmas,
these church plants (2) supported 
by Resonate, churches, and classis.

The universities were now quiet
campus ministers (3) finally resting
from the flurry of activity
inviting students to share in God’s blessing.

We’ve met people who love their neighbors
and those who see the merit
of learning Go Local (4) practices
and following the Spirit.

There are churches who prayed
and invited their friends (5)
to worship at the manger
for God’s love never ends.

We are keenly aware
that the mission is now global
even in our backyards (6)
God is doing something hopeful.

Feliz Navidad (7)
may come out of our mouth
as the gospel spreads quickly
in the global south.

All this for one purpose
that God’s truth would resonate
throughout the world
and across our state.

Whatever we may say
as we share God’s Light,
“Merry Christmas to all!
And to all a good night!”

1: Our Resonate Great Lakes Regional Mission Team includes eight people, mostly Local Mission Leaders who work one day per week in a specialized area of ministry.

2: There are eight church plants with active Partnership Agreements with Resonate in the Great Lakes region!

3: There are six campus ministries in partnership with Resonate in the Great Lakes region, with approximately 1180 students actively involved.

4: This year, 24 people participated in a Go Local learning event in our region who each can share incredible stories about how they’ve seen the Holy Spirit at work in their neighborhoods. We’d love for you to join us next year!

5: Finding the right words to share God’s good news isn’t always easy, so this year Amy was heavily invested in the production of a new, free resource for churches called Witness to equip you to share the good news with others.

6: The world really has come to the Great Lakes region. We are currently partnered with church plants reaching Muslims from South Africa and Southern Europe, as well as the West Michigan Friendship Center that is welcoming Muslim immigrants to West Michigan.

7: We have been blessed by growth in Hispanic church planters! We currently support the Spanish-speaking church plants, and are raising up at least two more leaders for future plants.