The Corners Chapel

Why Do We Go There When There's Needs Here

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 18:41:11 +0000

We're back!

Fifteen blog posts.

Thousands of miles.

Countless memories.

And, by God's grace, lives that were changed forever.

Before we officially close out this year's Mozambique blog series, I want to answer one question that inevitably comes up every time we announce an international mission trip, and every time we come home.

Why do we go there when there's so much work to be done here?

It's a fair question, and it's an important one.

So, here's my answers.

1. We go because Jesus commanded us to.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He commissioned His followers to make disciples of all nations.

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
- Acts 1:8

Notice He didn't say instead "or". He said "and."

The Great Commission has always been both local and global.

Our church exists to see lives transformed by the Word of God so that all the corners of the earth will know that Jesus is Lord. That includes Northeast Ohio. It also includes Mozambique.

Obedience isn't choosing one or the other. It's embracing both.

2. We go because there are still places where the gospel has very little presence.

One of the tools missionaries often use is this Joshua Project map, which highlights people groups around the world based on their access to the gospel. On the map, the green areas have an established church presence, yellow areas have some access but significant need remains, and red areas represent some of the least-reached places on earth.

Most church mission trips, while great trips good trips, serve only in places where churches are already well established. I thank God for that work. But it's my prayer that our church will go where the need is greatest.

Mozambique is a fascinating place. Depending on where you are in the country, you'll find regions with a strong Christian presence, areas where the church is growing, and others where there is little to no gospel witness.

That's one of the reasons our partnership with Pastor Benedito means so much to us.

He doesn't just want to visit the places where Christianity is already flourishing. He wants to take the gospel farther into places where it is scarcely known. And we want to help him.

Please pray with us as we continue to discern what future partnerships and future trips might look like, especially as we seek opportunities to serve in even less-reached areas of Gaza Province and beyond.

3. We go because going there makes us better at living missionally here.

I've never met someone who returned from faithfully serving halfway around the world and came home less passionate about sharing Christ here.

I've only seen the opposite.

Something happens when you watch people worship under a tree. When you preach through a translator. When you pray with pastors and church leaders who have so little materially but so much joy in Christ. You come home remembering that Jesus is worth talking about.

International missions has never distracted our church from local ministry. It has only fueled it.

My prayer isn't just that people would become passionate about Mozambique. My prayer is that people would become passionate about Jesus, and that passion would overflow into every neighborhood, every workplace, every school, every conversation, and every corner of the world.

The mission field isn't only across the ocean. It's also across the street.
And going across the ocean reminds us why we should cross the street.

As we close this year's blog series, I want to say thank you.

Thank you for praying. Thank you for giving. Thank you for following along each day.

Thank you to every member of our team for serving with humility, flexibility, and joy. It was a privilege to serve alongside each of you.

My prayer is that these posts didn't just tell the story of our trip, but reminded all of us of the story God is writing around the world.

The countdown to our next trip to Mozambique has officially begun. When will it be? We don't know yet.

But, Lord willing, we'll see you there!

Day 15: Wheels Up...Again

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:09:24 +0000

As I'm writing this, we're about to leave for the airportin Cape Town as we begin our journey home.

If you're reading this shortly after it goes live, we're probably already in the air. Our flight leaves Cape Town at 7:55 PM local time, and Lord willing, we'll arrive back in the United States around 5:00 AM, before finally landing in Cleveland at 10:00 AM.

It's hard to believe those words are already true.

Today started by saying goodbye to Gaby and Maggie. They're on their way to Rwanda, where they'll spend the next couple of weeks serving alongside ministry partners there. We'll let them tell that story themselves when the time comes, but we're excited to see what God has in store for them.

The rest of us spent one last day together exploring Cape Town. We rode the cable car to the top of Table Mountain, where the weather was much colder than we expected. But once we reached the top, the view made us forget all about the wind.

Every direction reminded us of the greatness of God. The mountains, the ocean, and the city below all declared what Psalm 19 has been saying all along: "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." After two weeks of watching God move through churches, pastors, children, villages, and new friendships, it felt fitting to end our time by standing in awe of the Creator Himself.

Tomorrow afternoon, Lord willing, I'll share one final blog after I've had a chance to catch my breath, unpack bags, and reflect on everything God has done.

But before we land this series, we wanted to pause for just a moment.

In the Day 1 blog, I asked each member of our team two simple questions before we left.

What are you most excited about? and What is one prayer request you have for this trip?

Now we're standing on the other side of the journey.

The airports are familiar again, and the passports are a little more worn.

So, before we head home, I asked everyone one more question:

Now that the trip is over, what's one more thing you want to say to everyone reading the blog?

Here are their answers.

Day 14: Our Two Smallest Missionaries

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:29:13 +0000

Pastor Chase here.

Yesterday I mentioned that our final day of ministry in Mozambique had come to an end, and with it, the official mission portion of our trip.

Today was our free day in South Africa. We had the chance to see hundreds of penguins, explore one of the most beautiful coastlines I've ever seen, and stand at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula. Honestly, I could write an entire blog post about that last part. I think I actually will... just not here. Keep an eye on our social media tomorrow. (Yes, that was a shameless church social media plug.)

This post and the two that follow are going to feel a little different.

Today, I want to give you a glimpse into what it has been like to bring our family to Mozambique.
Tomorrow (July 9th) , you'll hear a short reflection from every member of our team, similar to the quick introductions everyone shared before we left.
Then, Lord willing, after we arrive back home on Friday (July 10th), I'll write one final post to close this journey.

So this blog is more personal. I want to pull back the curtain for a moment and share what this trip looked like from our family's perspective. And seriously, if you don't read anything else, scroll down to the bottom and read the images in grey!

Most of you know this is our second time bringing our family to Mozambique. Before our first trip, Amanda and I prayed long and hard about whether bringing Ada (at the time 7) and Hezekiah (at the time 2) was the right decision. There were two things that gave us peace.

The first was watching the Soares family.

If you know the Soareses, you know that missions isn't simply something they support. It's woven into the fabric of who they are. Their children have grown up seeing the nations, serving alongside their parents, and loving people from every corner of the world. That kind of example challenged us. We don't just want to teach our children about missions. We want them to experience it.

The second came through a conversation with a friend of mine who is now a pastor. He told me that one of his earliest memories was being on the mission field with his parents in Egypt.

I don't know what my children will say is their earliest memories years from now. But, I hope somewhere in that collection of memories are dusty village roads, joyful worship, the smiles of Mozambican children who speak a different language than them, and the reminder that we all play an active role in seeing the gospel go to every corner of the world.

But, that doesn't mean bringing children on a mission trip is simple.

We have been incredibly blessed on both this trip and our last to have family members traveling with us. Last trip my mom, brother-in-law, two of my sisters, one of my brothers, Claudia Soares, and many others were all on the trip and they stepped in countless times whenever there were the normal moments that every child thier ages have.

This year's team has been equally unbelievable.

The old saying is true: It takes a village to raise a child.

I'll add something else: It takes an entire mission team to bring a child across the world.

None of this would have been possible without the people God placed around us.

But above everyone else on the team, I have to thank my incredible wife.

I asked Amanda if she'd like to write something herself, but she told me I could write on her behalf.

If you've ever flown with young children, you already know what that meant for her. Because, while I carried much of the responsibility of leading our team, she quietly carried much of the responsibility of caring for our family. She sacrificed moments of rest. She sacrificed opportunities to simply enjoy the experience. She sacrificed the freedom to be fully present in every ministry opportunity because she was faithfully present where our children needed her most.

So, if it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an entire mission team to bring children across the world, it takes a mother like Amanda to make the trip a success!

As we begin wrapping up this trip, I don't know what lasting impact these experiences will have on Ada and Hezekiah. Only time will tell. But I do know this. The seeds have been planted.

Whether those seeds bear fruit next year or twenty years from now is ultimately in God's hands, but the seeds have been planted. And as their dad, I couldn't be more proud.

Okay, that's enough from me. The best way to end today's post isn't with more of my words. It's with theirs.

On this trip, almost every member of our team has had the opportunity to share their perspective through these blog posts, but there were two little voices that never got the chance.

So I handed them my phone, opened the voice memos app and asked them to tell everyone about their trip.

What follows is an unedited transcription of exactly what they said.

Enjoy.

ADA - Age: 9

HEZEKIAH - Age: 4.5

Before you go, take a look through some of our favorite photos of Ada and Hezekiah from this unforgettable trip.

Day 13: The Goodbye I Wasn't Ready For

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 02:31:55 +0000

A Quick Note from Pastor Chase

Hey everyone! I'm sorry this post is going up a little later than usual. By the time we got back to our place in South Africa last night, we were completely exhausted after saying goodbye to our Mozambique family and traveling all day.

Our Mozambique portion of the trip has officially come to an end as Gaby will explain in just a moment. It's now July 8th, and so we officially leave and begin our journey home. Most of us at least...stay tuned till the end to see why some are staying. Tomorrow so this is our last full day in Africa. However, we do have one full day together in Cape Town today where we'll spend some time reflecting on everything God has done over the last two weeks and enjoy a slightly different corner of this beautiful continent before heading back.

I'll share more reflections for tonight's blog...later today for you all, so you'll get a double dose of blog today!

But for now, here's Gaby's perspective on a trip and how it's changed her forever.

It is crazy that our time in Mozambique is already over.

When we showed up to the airport this morning in Maputo it felt like we were just there, arriving at the beginning of our trip. There were so many emotions when we had to say “see you later” to our family in Mozambique.

It is wild to me how quickly people can become your family when you have never even met them before, and the lasting impact that just a few short weeks can have on your life. To be completely honest I felt very sad leaving, but excited to come back and keep in touch with my new family until the next time we see each other.

Reflecting back on the trip, there have been so many different things the Lord has taught me. Here's just three things:

1.) The power of prayer.

We just experienced almost two weeks with a culture that fully embraces prayer. In America we stand in a circle and pray one at a time, most of the time in a quiet voice, and while that is not wrong or any less prayerful than the way the people in Mozambique pray it definitely feels different. I felt the Spirit in ways I never have before during moments of prayer with the women in Mozambique. When we said we were going to pray, everyone in the room started praying loud and boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus, worshiping him, and giving him all the glory. Experiencing that genuineness left a mark on me that will last an eternity.

2.) The people of Mozambique are so resilient.

There was flooding earlier this year and we were able to see the damages that was caused. Many of these people lost their homes, families, their jobs. As I saw how much they lost I couldn’t believe the joy they still had. I couldn’t even imagine losing what they did and still singing and praising the Lord with endless joy. The women specifically who we got to talk to would share the hardships they went through and I definitely felt the weight of that on my heart and their ability to lean on the Lord was an inspiration.

3.) The time I spent with the children in Mozambique changed my life dramatically.

I not only realized how much life, joy and value can be found in the small things in life but how important helping children understand the love of God is. As the time went on and I got to work with more kids I learned things about myself, strong suits that I have, and that I don’t need to be timid in sharing the gospel or experiences with children. I have learned so much about myself and what I am being called to do in my life from this trip and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I cannot wait to go back and visit the beautiful people I just met.

I am excited to spend a day exploring Cape Town before many people head home.

Adi and Michka are, of course, staying here since they live in Cape Town, but the rest of our team is heading home...except for Maggie and me!

Instead of flying back to the U.S., we're traveling to Rwanda, where we'll spend the next couple of weeks serving alongside Arise Rwanda Ministries, a ministry connection of CVCA. Maggie has been there before, but this will be my first time! I'll save all the details for another time, but after this Mozambique blog series comes to an end, we'll be back with a special blog post sharing what God did during our time in Rwanda.

Thank you for constant prayer over us and please continue prayer for the people in Moz!

Day 12: When God Surrounds You

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 21:01:51 +0000

“It’s okay to not be okay. It’s not okay to be okay with it.” — Pastor Chase

“The Lord is with you.” — A patient from Hudson Physical Therapy

Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and reaching out after hearing about my Granddad passing away while I was here on the mission trip.

His funeral was yesterday at 2:00 p.m. Ohio/Georgia time, which was 8:00 p.m. here in Mozambique. Yes...I even watched part of it live on Facebook.

It has been a difficult few days, but I have also seen God's faithfulness in ways I never expected.

This morning's devotional was led by our very own Papa G!

He talked about Biblical friendship. It was funny because when I started thinking about what I wanted to write for this blog, it fit perfectly with what he shared.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
— Proverbs 17:17 (NASB)

Today was our last full day in Mozambique.

Really, the only thing we had planned was a big worship night in the evening. The churches even mad flyers for it. So, the morning and afternoon were open. This gave me a chance to slow down and process everything that has happened over this whole mission trip.

On this free morning and afternoon, some of the team explored downtown, some grabbed coffee, some visited the Indian Ocean, and some got their hair done—or as Pastor Chase would say, got "the best haircut ever". During all of this, I found myself reflecting.

Sitting by the Indian Ocean, and even standing in it for the first time, was peaceful. It gave me space to think about everything God has been teaching me over the last two weeks.

When I received the news about my Granddad, I had a lot of emotions going through my head. I didn't find out the day he passed away. I found out the day after.
It took me a while to get in contact with my mom. When I finally did, she told me she didn't want to tell me while I was on the mission trip.

I want to give a shout-out to Maggie, Michka, Adi, and Pastor Chase. Each one had a part in helping me that Sunday night.

Pastor Chase and Maggie asked if everything was okay. I said, "I think my Granddad died. I'm just waiting for my mom to respond."

Pastor Chase immediately handed me his phone so I could try calling her.

The support they gave me meant more than they probably know.

Later, after I shared the news in our church prayer chat, Michka asked if I wanted to come sit with her, Amanda, Adi, Pastor Chase, and Pastor Maulidio.

I thanked her, but I told her I was okay.

A little while later, Maggie came over and asked if they could pray over me.

Again, I said, "Not right now."

But Adi must have seen something on my face that I couldn't hide.

He quietly walked over to me and simply said, "We're going to pray over you."

I don't remember everything he prayed.

I just remember saying, "Okay."

I'm an introvert. I'm not someone who asks for help, and I'm definitely not someone who likes being the center of attention. I also don't cry very often.

But that night, while they prayed over me, I cried.

Looking back now, I realize it was exactly what I needed.

It felt like God was reminding me that I didn't have to carry my grief by myself.

He surrounded me with people who loved me enough to stop what they were doing and pray over me.

I'm okay not because losing my Granddad didn't hurt, but because God has faithfully carried me through every moment.

This trip has stretched me in ways I never expected. Whether it's talking with people I just met, sharing my testimony, or allowing others to care for me when I needed it most, God has been growing me.

Tonight we ended our mission in Mozambque by going to Pastor Maulidio's church. Pastor Chase preached about Enoch and what it means to walk with God. He preached from Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5, Jude 14, and Isaiah 40:31.

One thing he said that stayed with me was that we always want to live in what is known. We like knowing what comes next. But walking with God means trusting Him even when we don't know what tomorrow holds.

The music before and after the sermon was one of the most powerful times of worship we experienced on the entire trip.

For a while we weren't even sure everyone was going to make it. Ariana, Micaiah, and Raul (Pastor Benito's son) were running very late. We kept wondering if they were going to get there. Even after service started we were not sure.

Then they walked in when we only had two songs left. and People were clapping, dancing, smiling, and praising God with so much joy.

During one of the songs I looked over and saw Pastor Chase, Pastor Valmir, and Papa G jumping together. For another song they turned the lights off and people were singing, "Amen, Amen." When I saw that I realized something.

The same God who got me through grief this week is worthy of my worship.

Grief and joy can exist at the same time.

This trip has changed me more than I expected.

God has shown me that I don't have to walk through hard things alone.

He is with me.

And sometimes He reminds me of that through the people He has placed around me.

Scroll through the images to see pics from today!

Day 11: Chronically Nostalgic

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 18:48:42 +0000

One of the things I’ve been thinking about lately is the concept of “newness.”

If you know me, you know I’m chronically nostalgic. So being back here has been a whirlwind of familiarity. As we’re driving around, I’m reminded of what the landscape looks like. As we’re eating meals, I’m reminded of the flavors. As we’re talking with the pastors, I’m reminded of the jokes and laughter we shared back in 2024.

I love the feeling of things being “new,” and I’m realizing that I have a little more experience under my belt now that this is my second trip to Mozambique. As wonderful as these experiences are, I’ve realized I’m not experiencing that same sense of newness that I felt the first time I was here.

Being back for the second time, these experiences no longer feel “new.” Instead, I know what to expect when it comes to the familiar roads, familiar faces, and familiar rhythms of life in Mozambique.

When I had this thought, it reminded me of what the gospel can sometimes look and feel like. For those of us who have grown up in church, hearing the same stories or walking through the routine of a Sunday morning can sometimes make us feel like we’re no longer experiencing the truth of the gospel for the first time.

When talking about Mozambique, Maggie O’Keefe often says that the believers here are “so convinced of the gospel.” The feeling of “newness” isn’t what fuels their boldness or their desire to have an intimate relationship with the Lord. They are so convinced of the gospel that whether or not they feel a certain way, they know what their assignment is. The gospel doesn’t have to feel “new” to be true. It doesn’t become less powerful because it becomes familiar, and neither does the ministry happening here in Mozambique.

When people asked me about my first trip to Mozambique, I would always say that the relationships we built with the pastors, their families, the ladies on the compound, and so many others were the most beautiful part of the trip. This time around, one of my biggest takeaways has been seeing how faithful and consistent the pastors and church leaders are in their daily lives as they reach their communities. The work they’re doing isn’t driven by emotion or excitement…it’s driven by conviction.

Today we had the opportunity to worship and hear a message from Mr. G. When we entered the church, they were already worshipping. We were quickly welcomed into the worship through singing and dancing. Ari, specifically, had a great time leading the congregation in a few of the dances.

Papa G preached from Psalm 4, reminding us that we don't need to be anxious because God will provide everything we need. While the adults gathered inside, Gabby and Michka were outside with the children, leading games, songs, and a lesson of their own.
At the close of the service, Pastor Chase shared the same benediction we hear every Sunday at The Corners Chapel. As soon as he finished, the congregation responded exactly as we do: "Amen... Hallelujah... Hallelujah... Amen."

Every time I visit a church, whether it’s in America or another country, I’m always amazed by the reality that millions of believers are praising God in their own corners of the world. We’re not so different from our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. While we were worshipping, it was 3:30 a.m. in Ohio. Thousands of miles apart, different languages, different cultures, but the same Savior and the same hope.

Afterwards, Pastor Ben told us that from now on, all of their churches are going to start reading from Hebrews 13 at the end of their services as well. It's a small thing, but it felt like another thread tying our churches together across the ocean.

Right before service ended and we did the benedictions, several mothers and grandmothers came forward, each carrying a baby. One by one, they were prayed over by Pastor Chase and Pastor Benedito and dedicated to the Lord. We didn't expect this part in the servive, but it was a beautiful reminder that God isn't only sustaining His church today, but He's raising up the next generation for tomorrow.

After church, we got back on the road and drove the almost six hours back to Maputo. The second half of the car ride was such a blessing. Raul (Pastor Benidito’s oldest son) asked if we would worship with him during the five-hour drive. We all took turns choosing songs, and it became such a sweet moment of praise. Off-key singing, bumpy roads, but a car full of joy and honest worship for our Creator.

One of the songs included the lyrics, “Let us become more aware of Your presence. Let us experience the glory of Your goodness.” That song is a plea for God to open our eyes to what is already true, that His presence is with us and His goodness surrounds us. Once again, this truth isn’t new to God. It may become familiar to us, but it never loses its power.

We said many goodbyes today before leaving Gaza and heading back to Maputo.

Goodbyes are never easy, but what a gift it is to care deeply enough about people that leaving them is hard.

We’re only here in Mozambique for a short time, but these relationships continue to grow stronger. The feeling of being here may not be “new,” but our relationship with the body of Christ here is deeper than it was before.

I'm still chronically nostalgic. But I'm learning that the sweetest moments with God aren't always the newest ones.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY

Adi and Michka doing American accents (if you don’t know them, they’re from South Africa).
Finding out that Papa G ate octopus regularly as a kid.
Pastor Chase finding out he doesn’t like the taste of octopus.
A random lady at a gas station telling Maggie her skin looked like “mayonnaise.”
That same lady kissing Nick’s elbow when we stopped at the gas station.

Swipe through today's photos below!

Day 10: The Best Birthday Celebration

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:41:35 +0000

Everyone loves a good birthday celebration.

Today is the historic 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the United States Declaration of Independence. Today is also the 15th birthday of my youngest daughter, Maranata, known to many of you as Nana. One of my highlights from my first mission trip to Mozambique in 2024 was when the ladies from the agricultural fields blessed her with singing and dancing. This year, even though she was not with us, we were all able to record our birthday wishes and send it to her. I love you Nana and pray God’s blessings upon your life.

While both of these celebrations are great, today, we were blessed to be a part of the ultimate celebration, the celebration of those that have put their faith in Christ and went public with it by way of baptism (more on this further down the blog).

The morning kicked off with Amanda and Meka leading us in our time of devotions. They reminded us that, as believers, we need to surrender all. Total surrender is what Christ calls for, not just the left over things that we do not want anymore, but everything we have needs to be surrendered. I know from personal experience that this is easier said than done.

After breakfast, we all headed to Mukatwane where we were greeted by the Mukatwane church family. In attendance were about 30 followers of Jesus that desired to be baptised. I was given the opportunity to share a condensed version of our baptism class. I reminded them of why they should be baptised, what baptism is and is not and that what was about to take place, was an outward expression of what has already happened on the inside when they received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

I have been to many baptism services but this was the first time I was in the water with those being baptized. It was a humbling thing to take part in but also so encouraging to hear each on answering “Yes” to the questions we asked them, then seeing their smiles as they were “raised to new life in Christ” - Hallelujah! What a Savior!!

After each person stepped out of the baptismal pool, members of our team were there to pray with them, hand them booklets or give bibles to those that are able to read. All this was taking place as the ladies of the church stood by and sang songs of praise. It was such a joy to be a part of this and it became the highlight of my day.

After a quick trip back to the compound for lunch, we went to the church in Mukalawan where we held, what they referred to as, a seminar.

At the seminar, we covered three topics: 1) Prayer, 2) Scripture and 3) Spiritual Warfare.

Pastor Valmir and I covered the topic of Prayer. We used the beautiful aid created by members of our church family. A special shout out to - Claudia, Jessica, Momma Jones and Raul, Pastor Benedito’s son. After we walked through the booklet, it was so sweet to see them holding their hands together and then stepping through what each finger represented; Adoration, Confess, Give Thanks, Intercede, Ask. Pastor Benedito had us pass out several of the booklets to their church leaders so that they can continue to teach this way of prayer. They were so happy to have their own copy of what we taught.

Amanda covered the importance of reading scriptures as a spiritual discipline. She shared the challenges with being consistent in reading and studying the bible but also how important it is to use it in all aspects of your life, especially when the lies of satan try to condemn them. Ariana covered how the bible isn't a bunch of separate stories but how it is one continuous story, from Genesis to Revelation and the importance of looking for God in the story before looking for yourself in the story.

The third and final topic that was covered was spiritual warfare. Pastor Valmir shared some of his experiences with spiritual warfare in his country of Brazil and in other places he has done ministry in. He reminded them that the battle was already won. That the enemy is a liar and desires to keep them in chains and bondage. That in Christ, they are free and satan is no match and that they do not need to be afraid. In a country where witch doctors are prevalent, his message was very timely and well received.

Towards the end of our seminar, an unexpected guest stood up and spoke to us. It was the Chief of the village we were in. He said he was thankful that we were there and extended the invitation for coming back. It was such a kind gesture.

The remaining team members were super busy entertaining about 200 kids that showed up. For several hours, they took full advantage of a huge open field to play games like duck duck goose, simon says, sang songs, do an impromptu skit, etc. etc. Needless to say, they had fun but were very tired.

After a blessed time with this church family, we loaded up and headed back to the compound for another delicious dinner. With this being our last night before heading back to Maputo, we took the time to honor Michael Bosso. Michael attends The Chapel in Akron, and has been a part of the ministry being done in Mozambique for about 20 years. He has been the one to help coordinate all that takes place before and during our missions trips here. We gave him a journal and every team member wrote him a special message, thanking him for what he has done.

We also shared a special moment with all of the ladies that work so hard at the compound to keep us well fed and to wash some of our clothes as needed. We gave each of them a gift bag. Momma Carlita stood and thanked us and behalf of the ladies. Her message was so sweet and genuine. In Mozambique tradition, they also blessed us with a gift. They gave each of us a beautiful capalana. This is a piece of material that can be used in many different ways. First, they gave them to the ladies, followed by a song and dance. Then, they wrapped them around each of the guys, followed by song and dance. Another fun and sweet Mozambican tradition we'll never forget.

Well, after another action-packed day, it is time to wind down. The only difference is that tonight, we are all packing up. Tomorrow morning, after breakfast, we head to church. We will be divided among three different churches.

Please pray for Pastor Chase, Pastor Valmir and myself as we deliver God’s word.

Thank you for your prayers. They are making a difference.

Que Deus te abençoe!

Day 9: I Think I've Finally Arrived

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 18:33:11 +0000

When I boarded the plane for Mozambique, I didn’t really have expectations. I wasn’t expecting some dramatic, life-changing moment, nor was I chasing an emotional high. I simply wanted to be faithful with the opportunity God had given me.

When we first arrived at the compound in Gaza, however, I felt some discomfort. It wasn’t because of the people or where we were staying. It was because it suddenly became real that I was thousands of miles from home. There was this strange, claustrophobic feeling that settled in; it was a realization that there wasn’t really a “going back.”

As the days went on, I became more comfortable with my surroundings, but I still couldn’t seem to be fully present. Here I was seeing villages I’d never imagined, praying over the future location of a church, worshipping alongside believers in another language, meeting incredible people, and watching God move, yet none of it seemed to fully register. It felt like I was observing everything instead of actually experiencing it. I found myself wondering if I was taking this trip, and what Jesus was doing here, for granted.

This feeling carried into the events of today.

During our morning devotional, I shared that Christians are not marked by their ability to do good, but by their understanding of their inability to do good apart from Christ. The more I think about that truth, the more freeing it becomes. The Christian life isn’t about proving how capable we are. It’s about continually recognizing how dependent we are on Jesus.

Michka built on that thought by reminding us that truth should always produce a response. If we truly understand what Christ has done for us, it should naturally shape how we live. We all have different gifts and every one of them matters because each role points back to the same purpose: making Christ known.

After a quick stop to pray over Pastor Felix’s church, we traveled to a nearby village to spend time with the local children. Some of our team entertained the younger kids with songs, Simon Says, and a Bible lesson boldly provided by Ada. Afterward, the children received bottles of bubbles and eagerly blew them toward the soccer field where the rest of our team had gathered for a match.

I’m happy to report that my team of Pastor Valmir, Adi, and I came away with a 5–3 victory over Daniel and Pastor Chase’s team. I managed a few saves, Daniel and Pastor Valmir each scored twice, and Adi added one of his own. Pastor Chase… well… let’s just say there were multiple missed opportunities despite his strategic positioning near the goal.

As entertaining as the game was, my favorite part came afterward. Pastor Valmir gathered all of the boys together and shared a brief encouragement from God’s Word. It was a simple reminder that even moments of play can become opportunities to point people to Christ.

When we returned to the compound, the women enjoyed some much-needed rest while the men quickly scarfed down lunch before heading to the local prison. We were led into a small, humid room where the inmates sat shoulder to shoulder across the floor. There was barely enough room left for us to stand.

The men began singing a song that immediately caught our attention. It was the same song we had heard from the women working in the agricultural fields earlier in the week. The lyrics describe God taking us from a low place and lifting us closer to Himself. Hearing the same song in two completely different settings gave it entirely different emotions. In the fields, it carried hope. Inside the prison, it carried regret. Yet, the message never changed; God is still the One who lifts people up.

Each of us shared words of encouragement, reminding the men that God is not only outside the prison walls, but inside them too. Christ sees the inmates as His children, offers hope, and invites every one of them new life through Christ.

Pastor Chase then preached on the life of Paul, reminding the inmates that prison has never prevented God from changing someone’s life. Their stories were not yet finished. Pastor Maulido followed with a message in Portuguese, and although I couldn’t understand the words, I didn’t need to. At one point, the atmosphere in the room shifted. Every man raised his hand. Language may separate us, but the work of the Holy Spirit doesn’t need translation. It was clear that many of these men were placing their faith in Jesus.

In the evening, we gathered once again for another crusade. A highlight of it came when some members of our team performed a skit where a young woman was surrounded by different sins that slowly wrapped her in chains. Throughout every scene, Jesus remained beside her. Those sins ultimately placed Him on the cross, but the cross wasn’t the end. Jesus defeated sin, broke every chain, and set her free.

Pastor Chase then shared the Gospel, and once again dozens of people came forward to surrender their lives to Christ. Watching so many people respond to the message of Jesus was a powerful reminder that God is still actively drawing people to Himself, and it was a privilege to witness lives being changed. Moments like these remind me that the Gospel truly transcends culture, language, and circumstance.

As I’ve reflected on these events, I’ve realized it hasn’t just been the big events that have impacted me.

Throughout today and the days leading up to it, I’ve found myself noticing a lot of little things that have quietly left an impression on me. Everyone waves as we drive by, even if they’ve never met us. People don’t seem to live by the clock the way we often do, rather they’re fully present wherever they are. People here put their whole heart into everything they do, never cutting corners. Worship is completely uninhibited, with no concern for how one looks or sound while singing. Individually, these moments may seem small, but together they’ve helped me see the beauty of this place, people, and, ultimately, Christ.

Looking back now, I realize those little moments were just as much a part of God’s work in me as the larger ones.

When I first got here, I thought arriving simply meant stepping off the plane. Looking back, that was only the beginning. It took several days for my heart to catch up with where my body already was. Through conversations, village visits, soccer games, prison ministry, worship, and watching people surrender their lives to Jesus, God has slowly brought me into the present.

I think I’ve finally arrived.

Day 8: Wait for the Lord

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:04:44 +0000

7:00AM
I woke up this morning and went to spend some time alone with God. My question to Him was: “Lord what did you schedule for us to do today?” The answer came from Psalms 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

At this point I still don’t know what is going to happen today but I have certainty in my heart that God will do something big.

8:45AM
Gaby and Micaiah were assigned to lead the devotional together. Gaby shared the devo on Mark 6:30-44 reminding us that God’s solution is always perfect and more than enough.
Micaiah continued the devo reading Mark 6:45-52 highlighting that "immediately" after the miracle with the loaves and fishes Jesus called his disciples to go the other side of the sea and he walked on the water, teaching them about faith over fear .

10:00AM
We had the amazing opportunity to visit the piece of land that, God willing, we as The Corners Chapel will help to build a brand new church building in the future. We prayed over the land, sang over it, and committed it to the Lord. May many souls be saved at this place for the glory of Jesus! What a joy to be part of this epic moment!

11:55AM
Leaving the new land we went to the soccer field where the crusade will take place tonight in order to help set up the stage. It was like set-up and tear down back home. Everything will be ready for the Gospel to be preached and lives be transformed tonight. Today, we are praying for a big harvest to expand God’s kingdom.

Adi was filming Pastor Chase interviewing Pastor Benedito for a special future video for our church next month. It’s a very humbling moment because we know we are playing a very small part in a huge plan God has here in Gaza. Our church must be ready to be engaged with our Lord’s mission to make Him known as the Lord and Savior in all the corners of the world!

Also, while part of our team was setting up the stage, Carmen was taking care of the kids as she was making balloon animals and all the children loved it. God is using her with the skills He gave her to touch the kid’s hearts.

Pastor Chase Interjection --
Okay... I have to interrupt for one second because we learned something today that absolutely none of us saw coming.

You think you know someone...

Apparently, Michka literally went to magician school. I'm not kidding. She actually has a degree in (magicianary?) and knows how to perform professional illusions or something.

I don't know how this little detail never came up before, and I still don't understand it completely, but it's officially one of my favorite discoveries from this trip. Mission trips have a funny way of revealing hidden talents you never knew people had!

Okay back to Pastor Valmir!

3:45PM
After lunch all of our female team members went to participate in one of the discipleship groups here in Gaza. Every single one had the opportunity to share some words of encouragement to the ladies there but also they could teach about prayer using the curriculum The Corners Kids put together and it was translated to Portuguese. Big thanks to Mama Jones, Jessica Hubbard, Claudia Soares and Raul (pastor Benedito’s son) to create this incredible resource for the churches in Mozambique. It made a big impact and they will be using it for a very long time.

10:30PM
In the evening we all experienced the crusade. It started at 5PM and we can still hear the music in the distance as we are back at the compound. What a joy to worship with our brothers and sisters from Gaza. We could sing, dance, clap our hands and dance a little bit more. It was amazing!

After presenting a video that talked about spiritual warfare, I was invited to preach the Word of God and once again the Lord saved many people for His glory. Thank you Lord for the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ.

We had a lot of things to do that in God’s schedule He invited us to be part of and to be used by Him.

Waiting for the Lord brings the assurance of participating in His plans for salvation and transformation of lives.

To Him be the glory.

Scroll through the pictures from today

Day 7: The Gift of Joy

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:12:24 +0000

“Where in the world is Carmen Gomez-Jeffrey ?”

A week into my first missions trip to Mozambique and I’m still in a certain kind of “fog” that has yet to lift, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I believe Holy Spirit, in the midst of this fog, is truly opening my eyes to what it means to count it all joy.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The team started our first full day in Gaza with breakfast and a devotional presented by Ada Jones.

Ada read from Mathew 6:1-4 to remind us to give without the intention of being seen or admired by others. and also posed the question “ why do we do what we do? As Jesus not only cares about what we do but why we do it. God always sees!

Ada went on to challenge us, as I now challenge you to do as well this week: “Do one kind thing no one asks you to do without them or any one knowing.”

Spreading Joy

Next, our trek to the agricultural fields was divided into two trips as the Land Cruiser was the only one of three vehicles that could traverse the roads that were damaged by the recent massive flooding.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the joyful singing from the ladies and men who work the fields in the area .

One by one, each member of our team thanked them for their warm welcome while also expressing our sorrow for the devastation the floods had brought to their homes and fields.

Words can't express the true rawness of joy in the midst of pain and heart ache — as the men took a walk through the fields - the ladies spent time encouraging one another through testimonies, scripture, song and dance . All of it exuding sheer joy even as tears flowed.

In the face of a natural disaster, there were other hardships taking place in the lives of someone of the women present. Widows recalled losing their husbands and some could only shed tears as words were much to difficult to speak. Still, the smiles , laughter dancing and singing told another story—- there was hope and joy in the midst of hardship and we were all reminded that Jesus is close to the broken hearted and is very familiar with pain and grief. He is always near and loves us very much !

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” Psalms‬ ‭126‬:‭5‬ ‭

T he ladies and gentlemen were gifted with the bandanas and gift bags sent by yall back home. They appreciated them all so very much. A special shout-out to Big Dawg (who, by the way, is celebrating his birthday today!). As Amanda spoke with the women we met, she passed along one of his words of encouragement: "When hard times come, they don't catch God by surprise. He already knows." Those words were just as encouraging for us to hear as they were for the women that day.

So often, wherever we go, our brothers and sisters in Mozambique sing over us as a blessing. This time, we wanted to return that gift. We sang over them, praying that the same God who had carried them through unimaginable loss would continue to strengthen, comfort, and fill them with His joy. It wasn't polished or planned. It was simply one group of sisters in Christ reminding another that they were deeply seen, deeply loved, and never alone.

After lunch back at the compound, We went to see one of the churches led by Pastor Benedito that was recently built. Pastor Chase prayed over the church, Pastor Ben, the community, and prayed for the breaking of strong holds of darkness in the community giving way to the Lord's marvelous light.

After that, we were joined by Pastor Maulidio , Pastor Ezekiel, Missionary Michael, and others for a delicious dinner hosted by Pastor Benedito in his home.

We also celebrated Pastor Chase's birthday a little early. His actual birthday isn't until next week, but since we won't still be in Gaza, Pastor Ben's family surprised him with an early celebration. We sang "Happy Birthday" and enjoyed what felt like a 100-tier cake (okay... maybe not 100 tiers, but it was HUGE!). It was a sweet evening filled with laughter, lively conversation, and great fellowship.

Pastor Eugenio, the pastor from the Chiamete church who will be instrumental in setting up for the crusades tomorrow, was present as well with his wife. They were prayed over and encouraged as well .

To end the evening , our hosts gifted each of us with beautiful Capulanas as a gesture of love and appreciation for support and prayers.

They also sang a most beautiful song that when translated said —

“We don’t have much but we have joy so we give you our joy.“

No one had to tell us this moment was sacred.

Our tears said enough.

Day 6: When the Floodgates Open

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 17:26:08 +0000

There are some phrases in the Christian life that become so familiar we barely stop to think about them closely. One of them for me is, "Open the floodgates of heaven."

I've prayed that prayer. I've sung those lyrics. Maybe you have too.

Today, driving into the Gaza Province of Mozambique, that phrase suddenly carried a very different weight.

Today was mostly a travel day.

We packed up from Casa Koinonia (the mission house we stay at in Maputo) and made the drive north to the compound in Gaza where we'll spend the next several days. We drove six hours, or actually, I should say five hours and forty-four minutes because one of the cars took guesses to see who could get the closest. Shout out to Adi Wilson for guessing five hours and 45 minutes. He was almost right on the dot.

Anyway, a travel day may not sound blog-worthy, but once again, God had other plans.

One of the things I love about Mozambique is just how much diversity exists within one country. If you laid Mozambique over a map of the United States, it would stretch from San Diego all the way to Canada. It's long.

So, even after nearly six hours on the road, we're still in the southern part of the country, and this is actually as far north as our team travels.

The difference between where we started and where we ended, though, isn't measured in miles nearly as much as it is in culture.

Maputo is a busy city. There aren't any towering skyscrapers, but there are businesses, markets, restaurants, and of course.... traffic jams. (See yesterday's blog). This might be surprising to anyone who only knows Mozambique through poverty statistics. It is still one of the poorest countries in the world, but there's also a rhythm of everyday city life.

Gaza feels completely different.

The "cities" here in Gaza are often just a few blocks of busy shops before giving way to miles and miles of rural villages, reed huts, dirt roads, and outdoor bathrooms or, as Valmir calls them, "all the-star bathrooms," because when you're in the bathroom you look up and see all the stars.

After being on this trip several times now, the transition from Maputo to Gaza isn't much of a culture shock anymore. Ironically, it's usually the drive back to Maputo that feels shocking after getting used to village life.

But this year was different.

If you're part of our church, hopefully you may remember praying for Mozambique earlier this calendar year. From roughly November through February, southern Mozambique experienced relentless flooding. Homes were destroyed. Crops disappeared. Roads washed away. People lost their lives. Some families spent days trapped on rooftops waiting for rescue with little or no food or clean water.

I knew those facts. I'd heard Pastor Benedito describe them over phone calls. But seeing them was different.

Places I had seen several times I now barely recognized. Places that used to be dry fields are now massive lakes. Entire sections of road are scarred with giant sinkholes, potholes, and places where the flood carved a new path through the earth.

A few weeks ago, I preached a sermon back in Ohio and jokingly (kind of) complained about the road construction outside my house. I even adapted that illustration while preaching here in Mozambique just a couple days ago in a way that would fit the local context.

Driving these roads today felt like someone gently (but firmly) putting their hand on my shoulder and giving me a needed reality check. I was reminded of just how quickly I can lose perspective. The inconveniences I complain about back home suddenly felt incredibly small compared to what our brothers and sisters here have endured.

Now, let me be clear. The purpose of this trip is not for us to come home saying, "Wow, we're so blessed." Of course we're grateful, but the goal of this trip is not to get a pseudo sense of gratitude where we come back thinking, "I'm so much more grateful for my stuff because I saw a bunch of third world poverty close up so I should be more thankful." No. That would treat our brothers and sisters as object lessons instead of family. We're here to serve them, encourage them, and stand alongside them in Christ.

Scripture tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. And today, we were invited into the weeping.

Pastor Benedito and Pastor Maulidio rode in my van, telling story after story about the floods, the families, the churches, and how believers have tried to care for one another through unimaginable hardship.

Again and again, Pastor Maulidio repeated one simple sentence, "Mozambicans are resilient people."

Those words have stayed with me all day.

Tomorrow morning, we're scheduled to visit some of the agricultural fields where ministry normally takes place. For a while, we weren't even sure we'd be able to go. One of our ministry partners told me this morning that there really aren't any fields anymore.

The floods destroyed them.

I had heard those words months ago. But after today's drive...now I understand them.

Tonight, after dinner, our entire team gathered in a circle to talk, sing, pray, and prepare our hearts for the days ahead.

That conversation became the highlight of my day.

Sometimes we can come on these trips and think we've arrived to solve problems.

We can't.

We're here to encourage faithful brothers and sisters who have continued serving Jesus through circumstances that many of us can barely imagine.

As we wrapped up, Pastor Maulidio explained something I didn't know.

After the rivers and dams became full from relentless rain, officials had to release water through the floodgates. Those releases added to the flooding downstream.

In a maybe strange sort of way, this image has given me a different prayer for the rest of this week. That God would open a different kind of floodgate.

May the floodgates of His mercy be opened.

May the floodgates of His grace pour out.

May the floodgates of hope reach villages still carrying the weight of loss.

And may the same God who brings beauty from ashes bring life where devastation once seemed to have the final word.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we'll visit the fields, the villages, and meet the people who faced the rains head on.

I'm praying that the rains of grace will fall even harder than the destructive rains that ravaged this land.

Scroll through some of the photos from the day below!

Day 5: Open Hands

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 18:15:16 +0000

Today started with breakfast at Casa Koinonia (the mission home we're staying at in Maputo), followed by a team meeting and devotional. Ariana was the one who led this morning's devo, and she talked about how, "we may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future." She reminded us that during this trip, and also throughout our lives, there will be times when we don’t know what comes next. But we know we can trust in the Lord because He has a plan for us.

After that, we headed to a school in the town of Marracuene to partner with Ambassadors Football, a global Christian soccer ministry that my dad, Pastor Valmir, serves with. We led a soccer clinic for the students before gathering them together to share the gospel. We had some time to introduce ourselves, and then we headed to the field, which was made entirely of sand.

We had drills prepared for the kids, and afterward we gathered everyone together to share the gospel with them. Seeing hundreds of kids stop, listen, and hear about Jesus was one of the highlights of the day. We were tired, dehydrated, and covered in sand, but we had so much fun with the kids.

Quick Pastor Chase interjection...
While the rest of the team was at the soccer clinic, Pastor Benedito, Mr. Gomez, and I made a supply run before we head to the villages tomorrow. We picked up toothbrushes and feminine hygiene products that, Lord willing, we'll also be taking to the prison later this week.

The traffic, was CRAZYYY.

This is my fourth trip to Mozambique, and I don't think I've ever seen it this bad. There was major road construction, and at times it felt like we weren't moving at all. Somehow, Pastor Benedito navigated through it like a seasoned race car driver. The highlight came when Mr. Gomez and I were waiting outside the store for Pastor Ben to bring the van around. A few minutes later, he suddenly appeared right in front of us as if he'd driven through walls.

We asked him how he got through the craziness. He just smiled and said, "This is Mozambique." It felt like something out of a movie.

Anyway, the traffic delayed us by nearly 90 minutes getting back to the rest of the team. We had all the water in the van, so they were definitely ready to see us.

It was another reminder that, here, ministry rarely runs on our schedule, but I won't go into detail about that because that's what Daniel is about to talk about.

After our time with the kids, we left the school and were on our way to lunch when the leader of Ambassadors Football in Mozambique, Pastor Daniel Moiana, asked us to stop by his parents' house to pray for his mother, who was not feeling well. Even though it was unexpected, and we were about 90 minutes behind schedule, we went and prayed over her, and it was a blessing.

Then, after that, we went to lunch at a cafè that was run by Pastor Moiana's wife. After lunch, we had to hurry back to get cleaned up and changed because we were heading to a church service that evening.

The plan was to arrive a little before the service, which was scheduled to start around 5:00 p.m. As we left, we quickly realized that wasn't going to happen. Traffic came to a complete standstill, and what should have been a short drive turned into a very long one. Every few minutes we looked at the clock, realizing we were getting later and later. Five o'clock came and went. Then six o'clock. By the time we finally pulled into the church parking lot, it was just before 7:00 p.m.

We were nearly two hours late!

But instead of frustration, we were greeted to the sound of many voices singing. When the people at the church saw us, they welcomed us with great joy, all while continuing to sing. One man even had a trumpet, adding to the joyful noise being made to the Lord.
It all worked out well. The service was amazing.

My dad, preached in Portuguese about how, as Christians, we can either be distracted or committed, and that when we choose to be committed, our lives should reflect that through obedience and the bearing of fruit.

The message really tied in with what we had experienced throughout the day. It is much easier to feel discouraged and want the convenience of everything going according to plan, but it is much harder to stay committed and faithfully serve.

Before this trip even started, and even on previous trips to Mozambique, we've talked about the idea of serving with "open hands." Pastor Chase even puts a small graphic of open hands on all of our schedules and trip documents to remind us that we want to hold our plans, expectations, and schedules with open hands, trusting that God may have something different in mind.

One of the biggest ways that has been tested is with time. Back home, many of us are used to schedules, calendars, and arriving a few minutes early. Here, time often works differently. We may plan something for a certain time, but it rarely happens the way we expect. People here are unaffected by running late because they are doing something important and want to do it well or they are simply going with the flow. Neither way is right or wrong. It is simply a different culture. The way we do things back home is not automatically better, and the way things are done here is not automatically better either. But it does stretch us. I know it has stretched me. Even after multiple trips to Mozambique, Pastor Chase has said it still stretches him too.

Serving with open hands means choosing not to let our expectations become more important than the people we came to serve. It means trusting that God is just as present in the unexpected traffic delay as He is in the carefully planned schedule. Whether things go our way or not doesn't matter, because we are here to serve.

Today, a lot happened. We were able to do what we had initially planned, but because of the unexpected moments and delays, we were actually able to do even more. Learning to trust God and His plan, even when we don't know what tomorrow holds, is one of the greatest lessons we are learning together here in Mozambique.

Scroll through some of the photos from the day below!

Day 4: You Can't Get Back to Narnia the Same Way Twice

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:54:56 +0000

Our First Full Day in Maputo, Mozambique!!!

I’m not sure if it’s due to getting older or the recency effect of 48 hours of travel, but time seems warped to me recently. The fact that it has been two years since I was last in Mozambique is wild! The conversations with the pastors and our family across the world truly seem so natural, as if no time has passed. The roads are familiar, and the excitement has not dwindled.

The morning started off with breakfast. While a few people are staying at a hotel right around the corner, the majority of our group is being hosted by a sweet woman named Rose at Casa Koinonia! She is a faithful woman of God and an anointed scrambled egg maker!

Maggie led us through a devotion in Ephesians 6, encouraging us to put on the full armor of God. Also a faithful woman of God, yet a slightly less anointed scrambled egg maker—she is loved regardless!

After breakfast and our devotion, we piled into our two vans and headed out to a new church pastorerd by a man named Pastor Xavier that's called Praça de Adoração!

New character alert!! You likely haven’t heard of Pastor Xavier because we all just met him today! Pastor Xavier is part of the Acts 29 church planting network, which The Corners Chapel recently joined as well. Even though we had never met Pastor Xavier before today, it already felt like we were among family.

Pastor Chase preached the message on "What Is the Church?", which was the same message he preached a few weeks ago at The Corners. We dove into how the Church today is the 29th chapter of Acts! Although I heard this sermon a few weeks ago, there is something so special about hearing the Word of God translated and proclaimed in different corners of the world!

After the service, we got a tour of the neighborhood and shared a meal afterward, and the time of fellowship felt so special.

One final note about this church, the setup was actually pretty similar to the "Church in the Round" setup we're using this summer at TCC! Depending on where you were sitting, you could look across the room and see your brothers and sisters in Christ worshipping. It was a beautiful sight and another reminder of how similar we are amidst our differences!

Pastor Chase here for just a second! If you attend The Corners, you may remember me mentioning the Acts 29 Church Finder which is a tool that helps you find a gospel-centered church when you're traveling. Well, it doesn't just work in the U.S.; it works all over the world! Less than a week ago, through the Church Finder and a few Acts 29 connections, I was introduced to Pastor Xavier. Today, we had the privilege of worshipping with his church, sharing a meal together, and I even had the opportunity to preach. It's a great reminder that the Church is so much bigger than our local congregation, and we're incredibly thankful to be part of a global family of churches.

Okay, back to Ari!

After church, we had another new face to go meet!

However, with Adi, Michka, and myself on this trip, we were bound to find a coffee shop first! It did not disappoint!

We eventually made our way to the home of Pastor George. He is not only the father of Paulo (a worship leader here in Maputo who has been a friend our church since 2022) but Pastor George the new bishop overseeing Pastor Benedito's denomination of more than 20,000 people! The humility, kindness, and love we were greeted with could only come from the Spirit. It too was a special moment as we got to hear from our Mozambican brothers and sisters.

Today was a day of new experiences in Mozambique for all of us!

At dinner, Pastor Chase encouraged us that although many of us have been on this trip before, whether we are first-timers or returners, we shouldn't come expecting to simply recreate what God did in years past. He quoted a line from The Chronicles of Narnia:

"You cannot get back to Narnia the same way twice."

The point wasn't really about Narnia. It was that God rarely works in the exact same way twice. If we spend this trip chasing old memories, we might miss the new things God wants to do right in front of us. So we're praying with open hands, asking Him to surprise us again.

The goal on this trip is not just to replicate what we have seen or experienced, either in real time or through stories from previous years. Our prayer is for a freshness to fall over this nation as well as ours back in America.

While today was so enjoyable, the night ended with the news of Meka's grandfather passing away. Please keep her in your prayers, and pray for peace and comfort for her family during this difficult time.

We love you guys. Thank you for following along on this trip with us, believing in this mission, faithfully praying for us, and allowing us to represent our church family here in Mozambique.

We'll check back in tomorrow!

Day 3: Worth the Wait

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 14:54:21 +0000

Hey Mom! We Made It!

It feels like a long awaited family reunion. You're driving with your family, you’re tired and want to lay in bed, but you know the prize at the end – to be reunited with your family. That’s kind of what today felt like.

After 48 full hours of travel, there are moments during these long flights and waiting times when I think, “Why do I like traveling again?” I hate waiting! Patience is not my strong suit. Buuuut the Lord has been teaching me about waiting recently.

Waiting has always felt like a negative thing to me – almost like a punishment. Like really, does anyone like to wait?! “How much longgerrrr?” “What’s coming next?” “I don’t understand why I am not getting what I want, right now!”

If I could have just snapped my fingers and suddenly arrived in Mozambique, I probably would have. Seems easier, right? But I would have missed so much. I would miss the sweet times of laughter playing games together. I would miss hearing the stories of people on our team I didn’t fully know. I would have missed all of Ada’s jokes, stories from Valmir’s travels, and trying Vegemite for the first time (hm… it was interesting…).

Not only would I have missed out on those things, but the waiting made the reunion with our family here even more sweet. To see Pastor Maulido, Pastor Benedito, Pastor Ezekial, and Raul after 2 years and watch our groups mesh as if no time has passed – the wait was worth it for this celebration!

Isn’t life a little like this? Didn’t I tell you I HATE waiting? “God, what are you doing? What did I do wrong? I’m scared! Is this ever going to end?” David asks some similar questions – “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 13)

I also realized that the Bible talks about waiting, and it doesn’t refer to it in a bad way. Waiting actually comes with blessing. “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lam. 3:25-26) “...but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…” (Isaiah 40).

There is a sweetness to the waiting that reminds us to cling to Jesus. I haven’t felt His nearness in the same way I have in the valley of waiting and unknown. Isn’t He kind to meet us there? And then the prize – our sweet reunion with Him! The promises all brought forth in fulfillment!

So the wait is worth it. And now as we prepare for these 10 or so days of ministry in Mozambique, we will indeed do a lot of waiting. And there are unknowns as we don’t know exactly all the things that will come before us. BUT this I know for sure – that God is good to those who wait on Him! So Lord, we are ready to worship You in and through the waiting!

Quick Update from Pastor Chase: Like Maggie said, everyone and all of our luggage (minus one soccer ball that got confiscated in South Africa) made it safely to Mozambique! When we left the Ministry Center on Thursday, we set a timer, and we stopped it when we got settled here in Maputo...total travel time? 48 hours and 25 minutes!! We celebrated with a pizza party with our host pastors for the next two weeks.

Tomorrow we'll worship with our brothers and sisters here in Maputo in two churches before beginning several days of ministry. Thank you for praying. We've already seen God's faithfulness, and we'd love for you to continue praying for strength, health, and open hearts as ministry begins.

Day 2: The Shirt I Couldn't Hide

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:22:09 +0000

Let me first start this post by assuring all of our family and friends following along that after two flights, one short hour and fifteen minute flight and one looooong fifteen hour flight, we, along with ALL of our pieces of luggage, have arrived safely in Cape Town, South Africa. We also met up with Adi and Michka Wilson, the final two members of our team traveling from outside Mozambique, and are spending the night at an airport hotel before completing the final leg of our journey to Maputo, Mozambique tomorrow morning. And because I know some of you will ask, our two little travelers did great too. Hez slept for almost seven hours straight!

Now....

It might surprise just a few of you reading this blog to find out that I am naturally an introvert. I really don’t like drawing attention to myself, and specifically dislike to do so in public places.

A few years ago Pastor Chase, who if you don't know is my husband, had “Bride” and “Groom” shirts made up for our 10th anniversary (shout out to Mrs. Gomez for making them!). We wore them in the airport and Chase has requested we wear them every year since on our anniversary. As you can imagine, wearing these shirts brings about A LOT of attention. Lots of people staring at us, as well as conversations and congratulations from complete strangers. Chase loves it. I can’t put a jacket on fast enough.

All of that to say, walking through multiple airports with a bright red/orange/pink shirt that says "Rooted in Christ" in Portuguese, the primary language spoken in Mozambique, alongside 13 other people tends to draw a lot of attention. It guarantees stares and almost always invites conversation.

I was surprised by the amount of people asking about our shirts this time around. It had to have been at least 2-3x more than our last mission trip. However; what’s surprised me most is the overwhelmingly positive reactions from strangers after sharing with them the purpose of our trip.

This has made me think. How many times in the past has the introverted side of me stopped short of opening up Gospel conversations because I’ve been scared of a negative response? How many times have I seized the first opportunity to cover up my shirt both physically and metaphorically?

This trip is already drawing me out of my comfort zone, and we’re not even in Mozambique yet.

As I reflect on this travel day, two things are sticking out in my mind.

1. Our church's theme last year was "UnAlone, UnAfraid, UnAshamed." It was a reminder that because of the Gospel, we never have to face life or His mission alone, in fear, or ashamed of our faith. Surprise... we even had T shirts made!

I love how well that phrase describes our team traveling to Mozambique. We're traveling as a group of believers to meet up with a community of other believers in an unfamiliar place and culture, united by one purpose: to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus.

2. I'm reminded of something Pastor Chase has said recently from the pulpit, “We’re not trying to build up an audience at The Corners Chapel, we’re raising up an army.”

I truly felt that in a tangible sense today. All of us have been prayed up and sent out from our church in our matching “uniforms”. We picked up two faithful recruits today in Cape Town (Church, send your love to Adi and Michka!), and tomorrow we march on to join the allied forces of believers in Mozambique!

I'm filled with great expectation to see how the Lord will move in the next two weeks. My prayer is that we wouldn't just wear our shirts unashamedly, but that we'd wear the name of Jesus that way too.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Physical safety for all as we finish the last leg of the trip.
That we are able to encourage the local body of believers in Mozambique.
That our team remains flexible.
Sweet times of fellowship within our Corners team as well as with our local brothers and sisters.

Day 1: Wheels Up

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:27:49 +0000

I'm writing this in the car as we head to the airport. If you're reading this after 6:30PM EST , Lord willing, we'll be somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Cape Town, South Africa.

Yesterday was all about packing. Today, the adventure officially begins.
Over the next couple of weeks, our team will pass through airports all over the world. Between all of us, we'll travel through Cleveland, Washington D.C., Cape Town, Johannesburg, Maputo, New York, Brussels, Kigali, and Nairobi before everyone finally makes it back home. It's a long journey, but it's one we're incredibly thankful to make.

Before I continue, let me give a huge thank you to Brad Smith, Glenda Bolling, Donna "Mrs. G" Gomez, and Kevin "Big Dawg" Jones for getting our team safely to the airport.

For today's post, we want you to meet our team. Over the next two weeks, each of these people will take a turn writing one of these daily blogs. But today, I asked each person two simple questions:

What are you most excited about on this trip?
What's one prayer request we can all be praying for you?

As you read through their answers, would you pray with us? Pray that God would keep our team healthy, unified, flexible, and faithful. Pray for the pastors and churches we'll serve alongside. Pray for the people we'll meet. And most of all, pray that Jesus would be glorified in everything we do.

Last-minute update: We made it to the airport!

By God's grace, we made it through check-in and security unbelievably smoothly. Now we're waiting to board our first flight. Next stop: Washington, D.C. After that, the long journey across the Atlantic to Cape Town begins. (It's only 15 hours...)

As for now....

Wheels up!

Day 0: The Little Bag

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 20:37:46 +0000

Every Mozambique trip begins the same way. Packing day.

Tonight our team gathered at the Ministry Center with suitcases spread across the room and piles of donated supplies stacked on tables.

We do this for two reasons. First, because if we didn’t, people like me would probably wait until the last minute to pack. (We’re meeting at the MC tomorrow at 11, so I’d pack at 10…) And second, because many people from our church generously donated supplies that needed to be divided amongst all of our bags before we fly.

By the end of the evening, every suitcase is a little heavier as supplies, resources, soccer balls, gifts, and other donations were carefully spread throughout the team’s luggage.

The funniest moment of the night came when Nick Acevedo walked through the door carrying a tiny duffel bag.

Several people shouted out, “That’s it? That’s all you’re bringing?!”

For a brief moment, we legitimately thought Nick was planning to spend over two weeks in Africa with what looked like not even enough clothes for a long weekend. (Don’t worry. He had more bags.)

It was definitely one of those “you had to be there” moments, and I have a feeling it won’t be the last running joke of the trip, but after we finished packing, I couldn’t stop thinking about that little bag.

In reality, every one of us is bringing one.

Yes, our suitcases are full. We’ll check bags, carry backpacks, and transport hundreds of dollars worth of supplies across the ocean. But none of those things are what will ultimately bring about life change.

We aren’t traveling to accomplish something for God. We’re traveling because God has invited us to join Him in what He’s already doing.

All we really bring is our willingness, our prayers, and our availability. In comparison to what only God can do, that’s a pretty small bag.

But that’s exactly where we want to be.

Tonight was only a packing day.

Tomorrow, the journey begins.

And we’re asking God to do far more than anything we could ever fit into a suitcase.

PRAYER REQUEST

Pray that our short connection before our overnight flight goes smoothly with no delays.
Pray that everything at the airports goes without complications.
Pray especially for those on our team who have never crossed the ocean before, that God would replace any fear with peace.
And most importantly, pray that even before we arrive, God would already be preparing hearts (ours and the people we’ll meet)to receive whatever He desires to do.

The Heart Behind Our Prayer Wall

Tue, 26 May 2026 13:48:53 +0000

What’s the heart behind our Prayer Wall?

It is a vibrant display of faith where every ribbon tells a story, every color holds significance, and every prayer is lifted up by an entire supportive community.

The Prayer Wall is more than a creative activity—it’s a dedicated, visible space where children can express what’s on their hearts in a tangible way. Each ribbon represents a prayer, tied with intention and care, forming a growing tapestry of faith. Individual prayers are not isolated but are woven together to create a larger, purposeful picture, kind of similar to a tapestry.

Even more powerful? Every child will know this:
They are not praying alone.
Their church family is continually praying over them and every ribbon that is added.
And as this wall grows, we pray that so will the faith of every child who interacts with it.

What the Colors Mean

Each ribbon color is representative of a different aspect of P.R.A.Y.E.R.

Purple – Praise
Red – Repentance
Blue – Ask
Orange – Yield
Yellow – Express Thanks/Gratitude
Green – Renewal

As the ribbon is tied, children are encouraged to whisper or say their prayer out loud—making the moment personal and real. They can also be silent and keep it between them & God. There may be quiet prayers we never hear—but they matter just as much. For our smaller kids, we discuss as a class what we are adding, praying for and the reasons why as well as asking what they want to pray for.

Adding a ribbon to the wall, whether by yourself or in a group, is a communal action where your prayer interweaves with another’s, connecting the community, the church, and the wider world in a visible display of shared faith. It grows and changes over time.

The Acronym

“It helps me because I know how to pray but I just don’t know what to say so P.R.A.Y.E.R. helps me pray when I pray to God & Jesus” - Jojo

Each aspect of PRAYER has been incorporated into our Corners Kids lessons.
Do you remember our sermon series from May-June 2024? If not or need a refresh, check it out here:

Watch the P.R.A.Y.E.R. Series

PRAISE: Praise God for who He is - His attributes, holiness, and majesty. Call out His names.
REPENT: Confess your sin to God, ask for forgiveness and keep turning from sin toward God.
ASK: Ask for help and guidance for your own needs or others.
YIELD: Be still and listen. In faith, obey. Let go of your own will and surrender to God’s will.
EXPRESS THANKS: Express thanks and gratitude for what God has done, is doing, and will do in your life.
RENEWAL: I’ve met with God, asked Him to create in me a clean heart, and I’m ready to go. Prayers for intercession.

We want our kids to be equipped and know that prayer is not a one time event but rather tangible, ongoing conversations with God. It isn’t a “cosmic vending machine” (Loritts) to only put our requests in and ignore how great He is or to be thankful for all He has done.
We want them to truly know praying helps our hearts let go of our own plans and surrender to God’s will. To yearn to listen to God and bring glory to Him. To remind ourselves of who He is and how praise helps our hearts feel safe, thankful, and joyful. That He sees us, hears us, responds to us and knows us by name! When we say God’s names, we remember: God is with us, God is good, and God is worthy of all our praise. God knows what is best for us!

Your Invitation

The Prayer Wall isn’t just for kids, it's for EVERYONE! Stop by and pray with us. Please be encouraged to also engage in intercession on behalf of all these bold prayers going up.
It is located in the apex of our Corners Kids hallway, right by the check-in station. Because when we pray together, something powerful happens.

Scripture reminds us:

“Encourage one another…” (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
“Where two or three gather…” (Matthew 18:20)
“Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2)

This wall becomes a visual reminder that we are stronger in faith—together.
We also have P.R.A.Y.E.R. cards available that you can take home. They are a learning resource and deeper dive into each letter of the acronym.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."

John 14:12-24

You Never Know

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:00:21 +0000

Hey there, kids and parents!

We are beyond grateful for your presence within our church family. This past week, students were sent home with invite cards for our upcoming Easter service. Throughout the week, we encouraged you to invite a friend or family who’s never attended. Maybe you were thinking … "I don’t want to impose" … "What if they say no." … "What if I encourage my child and their friend rejects the invitation? How will I explain this feeling of rejection to them?"

As we look back on this past week, we want to take a moment to remember why we encouraged this in the first place.

Let’s rewind and think for a minute. We serve an almighty God who declares He is the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end. Scripture tells us that Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to take away our sin for the promise that if we believe in him we will have eternal life. Scripture also tells us that He knew our name before the beginning of the world and He has chased after our hearts to invite us into his loving family. That means that He already has gone before this invitation, He already knows the outcome and we have two options. We can go at it on our own or … we can take it to prayer.

The week may be over, but opportunity is still present, even this evening, to sit down with your child and pray. If an invitation was given, you have the opportunity to pray and ask the Lord to move in the hearts of those invited to ask their parents to bring them to church. If an invitation was not given, you can pray and ask the Lord to give you and your child eyes to see and ears to hear who might need an invitation in the future. We don’t have to go at this alone!

Parents, our Lord Jesus, our Shepard is willing to guide the way we just have to step out in faith and ask him for help!

Chances are, if we sit and reflect on our own lives, someone stepped out in faith with guidance of the Holy Spirit to invite you to church at some point. They loved you so deeply that they wanted to share the GOOD NEWS with you and have the opportunity for the Holy Spirit to work within your own heart to come to know Christ. Our command is to Love God and Love our neighbors as ourselves.

For me, inviting a friend looked like someone who was at one of their lowest points simply asking them if they’d like to join me at Church. Fast forward, years later, that invite led to attending church, that attendance led to discipleship and presentation of the gospel, which led to joining a home group, that home group led to baptism, and today one of my closest sisters in Christ whom I have the privilege to serve alongside!

Is that any credit to myself? Absolutely not!

These hymn lyrics are the words that echo in my mind:

“Should nothing of our efforts stand
No legacy survive
Unless the Lord does raise the house
In vain its builders strive
To you who boast tomorrow's gain
Tell me what is your life
A mist that vanishes at dawn
All glory be to Christ”

Is it possible the person your child invited said, "no?" Absolutely.

But I fully believe that when we seek the Lord first and ask him for direction, we are being courageously obedient.

So keep stepping out in faith. Keep encouraging your children to ask the Lord who they should invite & then have them ask!

Because you never know who might need to meet Jesus today!

Standing Alone In The Church Lobby

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:38:47 +0000

A number of years ago I visited a church that's out of state. I actually knew the pastor, so I walked in expecting it to be a pretty comfortable experience. (This church does not have any connection to The Corners, so don't go trying to guess who it is!)

Anyway, when I stepped into the lobby, I just stood there...alone.

People looked at me as if they were wondering, “Who’s that guy?”

No one spoke to me.

No one greeted me.

I wasn’t treated poorly, but I definitely felt out of place.

Eventually the pastor came out and welcomed me, and the rest of the service was “normal.” But I remember thinking how strange it was to feel like an outsider in a church.

Just this week I was talking with Pastor Valmir, and he shared that he recently had a very similar experience visiting a church. A moment where he felt like he didn’t belong because no one made him feel like he did.

Those kinds of moments stick with you.

One of the things I hear over and over from people who visit The Corners Chapel is how welcoming the church feels. That is something I’m incredibly thankful for. But this little blogpost is not meant to be a “pat ourselves on the back” moment. It’s meant to be an encouragement:

Let’s keep going!

Our recent congregational survey results showed that nearly 50% of the people who have found our church did so through a personal invite or word of mouth. That tells us two important things.

First, personal invitations are incredibly powerful. Far more powerful than any advertising we could ever do.

Second, word spreads quickly. And it’s important to remember that just as widely as a good experience spreads, so can a negative one. Sometimes all it takes is one person feeling overlooked or alone for the negative experience to overshadow the good experience.

So, as we strive to continue in what makes our church special, here are a few simple ways to continue cultivating a welcoming culture.

1. Look for the person sitting alone.
If someone is by themselves before or after service, that’s often your best clue that they might be a guest. A simple “Hello” or “We haven’t met, welcome to The Corners” can make a huge difference.

2. Look for the person who looks lost.
Sometimes people walk in unsure where to go, where the kids check-in is, or where the auditorium is. A quick “Hey, can I help you find something?” goes a long way.

3. Pray for first-time guests.
Before service begins, take a moment to pray that anyone checking out The Corners would feel seen, welcomed, and loved. Those of you on serve teams know that we do this most weeks in our pre-service huddle. So, let’s all make it a normal part of our Sunday rhythm.

4. Remember what it was like when you were a guest.
Most of us remember our first few weeks. Everything felt unfamiliar. That memory helps us extend grace and intentional kindness to others. Be the person someone was to you (or the person you wish someone had been).

5. Introduce people to someone else.
If you meet someone who’s checking out The Corners, don’t let the conversation stop with you. Introduce them to a few other people. Community often starts forming in those small moments.

Let me get real for a second.

I heard a quote a number of years ago and it stuck with me:

“For many non-Christians, the thought of walking into a church can feel about like a Christian walking into a strip club.”

I know that’s a provocative statement. A quick search online shows versions of that line attributed to a number of pastors and church leaders, so I’m honestly not sure who originally said it. But the point behind it is pretty clear.

For many people who didn’t grow up in church, church can feel unfamiliar, intimidating, or even morally uncomfortable. The analogy is trying to help Christians feel that tension for a moment. Just as a believer might (and should!) feel awkward, exposed, or out of place in a strip club, someone far from church might feel the same walking through church doors.
The shocking nature of the statement is meant to remind us that hospitality, humility, and genuine love matter, because many people are stepping into a world that feels completely foreign to them.

Friends, churches do not become welcoming by accident. They become welcoming when the people inside the church care and when we are intentional about being on the lookout for opportunities to welcome others.

I’m so grateful that this is already happening at The Corners Chapel.
So let’s keep it going.

After all, you never know if that new person standing alone in the lobby might play a pivotal role in what God does next at The Corners.

Teach them diligently.

Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:45:02 +0000

“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one [the only God]! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.” - Deuteronomy 6:4–7 (Amplified)

What?

"Teach them diligently."

It's a simple sentence. But oh, how it is packed with power.

Where?

Did you notice where that phrase is placed?

“Teach them diligently” is not standing alone. It is nestled underneath the command to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. It follows the call to have His Word written on your own heart and mind.

This command was first spoken to the adult Israelites. It was an instruction to parents. They were to impress God’s precepts on the minds of their children so that His truths would penetrate their hearts.

Notice what it does not say. It does not say, “Change their behavior.”

It says to penetrate their hearts.

Penetrating hearts is not a once-a-week task. It is a full-time calling.

Who?

There was a study done by Barna that highlighted the difference between parents and children’s ministry leaders regarding where discipleship should primarily occur. The results showed that most children’s ministry leaders believe discipleship should primarily take place at home, while many parents feel the church and ministry leaders should be the primary disciplers of their children.

But Scripture paints a clear picture.

Discipleship is not outsourced.

It is lived.
It is modeled.
It is spoken.
It is repeated.
It is daily.

So what does that mean for Corners Kids Ministry?

It means that we do not see ourselves as replacing parents. We see ourselves as partnering with you.

Our desire is to equip parents and families to walk in obedience and to shepherd the hearts of their students well. That is why we have been intentional in providing resources to support you in this calling.

How?

Here are some of the ways we are coming alongside you:

The Parent Handout
Each week, we provide ways for you to review what your children learned on Sunday. This is not just information. It is a discipleship tool you can use throughout the week. Since Corners Kids follows the adult worship service to help facilitate conversation, Pastor Chase provides a “Tie In” so you can connect what happened in big church with what your child experienced in their class.
The Reference Table
Located by the check-in station, you will find recommended books for all age groups in Corners Kids. These resources are carefully chosen to help you continue building a strong biblical foundation at home.
Take Home Sheets
For students ages four through sixth grade, these sheets provide a fun and engaging way to dig deeper into Scripture. They help reinforce what was taught and encourage continued growth in knowledge of and relationship with God. These are provided once per series.
Prayer Journals and Prayer Cards
Our elementary students have been working in prayer journals, which will continue to be integrated into the curriculum for the remainder of the academic year. On the final day, they will take their journals home with encouragement to continue using them. Each family also received a prayer card. These are tools to incorporate into family devotion time and personal quiet time, helping prayer become a natural rhythm in your home.

Why?

All of these resources have one purpose: to support you as you teach diligently.

Parents, you are not alone in this calling. It may feel overwhelming at times. Some days will feel fruitful. Other days may feel ordinary. But remember, discipleship often happens in the small, faithful moments. Around the dinner table. In the car. During bedtime prayers. In simple conversations about what God is teaching you.

As you love the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, your children will see it. As His Word is written on your heart, it will overflow into your home.

At Corners Kids, we are honored to partner with you. Let us continue, together, to impress His truth on young minds and to trust the Lord to penetrate young hearts.

"Teach them diligently."

Every day. In every moment.

For His glory.

The Day(s) After Martin Luther King Day

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 13:15:52 +0000

Today is the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Maybe it’s just me, but the day itself doesn’t feel like it used to. Increasingly, the question doesn’t seem to be how we should remember Dr. King, but whether we should remember him with reverence at all. Conversations that once centered on his courage and leadership now pivot quickly to his theological convictions, his alleged moral failures, or the ways his life doesn’t fit neatly into the stories we learned in school. Those conversations aren’t new, but they feel louder, sharper, and more divisive than they have in the last several decades.

This past Saturday, I received a text from a pastor friend of mine named Sam in a group message with other Black pastors and ministry leaders like myself. He said:

“[Today] I’m thinking of the hundreds or thousands of preachers who came before us and were lynched with no justice, who were shunned from congregations, and who risked their lives just so we can freely be in those same churches today, leading those same flocks.”

He went on to say that it’s important for us to pause on moments like this weekend to collectively remember both the good and the bad, while embracing his (MLK’s) hope for our future. He ended with this simple but weighty line: “I have hope this morning, even when others don’t” (Romans 12:12).

I have that same Romans 12:12 hope as my brother Sam. And, it’s important to note that the same verse that tells us to “rejoice in hope” also tells us to be “patient in affliction” and “constant in prayer”.

Thlipsis is a word used outside of the New Testament to talk about things like crushing grapes, being squeezed in a narrow space, or physical pressure that restricts movement. (Source)

As someone who is almost comically claustrophobic, this is a terrifying word in every sense.

Now, I realize that the affliction Paul has in view in Romans 12:12 most likely refers to the physical opposition and persecution faced by the early church for proclaiming the name of Jesus. I don’t want to belittle that thlipsis. Nor am I trying to equate our present experiences with the thlipsis endured by the Black pastors and ministers who came before me that my brother mentioned in his text.

At the same time, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that thlipsis still very much exists in conversations about race today.

In today’s cultural and political climate, believers who hold firm to the conviction that the multi-ethnic thread of redemption woven throughout Scripture calls us to intentionally pursue multi-ethnic local churches where possible often find ourselves pressed from multiple directions. And that pressure comes not only from outside the church, but at times from within it as well.

That’s part of why I’m writing this the day after Martin Luther King Day. Because it’s relatively easy to speak of hope on a Monday in January. It’s easier to post a quote, share an article, and acknowledge a legacy when the calendar tells us to. What’s harder, but what matters even more, is clinging to that same hope, remaining patient under pressure, and being faithful in prayer during the 364 days that follow.

Dr. King knew this. Near the end of his life, he gave a speech at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on August 16, 1967, in Atlanta, Georgia, and he said:

"I must confess, my friends, the road ahead will not always be smooth. There will be still rocky places of frustration and meandering points of bewilderment. There will be inevitable setbacks here and there. There will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair.... Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future."

That sounds pretty close to Paul’s call in Romans 12:12. To rejoice in hope while remaining patient under thlipsis and constant in prayer.

As I look around the nation today, like my brother Sam, I’m genuinely encouraged.

By God’s grace alone, our church is growing, and each week I see men, women, and children from different cultures, backgrounds, and stories standing side by side, worshiping the same Savior.

And whatever criticisms people may raise about Martin Luther King Jr., our church would not look the way it does today without him. The reality that people from different races and backgrounds can worship together freely is not something we stumbled into. The fact that I can pastor a congregation where the majority of people look nothing like me is not accidental.

It is the result of costly leadership and hard-won progress that reshaped the landscape in which churches like ours can now exist.

And we’re not alone in this.

I hear from pastors and churches across the country who are seeing the same quiet, beautiful work of God unfolding in their own congregations. And yet, there is pushback. Thlipsis is real, and it’s growing.

But my encouragement to anyone reading these words is not to retreat and not to grow weary, but to continue on rooted in the gospel that gives us hope, and to remain constant in prayer....even on the day(s) after Martin Luther King Day.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on till victory is won.

Making Goals as a Family (Even When Spaghetti Is Involved)

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:56:29 +0000

Last week our family set our goals for 2026. Let me tell you how it all went down:

We gathered our family around the fireplace. The kids sat quietly, hands folded, eyes attentive. They listened with joyful obedience as we talked about goals. One of them even shared their goal: “I just want to listen better.”

Amanda and I looked at each other, misty eyed.

“How could you?” I said. “You’re already perfect.”

Then we sang hymns together and an angel appeared out of nowhere

"We've been watching you all from heaven," he said, "and we're so impressed."

Then he gave us all high fives.

Okay. That is not what happened...like, at all. We don't even have a fireplace.

Here's what actually happened:

We were eating spaghetti.

At least half of it ended up on the table. There might still be a couple noodles on the floor.

One of the kids was distracted. Another one definitely was not listening.

And at some point we realized that while our intentions were good, our timing, energy levels, and attention spans were not aligned at all.

But here is the thing. We still did it. And that matters more than we often realize.

In this post, I want to share a few simple encouragements from our own home about making New Year's goals as a family, even when things feel imperfect, loud, or unfinished.

Showing Up Still Matters
Family discipleship rarely looks like a highlight reel. It usually feels chaotic, unfinished, and a little messy. More of often than not, you away thinking, “I don't think they got it,” or “That was a waste of time.” But showing up matters.

Gathering your kids, even briefly, to talk about goals, faith, or growth is never wasted. Even when it feels messy.

Keep Goals Simple and Clear
When we talked about goals, we kept them simple. Kids do not need complex ideas or long lists. They need clarity. Simple goals help kids understand what growth actually looks like and give them confidence that change is possible.

Here are a couple simple goals you might use as a starting point:

Listening the first time they are asked
Practicing patience when things do not go their way
Speaking kindly to siblings and friends
Taking responsibility for one daily task without being reminded

Make Goals Measurable
One of our kids, I won't say which one, said their goal was to be more patient. That is a great goal. But patience can be hard to measure. So I asked a follow up question. How will we know you are being more patient? That question helped turn a good idea into something concrete. Maybe patience looks like waiting without yelling or responding calmly when things do not go their way. The goal did not change, but now we had a way to recognize growth.

Goals Are About Formation, Not Rewards
When we talk about goals as a family, it is important to remember that they are not about earning rewards or collecting prizes. The goal is not to say, “Every time you do something kind, you get a treat,” or “If you behave well, you earn a toy.” Goals are about formation. They are about shaping hearts, habits, and character over time.

As parents, we are not just trying to manage behavior. We are seeking to form our kids, and ourselves, into people who reflect the character of Christ.

Set Individual and Family Goals
Another thing we found helpful was setting a few individual goals and then one or two family goals. Individual goals help kids see that growth is personal. Family goals remind them that we are in this together. A family goal might be something like praying together, memorizing a bible verse (or even chapter!) together, or serving as a family in church or in the community. It does not have to be big. It just has to be shared. There is something powerful about working toward the same thing.

Trust God with the Results
At the end of the day, only God can make these things happen. Goals are helpful, but real growth, especially heart change, comes from the Lord. Our role as parents is not to produce perfect outcomes. It is to faithfully point our kids to Jesus and trust Him with the results.

As Proverbs 16:7 reminds us, "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps."

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Corners Chapel, as a new year begins, and we aim our families toward pleasing the Lord (not perfection!) we can trust Him to work in ways we cannot manufacture.

Even in the chaos, even in the noise, even in the distraction, even when half the spaghetti ends up on the table, HE is faithful.

A Thanksgiving Day Reflection From Pastor Chase

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 16:06:11 +0000

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. For some families, Thanksgiving is a single day. But for the Jones family, it’s a season. Thanksgiving doesn’t start when the turkey hits the table. No, it starts the moment Thanksgiving week begins.

Last night we had our Thanksgiving Eve dinner together, and today we’re gearing up for the “official” dinner… which, side note, never actually starts at the scheduled time. The group text said “Dinner at 4:30.” But if we’re eating before 7, something supernatural has occurred. But that’s another blog post for another day.

This Thanksgiving feels especially meaningful for me. As many of you know, earlier this year I faced some unexpected health challenges. Practically overnight, because of a rare nerve condition, I almost lost my ability to walk. There was a season where I genuinely didn’t know what the next day would look like for me. But by God’s grace, I’ve made almost a full recovery. There are still some lingering pains and adjustments, but God has brought me into a new normal, and with it, a deeper sense of gratitude.

This year I’ve found myself thankful for things I used to overlook:
I’m thankful for the cold, because I can feel it.
I’m thankful for hunger pains, because hunger means I’m alive and my body works.
I’m thankful when there’s food on the table, whether it’s something I love or not.
And I’m thankful simply to be here, celebrating another Thanksgiving in 2025.

One of my great heroes of the faith, Lemuel Haynes, knew something about trials. Haynes was the first Black pastor to lead a predominantly white congregation in the United States (a remarkable work of God’s providence in the late 1700s). He faced hardship, prejudice, physical weakness, and discouragement. And yet, Haynes possessed a deep, joyful trust in the sovereign goodness of God.

He once wrote, "He who observes providence shall never be without providence to observe.”

In other words, if we pay attention to God’s blessings, both big and small, we won’t run out of reasons to give thanks. Gratitude grows where attention goes.

That’s really the heart of Thanksgiving.

Not the perfect meal. Not the perfectly-timed meal (which, again, has never existed in my family). But the reminder that God has given us another day, another sunrise, and another opportunity to say “Thank You.”

Life can change in a moment. This time last year, I had no idea what 2025 would hold. And none of us knows what next Thanksgiving 2026 will look like, or who will be sitting around our tables. But we do know this: Thanksgiving is a gift, and the God who gave it is faithful.

So whether your dinner is already over, about to begin, or in that mysterious in-between stage where no one quite knows when the food is coming (like my family right now), I want you to hear this:

I am thankful for you.
I am thankful for our church.
And I am praying that we would cultivate hearts of gratitude, today and every day.

Happy Thanksgiving, church family.
See you this Sunday.

Introducing… The CK CornerStore

Sat, 15 Nov 2025 19:02:32 +0000

One of the greatest joys we have as a church is helping our kids learn what it looks like to follow Jesus in real, everyday ways. That’s why I’m excited to share that tomorrow we are officially launching something brand new in Corners Kids… The CK CornerStore!

If you haven’t heard about it yet, the CornerStore is a fun and engaging discipleship tool designed to encourage Christ-like choices, deepen classroom engagement, and help our kids actively participate in the life of the church.

Every time they show kindness, demonstrate the fruits of the Spirit, bring their Bible, engage with the lesson, or serve their classmates, they can earn CK Bucks to redeem in the CornerStore.

But here’s something I love about this:

It’s not just about rewards—it’s also about teaching wisdom. We’re helping kids learn how to save.

In a world where everything is instant, we want to gently teach our kids a different rhythm. A rhythm that reflects patience, stewardship, and intentionality.

Some items in the CornerStore are simple and fun, but others require a little more saving.

And that’s on purpose.

These are spiritual lessons long before they become financial lessons.

We believe this small practice will help kids grow not only in generosity and gratitude, but also in the ability to pause, think, and choose skills that form a foundation for lifelong discipleship.

What to Expect

The CK CornerStore will not be open every single week. Part of creating healthy rhythms is giving kids time to earn, save, and look forward to the next store day.

But don’t worry. We’ll announce store days ahead of time so families know when the CornerStore will be available!

Tomorrow is our very first launch day, and I can’t wait for your kids to experience it.

Have Questions?
If you want to know more about how CK Bucks work, how the store operates, or how to encourage your child’s participation, feel free to talk to Mama Jones (our Kids Ministry Director), any of our amazing Corners Kids Team Leads. They would love to help.

I’m so thankful for all God is doing in our kids. The CornerStore is more than a fun idea. It's a way to help shape hearts, habits, and a lifelong joy in following Jesus.

See you tomorrow!
Pastor Chase