Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“I truly believe in Sinapis' work of making disciples and alleviating poverty through the power of entrepreneurship. Job creation is essential to combatting poverty in emerging and frontier markets. Empowering entrepreneurs with the skills and connections to build and grow thriving businesses can transform their communities. And when that is partnered with a love for the Lord and a desire to honor Him in and through the business, eternities can change.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“I love serving the missionaries. I am one and know how it can be easy to be burned out or feel your church supports you financially but doesn't really see you. I love that I get to love our missionaries on behalf of Soma.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“We have found Circles to be an amazing avenue to serve together as a married couple as we are able to partner in loving our neighbors intentionally with the hopes of befriending those in our community that have very different lives than ourselves. It has been such a sweet gift to be able to partner with Circles in their poverty alleviation work in our city as we get to learn about the needs of others while also offering our stable friendship to those in need.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“We first visited Nicaragua with NRN in 2009. Since then, we have had the privilege of serving the ministry in numerous ways, but what excites us most is introducing people at Soma to our co-laborers in Nicaragua, who have been faithfully serving for decades. We have seen firsthand the transformative impact that student sponsorship can have, not only for individual students but also for their families across generations. We are eager for the people of Soma to experience the shared faith and mutual growth that relationships like the one between our church and Iglesia Betsaida sustain, cultivate, and nurture.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“I champion global and Indiana missionaries on the JMM committee because I am passionate about inviting people to explore a relationship with Jesus, whether that is here in Indianapolis on one of our many college campuses or around the world. I have four kids and try to go on a mission trip each year with at least one of them.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“My husband Eric and I are passionate about Family Hope's mission: to bring the love of Jesus to families and prevent the need for foster care through temporary hosting of children. When families feel loved and supported, lives are transformed. Supporting moms, dads, and kids through Family Hope is a practical way to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our community.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“I have been involved with Family Hope since 2021 and have seen firsthand the power of supportive relationships for families walking through crisis. Family Hope provides preventative care for the foster system through church-led volunteers. Through Soma’s partnership with Family Hope, I’m passionate about seeing our church body come together to wrap around vulnerable families in our city and point them to the truth and hope of the Gospel.”
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
"I got involved with And Campaign in 2023. I was overwhelmed & confused by the polarization within our country, even within my own family. I could not find a place within Christian community to discuss politics even while Jesus was political; he addressed political figures and systems. There was a felt disconnect: topics that were animating the nation were not being discussed openly in places of faith. The work being done through And Campaign challenged and comforted me. Their mission to help "bridge the divide and equip believers for a more faithful public witness" along with their impressive tools and biblical framework for engaging politics has helped me grow in faith and action. Even if we are clueless about civics, we can learn and find ways to advocate for just policies! It has been a joy to explore "Compassion AND Conviction" while reaching across denomination, age, race and political party to help create conversations using tools that hold moral tensions with integrity. I have learned so much in this intentional community! Indeed there is a moral imperative to care about the systems and policies that affect our community, and we don't have to do it alone!"
Why do you “champion” this ministry area?
“I champion Circles because I have so much to learn about poverty and want to invite others to join me. I champion Circles because of Calvin, Martin, Lenny, Daniel, Anna, Shea, (names changed to protect privacy) and numerous others I have gotten to know in my time volunteering with Circles. I champion Circles because of people like Marie, Brenda, Will, and Jerry who have been engaged in this space far longer than I have.
I champion Circles because barriers can be broken down when we sit down at the same table and share a meal with others who are living different lives than our own. I champion Circles because I have needed help in my life. I champion Circles because I am able to offer encouragement and stable friendship.
I champion circles because these are my neighbors.”