In Revelation 7:9 we get an extraordinary glimpse into the future when all Christians from all people groups will gather together before the throne of King Jesus and worship him with fullness of joy for eternity. God’s vision of the future is meant to inspire the church to make disciples of all nations right now, in the present, for the glory of God and the joy of all peoples. This Go Guide helps us as a church to do just that.
We want to mobilize our entire church to go and make disciples of all nations. This is for all of us at Ashland Church, from the youngest believer among us to the oldest, and everyone in between. We have all been sent to be witnesses of Jesus Christ. Here, we explain the different ways we can go and the step-by-step process to get there.
We want everyone at Ashland Church to be witnesses who passionately pray, boldly witness, sacrificially give, and eagerly go together so that disciples will be made of all the nations gathered here in Richmond and spread to the ends of the earth for the glory of God and the joy of all peoples.
So now the only question is: Where will you go?
Send Me to Go Make Disciples of All Nations…
In Richmond
Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus said that all of his disciples would be witnesses. We are to start being witnesses and making disciples of all nations locally where we are and take the gospel from here to the ends of the earth. There are many opportunities to make disciples of all nations right here in Richmond.
If you would like more information about any of these opportunities or have other opportunities you would like to suggest please contact Eric Turner at eric@ashland.church.
International Outreach Events at Ashland Church
Serve at one of our church’s International Outreach Events (International Thanksgiving Dinner, Airport Rides for International Students, etc.) throughout the year and get to know people from different nations and share the gospel. You can find out about upcoming International Outreach Events during announcements on Sunday mornings, online at our website (ashland.church/ events), or on social media (Facebook & Instagram).
International Adoption
There are children all across our nation in need of adoption and foster care and there are even more beyond our borders. Unlike in America, there are orphans growing up in countries where there are no churches or where they will never have the opportunity to hear the gospel. When we adopt children into our family from across the world we reflect what God is doing through the gospel as he adopts spiritual orphans from all nations into his family as his sons and daughters. Grants and financial assistance are available. There are several excellent Christian adoption agencies to choose from including Nightlight Christian Adoptions and Lifeline Children’s Services.
Cultural Restaurants and Grocery Stores
There are many restaurants and grocery stores with cultural foods and products for sale from different nations. Try a restaurant from a different culture each month or become a regular and get to know the staff. Find out where they are from, how long they have been living here, what they think about Richmond, if they go to church, and if they would like to come to church with you! Offer to help them in any way you can.
Thursday Night Dinners at EKU Baptist Campus Ministry
Each Thursday night at 6:00 pm during the fall and spring semesters EKU Baptist Campus Ministries hosts a free meal for college students at the BCM (325 University Drive). Invite an international student or go and make friends with one at the meal.
Pregnancy Help Center (PHC)
PHC is a local nonprofit health clinic that provides free medical services and parenting classes for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. They give information and counsel to help parents make wise decisions and save the lives of the unborn. They regularly serve internationals. You can support the Pregnancy Help Center or learn more at madisonphc.org.
God’s Outreach
Madison County’s local food bank provides supplemental and emergency food to approximately 1,600 families, including internationals. They also provide 1,750 backpacks with weekend meals for students from 19 area schools. You can find out more about serving or giving to God’s Outreach at godsoutreach.org.
Show Hospitality
Around the world hospitality is an important part of many cultures. Invite neighbors, coworkers, students, and others you meet from the nations into your home for a meal. Holidays are a great time to do this! Many international people have never experienced local holidays with an American family or don’t have friends or family to enjoy them with. Ask them about what food, holidays, and traditions are like in their cultures. Explain why we celebrate holidays like Christmas and Easter.
Grace’s Closet
Grace’s Closet is a resource pantry for foster care parents in Madison County and the surrounding area. They provide foster parents with items like children’s clothing, car seats, diapers, wipes, diaper bags, high chairs, cribs, and more. They are open Saturdays from 10 AM – 2 PM and always need more donations and volunteers! To find out how you can serve email Angie and Jamie Boggs at raisingarrowsministry@gmail.com.
Host an International Student
Join hundreds of other families in Kentucky who host international high school students for a few weeks or months. Welcome them into your family and give them an opportunity to see the gospel displayed in your daily life. For more information go to chinet.org or call 1-888-CHI-HOST.
EKU Annual International Banquet
For over thirty years EKU has hosted an international banquet where EKU international students perform cultural dances and songs and serve traditional food from their countries. This event is open to the community and is typically in April. This is a great opportunity to meet international students and learn about their cultures. For more information contact the EKU International Students Department at (859) 622-2996.
Ministry to Muslim Women
Get to know Muslim women and their children from across North Africa and the Middle East. Enjoy meals together and get to know their stories. Learn about their religious beliefs and tell them about yours! For more information contact Cameron Mullins at cam@ashland.church.
To the Ends of the Earth
Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Jesus wanted the gospel to spread out locally from Jerusalem to every corner of the globe. When he said those words, “the end of the earth” meant us! We live at the ends of the earth and now we go and take the gospel to every part of the earth in order to make disciples of all nations.
Send Me to Go Make Disciples of All Nations to the Ends of the Earth
Short-Term Opportunities
New Orleans, Louisiana (1 Week | June 19-25)
This summer we have the opportunity to continue to work alongside Lakeshore Church in New Orleans to assist North American Mission Board church planters to plant more churches throughout the city. Our Ashland Church team will spend a week in New Orleans serving the local church and sharing the gospel with the lost. This is a great short-term opportunity for Christians of all ages and for those who have never been on a mission trip before.
New Orleans (1 Week | College Breaks)
College students can make the most of their school breaks by going to New Orleans to work alongside our church planting partners with the North American Mission Board. GenSend Breaks are designed for college students to spend a week of their spring, fall, summer, or winter break in New Orleans sharing the gospel and making disciples.
Peru (April 1-9)
During spring break we want to send a small team to serve and encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ and share the gospel with people in Ica, Cordova, and Ayacucho. This team will help us reconnect with our church planting partners and make future ministry plans in Peru including preparing for our summer team. While beneficial, it is not necessary to speak Spanish.
Cordova, Peru (1 Week | Summer)
For one week this summer our church will have a team in a small, remote village in the Andes Mountains of Peru called Cordova. We have been working together with other churches in the US and in Peru to make disciples in this village for several years. This team will focus primarily on evangelism and discipleship. While beneficial, it is not necessary to speak Spanish.
Ica, Peru (1 Week | Fall)
In the second half of the year we have an opportunity to train pastors and church leaders as we continue our work to strengthen churches in Ica, Peru. We are planning a week-long training conference hosted by the Ica Baptist Seminary and Family Bible Center Church pastored by Pastor Wilfredo Pardo. We need a small team to help run the conference and men to teach sessions. While beneficial, it is not necessary to speak Spanish.
Mid-Term Opportunities
New Orleans, Louisiana (Summer)
College students can serve for 6 to 8 weeks during the summer to help our work as a church to plant churches in New Orleans through the GenSend program with the North American Mission Board. They will be trained and work alongside local church planters to share the gospel and make disciples in the city of New Orleans.
Ica, Peru (May-June)
For two months this summer we are sending a team of college students to work alongside Family Bible Center Church and Pastor Wilfredo Pardo to strengthen churches in Ica, Peru. Their primary focus will be working through the local church to share the gospel and make disciples on the campus of a local college.
Various Locations (Various)
If you have a heart for a specific location or people group not listed above and want to go there aremany mid-term opportunities available through like-minded sending organizations. Tell us where you want to be sent and we’ll help you find an opportunity.
Long-Term Opportunities
New Orleans, Louisiana
We have sent families from our church to New Orleans to join Lakeshore Church and work to share the gospel, make disciples, and plant more churches. We are looking for lead church planters and church planting team members to move to New Orleans to plant churches.
Peru
Missionaries have been sent from our church to live in Peru and work in church planting. In the past we have had missionaries in Cordova and Ica. We are looking for singles, couples, and families to move to Peru to strengthen existing churches, train leaders, and help plant new churches.
Various Locations
If you have a heart for a specific location or people group not listed above and want to go there are many long-term opportunities available through like-minded sending organizations such as the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board. Tell us where you want to be sent and we’ll help you find an opportunity.
How to Be Sent to Make Disciples to the Ends of the Earth
