Just over a month ago, our SEND global family gathered at Harvest Bible Church and online to celebrate our 80th anniversary. The theme, Around the World in 80 Years, was a creative nod to Jules Verne’s classic novel Around the World in 80 Days. But while Verne’s story followed a race against time to circle the globe, SEND’s journey has been different. For 80 years, we have followed God’s pace and leading. He has faithfully guided us through open doors where the gospel can take root.

Highlights from the Gathering 

A storytelling panel brought history to life in SEND Through the Decades led by Liz and David Givens, along with their daughter, Carrie. Together, we traced God’s work from 1945 up to the 21st century. Everyone was encouraged by the testimonies of past and present missionaries. 



We heard from Howard Blair, who was part of the GI Gospel Hour in Manila, the prayer gathering that became the seed for Far Eastern Gospel Crusade (FEGC), which eventually became SEND International. Stories from our first missionary kid (MK), David Sweet, reminded us of the perseverance and resilience of our workers in post-war Japan. 

We traveled around the world through the testimonies of our missionaries who witnessed the beginnings of Central Alaskan Missions (now known as SEND North) and the expansion to new fields in Europe and the former Soviet Union (now known as SEND Eurasia). 

The tribute was followed by the commissioning of Jon and Beth Eckstein. Jon is the new International Director (ID) / CEO of SEND. His appointment comes after an organization-wide vote that showed overwhelming support from SEND members. Jon has been with SEND for over 25 years, serving as a missionary, Area Director for East Asia, Asia Regional Director, and now as International Director.

Our new ID had the opportunity to share his vision for SEND, emphasizing the importance of tending the roots. He likened SEND to a tree that is intentionally placed with deep roots, with a community, and knows that God will provide and protect.

Jon said, “The spiritual analogy for us and SEND is obvious. God provides the water, nutrients, and light that we must have to grow, thrive, and bear fruit. They are there for us. God offers his Spirit, his Word, and his Church BUT they don’t just jump into our roots – into us. It requires discipline and activity on our end. 

We have a two-fold purpose in that we must each tend to our own roots AND we must together tend to the roots we share as a covenant community in SEND. As we've seen, there’s a clear call not to place our ultimate trust in human strength or strategy, but to root ourselves deeply in the Lord—like that tree planted by water, whose leaves stay green even in drought. And that’s the posture we want to carry forward together." 

New Ministry Expansion 

Another event highlight was the integration of The Kaifa Group into SEND’s global ministry. This marked a new chapter in reaching the unreached in Southeast Asia. Kaifa has long served in nations where gospel access is limited. Through this partnership, SEND will help equip national leaders, mobilize local workers for global missions, and plant reproducing churches in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach communities.