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A Week of Fellowship and Future Hope

Written on . Posted in Globalscope, Reach.

Last week was a significant one for CMF, as three impactful events converged in Indianapolis. We were blessed to witness veteran missionaries, aspiring missionaries, and future missionaries come together for a few incredible days of connection, reflection, and preparation.

Our REACH interns returned from their summer fields of service for a week of debriefing. Missionaries currently on furlough in the U.S. gathered for a much-needed retreat. And our newest recruits spent the week preparing for their future ministries.

REACH: A Launchpad for Future Missionaries

For over 30 years, REACH internships have given young people the opportunity to experience life and ministry on the mission field firsthand. This year, we were thrilled to send 58 REACH interns to 12 different countries—including seven international interns from outside the U.S.!

Before heading home, the interns participated in a three-day Debrief designed to help them process their experiences, prepare for re-entry, and bring meaningful closure to their summer of service.

Several interns have already expressed a desire to return to the field as long-term missionaries. In fact, approximately 30% of current CMF missionaries began their journey through a REACH internship!

REACH interns Landry Herrick and Julia Seagle spent the summer serving in Kenya.

Furlough Retreat: Rest, Reconnection, and Retool

Furloughs are vital for the health and longevity of our missionaries. Our Furlough Retreat offers a space to rest, reconnect, and retool. It’s a beautiful time for teammates—serving in vastly different cultures and life situations—to grow together and encourage one another.

Savanah Yancey serves in Ivory Coast, West Africa and shared that, “Having a time and space to connect with other CMF missionaries was so valuable. During furlough retreat I received encouragement, guidance and validation from fellow missionaries who truly understand what it’s like to live and do ministry cross culturally. Even though we serve in different countries doing different forms of ministry, CMF truly is a fellowship.”

This year’s retreat welcomed 16 adults and 11 children, with missionaries representing England, Ethiopia, Mexico, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and West Africa.

Brandon and Kelsey Way serve with our Globalscope campus ministry team in Birmingham, England, and were able to spend the week at our Furlough Retreat.

Launch: Equipping Our Next Missionaries

One of the ways we prepare new missionaries for service is through a week of training called Launch. This past week, eight future missionaries spent time learning about our Fellowship and how to engage partners in their ministries.

  • Sara Amis, a 2024 Auburn University graduate and Campus Ministry Resident at Auburn Christian Fellowship, will join our Globalscope team in Puebla, Mexico.
  • Lance Barrett, a Mechanical Engineering graduate, will use his skills and passions to resource business leaders through our Marketplace Ministry team in Mexico.
  • Rob and Lauren Prucha, with nearly seven years of campus ministry experience at Iowa University, will bring their gifts—and their two children—to our Globalscope team in Birmingham, England.
  • Gavin and Erica Sain will serve in Puebla, Mexico with Globalscope. Gavin has been a campus minister at FEAST (Auburn Christian Fellowship), and Erica is a physical education teacher.
  • Mike and Jill bring a wealth of experience in business, finance, and missions to our team in South Asia where they will pour into leaders and equip small business owners.

We are thrilled to launch these new teammates into the next phase of their mission journeys!

Erica and Gavin Sain were part of our Launch group, helping get prepared for their future ministry in Puebla, Mexico. Gavin shared that "This past week at Launch was a great experience that we feel prepared us to begin walking alongside CMF in this next chapter of our lives. Not only were we given the tools to begin our support raising journey, but we were filled with encouragement having spent our time with both furloughing missionaries and REACH interns."

The Fellowship in Action

At Christian Missionary Fellowship, we often refer to ourselves simply as The Fellowship—and last week was a beautiful example of that spirit in action. REACH interns explored their calling alongside veteran missionaries. New recruits were inspired by those who have gone before them. And our furloughing missionaries found rest and renewal while encouraging the next generation.

None of this would be possible without your faithful prayers and support. Thank you for being a vital part of The Fellowship. We are deeply grateful for you!

furlough, Launch, missions, REACH internships