Spring 2025 SGWM Newsletter

“Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.”
– Luke 8:38-39Some of the girls from the team in Osaka, Japan serving at CC Abide Osaka.

This Spring was filled with testimony after testimony of God’s power, faithfulness, and love poured out as many moved out in faith to obey God’s call upon their lives.

We had the privilege of sending another MTS student to the 10/40 window, to Osaka, Japan, as well as celebrate the marriage of 2 of our students in Mexico. SGWM was represented at a sister church in St. Joseph, Missouri at their annual Missions conference, and Calvary Chapel Saving Grace celebrated 30 years of God’s faithfulness. As incredible as all that was, we were also privileged to send a short-term team to the Middle East to visit our team there, as well as go to the country of Georgia to minister to the underground church of a neighboring closed country.
Osaka team with pastor’s wife Amy Totsis.Pastor Joel speaking at Arise Christian Fellowship in Uganda, AfricaCelebrating 30 years of God’s faithfulness as the pastors pray over Trent.
Pastor Trent sharing “The Purpose of the Church” at Grace Calvary Chapel in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Africa at Last!!
Visiting Three Amazing Families Serving the Lord in Africa.
This Spring, we had the joy and privilege of sending Pastor Joel Garcia and Isaac Douglass on a missionary care trip to Uganda, Africa—home to three of our faithful SGWM missionary families who have been diligently planting churches and sharing the Gospel for many years.

Having looked forward to this trip for quite some time, Joel and Isaac arrived in Kampala, where they were warmly welcomed by Brian and Jill Kanyike. Jill has been serving in Uganda with SGWM for over 20 years, and since marrying Brian in 2006, she has witnessed God’s plan beautifully unfold. Brian now pastors Arise Christian Fellowship, a thriving church located near the slums of Kampala.Both Brian and Jill were deeply encouraged to finally host their dear friend and pastor in their home. These face-to-face, hand-in-hand visits are vital for the spiritual health and encouragement of our missionary teams around the world.

During their time in Kampala, Joel and Isaac joined the Kanyikes in ministry—visiting families in the slums, leading Sunday services, and sharing in prayer and worship. Their presence brought refreshment, support, and was a powerful reminder of the body of Christ standing behind them.
From there, Joel and Isaac traveled north to Gulu to visit Matt and Noelle Harris and their five children. The Harris family has been faithfully serving the Lord as Matt leads the training of pastors at Terebinth Bible College. Their home was filled with joy and gratitude as they welcomed Joel and Isaac, who brought encouragement and love from back home. The Harris children were especially thrilled, counting down the days until their visitors arrived. These visits mean so much—not only to the missionaries, but to their children as well, who are often serving and sacrificing alongside their parents.

The final leg of the journey took them even farther north to Midigo, where they spent time with the Aniku family. This amazing family is reaching hundreds in their community through a wide array of ministries, including a local church, a school, and a thriving soccer outreach. This long-anticipated visit was rich with mutual encouragement as Joel and Isaac witnessed first-hand the fruit of the Anikus’ faithful service and the lives being transformed through the love of Jesus.Throughout the trip, Pastor Joel and Isaac were continually blown away by the beauty of East Africa and the powerful work God is doing through these dedicated missionaries. These visits serve as a crucial reminder that no one is laboring alone—our SGWM family is united across continents, carrying the mission of Jesus together.

Please continue to pray for our missionaries in Uganda, as they labor to multiply disciples—disciples who make disciples who make disciples. Thank you for standing with us in this great Gospel mission!
The Harris family showing off the gifts they received from the care package brought by Joel and IsaacIsaac leading worship at Arise Christian Fellowship in Kampala, Uganda.The Kanyike family with Pastor Joel and Isaac.
Visiting the slums near Arise Christian Fellowship in Kampala is always a highlight of our visits.Soccer team in Midigo, Uganda. The Anikus have a very effective ministry through soccer outreach.Sitting with the team in Gulu ministering to the people who are so hungry for God’s Word.
Middle East and Republic of Georgia
Missionary care is essential in all areas of the world. Whether the missionary is single or married, has children or not, lives in an open country or a restricted country, they all need love, encouragement, and care. Pastor Trent, his wife Debbie, and Pastor Jesse Colon from Calvary Chapel in Jerez, Zacatecas were able to visit 4 of our full-time missionaries in the Middle East.

Their visit was timely as the team is sensing God leading them to take next steps. There are 6 from the team there who have been in country for 2 years studying language and culture in order to be prepared to do what they ultimately moved there to do… plant churches.
This Fall we will, God willing, have 4 more joining this team. We can see God stirring them all to take steps of faith towards fulfilling the vision.

Pastor Trent and the team were able to bring much needed encouragement and direction to the Middle East team so they can confidently move ahead. Through times of teaching, worship, prayer, and sharing their hearts, all were feeling confident to start doing new things which includes learning Biblical Arabic and getting deeper involved with the local church there. We are excited for this next venture of faith and want to ask that you continue to pray for this team for wisdom, discernment, dependency and clear direction.

Next, Pastor Trent and his team moved on to the country of Georgia where they met up with two more of their team members to teach a conference to a group coming from a very restricted neighboring country. Partnering with a local Calvary Chapel pastor and his team, Trent and his group had the privilege of teaching 7 hours a day through the Word of God. These teachings were received with great joy and hunger. These extremely isolated believers were engaged in and excited about every teaching and in the end communicated several times their gratitude for the teachings and time spent by our Saving Grace team.

Recognizing the potential for a lasting partnership, this initial trip proved to be a vital step forward—laying the groundwork for SGWM to make a greater impact in this nation strategically located within the heart of the 10/40 Window. Please pray for these precious believers as they face huge challenges in their home country and risk their lives daily as they share the gospel with those they encounter.
Praying over the city our team is in who is learning language and culture before starting on church planting.Equipping these precious believers from a restricted country in a safe place where they can freely worship and openly study the Bible.These believers sat for hours everyday, so hungry for the Word of God.
Pastoral Training for our National Workers
Pastor Gary has a heart for the 10/40 Window, where pastors work relentlessly in areas full of opposition and persecution. These pastors have incredible testimonies and work tirelessly and fearlessly to reach their people with the gospel. Although they are strong in faith, they lack in training in the area of Bible knowledge and spiritual leadership. Seeing this as a great need in South Asia, Pastor Gary and our dear brother Jim scheduled a 2-month multi-state tour to equip, encourage, and love on our national workers. Nothing can replace that face-to-face time of discipleship. This is where deep connection and trust is birthed!

As Gary and Jim sat with these brothers and answered their questions, God worked in their hearts and minds and they were radically impacted by this time spent. Please pray for all the seeds planted during this trip and that the Word that was taught would sustain, encourage, and keep these precious brothers as they seek to make disciples through church planting.
Gary pouring into a national pastor and his friend. This particular pastor does not have a lot of fellowship in his area, so he was very appreciative.It was a great opportunity to be able to teach in one of our CBI campuses where many of the students feel called to plant churches.Pastor R is an amazing shepherd of the people. He has never had a visit from a SGWM leader and he was so blessed as Gary and Jim came.
Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to fulfill the Great Commission by raising up and sending out!