2023 YEAR-IN-REVIEW
LOCAL TO GLOBAL
First of all, we want to say “thank you” to all of our friends and family who have partnered with us in mobilizing MORE for God’s one mission. What we have to share in this 2023 Year-in-Review would not be possible without YOU!
:: Although Jeremy serves with Go To Nations in a monthly capacity, his current role as Associate Pastor at Oceanway Church is primary. Championing both local outreach and global missions efforts at OC, one of our 2023 year-end videos featured these areas. CLICK on the image above to check out some highlights from 2023!
#LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
:: Meet “J”. Attending Bible College in California years ago, “J” joined us for a “Cup of Love” Outreach. He explained what life is like in transition, living on the street. In this picture, “J” was recently shot in his eye with a pellet gun—please pray for “J” as he gets back on his feet and as God does miraculous work in his life!
COMMUNITY FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS
:: Each month, a team of 50 - 85 volunteers from Oceanway Church serves between 175 - 400 families from all around Jacksonville, Florida. The disabled, the elderly, and refugees from Ukraine and beyond are among those who receive much-needed groceries and ministry time with our Prayer Team. Started by an OC member, Patty Crawford, 12 years ago, this ministry has grown to effectively reach North Jacksonville in tangible ways!
STATS: In our Community Food Distributions for 2023 alone, we’ve served 2,910 families—valued at over $232,000 in groceries and staple items.
THE BIG GIVE
THE BIG GIVE ‘24 was all about mobilizing the church to “love local”, where over 200 volunteers connected with 1000+ neighbors in the Oceanway community: distributing some great groceries to 435 families, giving 98 haircuts along with 600 bags of school supplies! As Jeremy led this event, Susan and Sophia loved serving as a part of this local expression of God’s global mission!
GAS GIVE-AWAY OUTREACH
Just seeing the looks on faces as we offered FREE GAS at our local Circle K—we’ll never forget. God used this connecting point with people that we may not otherwise meet to bring hope into life’s real challenges. 100 people received $20 in gas, along with some personal ministry time with some of Oceanway Church’s pastors and Outreach Team!
HOVER OVER THE PICTURES ABOVE to see captions.
A “VEHICLE” FOR LOCAL OUTREACH
“Outreach is a local expression of God's one global mission.”
:: In October 2023, we officially launched Oceanway Church Outreach—a small campus outfitted with a 30 X 60 warehouse—to be a vehicle to accomplish this local expression. About 1 mile from the Main Campus, this building is a hub for all kinds of outreach ministry: by-appointment foods outreach, mental health coaching, support groups, circles, and much more. We are thrilled at the level of relationship-building that this type of outreach provides; so much opportunity for a deeper level of personal ministry!
STATS: “The Warehouse” Foods Outreach for 2023, facilitated 779 appointments—serving over 300 unique families!
#GLOBAL HIGHLIGHTS
LAUNCHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GREAT COMMISSION WORKERS
:: In 2023, Jeremy served also with Via Generosity, co-facilitating the December Support Raising Bootcamp. Online from Hungary to Honduras, from Columbia to Costa Rica, 65 Great Commission workers from dozens of organizations were equipped in an area that can “make-or-break” missions efforts in any context.
In April, Jeremy served as the Master of Ceremonies for the Support Raising Leaders Conference (SRLC), where 320 participants from 110 organizations (representing close to 100,000 missionaries and laborers) received encouragement, professional development, and opportunities to worship together—simply amazing!
“Missions ministry is not so much about gathering as it is about empowering and releasing.”
:: Tomorrow’s CHARIS Bible College Extension School Directors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders dove in to a crucial area of training. Planting ministries and schools in places like Taiwan, Uganda, and Poland, these Kingdom workers are passionate, willing, and stirred up! So honored to have 19 class hours with the Global Training School this Spring, and (for the first time this October) to train 300+ students in the 1st & 2nd Year programs via ZOOM about Short-Term Missions Fundraising!
STATS: Between 2018 through 2023, the Hendersons have trained over 2,880 leaders and Great Commission workers from 400+ churches, ministries, and organizations—resulting in ministry to people groups in nations like Ghana, Myanmar, Nepal, Slovakia, Guyana, Hungary, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and many more.
HOVER OVER THE PICTURES ABOVE to see captions.
CONTINENTAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM
:: This team of 11 from Oceanway Church accomplished 10+ projects at Continental Theological Seminary, helping the school prepare to train predominantly European ministers from 30 different countries for the 2023-2024 academic year. The women also had the opportunity to minister at Breaking Chains, a ministry specializing in rescuing victims of trafficking and abuse. Missions is for all of us!
NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH: BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS
:: With a population of 47,000+, this Eastern Caribbean island (along with its near neighbor) is approximately 22% Evangelical, with a thorough mixture of cultures from other Caribbean islands. With a pastor from the Dominican Republic, New Beginnings is the only local Assemblies of God church on the island. Right now, they are seeing Cuban nationals (with culturally atheist backgrounds) come to radical faith in Jesus. It was an awesome experience to partner with them (along with Latin America Missionaries, Dale & Patti Coad) to accomplish major projects towards the completion of their church building!
#ON A PERSONAL NOTE
COOKING UP SOMETHING GOOD! At River City Science Academy, Susan teaches 1st Grade—she’s starting another college class for her Reading Endorsement at the end of 2023!
TYING THE KNOT! Josiah and Viv are getting married on February 15th in Clermont, Florida—please pray for God’s hand in their lives individually and as a couple as they enter the marriage covenant!
SWEET 16! Sophia turned 16 in 2023—Wow! we are so excited about what God is doing in and through our girl! She’s headed to the Pastor’s Kids Retreat in January!
HOMECOMING! Sophia represented her Sophomore Class at Providence School for Homecoming Court!
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PLEASE PRAY
:: We are so very grateful for God’s faithfulness in 2023.
As we head into 2024, please pray for God’s wisdom and direction for leadership, and for God’s blessing and continued guidance for Jeremy, Susan, Josiah, and Sophia! #onmission #localtoglobal
THANK YOU!
We truly appreciate your keeping up with the Hendersons. May all God’s peace be yours in 2024!
