stories
Everyday Faithfulness - John & Janice Bogott
In March 2024 we were invited to attend a meeting introducing the leadership of Refugee Memphis and their need for “language partners” for the many recent refugees that had come to the Memphis area. We have donated to that cause in the past, but frankly I had no interest in attending a sales pitch of another benevolent organization… Janice talked me into going. The meeting started as most do, with snacks and small talk—information about the mission of RM, personnel introductions, several speakers who had already been in the role of a language partner, and proceeded to the distribution of a notebook with “resumes” of refugees that are in the Memphis area and in need of help. We looked through the book, most were single individuals, but one page jumped out to us. The resume was a page for a young man that had only recently made it to Memphis. It detailed a little of his background, and let us know he was engaged to a young lady. Bingo! For some reason, a young couple soon to be married struck a chord for both of us, AND we still did not know what we were getting ourselves into.
It took several weeks for us to actually meet over coffee, at which Josh (from RM) hosted and made introductions. We discussed a few basic goals—they were very simple—primarily the new couple (Paul and Anastasiia) need help with conversational English. If that means sentence structure and proper diction—we are in trouble… but here we go. We decided to set our expectations gently, so our first meeting was a picnic lunch at Shelby Farms. We sat by the lake and talked about their journey that culminated in landing in Memphis. It was an amazing story, and it took a while to flesh out all the details. They didn’t know us or what they were getting into, but we were all excited to start this effort together. We decided that we would begin with a lot of questions about the meanings of American sayings. We had no idea we have so many sayings that make ZERO sense. How do you explain the meaning of “what’s up”, “hang in there”, or “raining cats and dogs?” American English is truly weird and we named the sessions Idioms From Idiots. We also did a lot of work with tenses. We met on Saturday mornings for coffee almost every week, and we usually started with questions about sayings and their meaning/use. We were amazed how helpful that was for them, and the longer we met the more proficient at English they became.
Our friendship developed rapidly, and we were invited to their wedding in June. It was so much fun to see the gleam in their eyes for each other, and they reached out to us for a lot of information and help. They told us about their honeymoon plans—going to Miami and renting a car to see south Florida. But they didn’t know that car rentals can be expensive and are not friendly toward couples under 25. We were able to give them some valuable guidance on what to expect and it turned out it was good and accurate information. We introduced them to good old American hot dogs and hamburgers on the 4th of July—complete with instructions on how to build a proper hamburger. They joined us for our family Thanksgiving feast and really enjoyed it. Prior to our meal, we spent quite a bit of time explaining the origin of Thanksgiving in America.
As our time together increased so did our relationship. We shared stories about the Smoky Mountains, Lake Pickwick and many other places. We talked about hunting one time and they both lit up about wanting to try “shoot guns” (rifles). We told Paul that if he would get his hunter safety certification, we would buy him a hunting license and take him deer hunting. Little did we know how excited and enthused he was. He got the certificate, we went hunting and he harvested a nice buck on his first hunt. We suspected the deer hunt was more than just an outing—it fed their entire extended family and is a vivid reminder of a close knit family that shares and helps one another.
As we have already said—we had no idea what we were getting into when this started last March. We thought this would be a strenuous effort to help someone learn some English. Not so. We have gotten to see a young couple marry, adapt and grow. They have given us more than we could ever imagine, and have become more like adopted family. This was supposed to be few months of teaching/learning, but it has turned into a genuine relationship that we will continue to enjoy for years to come.
LH Kids Christmas Craft
Keep an eye out in the hallways for new artwork created by our very own students in LH Kids! This vibrant display of creativity is the result of a special project designed to bring elementary-aged children together to create something meaningful and memorable. The initiative began with the idea of uniting kids through art while celebrating the spirit of the Christmas season. As part of the project, students gathered to listen to Christmas music and hear the story of the birth of Jesus, immersing themselves in the true meaning of Christmas while engaging in a hands-on creative process.
The event was much more than just an art activity; it was an opportunity for both parents and children to connect in a unique way. In a world where we often find ourselves rushing through our daily routines, this event allowed families to slow down and enjoy the holiday season in a different manner—through artistic expression. Rather than just attending church services or Christmas programs, parents and students were invited to participate together in creating something that would leave a lasting impression in the church hallways. This type of engagement fosters a sense of community and helps families bond over a shared activity that emphasizes the Christmas story.
For this particular project, students were given the creative challenge of illustrating different scenes from the nativity story. The children worked together to paint panels that depicted key elements of the Christmas narrative: a shepherd watching over his flock, the nativity scene with baby Jesus in the manger, and the wise men bringing their gifts to honor the newborn King. These images not only reflected the heart of the Christmas story but also allowed the children to engage with it in a personal and artistic way. Each panel was a unique expression of the children’s understanding of the nativity, showing how their own gifts and perspectives could bring the story to life in colorful, imaginative ways.
It was truly heartwarming to see how each child’s creativity shone through as they worked to capture the essence of the Christmas story. Whether they were carefully painting the faces of the wise men or adding the final touches to the scene with the shepherd, it was evident that every child poured a little bit of themselves into the project. This artistic endeavor became a visual representation of their connection to the Christmas narrative, bringing it to life in a way that was accessible and meaningful to them.
But perhaps the most exciting aspect of this project is how it also served as a catalyst for building and deepening relationships among the students and their families. While the art was a focal point, the real magic happened in the moments of connection between parents and children, and among the students themselves. It created an opportunity for parents to engage with their kids outside of the classroom and church service, encouraging conversations about art, creativity, and faith. It also provided a space for students to build friendships as they worked side by side, united by the shared purpose of honoring the Christmas story through their artistic talents.
In this way, the project not only brought a festive and beautiful new display to the church but also helped strengthen the bonds of friendship and faith within the LH Kids community. It was a reminder that art can be more than just a creative outlet—it can be a powerful way to engage, connect, and reflect on the deeper meanings of the season. So, next time you're in the hallways, be sure to stop by and take a look at the artwork on display. It’s a reflection of the students’ hard work, creativity, and a shared celebration of Christmas, and it’s a beautiful way to connect with the heart of the holiday season.
Resurrection Greenville
Johnathan Davis was part of Leaders Collective’s eighth church planter cohort (2021-2022). He serves as the pastor of Resurrection Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC.
We planted Resurrection on the eastern-edge of downtown Greenville, South Carolina in April of 2021. Our heart was to see God do a new work at the crossroads of a few very different neighborhoods, each of which had a distinct and historic identity, yet never crossed paths with each other. We believed the gospel of Jesus Christ could bring these different people and neighborhoods together.
We had no idea if this was possible or what it would look like, but three years in, God has given us a glimpse of the power of the gospel through Steve and Alex.
Steve grew up in a well-off but broken home. Addiction and divorce plagued his family. He tried to escape the pain through the party scene in college, but it didn’t do the trick. He was a promising accounting student who got recruited to a top accounting firm in Greenville by one of our church members, Kevin. Kevin took Steve under his wing both at work and socially. Soon enough, Steve began attending worship at Resurrection in the gym of the community center. Over the course of the next year, through Kevin’s friendship, the welcome of our church family, and the preaching of the Word, Steve came to faith in Christ. It has been an unspeakable joy to watch the Lord transform Steve’s life. Today, Steve serves on our music team and helps out with our youth group.
Alex arrived at Resurrection in a very different way. In his early 50s, in and out of prison and homelessness, Alex was walking by the community center one Sunday before worship when one of our more bold church members called out to him and invited him to join us for church. Surprisingly, Alex agreed. His first Sunday he sat in the back of the gym. We were able to chat briefly after the service. I was sure I’d never see him again, but he came back the next week…and the next week. Alex continued to sit in the back of the gym, so I told him (insisted) one day, “sit up here with the rest of us, you’re a part of us.” This began a beautiful and complicated relationship with Alex that has included giving him a Bible and spiritual counsel, providing funds to help meet practical needs, serving as references to get him off the street and into an apartment, and most recently, weekly visits to his jail cell. While we’ve seen the Holy Spirit doing good work in Alex, he continues to find himself in and out of trouble. And maybe most interestingly, some of God’s most pointed work yet has happened during these past three months of his incarceration. During our visits he talks about how he’s never read the Bible or prayed like he has recently, that he’s never been humbled like this, and that he can’t wait to get back to his church family when he gets out of jail.
To have Steve and Alex sitting in the same row of foldout chairs in the gym for worship each Sunday is the reason we planted Resurrection. Praise God for his kindness in allowing us to be a part of the new work he’s doing here. Please pray that God continues to do this work in our surrounding neighborhoods. Pray that we’d be faithful to minister to both the up-and-coming and the down-and-out.
Ajay Thomas - Advance Initiative
Ajay Thomas was part of Leaders Collective’s twentieth lead pastor cohort (2023-2024). He served as pastor at Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia until 2023 and is now the full-time executive director of the Advance Initiative. This is a bit of his story.
About twenty-five years ago, I was attending a worship service on a Sunday morning at Loudonville Community Church in Albany, NY. Only, I couldn’t sing. I was at my favorite church in college, about to hear my favorite preacher, and I couldn’t open my mouth. I stood overwhelmed as I thought about my South Asian peers. I was burdened by these questions: When are they going to get to sing the songs that I’m singing? When are they going to hear the gospel I’m about to hear?
I wouldn’t have known what to call that burden or that moment then, but looking back, I think it was the seedling of my calling. Over time, God nurtured that seedling and in 2009, it blossomed into planting Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia. Our dream was to plant a church that could reach South Asians and yet be multiethnic at the same time. Today, we celebrate that God made that dream a reality. But it was just the start.
The reality is that every fourth person on the planet is South Asian. Yet as the least reached peoples, more than anyone else, South Asians have missed out on the good news of Jesus Christ. But, South Asians are also the largest diaspora group in the world. That means that God has sovereignly scattered the least reached to places like Nairobi and New York, Dubai and Dallas, Melbourne and Memphis, where they can be reached, and in turn, reach others as well. Imagine the impact if South Asians were reached with the love of Christ and became a global missional force!
We believe that God has a role for South Asians to play in the global advance of the gospel and so we launched The Advance Initiative (advanceinitiative.org). Our mission is “to catalyze a global movement of gospel-centered, multiethnic churches planted by or among South Asians.” Let me tell you what that means and why that matters by telling you about Boto.
Boto Joseph planted Jackson Heights Community Church (JHCC) in Queens, NY. The New York Times once described Jackson Heights as the world’s most diverse neighborhood. For example, if you go to the local Wendy’s, you’ll find that the menu is not written in English, but in four South Asian languages. But if you go to Jackson Heights, every Sunday you’ll also find JHCC gathering on the third floor of a Muslim-owned restaurant named Kebab King.
JHCC has baptized former Hindus, Muslims, and Buddhists, among others. What’s amazing to me about JHCC and Boto is that Boto’s family came to faith generations ago because missionaries from New York came to Nagaland, his home state in India. And now, in God’s unfolding story, it’s a missionary from Nagaland that is reaching people in New York!
It’s not just Boto. I could tell you about my friend Jason who planted New Hope Church in Harlem, NY, or about Isaac planting Center Church in Dubai. I could tell you about Sujith who immigrated from India to the US pursuing the American dream, only to leave it all and go back to plant Cornerstone Church in Mumbai pursuing an even better dream. It’s for stories like these, and to see countless more, that Advance exists.
So our work is to expose people to the gospel opportunity among South Asians, provide spaces for believers to explore their sense of calling, equip leaders to plant as or among South Asians, and empower pioneers to plant. And all of that is ultimately to advance the gospel, by planting churches, all around the world!
To that end, we would love for you to partner and pray with us. Would you pray Luke 10:2 and Psalm 90:17 for us? We need the Lord of the harvest to raise up more laborers, specifically even for Him to raise up South Asian church planters all around the world. And please intercede for us that God would have favor on our ministry and establish the work of our hands!
Learn more at advanceinitiative.org
Operation Christmas Child
For the second year in a row, LH Kids families built boxes for Operation Christmas Child on Build-A-Box Day. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide children in need around the world with gifts and the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is a very tangible way that the children of Living Hope get to be mission-focused by providing love and encouragement to children in need at home and abroad. In addition, it encourages parents to disciple their children, teaching them about loving, serving, and praying for others.
After Hurricane Helene
Billy Glosson was part of Leaders Collective’s fifth church planter cohort (2018-2019). He joined the cohort as part of his ongoing development and preparation to plant a church in Western North Carolina. This is a bit of his story.
Six years ago, my wife and I packed our bags and moved from mid-Missouri to my hometown of Morganton, NC. We came with a simple mission: to plant a gospel-centered church in the growing rural South. It wasn’t long before we felt the weight of that calling. Church planting is tough, and starting in March of 2020 (yes, right before the pandemic) was even tougher. Between navigating a global pandemic and the pushback from cultural easy-believism and rejection of Christianity, it felt like our efforts were just a trickle against the rushing torrent of brokenness. But we held fast, knowing that God does not despise the day of small things. Little by little, we grew. Eventually, we saw His kindness when another local church merged with us, gifting us their building. It was an unexpected and gracious provision.
In the middle of this grind, an old high school friend reached out wanting to catch up. He co-hosted a popular local podcast that often took local pastors to task, and he was an outspoken atheist. Our conversations stretched over months of coffee meetups, but slowly, he softened. One night, in the midst of a personal crisis, he reached out, his life in turmoil. He felt like there might be something to this Jesus I spoke of. That night, he turned to the scriptures, and he became a Christian; God brought him from death to life. A few weeks later, I had the incredible joy of baptizing him, celebrating his new birth in Christ.
The Impact of Hurricane Helene
Mission Church had just started to feel settled. We had installed our first elders, and it felt like we were finally getting our footing. Then, on September 27, Hurricane Helene walloped Western North Carolina. The river basin in Morganton broke, flooding neighborhoods, wiping out businesses, and leaving the town without power or water for days. Downed trees and power lines littered the streets, but the hardest part was the silence. Communication was nearly impossible. Cell service was down, and the only news we received came through word of mouth.
It wasn’t until days later, when I left town to shower, that I saw the destruction in places like Chimney Rock and Asheville. The devastation was staggering—I remember sitting in my car, overwhelmed and weeping.
In the aftermath, we didn’t know what to do since communication was still spotty. I drove to our building that Saturday to try and figure out a way to hold some kind of Sunday gathering. When I arrived, I was shocked—our building had power, miraculously, even with downed trees all around. That Sunday morning was one of the sweetest gatherings I’ve ever been a part of.
People were weeping and hugging, checking on each other. Handwritten directions to homes with pools were passed around so people could flush toilets. We didn’t have open grocery stores, cell service, or running water, but we had power and a place to gather. For the next several days, we opened the building in the morning, providing lunch, a place to charge phones, and some sense of routine for kids and parents. We opened again in the afternoon and handed out water and other essential supplies to our community. Those days were long and heavy, but they were filled with the sweetness of community and God’s provision.
How to Help
Many have asked how they can help. We are overwhelmed by the kindness of churches across the country. Our building is full of needed supplies, but if you want to help specifically, give to local churches that were most heavily impacted, like those in Spruce Pine and Asheville. Most significantly, we ask for prayer. Never before have I seen so much favor for the church in this area. People have been overwhelmed by the response of local churches in the midst of this crisis. Pray that we can walk through this door of opportunity and see many come from death to life.
Teenagers Serving in LH Kids
On any given Sunday, you might find believers middle school age through senior adults and all ages in-between serving together, supporting one another, challenging one another, encouraging one another and problem solving together in LH Kids.
The teenagers of Living Hope are serving the Lord in a tangible way and making meaningful contributions in the lives of other teachers and children. You might find them sitting on the floor reading a book, building with blocks, helping with an art activity or playing ball outside. We are so thankful for the teens serving and for their parents who allow and encourage them to serve. Here are a few thoughts from some of the teens who serve:
“Serving in LH Kids is such a sweet way to connect that grows my faith while I help. I want every child to feel comfortable and loved, especially here at church. I love to be able to help provide that nurturing environment. I always look forward to seeing my little buddies and encourage their love of Jesus while it encourages mine as well”
“I have watched my mom serve in LH Kids for years, and I saw the need and I wanted to help too! I love seeing how the Lord works in little ways to strengthen their faith. I get to be a part of the body of Christ in worshipping and praising the Lord in this way. It brings me great joy!”
From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. - Ephesians 4:16
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accordwith Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 15:5-6