May: Sri Lanka

Okay guys, Sri Lanka was absolutely incredible, and we are already ready to go back!

We were so blessed to serve alongside Oaktown Church from Charleston, South Carolina. We are honored to be part of their church family and deeply love who they are and everything they stand for. One thing Oaktown does exceptionally well is empowering people to step into their God-given purpose and use their gifts to build the Kingdom of God. They are truly a church on mission, and it was a privilege to serve alongside them in Sri Lanka. Their longstanding partnership with ministry leaders in Sri Lanka made this trip especially meaningful. The primary focus of our week was training children's ministry leaders to effectively lead Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs in their local churches.

Our journey began at Ape Kedella, where we had the opportunity to witness firsthand the incredible ministry of the Kithu Sevana church planting movement founded by Adrian De Visser, Asian Access Vice President for Partnership Development. Adrian has established transformational, holistic ministries that beautifully complement evangelism, and we were grateful to play a small role in what God is doing through his leadership. One of the most remarkable aspects of Adrian's ministry is the network of sustainable farms he has established to care for vulnerable children and young people. These farms provide a safe haven for children who have been abandoned, displaced, trapped in cycles of poverty, affected by the aftermath of civil conflict, or rescued from difficult situations. These farms are also designed to be self-sustaining. They produce fruits and vegetables, raise livestock, and cultivate agricultural resources that help generate income to support the ongoing ministry. Beyond meeting immediate needs, they also teach families practical skills for sustainable living and income generation, including farming, animal husbandry, and entrepreneurship. Every aspect of the ministry is intentionally designed to equip individuals with the tools they need to build a better future for themselves and their communities. Seeing this model in action was incredibly inspiring and a powerful reminder of how God is transforming lives through holistic, Kingdom-centered ministry.

During our first two days, we trained hundreds of children's ministry leaders from church plants across the country. Several members of our team shared from their areas of expertise. Ben and Maddy, who serve on staff at Oaktown and led the entire VBS training initiative, spent countless hours preparing curriculum, materials, and resources before we ever arrived. Stephanie, an art teacher, shared practical ways to incorporate creativity and art into children's ministry. Nicole, an assistant principal at Oaktown's school, taught from Ephesians 4:32, encouraging leaders to model compassion and kindness—qualities that are often overlooked within the broader culture here. 

In addition to the children's ministry training, Dave, one of the lead pastors at Oaktown, and Wanda— affectionately known as "the glue that holds everything together" at Oaktown — spent time investing in the church leaders. They led leadership training sessions focused on servant leadership, discipleship, team building, and practical ways to strengthen and grow healthy ministries. They mentioned how it was encouraging to see pastors and ministry leaders lean in, taking notes, and gaining tools that will continue to impact their churches long after our team has returned home.

Brandon and I had the opportunity to speak about missions and encourage these leaders to embrace their calling to fulfill Christ's command to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel." It was inspiring to watch them engage so eagerly, taking notes, asking questions, and seeking ways to better reach the next generation.

After the training, it was time to put everything into practice as VBS officially began. The transformation from rehearsal to reality was amazing to witness. The leaders did an outstanding job, and the children had an incredible time! The theme, "Crazy Creation," focused on God's amazing creation, and the kids LOVED the music, dancing, activities, and lessons.

After several days at the campsite, we traveled into the city to help with VBS at Kithu Sevana Church. The church was beautifully prepared, and the team delivered an impressive program for hundreds of children. One of the most exciting parts of the week was learning that 36 children attending VBS had no Christian background. For many of them, this was the very first time they had heard about God as Creator. What a privilege it was to be part of sharing that truth with them.

On Sunday, we attended worship at Kithu Sevana Church. Pastor Dave shared a powerful message centered on biblical community from Acts 2:42. It felt like the perfect continuation of everything we had experienced throughout the week—children learning together, leaders serving together, and believers growing together in community.

Following the service, we traveled to Colombo and spent time with the De Visser family. Their hospitality was unmatched, and we were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about Global Unites, founded by Adrian's son, Prashan De Visser.

Global Unites grew out of a desire to bring healing and unity to a nation deeply affected by decades of violence, mistrust, and civil war. What began as Sri Lanka Unites has become a global movement empowering young people to reject division and become agents of transformation in their nations. Their vision is inspiring: raising up a generation committed to bringing hope, reconciliation, and positive change wherever God has placed them. We were all incredibly impressed by everything the De Visser family has accomplished for the Kingdom of God and continues to build each day. From leading ministries and hosting podcasts to traveling the world, planting churches, running Ape Kedella, and investing in the next generation through initiatives like Global Unites, their passion for serving God is evident in every area of their lives. It was both inspiring and refreshing to spend time with a family so fully devoted to advancing God's Kingdom. Their faith, vision, and commitment challenged us and encouraged us to continue pursuing God's calling with the same passion and purpose.

As our trip came to an end, our hearts were full. Though our time in Sri Lanka was brief, we believe God used it to make a lasting impact. We were able to encourage and equip children's ministry leaders who will now continue reaching children across their communities. In a culture where children's ministry has not always been prioritized, it was encouraging to see leaders catch a vision for investing in the next generation and creating environments where children can encounter the love of Christ in such a fun, interactive way. 

We leave Sri Lanka grateful for new friendships and excited to see how God continues to work through the churches and ministries there. Thank you to Oaktown Church, the Kithu Sevana team, the De Visser family, and everyone who made this trip possible.

We head home with full hearts—and with great anticipation for our next adventure in Peru!