This trip to Oregon felt like a mix of purpose, rest, and just really good moments with people I care about - and I could see Jesus in all of it. One of the biggest highlights was getting to spend time with the founders of GFL, people I’m lucky to call friends. Hearing more about their vision to expand into a new area was honestly inspiring. Their heart is to create real, safe spaces for survivors to heal, not just get by, and it’s so clear that Jesus is at the center of that mission. They’re dreaming about housing, long-term support, and even building a homestead where people can work with their hands: gardening, creating, being in a space that reflects the kind of restoration Jesus offers. It’s a big vision, but it feels so needed, and so God-led. We also got to enjoy Oregon for what it is - beautiful and a little magical. We spent time in Portland eating amazing food, shopping, and thrifting (which might be one of my favorite ways to explore a new place). And the Hobbit Trail was unreal!!! The lush, green path opens right up to the beach. It felt like something out of a story, one of those places where you can’t help but thank Jesus for His creation. Another really special part of the trip was celebrating Vanessa’s 40th birthday. We got to do it surrounded by new friends and community, and it just felt easy and full of joy—the kind of night you don’t overthink, you just enjoy. It reminded me how kind Jesus is to give us people and moments like that. Overall, it was one of those trips that fills your cup in a lot of different ways, and I’m just really grateful for how present Jesus felt through all of it. If you’re someone who prays, here are a few things on my heart: - For GFL’s expansion, that Jesus would open the right doors and guide every step- For the founders, that Jesus would give them wisdom, strength, and support- For the homestead dream to become a reality, shaped and sustained by Jesus- For the survivors who will be impacted, that they would experience deep healing through Jesus- And for the friendships and community that are continuing to grow, rooted in Jesus Feeling really grateful for this one.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 Hey everyone! This is a joint update which you will be seeing more of in the near future as we (Jared and Meghan) join our lives together! We are in the middle of a crazy (and really fun) time of transition, with Jared moving back to Fresno and joining the staff at GoMission. We are also planning the GoMission Internship together and are less than two weeks out from our wedding! We would really appreciate your prayers over this time, just for grace in the midst of this big life change! One thing that we’ve found SO helpful in the hectic nature of this season, has been moments of stopping… reorienting our attention back to Jesus and His Kingdom… and remembering what all these things are about. Our prayer for you (and continually for ourselves) is that in the middle of whatever your season of life is filled with, that you would feel the nudge of the Holy Spirit to stop… pray… and refocus your eyes back on the one who is really the center of it all.
Our GFL San Diego Retreat this past weekend was a meaningful time centered on Jesus, healing, and being together in community. From the moment we arrived, there was a sense that this weekend would be set apart—a space to step away from everyday life and intentionally make room for rest, connection, and God’s presence. We spent time in worship and prayer, creating space to focus on Jesus and lay down what we’ve been carrying. These moments invited us to slow down and be present, allowing God to meet us right where we are. There was a deep sense of peace throughout the weekend that grounded everything we did. One of the most impactful parts of the retreat was a survivor-led painting workshop. This was more than just an activity—it became a powerful way to express emotions and experiences through creativity. It was meaningful to see survivors step into leadership and use their gifts to create a space where others could reflect, create, and process in a tangible way. We also spent time exploring the town together, including an afternoon of thrift shopping. These moments were filled with laughter and connection, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy simple, lighthearted experiences together. It was a reminder of the joy that can exist alongside healing. During the weekend, we celebrated a group birthday, which brought everyone together in a special way. Taking time to honor and celebrate someone’s life created a moment of joy and unity that added to the sense of community throughout the retreat. Attending church together was another highlight. Gathering in worship as a group allowed us to collectively focus on truth, be encouraged, and experience faith in a shared space. It was a powerful reminder that we are not alone and that God is present in both personal and communal moments. We ended our weekend at the beach, which was especially significant for many of the survivors who were experiencing the ocean for the very first time. Standing on the sand, taking in the vastness of the water, and simply being present in that moment carried a deep sense of meaning. It was a moment of newness, reflection, and quiet joy that many will carry with them long after the weekend. The GFL San Diego Retreat was a time to be together, to encounter Jesus, and to experience moments of both joy and peace. We are grateful for each person who was part of this weekend and for the memories that were created along the way.
“But those who wait on the LORDShall renew their strength;They shall mount up with wings like eagles,They shall run and not be weary,They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31) It is interesting to look at the different translations of the Hebrew word qāvâ in Isaiah 40:31 - which all point to waiting (NKJ), hoping (NIV) and trusting (NLT) in the Lord. Gathering Table so far this year has been in a time of waiting on the Lord for him to move. On the surface it may seem that things have come to a stand still - no Pop-Up dinners on the calendar as of yet for the year and the location for the 2nd year of doing the bee keeping apprenticeship that starts in May still being up in the air. Yet Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that God is working even as we wait. As one explanation of the word qāvâ explains it like a strand of rope being twisted and stretched into just the right tension, until it is ready for use. That is what it feels like right now, that as we wait on the Lord, the ministry is being twisted and stretched and prepared for the things God has planned. Like a tension that is being readied to be released to launch. What does this mean practically? Here are a few things we are waiting on the Lord for that you can be praying with us about, before we move into some of the things God has planned for Gathering Table this year. Land or property in the Clovis area for doing the bee keeping apprenticeship with Hives for Heros. We are praying for God to open the door for someone who has the space to let us use from May-September. We have some possibilities in the works, nothing nailed down yet though. While we wait, we have stepped out in faith and started inviting guys into the apprenticeship, with already two veterans who have said yes! You can find more details about the apprenticeship here: https://www.gatheringtablefarms.com/2026apprenticeship Gathering Table team meeting to plan out the pop-up dinners for this year. We are in the process of scheduling the planning meeting in the next few weeks hopefully. This has taken longer than we hoped for, BUT as we have been waiting on the Lord, God has brought quite a few unexpected people who have expressed interest in getting involved in the dinners this year! We have found that some of the most impactful discipleship happens within the planning team. We are excited to see what God has in store. Lastly, we are waiting on the Lord for ideas on how to connect local agriculture with the dinners and the ministry as a whole. During some recent vision strategy meetings with some dear friends, the Lord reminded us that gathering people around local agriculture is a part of the DNA of this ministry. We are planning another meeting soon to discuss practical ideas, be praying the Lord reveals his plans to us. We look forward to updating next time on God’s answers to these things. Thank you for your prayers and faithful support. The photos below are some recent movement and activity of our bee hives that help support the ministry of Gathering Table and the bee keeping apprenticeship. Blessings, Jeff and Kristy
If you were with us back in 2023, you remember the time our beloved home faced an unimaginable loss. Our main building burned to the ground within a matter of minutes... Within those walls crumbled so many memories of life. This building held our church sanctuary, main offices, school classrooms, music rooms, and nursery, along with countless memories of gathering together, in learning, discipleship, and worship. It was the center and heartbeat of our entire ministry. A temporary home In the aftermath of the fire, we were able to setup a large tent in the center of campus to replace our beloved sanctuary. For the past three years, this tent has become a place of community, serving as our church hub–hosting daily devotions and worship services, as we've begun the journey to rebuild from the ashes. The start of the new dream And finally! After much prayer, fundraising, and many months of makeshift efforts, our new building has reached the first stages of rising from the dust. We've begun the reconstruction of a new foundation! We are so thrilled to see this dream—once only an idea imagined in the midst of challenge and hope—becoming a physical reality right before our eyes. While the journey ahead is still long and much remains to be invested, it is truly happening. We are incredibly thankful for the faithfulness of our Father every step of the way. You can see more details regarding the rebuild in the video here: We are so grateful for your investment in us—both through your prayers and through the practical ways you support us. Your part in our lives and in our story is one of the reasons we’re able to continue the work and impact happening here at The Mission. As we’ve often said, this place and this ministry is home to us. So this is not only a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness within the organization, but also in our own personal lives as we continue to build history here and look forward to building even more life here in the years to come. And you get to be a part of this testimony with us. Continuing to share in the testimony: Your intentionality and your heart to bless us on this journey have meant more than you know! We have experienced so much of God’s glory in these early years of marriage, and we are still so expectant for all that is yet to come. Your contributions within the past months have allowed us to purchase some key items we needed for our new home: ● A bed (mattress and frame) ● Chairs for our dining room table! Our need continues to grow as we move forward in everyday life and as regular necessitie sarise. Things like home supplies, car maintenance, phone bills, groceries, and other day-to-day expenses all add up. If you haven’t yet, or if you would like to partner with us by committing to a monthly gift or giving a one-time donation, you can do so through the link below: GoMission.Church (Sydney & Juan) Thank you for remembering us in your hearts, we send you so much love from just across the border– Juan & Sydney If you'd prefer to instantly bless us through CashApp or Venmo you can use the bubble icons above, or save them for later: CashApp: $SydneyLorenzana (green bubble) or Venmo: Sydney-Lorenzana (blue bubble)
We have some really amazing and exciting ministry going on right now! #1 God provided for a tractor for our farm! Guys, this will help us feed the 150+ people we feed every day and help us reduce our operating costs! #2 We’re building AGAIN! Our new Suubi Program will soon be getting a teaching kitchen! This will help our students learn even more valuable skills! #3 Our 1st term at the girls skills center is off to a great start! 49 girls are learning life changing skills! #4 We opened our 1st class of primary school THIS week! New Life Primary School is underway! SO much to be thankful for! If you have prayed for or given to our ministry, THANK YOU for helping change lives here in Uganda!
God Causes the Growth “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 Our Part and God’s Part Often, I find myself thinking about the interplay between God’s sovereign work and my participation. On the one hand, it can be easy to believe that all the results of my life and ministry depend solely on me and what I do. On the other hand, it can feel like nothing I do matters at all, and it ultimately is just up to God. What’s so beautiful about this passage in 1 Corinthians is that it strikes right to the heart of this tension. Paul tells us here that each one is given an assignment by God, that God invites us to participate in the growth that only he can cause. Like little kids helping a parent, we bring nothing to the table, but God, our Father, still invites us to co-labor with him. The way this passage describes our partnership with God in the work of ministry gives me such excitement and freedom to passionately work with all of my heart in the assignment God has given me, but never too try and carry the crushing weight of what is only God’s responsibility. As John Piper once put it: “My job is faithfulness. God’s is fruitfulness.” Here in Mendoza, our little church community has been experiencing the reality of this passage as we launched our first public English-speaking services! Public English Service On February 22nd, we started our service in the upstairs of the Vina Rock Cafe (where the Spanish church meets), and all three weekends so far, we have had new people visiting! There are already so many kids coming that we had to start a children's ministry! Each week we worship, take communion together, have a short teaching, and pray. After service, the whole group gathers for lunch at someone’s house, and usually, we all stay for hours before anyone heads home. Here are some photos from those first few gatherings: The week of the launch, every one of the families on the team had so much going on. A lot of unexpected things popped up at the last minute. In many ways, our launch of the first service was not “Ideal”, but God is faithful, and as each one in our group said yes to the small assignment that God gave, he started to do what he promised: build his church. I think this analogy of plant growth that Paul used can also be applied to our own personal growth in Jesus. We don’t have the power to cause growth in our lives. We can’t make ourselves more like Jesus, but we can make sure to bring the water and nutrients that we need (The word of God, a life lived in the community of his Church, time spent with our Father in prayer) and pull the weeds (sin and distraction) but the only other thing we can do is wait for God to cause the growth. My prayer for each of us is that we would be fervent in our weeding and watering, while resting in the goodness of our Father, the good gardener, to cause the growth. Here are a few of the ways you can be praying right now! Pray that the leadership team for the English service would be solidified and that each person would find their role. Specifically pray for Ted and Michelle, and Mark and Leah, and their families as they take on these responsibilities and the weight that comes with them. Pray for some of the people coming to the service who still haven’t made a commitment to follow Jesus And please pray for my transition back home for this next season of getting married and preparing to relaunch out to Argentina for a longer commitment!
The beginning of spring is often seen as a time to reset, prepare, and foster an environment for new growth. As things have slowed down a bit for GoMission.Church, we are taking advantage of the opportunity to do some of our own “spring cleaning” in preparation for some exciting things coming this summer: Welcoming a new team member. In May we will be welcoming Jared Duran to the team! He will help lead our second summer internship, develop resources for churches and mission partnerships, and help us onboard additional team members. Preparing for this summer’s internship. The summer internship was a huge highlight for us last year, and we have been enjoying dreaming with God about what He wants to do through the internship this summer. Strengthening how we serve. As we prepare for what’s ahead, we are also taking time to evaluate how we can grow in supporting our ministry partners and better serve churches in their missional endeavors. We are thankful for the grace God has given us in this season to slow down and prepare well for whatever He will do next. Here are a few ways you can be praying with us during this time: That God would help us further develop the platform and internal structures to better serve our partners. For vision and clarity for what the internship should look like this year. For grace and provision as we step into the transition of adding a new team member. Thank you for your prayers and for partnering with us! We are excited to see how God will continue to use GoMission.Church in our local community and through our global partnerships.
This month has been filled with celebration and gratitude as May and Angie both earned their driver’s licenses! What an exciting and meaningful accomplishment. After weeks of studying, practicing, and preparing, they each stepped forward in confidence and passed their tests — a moment made even sweeter by the faith and perseverance that carried them there. Learning to drive is about more than understanding traffic laws and mastering three-point turns. It’s about growth. It’s about responsibility. It’s about stepping into a new season of independence. Through every practice session, every correction, and every nervous deep breath before the exam, Jesus was present — steady, faithful, and guiding their paths. Just as Scripture reminds us that He directs our steps, this milestone feels like a beautiful reflection of that promise in motion. There is something truly beautiful about obtaining a driver’s license. It symbolizes freedom — the ability to go, to serve, to explore, and to answer when called. Within the spirit of GFL, this achievement shines brightly. It reflects gratitude for the journey, faith in the process, and love for the growth that comes through perseverance. Freedom is a gift, and when it’s rooted in faith, it becomes even more powerful. May and Angie’s accomplishment isn’t just about driving; it’s about trust — trust from their instructors, trust in themselves, and trust in Jesus as they move forward into new opportunities. With keys in hand and hearts full of joy, they are ready for the roads ahead. This is a month to celebrate boldly and gratefully. Congratulations to May and Angie! May every mile ahead be filled with purpose, protection, and the peace that comes from knowing Jesus is always in the driver’s seat.
Max's Story Hey everyone! This update is going to be a little bit different! I just wanted to share with you a testimony from someone who is a part of the church here! Max recently had a really beautiful encounter with Jesus that has completely changed his life. His parents say he is like a totally different kid. Max and I have been spending lots of time together lately, and our discipleship meet-ups consist mostly of reading the bible and playing chess while we talk about following Jesus. The thing that makes Max's story here extra powerful and encouraging is the fact that Max is one of the people that our church has been praying for by name for the last few months. It's so exciting to see how powerfully God moves when we ask, even though we may see nothing at first. I'm reminded of how Jesus ends the parable of the widow and the unjust judge: And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” I love that Jesus tells us that when we ask, God won't be slow in answering the fervent prayers of His people. Just a few days ago, I asked Max if he wanted to share with the people in the United States who are praying for us and our church. So we sat down together at a coffee shop and wrote it out. Everything in the story below is Max's words and what he wanted to share. I hope it's as encouraging for you as it is to me! “Hi, my name is Max, I’m 15 and I’m from Austin Texas and now live in Mendoza Argentina. When I was younger I knew about God, but I didn’t have a real relationship with Him, or know that I could really talk to Him and know Him. About a year ago I started hanging out with the wrong crowd and felt pressured into smoking and using drugs. I started struggling with school and skipping classes. At the same time I began struggling with pornography. During all this I felt like I was a disappointment to my family because of my grades, I felt empty and I stopped caring about my future. Then one night when I was planning to go buy some weed, my mom forced me to go to a prayer/ministry night with the Vineyard church and a pastor from out of town. After the pastor started praying I felt guilt and conviction for all the things I was doing. I started crying and then everyone started praying over me. When they were praying I started feeling the mercy of Jesus and how patient he had been with me. My guilt that I had felt suddenly turned into joy. I felt really loved by God for the first time The next day all of my desire for the bad things that I was doing before was almost gone, and for the first time in a long time I felt happy! I started wanting to read the Bible more than ever before and I started learning that God is always talking to me if I stop and listen. That same week when I was praying I felt like God said that one of my friends was having a hard time and that I should talk to him about it. I asked him and he told me that he was having a hard time with his church (his family is Jehovah's witness). I told him it isn’t about just going to church but really getting to know God and asked if I could pray for him and he said yes. Later that day I asked if he wanted to pray and then he prayed for us too even though I had never heard him pray before that! Now I’m excited for the future and what God is teaching me. I’m praying and reading the Bible almost everyday now and I feel like I’m a little baby again and that I just get to hold God’s hand and grow up with Him.” Please keep praying with us for more people to experience Jesus like this! This is the beautiful fruit of your prayers and the prayers of our small community here! Thank you!! A few more quick updates and things to pray with us for: Our English service "soft launched" (basically just our most committed people) two weeks ago. Our first public service where we invite everyone is set to start Febuary 22nd Max and his parents are becoming more and more our core team here at the church. Please take some time to bless what God is already doing in their family! This week the whole Vineyard Argentina Partnership (4 churches from the States will be represented, along with the pastors of 3 churches and 1 other ministry here in Argentina) is gathering in Buenos Aires for prayer fellowship and dreaming about the future of what God is doing here. Please be praying for God to bless this time and that he would continue to lead us. Thank you all so much again for being a part of this with us. I'm so excited to share how it all goes in the next update!
May’s birthday was nothing short of a blessing. As a survivor, her life is a testimony of strength, healing, and God’s faithfulness. This celebration was a beautiful reminder of how Jesus has carried her, surrounded her with love, and walked with her every step of the way. Through Him—and through the incredible people He placed in her life—May truly received the birthday party of her dreams. We gathered with grateful hearts to celebrate God’s goodness over her life, sharing Mediterranean food, cinnamon rolls instead of cake, and so much laughter. May was wrapped in love, surrounded by family and friends, all brought together by Jesus and united in joy and thanksgiving. We are especially overwhelmed with gratitude for the generosity of one of our amazing supporters, whom Jesus used in a powerful way. Because of their obedience and kindness, May’s entire EMT course was paid for in full. What an incredible reminder that God provides—often exceeding what we could ever imagine. We are so incredibly proud of May—of her resilience, her courage, and the way she continues to step forward with faith and determination. We are deeply thankful that she is a part of the GFL family, and it is an honor to walk alongside her on this journey. We cannot wait to see what God has in store for her future and how He will continue to use her story, her strength, and her heart to impact others. This birthday was more than a celebration of another year—it was a celebration of survival, restoration, and the goodness of Jesus. We are so thankful for a Savior who redeems, restores, and blesses through community, generosity, and love. All glory to Him for making this day so special.
New Year and Life/Ministry Update! Hey everyone! Happy New Year! I’m just getting ready to head back to Argentina after a very sweet time with friends and family over Christmas break, filled with good food, stories, and encouragement. I’m excited to share with you all some life and ministry updates that are very relevant for this next year! Meghan and I got engaged! We are looking forward to getting to do the things God has called us both to do, but as a team! This means we will be moving to Argentina to continue to participate in what God is doing in the Vineyard churches there. In this transition, through prayer and discernment with friends and mentors, we’ve decided to take a year in Fresno after getting married at the end of April, to prepare for the move to Argentina in the summer of 2027. We don’t know what everything will look like yet, but we would love if you could pray with us about both our year of preparation in Fresno and our move to Argentina. Here are some specific things you could join us in praying for in this season: This season of engagement… preparing for marriage, Jared’s last 3 months in Mendoza, and all that comes with planning a wedding. Our first year of marriage… direction from the Lord about priorities for that year, provision for a place to live, and preparation for the transition to Argentina. In summary, I will be returning to Mendoza for the next 3 months before coming back for our wedding in April, and spend a year preparing to return to Argentina for a long-term commitment with Meghan. One of the things that God has been using to help me think about this transition over the past few weeks is the old phrase, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I’m excited to take this time to prepare for a longer-term assignment in Argentina together. The remaining time in Mendoza will be focused on supporting some of our new leaders and helping them step into all that God is calling them to! My prayer is that by the time I leave back to Fresno for the wedding, Mark and Karina will feel they have a strong team of leaders that they can rely upon for each area of ministry in the church! We are also currently looking at shifting the way that the Vineyard Argentina partnership’s state-side churches support our in-country leaders. Please be praying for wisdom as we restructure our support system to better serve and help our leaders. Thank you all so much for your prayers and your support! I’m excited to keep sharing with you everything God is doing in Mendoza! Over the next few months, I plan to reach out to each of you individually and share in more detail about the transition!