People Work
There is nothing more satisfying after a full day of work than shutting down my computer, turning off the office lights, and breathing in the fresh air as I walk from the office to my car. I can measure my work on the drive home by thinking through what I accomplished that day. Between the emails, crunching numbers, and completing projects, I have tangible evidence that I went to work, and it was worthwhile.
However, many SEND North team members do not experience this. Their work environment is not a desk space, and their work regularly cannot be measured. Their efforts, though as valuable as our own, are intangible.
A SEND member who started out on the business side of ministry, recently remarked on this when talking about his transition into SEND. When he and his wife joined SEND North, they realized their focus would have to be “people work.” People work all about building relationships and understanding the environment. Inherently, it is selfless because it requires putting other’s needs above your own time and monetary interests. In the Far North, many residents operate on their own time, and needs are immediate, creating unpredictable service opportunities.
Our hope at SEND North is to integrate with each village, which leads to the long-term commitment of our team members in each area. Too often, our members can build a positive relationship for years, and it will be suddenly lost because of the influence of family, alcohol, or health issues. It is easy, then, to feel unproductive or ineffective for our field members. Still, they do not give up on a person or turn them away just because they are too difficult: God desires every heart to know Him, and we are the tools for the task.
In the village, our members don’t punch in and out of work at any set time. They are frequently called in the middle of the night for help or asked to take the rest of their day to watch the neighbor kids. Through all of this, the goal of SEND North is true disciple-making, no matter how long it takes. Therefore we will invest all of our time, interests, and desire into building relationships among the native people. Our time, money, and effort all belong to the Lord.
Is the Lord calling you to people work? Pray with us; give with us; and go with us: to spread the Gospel in the Far North and beyond.
- Kelly Quist
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?
Learn about the spiritual harmony in Vietnam & how missionaries engage with college students. Join us in sharing the gospel!
Explore Georgia's spiritual heritage and the impact of SEND International's mission. Join us in fostering authentic relationships today!
