by Brendan Kimbrough | Feb 28, 2025 | Short-term Missions
Jennifer Ruben is a Jesus-follower and an Anglican committed to help other Anglicans engage in mission. As the founder of One 8 Go Global, her main aim is to summon others to take the Gospel to all nations. Her ministry takes its name from Acts 1:8, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Throughout its history, SAMS has invited churches to enhance their global outreach through short-term missions that contribute to the long-term ministry of missionaries and the global Anglican church. SAMS is now promoting one more way for both churches and individuals to participate in a short-term mission by commending One 8 Go Global. This option will provide teams and individuals with a complete package, starting with preparation and concluding
with debriefing!
Leading short-term missions takes experience, training, logistical and spiritual support on the field, and global partners. Jennifer has fostered relationships in Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the USA with several different denominations. In 2025, One 8 Go Global is planning
six missions. Jennifer will completely prepare the team, accompany the team, and debrief the team. She is currently working to fill-out the Malawi team in July, who will conduct village evangelism, discipleship, food relief, and a children’s program. Email Nita at info@sams-usa.org to connect directly with One 8 Go Global.
by Brendan Kimbrough | Feb 21, 2025 | Europe, SAMS Missionaries
New SAMS Missionary Candidates Lee and Ela Nelson are responding to a call to contribute to the re-evangelization of Europe through the Knüll Camp and Conference Center in Schwarzenborn, Germany. Two ACNA jurisdictions will come alongside Lee and Ela and their children for a collaborative sending effort. Both the Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) Board of Foreign Missions and the Diocese of the Fort Worth are engaged in directly supporting and encouraging others to join this ministry as Senders of the Nelson family.
For five decades REC Bishop Gerhard Meyer with his wife Grace led the Camp, where many have been blessed in the Lord. As the new director, Lee will be developing a training center to encourage the planting of healthy, multiplying churches throughout Europe.
While work needs to be done to upgrade the camp, Lee and Ela envision it as a strategic place to launch initiatives like the training center. A second focus will be to make the camp a hospitable refuge for beleaguered Christians, lay and clergy alike. Please pray for the Nelson family as they seek Senders and then transition
from Texas to Germany to equip and refresh the church.
Visit the Nelson’s page
by Brendan Kimbrough | Jan 17, 2025 | Netherlands, Netherlands
We see the Light of the World…
… in Christ’s work all around us. Here in Amsterdam at this time of year beautiful lights are on display all over the city reflected in the many canals and creatively adorning the historic buildings. But we live in a tumultuous time and sometimes the lights might give the impression that all is well, but darkness is all around.
Ukrainian refugees continue their sojourn here and war is near. No Amsterdammer can forget that thousands of Jewish residents were sent away to perish in the Holocaust. The streets glittering with Christmas lights also display small brass commemorative plates on the pavement in front of homes where Jewish families once lived. Hatred of Jewish people cropped up recently. Rioting hooligans after a football (soccer) match remind us that human sinfulness remains. One of the leading Rabbis in Amsterdam recently stated that both Jewish and Muslim communities presently feel themselves scorned and unwanted, for it is all too easy to blame the nearest immigrant or person who is “not like us.” The darkness lingers.
As a church in the heart of the city we continue to meet curious neighbors and visitors who are interested in things spiritual or something they just cannot quantify. Is it the light of Christ they see? Often they are surprised by our diversity with so many nationalities, ages, economic backgrounds and professions. We trust that it has to do with the music of Messiah reverberating from the lives of our people and the warm hospitality driven by love, leaving an unforgettable impact as the light of Christ shines through. Here are a few recent examples.
- “Ned,” a 74 year-old, got the difficult news of terminal lung cancer. Though he lived only 3 more weeks, he was amazed and comforted as God’s people rallied around. He said, “I’ve never had so many people around me in all my life!”
- Life-long church member, “Phylis,” is 95 and lives alone in an assisted living home. She looks forward to singing Christmas carols and offering hospitality to our pastoral team when they visit. Her trust in the Lord in old age is such an encouragement to many.
- “Alice” is a 16 year-old who recently began attending youth group with a friend. She eagerly participated in our recent carol service as a reader.
- Jono, another teen, saw the light of Christ in the lives of both of his grandmothers. Through their prayers and encouragement, he began faithfully attending our services.
- “R” has experienced life on the street for the past two decades due to issues of mental illness. It is gratifying that our people welcome him to our services. Just this week he attended a midweek communion service on a blustery day. He was in tears as we took bread and cup together in anticipation of that day when we will reside in that city “where the Lamb is the light.”
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1.5
by Brendan Kimbrough | Dec 21, 2024 | Rwanda
We see the Light of the World…
… when women and children gather at the Word Made Flesh ministry center in Kigali. where Chelsea serves. The prophet Isaiah wrote that “The people walking in darkness” would see a great light, and that the Lord would increase their joy. While 21st-century at-risk populations were not necessarily on Isaiah’s radar, we continue to see this prophecy fulfilled in our midst as God shares his grace with the world. The women and children in Kigali’s slums face the darkness of poverty: loneliness and depression; financial insecurity; abuse and neglect; hopelessness; and shame, to name a few.
But when they gather together as a Christ-seeking community with care for both body and soul, they are reminded that the Light of Life renders the darkness powerless in the grand scheme of things. The challenges of poverty continue to exist, but do not have the final word. The Great Light, Jesus, increases their joy even in the midst of hardship.
I see this Light of Life in the peace of the women’s smiles, and their sense of ease and refuge being in each other’s presence. I see this Light of Life in children who dance and play because their fears lessen when they are assured that the Lord loves them and wants abundant life for them. Praise be to God that the Great Light himself, Jesus, continues to enlarge his people and to bring joy — and that we as missionaries are witnesses to tell of it!
