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Connecting You to Christ’s Kingdom Work Among the Nations| FALL 2024 |team.orgINNOVATIVE GOSPEL REACH THROUGH THE POWER OF CREATIVE ARTSThrough music, art, and other forms of creative expression, God is opening doors for His love and truth in dark places.
Connection is essential to human experience, embodying our innate need for relationships with God and others. is truth inspires “e Neighborhood,” an innovative ministry in Japan created by TEAM global workers Je and Kelly Pagaragan and their family. e Pagaragans moved to Japan in 2014. Kelly began welcoming people into their home for meals and fellowship – something that is not common in Japanese culture, and yet people embraced this opportunity. is soon sparked a vision for a student ministry center, a “third place” for community and learning outside of home and work. e Lord provided a ve-story building in Tokyo with room for the family’s living quarters as well as classroom space, areas to hang out or study, and guest rooms for those who need a place to stay overnight. Now thriving, e Neighborhood serves students and families, providing a welcoming space for connection. Creative arts have played a signicant role in drawing people in. e Neighborhood’s calendar is lled to the brim with various creative opportunities for people to engage in art, music, and drama. e Neighborhood exemplies how innovative As we reect on the incredible work God is doing in this world and through TEAM, I am reminded of the power of creativity and connection in sharing the Gospel. is issue of Connect showcases inspiring stories of how global workers are harnessing their unique gifts and talents to reach some of the most challenging and spiritually dark areas of the world through Creative Arts Ministry. At TEAM, we’ve seen how artistic expression — from music to visual arts — is opening new doors for ministry. In this issue you’ll read about how TEAM workers, like Jon Tello, are using their God-given gifts to engage with communities, creating spaces where people can experience the love of Christ in fresh, culturally relevant ways. You’ll also read about ministries like “e Neighborhood” in Japan, where Je and Kelly Pagaragan have built a community space for students and families to gather, connect, and experience the love of Christ through the developing relationships. Whether it’s composing music, designing art, or fostering community through creativity, these ministry eorts are making an eternal impact. e stories in this newsletter remind us that sharing the Gospel is not limited to traditional means but often ourishes through innovative and relational approaches. Your partnership in this work through prayers and nancial support enables these ministries to thrive and brings the message of hope to those who need it most. Together, we are reaching places where the Gospel has yet to take root, and lives are being transformed in ways only God can orchestrate. In Christ, Justin Burkholder International Director, TEAM2 3CONNECT CONNECTCONNECTING IN A NEW KIND OF “NEIGHBORHOOD”GO TO THE NATIONSDEAR PARTNER IN MINISTRY,© TEAM 2024 EDITOR: Suzanne PearsonGRAPHIC DESIGNER: Amber BellEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS: April MoretonWe enjoy your feedback! Please email us at communications@team.org. eEvangelicalAllianceMission @teammissions team.org/bloge names of people you’ve helped may be changed to protect their privacy. TEAM CONNECT• Japan is “open” to missions but is home to the 2 largest unreached people group in the world (less than 1% Christian).• There is only one missionary for every 65,000 people in Japan. • 85% of Japanese teens wonder why they exist. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Japanese people ages 10-44.| teamkibou.com |WHY JAPAN?ministries can ourish and be a gateway for the Church in the spiritually dark landscape of Japan. e ministry draws individuals from diverse backgrounds, and as relationships are built, people are introduced to the Gospel and invited to attend church with the Pagaragan family. Kelly describes e Neighborhood as a place of belonging – a place where “people on the outside can feel on the inside.”
Connection is essential to human experience, embodying our innate need for relationships with God and others. is truth inspires “e Neighborhood,” an innovative ministry in Japan created by TEAM global workers Je and Kelly Pagaragan and their family. e Pagaragans moved to Japan in 2014. Kelly began welcoming people into their home for meals and fellowship – something that is not common in Japanese culture, and yet people embraced this opportunity. is soon sparked a vision for a student ministry center, a “third place” for community and learning outside of home and work. e Lord provided a ve-story building in Tokyo with room for the family’s living quarters as well as classroom space, areas to hang out or study, and guest rooms for those who need a place to stay overnight. Now thriving, e Neighborhood serves students and families, providing a welcoming space for connection. Creative arts have played a signicant role in drawing people in. e Neighborhood’s calendar is lled to the brim with various creative opportunities for people to engage in art, music, and drama. e Neighborhood exemplies how innovative As we reect on the incredible work God is doing in this world and through TEAM, I am reminded of the power of creativity and connection in sharing the Gospel. is issue of Connect showcases inspiring stories of how global workers are harnessing their unique gifts and talents to reach some of the most challenging and spiritually dark areas of the world through Creative Arts Ministry. At TEAM, we’ve seen how artistic expression — from music to visual arts — is opening new doors for ministry. In this issue you’ll read about how TEAM workers, like Jon Tello, are using their God-given gifts to engage with communities, creating spaces where people can experience the love of Christ in fresh, culturally relevant ways. You’ll also read about ministries like “e Neighborhood” in Japan, where Je and Kelly Pagaragan have built a community space for students and families to gather, connect, and experience the love of Christ through the developing relationships. Whether it’s composing music, designing art, or fostering community through creativity, these ministry eorts are making an eternal impact. e stories in this newsletter remind us that sharing the Gospel is not limited to traditional means but often ourishes through innovative and relational approaches. Your partnership in this work through prayers and nancial support enables these ministries to thrive and brings the message of hope to those who need it most. Together, we are reaching places where the Gospel has yet to take root, and lives are being transformed in ways only God can orchestrate. In Christ, Justin Burkholder International Director, TEAM2 3CONNECT CONNECTCONNECTING IN A NEW KIND OF “NEIGHBORHOOD”GO TO THE NATIONSDEAR PARTNER IN MINISTRY,© TEAM 2024 EDITOR: Suzanne PearsonGRAPHIC DESIGNER: Amber BellEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT & COMMUNICATIONS: April MoretonWe enjoy your feedback! Please email us at communications@team.org. eEvangelicalAllianceMission @teammissions team.org/bloge names of people you’ve helped may be changed to protect their privacy. TEAM CONNECT• Japan is “open” to missions but is home to the 2 largest unreached people group in the world (less than 1% Christian).• There is only one missionary for every 65,000 people in Japan. • 85% of Japanese teens wonder why they exist. Suicide is the leading cause of death for Japanese people ages 10-44.| teamkibou.com |WHY JAPAN?ministries can ourish and be a gateway for the Church in the spiritually dark landscape of Japan. e ministry draws individuals from diverse backgrounds, and as relationships are built, people are introduced to the Gospel and invited to attend church with the Pagaragan family. Kelly describes e Neighborhood as a place of belonging – a place where “people on the outside can feel on the inside.”
continued on the next page...For Jon, Luke, and many others in TEAM, God is helping them nd a “sweet spot” where they can use their creative gifts for Kingdom work, particularly in areas where traditional church planting and direct evangelism are dicult if not impossible.A Call to Creatives In a world teeming with creativity and a growing desire for missions, many nd themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to blend their artistic talents with the call to serve. Picture this: a vast landscape of possibilities, where your creativity isn’t just a skill, but a powerful tool waiting to be unleashed in the mission eld. Jon’s role in TEAM allows him to help global workers tap into this potential. Jon remarks that the concept of art for ministry is anything but new. During the Renaissance period, the literacy rate was so low that the Church commissioned artists to create beautiful images to communicate with the people. Jon says Creative Arts ministry today works very much the same way to reach and impact believers and unbelievers alike in ways that words alone cannot. “In a sense, we are artists commissioned by the Church that are going out across the globe, doing just that: creating imagery, creating music, creating a story to tell,” Jon says. ough once a TEAM Italy global worker, Jon now works alongside other artists to help them use their skills in ministry. “ey need somebody to help them embrace who God has created them to be and for what purpose,” Jon said. “And once we’re able to do that, it’s a beautiful thing to see these artists truly thrive.”Impact and Inspiration Jon meets with dierent creatives to chat with them and hear their passion for creative expression. He helps them nd how they can t in with the global Church and within their local cultural context.Kelly, a TEAM worker in Japan says Jon has helped her team think outside the box with their outreach ministry in Tokyo. “He’s just really helped us to expand what we’re doing here and to think outside of the typical activities.” (Read about Kelly’s ministry, “e Neighborhood” on Page 3.) For those serving within the global Church, Creative Arts Ministries present an incredible chance for creatives to discover their unique place within the church community. It’s more than just ministry—it’s about collaboration, where we come together in unity to fulll God’s purpose and spread His message through our collective talents. Embracing the opportunity for creatives to engage in missions provides them with a profound sense of purpose, allowing them to harness their God-given talents for the greater good. ese remarkable gifts were bestowed upon them to touch the lives of others, creating a ripple eect of impact and inspiration. “I talked to my pastors, and they said, ‘Hey, this is awesome, you’re going to be a pastor. You’re going to preach and teach God’s word,’” Jon recalls. He wasn’t sure how his love and gifting for art t into this. Yet in his heart, Jon knew, “God made me into an artist for a purpose.” Jon says his experience is not unique. Many who feel called to global missions feel that their passion for the arts must take a back seat. ey are left with the question, “As an artist, how do I t into the bigger framework of this thing that we call the global Church?” Luke, a TEAM global worker in Japan, concurs. “A lot of people get into [cross-cultural work] just adjacent to where their skill is,” says Luke. He goes on to explain a great metaphor for what happens next. “In music, there’s a term called ‘dissonance.’ It’s when there are two notes very close together, but they clash.” Being near to one’s true calling and giftedness, yet not quite able to express it can lead to frustration and burnout. Ever felt the urge to channel your creative talents into a higher purpose but were unsure where to start? Whether your passion lies in art, music, or another creative endeavor, God is opening doors where creativity meets ministry, where the journey of expression takes on new meaning with eternal signicance. Creative Arts Ministry is all about using your creative side to share the Gospel, encourage the global Church, and build disciples all around the world. Made with a Purpose At TEAM, Creative Arts Ministry encompasses a variety of initiatives and global workers on multiple continents, all focused on using the arts to provide avenues for the Gospel. Jon Tello, TEAM’s Global Arts Ministry Coordinator is a creative person who was rst called to ministry when he was in 9th grade, even though he had no idea what that meant. EXPLORING THE CREATIVE POWER OF CREATIVE ARTS MINISTRY4 5CONNECT CONNECTA CALL TO ARTISTS
continued on the next page...For Jon, Luke, and many others in TEAM, God is helping them nd a “sweet spot” where they can use their creative gifts for Kingdom work, particularly in areas where traditional church planting and direct evangelism are dicult if not impossible.A Call to Creatives In a world teeming with creativity and a growing desire for missions, many nd themselves at a crossroads, wondering how to blend their artistic talents with the call to serve. Picture this: a vast landscape of possibilities, where your creativity isn’t just a skill, but a powerful tool waiting to be unleashed in the mission eld. Jon’s role in TEAM allows him to help global workers tap into this potential. Jon remarks that the concept of art for ministry is anything but new. During the Renaissance period, the literacy rate was so low that the Church commissioned artists to create beautiful images to communicate with the people. Jon says Creative Arts ministry today works very much the same way to reach and impact believers and unbelievers alike in ways that words alone cannot. “In a sense, we are artists commissioned by the Church that are going out across the globe, doing just that: creating imagery, creating music, creating a story to tell,” Jon says. ough once a TEAM Italy global worker, Jon now works alongside other artists to help them use their skills in ministry. “ey need somebody to help them embrace who God has created them to be and for what purpose,” Jon said. “And once we’re able to do that, it’s a beautiful thing to see these artists truly thrive.”Impact and Inspiration Jon meets with dierent creatives to chat with them and hear their passion for creative expression. He helps them nd how they can t in with the global Church and within their local cultural context.Kelly, a TEAM worker in Japan says Jon has helped her team think outside the box with their outreach ministry in Tokyo. “He’s just really helped us to expand what we’re doing here and to think outside of the typical activities.” (Read about Kelly’s ministry, “e Neighborhood” on Page 3.) For those serving within the global Church, Creative Arts Ministries present an incredible chance for creatives to discover their unique place within the church community. It’s more than just ministry—it’s about collaboration, where we come together in unity to fulll God’s purpose and spread His message through our collective talents. Embracing the opportunity for creatives to engage in missions provides them with a profound sense of purpose, allowing them to harness their God-given talents for the greater good. ese remarkable gifts were bestowed upon them to touch the lives of others, creating a ripple eect of impact and inspiration. “I talked to my pastors, and they said, ‘Hey, this is awesome, you’re going to be a pastor. You’re going to preach and teach God’s word,’” Jon recalls. He wasn’t sure how his love and gifting for art t into this. Yet in his heart, Jon knew, “God made me into an artist for a purpose.” Jon says his experience is not unique. Many who feel called to global missions feel that their passion for the arts must take a back seat. ey are left with the question, “As an artist, how do I t into the bigger framework of this thing that we call the global Church?” Luke, a TEAM global worker in Japan, concurs. “A lot of people get into [cross-cultural work] just adjacent to where their skill is,” says Luke. He goes on to explain a great metaphor for what happens next. “In music, there’s a term called ‘dissonance.’ It’s when there are two notes very close together, but they clash.” Being near to one’s true calling and giftedness, yet not quite able to express it can lead to frustration and burnout. Ever felt the urge to channel your creative talents into a higher purpose but were unsure where to start? Whether your passion lies in art, music, or another creative endeavor, God is opening doors where creativity meets ministry, where the journey of expression takes on new meaning with eternal signicance. Creative Arts Ministry is all about using your creative side to share the Gospel, encourage the global Church, and build disciples all around the world. Made with a Purpose At TEAM, Creative Arts Ministry encompasses a variety of initiatives and global workers on multiple continents, all focused on using the arts to provide avenues for the Gospel. Jon Tello, TEAM’s Global Arts Ministry Coordinator is a creative person who was rst called to ministry when he was in 9th grade, even though he had no idea what that meant. EXPLORING THE CREATIVE POWER OF CREATIVE ARTS MINISTRY4 5CONNECT CONNECTA CALL TO ARTISTS
6 CONNECT CONNECT 7CREATIVELY ENGAGING WITH GOD (continued from page 5)Creativity in Form and Expression Not surprisingly, Creative Arts Ministry takes on a variety of forms. For some global workers like Luke, it means composing and producing music both in and outside the Church. For others like Kelly, it means running a community center where families can gather to engage in art, drama, or other forms of creative expression. Still others may be involved in more traditional ministries like church planting or education, but use the arts to enhance those initiatives and help achieve ministry goals. But regardless of the form, the goal of all Creative Arts Ministries is relational evangelism and discipleship in a culturally relevant way. Harnessing the Power of the Arts rough their unique expressions, creatives possess a remarkable ability to connect with people and invigorate the church community. eir work serves as a powerful conduit, sparking conversations, fostering deeper engagement, and igniting a renewed passion for faith and fellowship within the congregation and community. Jon and his fellow artists count themselves blessed as they continue in this work and encourage others to do the same. “ere’s this incredible gift inside you,” Jon says to artists with a heart for missions. “You have this other work that you thought was more important, but your gift and your work don’t have to be separate. You are a whole being in Christ, an image bearer of Him.” rough the avenue of Creative Arts, Jon says, “We are harnessing the power of the arts to create opportunities for people to experience God.”When you support the GO Fund, you help TEAM to equip Jon, Kelly, Luke, and other workers engaging in Creative Arts Ministry in Japan and around the world. Click here to find out more and search opportunities at team.org/teamtrek.is past summer, over 600 TEAM workers and their families gathered from across the globe for a time of connection, reection, prayer, and renewal. One powerful element of this event was a communal art and prayer project, resulting in a stunning wall-sized mural. is mural serves as a vivid expression of the beauty, pain, promise, and passion in the hearts of sta, missionaries, and their children. Engaging with God through art is a profound way to connect with the Creator. For many, this visual prayer project was a unique and deeply personal way to encounter God. It allowed participants to bring their joys, struggles, and prayers into focus, inviting God to speak into those spaces. We invite you to join in this experience through your own artistic expression. By scanning the QR code or accessing the downloadable PDF at the provided URL, you can embark on a simple, yet transformative, 3-day visual prayer journey. We believe this process of introspection, reection, and healing will encourage you in your walk with God. As you pray through art, we trust you’ll nd new ways to connect with the Creator who weaves our joys and sorrows into His greater Kingdom story.Click here or visit team.org/pray-through-art to begin your visual prayer journey.As the end of the 2024 approaches, we wanted to remind you that Congress has provided TWO important charitable giving incentives that can help you support your favorite charities, including TEAM, while also saving on taxes! It is a classic win-win scenario. Incentive One: IRA Charitable Rollover If you are 70½+ years old, you can transfer up to $105,000 directly from your IRA to TEAM. is gift counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA but is not reportable as income on your income tax return. As a tax-free RMD, this is a great reason to consider using your IRA (instead of cash) to make a (non-deductible) charitable gift. Incentive Two: Gifts of Appreciated Stock If you own appreciated stock or mutual funds, you can donate them to TEAM prior to year-end. What’s in it for you? By donating the securities, you can take a charitable deduction for the full amount of the fair market value of the shares, while avoiding any capital gains tax you would have paid had you sold the stock and contributed the proceeds. In this way, the tax savings can be MUCH more signicant than with a gift of cash. For more information on these giving options, go to team.org/ways-to-give or contact Jeanne Conder at jeanne.conder@team.org or (719) 339-6868. SMART GIVING FOR GREATER IMPACT Jon Tello, TEAM’s Director of Creative Arts Ministry, led sta and workers through daily prompts to help engage together through collective, creative expression.Click HereClick Here
6 CONNECT CONNECT 7CREATIVELY ENGAGING WITH GOD (continued from page 5)Creativity in Form and Expression Not surprisingly, Creative Arts Ministry takes on a variety of forms. For some global workers like Luke, it means composing and producing music both in and outside the Church. For others like Kelly, it means running a community center where families can gather to engage in art, drama, or other forms of creative expression. Still others may be involved in more traditional ministries like church planting or education, but use the arts to enhance those initiatives and help achieve ministry goals. But regardless of the form, the goal of all Creative Arts Ministries is relational evangelism and discipleship in a culturally relevant way. Harnessing the Power of the Arts rough their unique expressions, creatives possess a remarkable ability to connect with people and invigorate the church community. eir work serves as a powerful conduit, sparking conversations, fostering deeper engagement, and igniting a renewed passion for faith and fellowship within the congregation and community. Jon and his fellow artists count themselves blessed as they continue in this work and encourage others to do the same. “ere’s this incredible gift inside you,” Jon says to artists with a heart for missions. “You have this other work that you thought was more important, but your gift and your work don’t have to be separate. You are a whole being in Christ, an image bearer of Him.” rough the avenue of Creative Arts, Jon says, “We are harnessing the power of the arts to create opportunities for people to experience God.”When you support the GO Fund, you help TEAM to equip Jon, Kelly, Luke, and other workers engaging in Creative Arts Ministry in Japan and around the world. Click here to find out more and search opportunities at team.org/teamtrek.is past summer, over 600 TEAM workers and their families gathered from across the globe for a time of connection, reection, prayer, and renewal. One powerful element of this event was a communal art and prayer project, resulting in a stunning wall-sized mural. is mural serves as a vivid expression of the beauty, pain, promise, and passion in the hearts of sta, missionaries, and their children. Engaging with God through art is a profound way to connect with the Creator. For many, this visual prayer project was a unique and deeply personal way to encounter God. It allowed participants to bring their joys, struggles, and prayers into focus, inviting God to speak into those spaces. We invite you to join in this experience through your own artistic expression. By scanning the QR code or accessing the downloadable PDF at the provided URL, you can embark on a simple, yet transformative, 3-day visual prayer journey. We believe this process of introspection, reection, and healing will encourage you in your walk with God. As you pray through art, we trust you’ll nd new ways to connect with the Creator who weaves our joys and sorrows into His greater Kingdom story.Click here or visit team.org/pray-through-art to begin your visual prayer journey.As the end of the 2024 approaches, we wanted to remind you that Congress has provided TWO important charitable giving incentives that can help you support your favorite charities, including TEAM, while also saving on taxes! It is a classic win-win scenario. Incentive One: IRA Charitable Rollover If you are 70½+ years old, you can transfer up to $105,000 directly from your IRA to TEAM. is gift counts toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) from your IRA but is not reportable as income on your income tax return. As a tax-free RMD, this is a great reason to consider using your IRA (instead of cash) to make a (non-deductible) charitable gift. Incentive Two: Gifts of Appreciated Stock If you own appreciated stock or mutual funds, you can donate them to TEAM prior to year-end. What’s in it for you? By donating the securities, you can take a charitable deduction for the full amount of the fair market value of the shares, while avoiding any capital gains tax you would have paid had you sold the stock and contributed the proceeds. In this way, the tax savings can be MUCH more signicant than with a gift of cash. For more information on these giving options, go to team.org/ways-to-give or contact Jeanne Conder at jeanne.conder@team.org or (719) 339-6868. SMART GIVING FOR GREATER IMPACT Jon Tello, TEAM’s Director of Creative Arts Ministry, led sta and workers through daily prompts to help engage together through collective, creative expression.Click HereClick Here
You can help spread the Gospel through creative expression and innovative ministries. Your generous gift to the GO Fund will help global workers use their unique talents to share Christ’s love in challenging and hard-to-reach places. FUEL CREATIVITY FOR THE GOSPEL WITH YOUR GIFT TO THE GO FUNDteam.orgPO Box 969 | Wheaton, IL 60187-0969Click HereVisit give.team.org/outreach to make a difference today!