Empowering the Mission: Behind-the-Scenes at SEND
Have you ever considered what it takes to send missionaries to unreached corners of the world? God calls ordinary people to join his life-changing work as missionaries. But here's the lesser-known part: God also calls ordinary people to power this extraordinary work behind-the-scenes. At SEND, our home office fervently works to equip and support our missionaries. By handling the seemingly mundane tasks, this team frees up our missionaries to focus on the mission.
Meet Della, a core member of our home office who is leveraging her skills, passions, and life experiences to support our cross-cultural workers.
As a SEND Finance team member in the U.S., Della's role is lesser-known but no less essential than our front-line ministry workers. Let's dive into her story and her pivotal role in helping our missionaries continue their ministry.
Q: What is the role of the home office in SEND's mission?
A:
"The home office is sort of like the engine of our mission," says Della, portraying it as a vessel for facilitating training, care, and connection for our missionaries. It keeps things moving so they can focus on the work before them – entering a new culture, cultivating meaningful relationships, and finding opportunities to tell people about Jesus.
Q: How did Della end up at SEND?
A:
Della's journey to SEND was unexpected but God brought her right where she needed to be. Growing up in Virginia in a family of 10, she discovered Christ and a love for accounting. After working for a nonprofit for 16 years, God led Della to the Finance team at SEND’s home office. "I never imagined I'd be here using my accounting skills to serve the Kingdom," she smiles, recalling how God led her to step out in faith and move from Maryland to the Midwest in February of 2021. "After I accepted Christ at 17, I said, 'Lord, I love accounting. I want to see how I can use it to glorify you.' Little did I know that 20 years later, he would put me in a controller role, using my accounting skills to serve SEND missionaries and donors."
Q: What does Della do as our controller on the Finance team?
A:
As a controller, Della's job is to guard the integrity of the flow of funds within SEND. "It's an honor to monitor accounts, make sure we comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and IRS requirements, and ensure everything is flowing correctly." Della also processes reimbursements and checks them for acceptable backup support (like receipts). "Everyone knows if they don't have it, I'm coming for you!" Della laughs.
"Donors give because the Lord has touched their hearts, and they believe in the mission of SEND. So, we want to make sure the money is processed and handled correctly, it's transparent, and it goes where it's supposed to," she explains as she highlights the critical role of accountability. “We want to ensure that funds are processed correctly, that they get to the missionaries, and that their ministry expenses are covered. Our missionaries should be able to see what funds have come in and gone out as they serve or connect with supporters.”
Q: How has Della seen God use her skills and passions in his mission during her time with SEND?
A:
Beyond a love of accounting, God uses Della to build camaraderie in the office and in the neighboring community. "SEND welcomes activities that increase morale, like party planning, which I love to initiate! It's important for us to celebrate each other and to thank God for the beautiful lives he's created."
Della has also been able to practice hospitality through local outreach. "I love to create opportunities for local outreach!" Della reveals. "SEND encourages me to get involved in our city, so I participate in activities to spread the gospel." It will be Della's third year hosting a Thanksgiving lunch for those in need. The lunch is growing. Churches and others in the community are starting to get involved. They're able to pass out Bibles and tell people about Jesus. "I also go to our local City Council meetings because these are our leaders … they need Christ's light and to know that they can look to SEND as a resource in our community."
Whether in the community or at SEND, Della brings infectious joy and a passion for prayer!
Q: What part does prayer play in Della’s work with SEND?
A:
"Prayer is power! Before I even start the day off, I pray. That is one-on-one communication with the Lord," Della answers emphatically. "Sure…I have information, knowledge, and experience, but he is the creator of everything. I always pray for wisdom and a good moral compass." Della champions prayer among her colleagues, reminding us that prayer is our most important work. Whether interceding for our missionaries, seeking wisdom in problem-solving, or supporting other teammates, prayer is essential. "So, we pray over our work … how we apply and do our jobs …" Della exclaims. "But we also pray for each other because, in this world, we have trouble. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33).”
Q: How does the Home Office impact SEND's ministry overall?
A:
Della highlights how the home office seeks to ease burdens for our missionaries. "The work of the home office is important, and it's needed. Talented people … people God has equipped with skills, are doing their due diligence to ensure our missionaries don't have to worry about certain things." In the eyes of the world, staff at SEND have given up great careers to follow Jesus and to serve those on the field ... but from our perspective, it's absolutely worth it. We get to come alongside the Church to support and guide cross-cultural workers so they can focus on work that matters.
"Our staff loves the Lord, and they love the missionaries on the field,” says Della. “And even though it gets hard, we want to give God our best to serve his people.” Whether connecting with those exploring God's call to serve, handling administrative tasks, training new missionaries, or offering ongoing care for the journey, SEND's home office is committed to serving God's people so they can go well.
Q: How can friends of SEND empower the mission to reach the unreached this Giving Tuesday?
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SEND's home office is more than just an administrative team carrying out general operations; it's a hub of encouragement, connection, and care. God uses people like Della to enable the work of our missionaries so they can pursue their God-given ministry.
For Giving Tuesday, will you help us raise $20,000 for SEND's home office
operations?
Your support isn't just a donation; it's a powerful catalyst for missionaries to continue bringing the good news where it's needed most.
Additional Posts
Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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