Planting During a Pandemic

Dave and Carole Dunlap, left, who were called to become field workers a second time after having served for almost 15 years, continue to build relationships while they serve.

Late-Life Missionaries Dunlaps Faithfully Work in Field a Second Time

Most people as they approach their late 60s are considering plans for retirement or at least winding things down a bit. But that’s not the case for Dave and Carole Dunlap, who packed their bags to become field workers a second time. Their missions journey, however, began 20 years ago, when the Dunlaps took the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class at Southeast Christian Church, sparking a desire in them to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Helping Others Hear Jesus’ Name

Being obedient to God’s calling on their lives, Dave and Carole started serving as missionaries in 2001, translating the Bible for language groups across North Africa. While living in Mali, they worked with SIM to record audio versions of God’s Word in the native language of the people groups. The Dunlaps’ work made it possible for people to hear the name of Jesus and understand what the Gospel is for the first time. After almost 15 years, Dave and Carole faithfully completed their task of Bible translation in that community and humbly returned home.

Far from Over

But the Dunlaps’ missions story was far from over. They continued to pursue the Lord and became an advocate for missions at their home church in Florida. Through initiating a Perspectives class and sharing about the Global Missions Health Conference, Dave and Carole created awareness about God’s desire to reach the nations.

In 2018, an opportunity arose for another Bible translation project—this time in Spain. Discerning individually in their time with Jesus, they wanted to be confident in where the Spirit was leading. Together, they answered His call, saying yes to serving internationally again.

Along with Bible translation, the Dunlaps are also working with refugees at a community center in Spain. They are walking alongside five young men who are seeking safety and structure in the midst of their chaotic life. Being unable to provide for themselves, these young men receive job training at the center in addition to learning life skills such as financial responsibility and relational communication.

In demonstrating Furthermore, this sacrificial the Dunlaps are working to instill love, the Dunlaps value and dignity have devoted to these young themselves to men struggling to find out who they the advancement are. Most of them of the Gospel come from Islamic through Bible backgrounds and are wrestling translation and with what it relationships looks like to be with refugees. a Muslim apart from their family culture. Carole and Dave spend their time simply loving these young men right where they are. Through the cultivation of trusting relationships, the Dunlaps are able to engage in conversations with the young men about faith and what it looks like to follow Jesus.

In Luke 14:13-14, Jesus said, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” One at a time, Carole and Dave have invited these young men to have a seat at their table.

In demonstrating this sacrificial love, the Dunlaps have devoted themselves to the advancement of the Gospel wherever the Spirit leads through Bible translation and relationships with refugees. “I want God to squeeze every drop out of me,” Carole said. Even in “retirement,” the Dunlaps feel more fulfilled and alive than ever.

Learn More

To learn more about the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class, visit perspectives.org or email missions@secc.org.

Prayer Requests

• Praise God that the Bible is being translated into the native language of different people groups, making it easier for the Gospel to be shared.

• Pray for Dave and Carole’s health and for them to continue to be learners of culture and open to God’s leading in their lives.

• Pray that the five young men the Dunlaps are working alongside will continue to have open hearts and minds about Jesus.

Planting During a Pandemic

Southeast Helps Launch Pair of Churches

Southeast Christian Church isn’t new to church planting. Since 2001, it has helped plant 60 churches in the U.S., focusing on large, densely populated cities with few strong evangelical churches. Though some planters have experienced frustration and even depression because of limited connection to new people during the COVID-19 pandemic, their young churches have largely remained healthy during this challenging time.

“At the beginning, I was pretty surprised by how well they were doing as things were shutting down,” Eugene DePorter, who leads Southeast’s church planting efforts, admitted. “But church planters are usually younger and they tend to reach a younger audience. This demographic is more tech savvy than most, so the shift to online church was a fairly easy transition for these new churches.”

That’s not to say that launching a new church during a pandemic isn’t extremely challenging. Developing a core team is highly dependent on

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God brought college friends Chris Marlin and Tyler Chenesky back together years later to plant City Church in Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine area.

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building personal relationships, and these new relationships have been difficult to develop. Pre-launch outreach efforts usually center on serving in large events, something that is almost impossible right now because of social distancing. Additionally, securing a facility to meet has been hampered because schools and theaters have been closed and hotels and other venues are restricting groups. However, even with these limitations, Southeast followed the Spirit and helped launch two church plants in 2020.

Building Community

The first—Community Church in Long Island, NY—launched on January 5. They were

Though two church plants in a year is relatively few for

able to meet for 10 weeks prior to the COVID-19 lockdown and had an average attendance of 256.

Southeast, it is

The lead church truly a testament planter, Lou to God’s power Pizzichillo, who to launch and is from the area, recalled having to sustain both in drive 45 minutes the middle of a to attend a church global pandemic! when he was younger. Studies show that, on average, there is one church for every 800 people in the U.S., but in Long Island that number is one church for every 4,300 people. This motivated Pizzichillo to consider planting a church in the very community where he grew up. As a native, his understanding of Long Island’s unique culture has worked out incredibly well for Community Church.

Southeast’s Southwest Campus has adopted this thriving church plant. In fact, members were scheduled to go on a mission trip there this Summer before the pandemic hit, and still plan to as soon as possible.

A Unique Story

The second new church plant—City Church in downtown Cincinnati, OH—actually launched during the pandemic—on September 13—and has averaged approximately 50 people at its services.

This plant also has a unique story. Co-church planters Chris Marlin and Tyler Chenesky met while attending Indiana University. During those college years, as they were growing in their faith, they began talking about planting a church together one day. After graduation, however, they went their separate ways, starting

jobs in different cities. Not finished with His work in them yet, God drew them back together years later to see their dream become a reality. They are now planting a unique church in Cincinnati’s Over the Rhine area, a neighborhood much like NULU in Louisville.

Though two church plants in a year is relatively few for Southeast, it is truly a testament to God’s power to launch and sustain both in the middle of a global pandemic. The other good news is that 2020 has served as a preparation and incubation period for many new church plants, and it appears Southeast may have a record number of launches in 2021. These include church plants in Manhattan, NY; Miami, FL; Derry, NH; Oakland, CA; and a potential for up to three more, which could mean as many as seven church plants in 2021.

Learn More

To learn more about Southeast’s church plants, visit southeastchristian.org/missions/explore.

Prayer Requests

• Praise God for allowing the Gospel to spread through new church plants even during a pandemic.

• Pray for Community Church and City Church, along with the other churches Southeast has helped plant.

• Pray that God will continue to use Southeast to plant churches in parts of the U.S. that have few strong evangelical churches.

Despite the COVID-19 lockdown, Community Church—which launched on January 5, 2020—has made a big impact in the Long Island, NY area. In addition to averaging 256 people at its weekly services prior to the lockdown (bottom left), the church has hosted meetups (bottom right) and conducted its first community baptism (top).