Missional Living Moments
October/November (Click/Tap on MLM to receive full access)
London
The London Team, led by Rich Bartlewski, was made up of 19 team members which included 5 new-timers and 3 staff members.
We started the trip off with a community event at Turkey Street Community Church with Gareth. They had a scavenger hunt, tattoos, games, coloring and even an ice cream truck. The kids really loved the event. Saturday evening we had our first team dinner at Mimi's - a Persian cafe in the heart of Turkey Street. This tends to be our hub for meals and the team over the years has been extremely intentional about spending time here and loving on the staff. This is the second year in a row where one of the employees has ran and hugged Rich at our first meal. It is just such a sweet way to focus on the community as a whole. We intentionally try to have at least one meal a day here.
Sunday started with morning services at TSCC with Gareth preaching a message encouraging his church to be intentional about evangelism in their community and was followed by an international feast. The members were encouraged to bring food from their home country and well over 15 countries were represented. We end the day at Enfield Town Community Church at their evening service and dinner at a Persian restaurant. The owner of the restaurant was not there last year on the trip and we found out he had been battling cancer and we were able to all pray with him.
Monday is such a sweet morning praying with all the pastors from all the seven Together For Mission churches, as well as one more. They do this every week and allow us to join them when we are there. Then we spent the afternoon there in Enfield Town doing street evangelism. Tuesday was spent going door to door for both Silver Street and Turkey Street and Wednesday all day with Bush Hill Park. We also were blessed to spend time at Turkey Street for Tuesday night prayer night. Fellowshipping and praying with this church body is such a blessing to us all. Another sweet event for our team is getting to have dinner with the entire TFM family at Enfield Town on Wednesday evening. It is such a sweet time of friends and fellowship. Our final day there we get to participate in men's and women's Bible studies at Turkey Street in the morning led by leaders at TSCC and finished the day with street evangelism and team dinner.
Two main highlights from this years trip I believe were: all of the amazing conversations we were allowed to have with Uber drivers while going back and forth to different locations; and during Tuesday nights prayer time a former employee of the hotel we stay at who we have been praying for for years actually came to the church to say hi to some of the team and we were able to chat with her and pray for her in person. (Summary provided by Dawn Sawyer)
Here are a few of their shared experiences that were shared in response to different prompts:
1) What you most valued during the week... (Contributed by Rich Bartlewski)
- Honestly the Monday prayer time, Tuesday prayer time, and Thursday afternoon wrap up...what a sweet time of encouragement.
- 1) Being able to spend time going door-to-door with my husband sharing the gospel. It was completely outside my comfort zone, but I loved when we were able to share with the community and pray for them. 2) The most special event was seeing the staff at Mimi's when one of them ran up to Rich and hugged him with all his might. The love he has for you still brings tears to my eyes!
- Most valued was the fact that God totally moved me out of my comfort zone. Praying with and for others on the street and at their doorstep moved me to continue/accelerate this here at home.
- Just to continue to share in small glimpses that would hopefully lead to bigger conversations.
- Begin each tennis match with prayer.
- Still searching for my Kingdom Circle.
New Orleans - Construction (Written by Greg & Angie Graves)
Purpose and Partnership
Last week a Valleydale team served alongside Harvest Church in New Orleans to help prepare new education space at its church property, a historic structure originally constructed in 1907. Harvest Church was planted by Immanuel Community Church in New Orleans. Valleydale partnered in the establishment of Immanuel and, four years ago, helped Immanuel complete its new church building. Our work with Harvest therefore represents more than a single construction project: it is another chapter in a multiplying North American church-planting partnership.
Harvest currently has approximately 70–90 regular attendees. The congregation acquired the property at 2001 Iberville Street for approximately $900,000 and has undertaken roughly $350,000 in construction and renovation. Because the work involves a historic property, Harvest expects to recover about 25% of eligible construction costs through historic-renovation credits.
Work Completed
Nine Valleydale volunteers participated in the construction effort. The original plan called for 15 participants, but three were redirected to hurricane-recovery work and three others were unable to participate because of personal conflicts. Even with the smaller team, substantial progress was made. The team installed insulation, drywall, and exterior siding in the education building and also helped reconfigure the operation of several original doors in the main church structure.
Our efforts were just a part or the total renovation effort being supported by The Louisiana Baptist Associations and other churches who have sent construction teams to help with the overall project.
Interestingly the entire Harvest team from Valleydale had also worked on the Immanuel building project but had never seen the finished work. Matthew Delaughder walked us through the building we had all helped construct and that was a blessing to this team. Immanuel now has 160 – 180 attendees and a vibrant community of faith.
Faith, Provision, and Favor
The strongest theme of the week was faith: the faith required to plant a church in an area of New Orleans with real gospel need, and the faith required to acquire and renovate a property of this scale while trusting God to provide the necessary resources. Harvest’s story is a tangible reminder that God often calls a congregation to move forward before every resource is visible.
That provision was especially evident immediately before our arrival. The week prior to the trip, an anonymous benefactor in the city gave Harvest Church $200,000. That gift covers the remaining balance of the construction cost and provides additional funds that can be applied toward reducing the principal on the church’s primary loan.
The project also appears to have genuine favor in the surrounding community. A Catholic neighbor, after seeing the team at work, prepared hot lunches for us on two workdays. She also said she would be visiting Harvest Church. That simple act of generosity, together with the extraordinary $200,000 gift, provided visible reminders that the work is being noticed and supported beyond the congregation itself.
A Multiplying Church
Perhaps the clearest evidence of Harvest’s outward focus is that, while still establishing itself in this property, the church is already making plans to plant another church from within its own congregation. Harvest is not viewing this renovation as an end in itself. The building is a ministry tool intended to support discipleship, education, community engagement, and ultimately the multiplication of churches.
An Opportunity for Valleydale
This trip also reinforced an important opportunity for Valleydale. God has placed within our church a strong community of skilled men and women who want to use construction abilities in service to our church-plant partners, our local church community, and members who have significant needs. With intentional organization, Valleydale has the opportunity to establish a core construction-ministry-mission team capable of supplying meaningful labor for substantial projects that align with our Missional Living vision and strategy. This opportunity requires only nominal funding for travel, logistics, and selected materials.
Why This Matters
Faith — Valleydale engaged with Immanual almost 10 years ago and help them build their church building. Immanuel Church sent out 30 members to plant Harvest when they had less than 100 members. Harvest stepped into a difficult ministry setting and a major property commitment while trusting God for provision, with ~70 members.
Partnership — Valleydale has the privilege of investing not only financial resources, but also the time and practical skills of our people. This not only includes skilled labor but the on-going counsel and encouragement for the Pastors and their families.
Favor — The response of neighbors and local benefactors suggests that this ministry is gaining credibility and goodwill in its community. They were granted a rare parking variance by the city, due in no small part, to the letter of recommendation written by the school, where they meet, noting the positive community impact of this congregation.
Multiplication — Harvest is already looking beyond its own needs toward planting another congregation. Two members were commissioned by the IMB at this year’ SBC annual meeting. They are preparing for two new plants, one in New Orleans and one in Northern TN metro. Here is a clear example of Valleydale’s missional strategy of churches planting churches, planting churches
Stewardship — A Valleydale construction-ministry core can leverage skills already present in our membership to provide high-value assistance at comparatively low cost.
Spring 2026
October 2026
Las Vegas
Our Las Vegas team of 4 men was led by Blake Prime. Troy Studyvin and Greg Graham provided their reflections on the trip. Chuck Tucker and Troy shared photographs from this trip in October 2026.
From Troy Studyvin
We recently had the opportunity to travel to Las Vegas for a mission trip, where we were blessed to serve others and share the love of Jesus Christ. Throughout our time there, we walked the back streets of the city, connecting with people, sharing the Gospel, passing out food and narcan, and reminding them that God sees them, loves them, and has a purpose for their lives.
We also had the privilege of serving at the Lovewell homeless shelter, helping meet practical needs and showing Christ’s love through acts of kindness and compassion. Being able to reconnect with Joseph and his staff was amazing just to see what a year had brought their way. In addition, we came alongside Your church to serve wherever we were needed and spent meaningful time encouraging and uplifting pastor Jack Diven.
This trip was a wonderful reminder that ministry isn’t always about what we do, but about being willing to go where God leads us, serve with open hearts, and share His love with those we encounter. We are grateful for the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and for the lives touched along the way. We can’t wait to see what the Lord sparks in us to do here at home over this next year.
Thank you to our church family for your prayers, support, and partnership in making this mission trip possible.
To God be the glory!
From Greg Graham
This was my second year to go with these gentlemen. We had an opportunity to minster to people at Lovewell and on Freemont street and other places, as always a blessing. This mission trip, just as last year, strengthened my relationship with Christ and helps me remember what my purpose is as a follower of Christ. It always puts things in perspective for me of what is truly matters.
In addition, I get the chance to learn and grow, not just from serving with men who live their faith but also from serving others. I would recommend that everyone go on at least one mission trip a year.
Greg
Praetorian Project Vision Dinner - Written by Greg Graves
I had the privilege of attending the Praetorian Project Vision Dinner in Washington, D.C., on October 2. The evening was both an encouragement and a reminder of the unique Gospel opportunity that exists among the men and women serving in our military and of Valleydale’s longstanding connection to this ministry. Just the Sunday before Pastor Mac had honored our members who serve and are deployed for military service. Would it be great to know that where ever their MOS takes them there would be a gospel centered church, that is actively connected to a network of churches that provide discipleship and community for services member all over the world. This is what Valleydale invests in.
Valleydale has been involved with the Praetorian Project for more than twelve years, going back to our collaboration with its founder, the late Clint Clifton. Clint had a compelling vision to plant healthy, Gospel-centered churches in communities surrounding military installations, reaching service members and their families and equipping them to carry the Gospel wherever their military service might take them.
Today, there are 16 Pillar churches, providing a church presence around approximately 80% of Marine Corps bases, as well as locations serving the broader Joint Force. The Praetorian Project’s larger vision is to ultimately establish a Gospel-centered church-planting presence near 80% of all Joint Force military installations.
The next phase of that vision is ambitious: the Praetorian Project intends to plant five new churches by the end of 2028. One of those is Pillar Church in DuPont Washington, a plant with which Valleydale is already engaged. This ministry is especially personal to us because Joseph and Bethany Broderick and their family, members of Valleydale, will be part of the DuPont plant team.
The Praetorian Project is seeking to raise $342,000 to help support these five new plants. At the Vision Dinner alone, approximately $180,000 was committed, an encouraging indication of the support behind this effort. Our mission committee provided a gift of $5000.00.
I am thankful that Valleydale has been part of this work for so many years, and I believe we should be encouraged by what God is continuing to do through the Praetorian Project and prayerfully consider how we can continue to support its mission in the years ahead.
(Photo: Greg Graves, Noah & Mahala Clifton - Crestview Pillar Church)
Grace Responders
Grace Responders are looking for prayer partners who are willing to pray alongside them as they serve the unhoused community on Wednesday nights from 4:00 pm-6:30 pm. If you are interested, please contact them at graceresponders@yahoo.com.
They are also in need of clothing and other needs for fall/winter.
Sav-A-Life Shelby
Check the Living on Mission Facebook page:
Items always in need. Call Sav-A-Life Shelby for more information and updates:
Diapers and Pull-Ups
Diaper Wipes
Clothing Sizes 9m - 2T for both boys & girls (gently used or new)
Right Now! There is an urgent need for baby hygiene products. You may bring items to the church for pick up by Amy Griner or take them directly to Women's First Pregnancy Center in Pelham (3156 Pelham Parkway, Suite 1, Pelham, AL 35124. You may also purchase them online and have them shipped to this address. Thank you in advance for your generosity. (Please consider the "subscribe and save" option.
Volunteers Needed! Go to https://savalifeshelby.org/ to find ways you can become involved in serving this local ministry.
November Missions Prayer Focus
Local Missions:
1. Taiwan - November 19 - 29 (Tim & April Adams - VYA GroupPray for the preparation of the team members to share the gospel.
Pray for safe travels.
Pray for God to prepare the hearts and minds of the people to receive and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Pray for our partners: Matt, Carey & Family - Taiwan
Jimmie Hale Missions
Grace Klein
Oak Mountain Missions
Sav-A-Life
4. Pray for ways to serve others during this holiday season.
5. Pray for our Thanksgiving (Turkey Box) Outreach
6. Pray for Operation Christmas Child
- Sheri Holbert and other volunteers
8. Pray for our country, our leaders, and the leaders of the world. I Tim 2:1-2
Anderson, Indiana - Flood Recovery. Over 75 homes were cleaned and more importantly 27 folks have been spiritually transformed by accepting Jesus.
Flomotan, Alabama - Serving to assist with hurricane damage.
Huff Life Group serving Grace Klein by preparing 180 food boxes that will go to the Pop Up Drive-Thru sites that serve our community.
Living On Mission
Email: psawyer@valleydale.org
Website: valleydale.org/missions
Location: 2324 Valleydale Road
Phone: 205-991-5282
Facebook: Living on Mission