The mission ministry team at Providence Church seeks to spread the Gospel through ...reaching out to our community. ...educating our members about missions and encouraging their participation. ...supporting, financially and practically, the career missionaries God brings to us. ...equipping those in our congregation who feel called to full-time mission work.
Every Christian’s Call - Evangelism Christ called His followers to bring the message of salvation to the world. Here in Northeast Ohio it’s easy to think that spreading the truth of Christ is something that only “missionaries” do. But a Christian life shines Christ’s truth to a dark world, no matter if that world is an African jungle or a downtown office building. Every believer is called to multiply his or her faith through evangelism.
The Church’s Presentation - Outreach At Providence, we equip our members to share Christ’s story with the people they interact with in their daily lives. We also provide specific congregational events where members can invite their unchurched friends: this is outreach. Outreach events have included the women’s Christmas Brunch, Vacation Bible School, the Euchre tournament, and other community-friendly events.
Beyond our reach - Missions Part of the church’s mandate is to send workers “to the ends of the earth.” We use the term “missions” to describe the officially supported endeavors of our church to take the Gospel into communities which are beyond our congregation’s normal reach. These missionaries can execute Christ’s Great Commission only when supported by the individuals in the local church.
Evangelism, outreach, and missions are other ways we see Christ accomplishing His purposes through relationships within His body.
Domestic Missions
Providence Church is committed to reaching out to the Avon community, the greater Cleveland area, and communities in need throughout the United States. Providence reaches out to the local Avon/Avon Lake community through nursing home visitation, Vacation Bible School, and other local efforts to love and serve those in the community. On a broader scale, we currently support full-time domestic missionaries with Athletes in Actions and Love, Inc. Domestic missions in other parts of the United States are also a priority for us, as we send teams to the inner cities and other underprivileged areas of our country where we can share God’s love in practical ways to those who need it.
Current Domestic Missionaries and Mission Organizations Supported by Providence
Tom and JoAnne minister to the professional athletes and coaches connected with the Cleveland Browns through Athletes in Action. Their aim is to win those in the high-profile arena of professional sports, disciple them and equip them to use their platforms for the progress of the Gospel.
Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC) brings Christian churches together, across denominational lines, to help the poor by meeting immediate needs such as food and clothing, to longer-term responses through relational ministries such as life skills training and transitional housing.
From Cleveland’s west side, you do not need to travel far to see opportunities to minister to people in desperate need. The Cleveland City Mission serves as Christ’s hands and feet in inner-city Cleveland by providing clothes, food, classes, after-school care, summer camps, and other services to those in need. Providence Church has an ongoing relationship with Cleveland City Mission through donating food, winter clothing, volunteer services, and other supplies throughout the year.
Providence Church seeks to follow Christ’s example by forming relationships with those at Bradley Bay Health Center. Twice a month, Providence attendees bring the residents of Bradley Bay a church service which includes music, a simple message, and a time to visit and encourage the residents. They aim to share God’s love by fostering friendships with these men and women who are in dire need of attention and care.
Cross-Cultural Missions
Providence Church is committed to supporting those who are fulfilling the Great Commission overseas. We support members of our congregation who now minister in Italy, Kenya, and Scotland. Every year there are also opportunities for members of the Providence congregation to experience ministries outside the United States. Even in the Cleveland area, Providence crosses cultural boundaries through ministries like International Friends at northeast Ohio colleges and universities, which brings the message of Christ to international students studying in Cleveland.
Current Cross-Cultural Missionaries and Mission Organizations Supported by Providence
Brian and Sarah Bennetch (Rome, Italy) | ReachGlobal
Brian and Sarah have a vision to establish a network of Christian small groups in Rome to work toward unifying the churches of southern Italy. In August 2008, they launched a new, multifaceted city team that can minister through church planting, campus outreach, and inner city relief work. The Bennetches are passionate about this strategic capital city that is home to more than four million Italians, other Europeans, immigrants, and refugees. Currently, they work with ReachGlobal through the Evangelical Free Church of America.
Herb and Virginia Veith made their first journey to Kenya, Africa in 1993 to visit a native evangelist whom they’d met at their church in Ohio. That visit was the springboard to the Veiths beginning two Christian orphanages in Kenya. These “Mission to the Fatherless” homes now care for more than 40 orphans at two facilities and they seek to rescue, support, educate, and train orphans to be Christian leaders for the next generation.
Randy and Martha Nickel (Young Life Scotland) | Young Life
The Nickels want to reach the next generation for Christ and they’ve dedicated their lives to seeing that goal realized. After more than 20 years of working as a YoungLife Regional Director for northern Ohio and southern Michigan, Randy Nickel has followed the call to reach teens in Scotland. There are only a small (but mighty) group of believers in Great Britain, and an even smaller number who focus on working with teens. Pray for the message of Christ to go out in a mighty way among the teens and adults in Scotland. The Nickel family is still centered in Bay Village, where they live with their four children.
Tom and Joan lead a ministry to international students, researchers, and immigrants in the greater Cleveland area. International Friends focuses on Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Clinic with smaller ministries at Lorain County Community College, Baldwin-Wallace, and Tri-C. There are several thousand international students in the Cleveland area who have never heard the message of Christ. Tom and Joan lead various ministries with these students, as well as mobilizing Christians and local churches to reach the nations that have come to our doorstep. When these students head back home, they become missionaries who can reach their hometowns for Christ.
Short Term Missions
Each year Providence provides the opportunity for youth and adults to spread the Gospel both inside and outside of the United States on week-long service trips. Past mission trips have served in Mexico, Peru, New Orleans, Dominican Republic, and Chicago.
Upcoming Short Term Mission Opportunities There are currently no upcoming mission opportunities scheduled. Check back for more details!
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