Missionaries Cross Borders to Share Hope and Healing

For decades, Resonate Global Mission missionaries Abe and Elaine Lee have seen God transform lives through the “God’s Image” seminars they have led throughout Mexico and South America. Now they’re requesting prayers as they partner with church planter Pablo Lee to bring the seminars to a church plant in Hudsonville, Michigan.

Iglesia Todas Las Naciones (All Nations Church) in Hudsonville is hosting a “God’s Image” seminar July 17-18 for members of the congregation and the surrounding Latino population. Through biblical teaching, guided reflection, small-group discussion, and prayer, participants explore God’s design for identity, relationships, and healing.

“This seminar is a very good tool for Latin American Christians,” said Pablo, who experienced the impact of the ministry firsthand when he attended a workshop more than 20 years ago while serving alongside Abe and Elaine at Seminario Todas Las Naciones (All Nations Seminary) in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.

In his church-planting ministry, Pablo visits the homes of many people whose families have immigrated to the United States from Mexico and other countries throughout Latin America. He has seen and listened to people share about some of the same challenges he witnessed among individuals and families while serving in Mexico, including unaddressed trauma from sexual abuse or assault, neglect, abandonment, violence, or other painful experiences. These wounds, Pablo says, often lead to unhealthy family patterns across generations that affect marriages, parenting, and other relationships.

“Many families are suffering a lot,” said Pablo.

Pablo notes that few of the people he ministers with feel that they have a safe space where they can discuss these kinds of wounds or challenges, partially because of cultural barriers. He and Abe both hope that the “God’s Image” seminar provides that safe space while pointing people to what the Bible says about identity, healing, relationships, and hope—drawing them into a deeper experience of the good news of Jesus.

Abe said he has seen this impact time and time again in individuals who participated in the seminar in Mexico and beyond—both during the seminars and as they live out what they have learned as they interact in faith communities such as small groups and churches. Through the church plant Iglesia Todas Las Naciones, participants in this seminar already have a built-in community where they can continue healing and growing in relationship with God.

About 30 people from Iglesia Todas Las Naciones are expected to participate in the seminar, along with others from neighboring churches ministering with the Hudsonville area’s Latino population. Supporting the people who attend will be at least 15 volunteers—all of whom have participated in “God’s Image” seminars in Mexico and are traveling to Hudsonville at their own expense.

“When I mentioned this seminar to them, they said right away, ‘I’m coming,’” shared Abe.

He noted that these volunteers are crucial to the ministry as they facilitate discussions with participants and pray for them before, during, and after the seminar.

As this important ministry continues to cross borders to bring the transformational healing and hope of the gospel, Abe, Elaine, and Pablo ask for prayers as follows:

• That God will prepare the hearts of participants and give them courage to attend, especially those who may feel hesitant or uncertain.
• That the Holy Spirit will work deeply in the lives of participants, bringing healing, reconciliation, and renewed hope.
• That families and relationships will be strengthened through the truths of Scripture.
• For safe travel for the volunteer team coming from Mexico.
• For wisdom, compassion, and spiritual discernment for seminar leaders and facilitators.
• That participants will continue to grow in faith and Christian community long after the seminar ends.