A Legacy of Courage, a Call to Go Further

Thursday, September 18, 2025

St. John's Resort, Plymouth, Michigan

Over the past 80 years, the SEND community has carried Christ’s love to unreached communities—planting churches, equipping local leaders, and advancing the gospel across more than 27 countries.

At An Evening with SEND, you’ll meet our new International Director and hear Dr. Mark Jobe, President of Moody Bible Institute, reflect on this pivotal missions moment. SEND leaders Michelle Atwell and Jon Eckstein will unveil what’s next: the need to pioneer new fields, forge innovative pathways to the unreached, and strengthen global collaboration so we can go further together for Christ’s glory.

Join us for an unforgettable evening and step into the redemption story God is unfolding.

Meet Our Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark Jobe

President,

Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois

We're excited to welcome Dr. Mark Jobe who serves as 10th president of Moody Bible Institute, a higher education, broadcasting, and publishing ministry founded in 1886.

Dr. Jobe is the author of Unstuck: Out of Your Cave and Into Your Call, and the host of Bold Steps, a weekday program heard on stations across the nation. Mark serves as senior pastor of New Life Community Church in Chicago and Founder of New Life Centers a nonprofit focused on helping at risk urban youth. He and his wife, Dee, serve together in ministry and have three adult children.

Michelle Atwell

SEND U.S. Director

Michelle has led SEND International’s U.S. office since 2017 as its first female director. With more than 20 years in ministry and nonprofit leadership—and a Master’s in Public Affairs and Nonprofit Management from Indiana University—she provides strategic vision for mobilizing churches to reach the unreached.

Michelle lives in metro Detroit with her husband, Joe, and their two teens, and enjoys running, reading, and family time.

Jon Eckstein

New SEND International Director

Jon brings over 25 years of service to SEND International. From his earliest calling to serve in China as a student, through his tenure as Asia Regional Director in Taiwan, to his current role as International Director, his passion has always been to clear a gospel path to the unreached.

Jon and his wife, Beth, have two amazing adult children, and in his spare time Jon enjoys a good book, LEGO, and exploring Asian cuisine.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Program

5:45 pm – Welcome Reception

Step into the elegant St. John’s Resort for hors d’oeuvres and fellowship.

6:30 pm – Shared Dinner

Enjoy a delicious meal and connect with fellow supporters of God’s work around the world.

7:15 pm – Inspiring Program & Speakers

Dr. Mark Jobe and SEND leaders will bring encouragement and insight as we look ahead in global mission.

8:15 pm – Impact Opportunity & Closing

Discover how you can play a vital role in what God is doing next—and join us in a final prayer of commissioning.

Welcome to the birthplace of SEND's ministry. At the end of World War II, a group of American soldiers followed God back to Japan and the Philippines. Their new mission: Share the transformational love of God with those who had not heard the name of Jesus. Our ministry among Buddhists and Muslims in Asia has expanded to Thailand, Taiwan, and more.

As the Soviet Union collapsed, SEND quickly assembled. We began by offering Bible education that had been illegal under Communism. Now our missionaries work in urban settings or in tiny villages; in partnership with churches or in frontier settings; and in Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, and folk-religious communities. They also help launch local believers into global ministry.

Though beautiful churches tower over many of Europe's towns and cities, they mostly stand empty, a reminder that much of society has "moved on" from its Christian past. Add to this a swell of immigration and Europe presents a complicated religious picture where missionaries share the gospel among atheists, nominal Orthodox and Catholics, and Muslims.

Across North America, pockets of people have not heard of the saving love of Christ. These unreached include refugees, residents of tiny villages far from the road system in Alaska and the Yukon, and immigrants from a variety of nations. Our teams live gospel-centered lives in these communities, sharing God's love, grace, and forgiveness in word and deed.

Have Questions?

If you’d like more information about the event, please contact our team—we’re here to help!

Sponsors & Partners

Interested in sponsoring this special occasion? Opportunities coming soon.

SEND'S VISION

To see individuals and communities transformed by faith in Jesus, multiplying among the unreached.

SEND'S MISSION

Mobilize God's people and engage the unreached in order to establish reproducing churches.

SEND'S MISSIONARIES

Our diverse membership includes about 500 faithful Christ-followers from more than 17 countries representing thousands of sending churches.

See SEND's Impact