We seek to serve and share about the hope of Christ with all people.

Our lives have been changed because of Him, and we want to share that with the world. There are several ways we seek to make a difference with people and various ministries globally. You can get involved too!

All year long we collect furniture and other household goods to distribute to new International students arriving here in Bloomington each August. You can make donations year round but the biggest push is the week prior to the big giveaway.  Numerous volunteers are needed on the giveaway day as well as the days leading up to that day.

Contact Elan Rajamani for more information, to donate furniture or to volunteer.

Every Sunday morning at 9:30am, we discuss the basics of Christian faith and why we believe what we do. This is the perfect way to learn more about Christianity in a safe setting. Join us in Room 222 for light refreshments and good discussion.

International Connections allow people from all over the world to learn about the Bible and grow in their Christian faith. People from all religious backgrounds and cultures are welcome at any of our events! 

 

 

2025 Global Partner Guide

Time. Talent. Treasure.
Each of us has these three gifts to share.

As the holiday season approaches, we invite you to invest a little of your time, talent, and treasure in caring for others.

Click the link below to explore local and global opportunities where you can make a difference through acts of care. Choose one or two that speak to your heart—and take a step to invest in others this season.

 

Season of Care Page

Upcoming 2027 Mission Projects and Trips:
Hill Climber Coffee Mission Project - Honduras - January 11-16, 2027

 

Ever wonder where your Sunday morning coffee comes from? Join us January 11–16, 2027, as we travel to rural Honduras to visit our mission partners, His Eyes/Hill Climber Coffee! Meet staff serving in local churches and children's programs across several villages, and visit the His Eyes ministry center. Trip cost is $1,450. Click below to register or contact Brad Pontius with questions.

Hill Climber Coffee Global Mission Project Registration 

Footsteps of Moses Trip - April 2027

Join us for the Footsteps of Moses with Sherwood Oaks tour, an unforgettable journey through Egypt and Jordan from April 5-24, 2027. Hosted by Brad Pontius and Allen Burris, this once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage will take you to some of the most significant biblical sites, with comfortable 4-star accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, and expert guides to bring the Scriptures to life. The package includes round-trip travel from Sherwood Oaks Christian Church to Chicago O’Hare, international flights, ground transportation, visas, and entrance fees, so you can travel with peace of mind. Along the way, you’ll explore historic landmarks, enjoy fellowship with fellow believers, and even have the option to add a 3-night pre-trip Nile River cruise. With everything from luggage tags to 24/7 travel emergency support included, all that’s left is for you to pack your bags. Space is limited, join us for this incredible opportunity to walk in the footsteps of faith—register today!

Footsteps of Moses Trip Information and Registration 

Make a Global Difference

Sherwood Oaks proudly partners with 28 missions:24 global organizations, 3 Christian Colleges and Iglesia Hispana to reach people in Bloomington, Bedford and beyond. We give generously to make a meaningful difference, both locally and globally. Click the links to read more about our ministry partners and join us in giving today. 

 

Join Sherwood Oaks in supporting local and global missions! 

To give and learn more about our local and global partners, visit the articles below: 

Give

Learn about our

Global Engagement Partners

Kindgom Business and Discipleship: Austin & Jane*
*pseudonym for security
 
Region: North Africa
 
Austin and Jane have deep passion to participate in the kingdom coming in North Africa through a business that has an economic, social and spiritual influence in their North African community. They also focus on the sustainability,  resilience and maturity of the local church by taking the role of encouragers and modeling simple and reproducible spiritual practices as we all draw nearer in relationship with Jesus.
 

 

Asian Children’s Mission 
Director: Josiah Ang Oo

Region: Burma/ Myanmar 

 

Purpose/Mission: Asian Children’s Mission promotes justice and Jesus for the women and children of Southeast Asia. Primarily working in Burma, Asian Children’s Mission operates primary and middle schools in villages that would otherwise have no schools, provides training for Sunday school leaders, operates two children’s homes and is involved in a wide variety of community development activities ranging from safe water projects to the installation of rice mills.

The care, protection and education of vulnerable children in Myanmar (Burma) is the primary mission of Asian Children’s Mission. They practice holistic Christian ministry where they do not make a false distinction between the spiritual and physical needs of children. The work with children is specifically expressed in educational initiatives, orphan care and community development. Joana Jones is the director of ACM. 

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Missionary: Andrias & Carol Pantauw

Region: Indonesia

 

Purpose/Mission: Act Beyond’s focus is the unreached peoples of the world who have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, specifically those who live in the 10/40 window in Asia, Europe and beyond. Andrias and Carol train and mobilize churches in Indonesia to reach Muslim populations through training seminars, medical clinics, English classes and resourcing the underground church in 100% Muslim communities. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world. Andrias and Carol Pantauw are the directors of Act Beyond. www.beyond.org

Visit Website

 

We recently highlighted them in a monthly mission spotlight. You can watch that here. 

Missionary: Ajai & Indu Lall

Region: Central India 

 

Purpose/Mission:  Founded in 1982 by Drs. Ajai and Indu Lall, Central India India Christian Mission (CICM) has been taking the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ to unreached people for over 30 years, planting over 1,4000 churches, sponsoring almost 5,000 children, training over 450 Christian leaders, treating thousands of people at the Mission Hospital, and baptizing over 350,000 people.

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April 2024 Mission Spotlight

Region: United States, Indianapolis: serving the world

 

Purpose/Mission: FAME exists to spread the fame of Jesus Christ to all nations through medical evangelism. They also seek to lead people to Christ and meet physical needs by partnering with other mission organizations to deliver a unique combination of medical mission services. FAME believes that by treating people physically it earns you the right to share about the Great Physician. FAME also partners with North India Christian Mission, Ghana Christian Mission, His Eyes in Honduras, and Central India Christian Mission – all Global Outreach partners with Sherwood Oaks.

Visit Website

Mission Spotlight February 18, 2024

Ghana Christian Mission 
Missionary: Wisdom Nyador

Mission: Ghana Christian Mission

Region: Ghana, Africa 

 

Purpose/Mission:  Ghana Christian Mission gives the Hope of the Gospel to people in Ghana and beyond through Church Planting by equipping indigenous believers to evangelize their communities; Medical Outreach by providing physical and spiritual care for the sick; Education by schooling Ghana’s children and Community Development which supports initiatives that strengthen and improve urban and rural areas. Sherwood Oaks has sent Global Outreach teams to GCM on FAME medical mission projects.

 

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Mission Spotlight Video - August 2024

Director: Mike Schrage

Region: United States, Joplin, MO

 

Purpose/Mission: GNPI is a non-profit organization that accelerates global evangelism through media. Ziden Nutt founded GNPI in 1976. Ziden experienced firsthand on the mission field the desperate need for missionaries and nationals to have culturally relevant Biblical resources. As a result, Ziden began producing simple filmstrip series using language and images from the local culture.

Today, nearly four decades later, GNPI works through regional centers and NOMaD teams throughout the world. GNPI creates culturally relevant materials to serve the 80% of people in the unreached world who cannot read or prefer visual materials.

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Agua Viva Children's Home

Director: Misi Schlax

Region: Guatemala

 

Purpose/Mission:  Guatemala Children’s Mission is raising and educating impoverished children in Guatemala in a loving, Christian environment to be successful, Christian adults with the desire and ability to help their own people. Agua Viva Home strives to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the children in Guatemala. Agua Viva School, on the same property, is open also to the public offering scholarships to families in the community. Sherwood Oaks sends Global Outreach teams each year to Agua Viva.

2024 Mission Spotlight Update

2025 High School Ministry Spring Break Mission Project Recap

Director: RoRo Eustach Eline

Region: Haiti

 

Purpose/Mission: We partner with Haitian Christians to transform a culture for Christ. Together, we can do something for Haiti that will last! HCO is building generations of new believers through work in four primary areas. Through Church Planting we equip indigenous leaders. We minister to Children by meeting their educational, spiritual, and physical needs. We serve through Health Care, providing medical and dental services.We empower through Community Development projects that provide economic transformation.

Our goal is to evangelize, equip, empower, and encourage our partners using a biblical model of ministry.

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Missionary: Felipe & Valerie Colby

Region: Honduras

 

Purpose/Mission:  His Eyes ministry exists to reach Honduras and beyond for Christ through a medical/dental/optometry/laboratory clinic, Church planting, clothing and sports ministries, construction, short term groups, leadership development, feeding program for children and coffee/crop farming. Sherwood Oaks sends Global Outreach teams each year to His Eyes in Honduras.

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Find Out More

Missionary: Terry & Amy Ruff 

Region: Ghana, Africa

 

Purpose/Mission: Team Expansion in West Africa reaches out to unreached people groups, of which less than 5% are evangelized. Currently they are reaching out to the Gonja people of northern Ghana and participating in new expansion to the Toura people of Cote d’Ivoire through Bible storytelling (to those who are not literate) and resourcing pastors with small businesses for support. Terry & Amy Ruff served at SOCC before their call to Ghana.

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Missionary: Judy Fish

Region: Multinational 

International Disaster Emergency Services (IDES) exists to meet physical and spiritual needs of suffering people throughout the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Whether relief is needed due to a natural or man-made event, IDES continues to respond when disasters strike here in the U.S. and internationally working with churches and mission partners to Rebuild communities and Restore Hope through Disciple-Making efforts. In everything they do, the priority is to share the love of Christ with those who are hurting. Development is one of the .most effective methods of reaching communities with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Field Workers trained to meet development needs, support communities, and bring sustainability that leads to emotional, physical and spiritual health. Judy Fish is the IDES staff that SOCC currently supports monthly.

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Missionary: Erick and Sira Gutierrtez 

Region: Spain

 

Purpose/Mission: Latin American Ministries, directed by Erick and Sira Gutierrtez of Nicaragua, is located near Murcia, Spain. The region is rich in agriculture and fruit farms. Many Arabic-speaking Muslims from North Africa immigrate there each year to find jobs. LAM’s ministry includes teaching Spanish to Arabic-speakers using Biblical texts. They also lead an international church that is attended by some Spaniards and many internationals. Ministry to immigrants is one of the current mission strategies that is adding many souls to the Kingdom.

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Missionary: Wallace and Mary Kamau

Region: Kenya, Africa

 

Purpose/Mission: MOHI is a Christ-centered NGO that serves orphaned and vulnerable children, their families and others in disadvantaged communities throughout Kenya. Its goal is to alleviate the effects of extreme poverty by empowering individuals to transform their families and communities. 

After hearing God's persistent call to ministry in Mathare, Wallace and Mary Kamau founded MOHI in the year 2000 with an initial enrollment of 50 kindergarten students. Over the years, God has blessed the ministry through new partners and rapid growth. Today, over 21,000 students attend school in the 25 centers and transformational programs reach thousands more. 

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2024 Mission Spotlight Video

2026 Mission Spotlight and Well Project Video

Supported: Bill Kershner

Region : International

New International is a mission-sending organization dedicated to proclaiming Christ and making disciples worldwide. Believing God has uniquely gifted each person to serve Him, Bill Kershner helps individuals discover their place in global missions. Through recruitment efforts at universities, conferences, and conventions, he connects with people, explores their passions, and helps them discern God's calling. New International missionaries serve in diverse fields, including agriculture, education, business, and church planting. Do you know someone who loves Jesus and feels called to serve internationally? Bill would love to connect and help them explore opportunities to make a lasting impact! 

Email for More Information

Supported : Josh Reynolds

Region : International

New International is a missionary-sending agency dedicated to proclaiming Christ and making disciples worldwide. As Pastor of Mobilization, Josh Reynolds helps connect churches and individuals to God's work around the globe. His team supports missionaries on the field, strengthens relationships between local and global churches, and equips future missionaries. In 2026, Josh trained pastors internationally, provided pastoral care to missionaries in six countries, and visited conferences and college campuses to prepare the next generation for ministry. Through these efforts, New International continues to encourage, equip, and send those called to share the Gospel.

Email for More Information

Missionary: Simmi Dhingra

Region: North India

 

Purpose/Mission:  NICM has grown to include 16 new churches, a training center for evangelists and Christian leaders, Good News Productions International , FAME medical and dental clinics, Master Provisions clothing distribution, 20 sewing centers, four Christian primary schools, a special needs school, mobile schools in three slum neighborhoods, two leper churches and feeding programs and over 1000 first generation believers. All of the pastors & evangelists of NICM are nationals who have been rejected by their families as “outcasts” because of their decision to follow Jesus.

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NICM Mission Spotlight Video (trip recap) - March 2026

NICM Mission Spotlight Video - March 2024

Director : Kristen Moy 

OMF International is a global fellowship of Christians sharing Jesus with the peoples of East Asia. Founded by J. Hudson Taylor over 160 years ago, OMF continues to cross cultures, build relationships, share the Gospel, and equip new Christians to reach their families and communities.  Kristen Moy serves as Mobilization Events Director, partnering with missions conferences, Christian colleges, and like-minded organizations to encourage the Church to take its next faithful step into missions. Billions of East Asians remain unaware of God's love. Pray for the Holy Spirit to move and for God's glory to be known among the nations.

Website

Missionary: Eric Lee-Executive Director 

Region: United States, New England States

 

Purpose/Mission: Restoration House Ministries partners with the church to transform the spiritual landscape of New England (the most unchurched region of the U.S.) with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This mission is being accomplished by planting and nurturing healthy churches in all six New England states, from Portland, ME to Boston, MA to Hartford, CT to Providence, RI and in between.  This year NE Christian Churches collectively average three baptisms a day! October 2015, RESTORE Christian Church established a beachhead in Quincy, MA (South Shore of Boston) where less than 1.5% of the population attend an evangelical church. In the Fall of 2017, Movement Christian Church re-launched in Merrimack, NH and has grown from 75 to over 400. The plant team for RENAISSANCE Christian Church in Waltham, MA moved on site to plant in the Spring 2019. Eric Lee is the Executive Director.

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Missionary: Rondal & Janice Smith 

Region: United States, Dallas, TX

 

Purpose/Mission:  Pioneer Bible Translators bridges the gap between the church and the Bible-less peoples around the world. They are serving 17 million people in 46 language projects. God is calling them to expand and begin 26 additional projects and 4 new fields!  They are seeking 200 new missionaries by 2012 who will step up and meet the need for incarnational ministry among Bible-less peoples. Their team is composed of Bible translators, literacy evangelists, church planters and a variety of support personnel transforming lives through God’s Word in every language.

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Director: Stephanie Freed

Region: Multinational 

 

Purpose/Mission: Rapha International's mission is to end the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children through aftercare for survivors, prevention for the vulnerable, and awareness for all. Their vision is to see children living safely in their own communities without the threats of trafficking and sexual exploitation. In 2003, their work was born through the vision of native Cambodian Christian leaders who repeatedly witnessed girls disappearing from their villages to be sold and exploited. They partnered with local leaders to combat this evil and to provide high quality care for survivors. Rapha has since expanded to care for survivors and the vulnerable in Cambodia, Haiti and Thailand. 

 

Learn more about our Partnership

Rapha's website

Missionary:  Aziz & Ingrid Zaghzagh

Region:  Spain

 

Purpose/Mission: Aziz Zaghzagh is a Moroccan Christian convert from Islam. He has a burning desire to see other Arabic speaking Muslims come to know and follow Isa (Jesus). He and his wife, Ingrid, are about the business of befriending and assisting Muslims in any way they can to bring the Gospel of Isa to them. They use language classes, sports, family visits, employment assistance, transportation, pre-natal nutrition classes, Bible exploration – anything that will demonstrate God’s irresistible love to their Muslim friends in hopes that they will trust Isa.

E-mail Aziz

President: Tony Twist

Region: Austria

 

Purpose/Mission:  TCM International Institute develops Christian men and women for leadership and provides benevolent assistance in Europe and Central Asia. With more than 800 students from 33 nations, who are actively involved in various ministries, TCM equips them as disciple makers through graduate level education to make a global impact by more effectively influencing their churches, cultures, and countries for Christ. Sherwood Oaks regularly sends short-term workers to serve at the Haus Edelweiss Campus near Vienna, Austria.

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May 2024 Mission Spotlight Video

 

Hospitality Director: Denise Tolbert

Region: Multinational 

 

Denise Tolbert is the Hospitality Coordinator for Team Expansion in Louisville, KY. She ensures that guests to the campus are cared for in terms of meals and housing. She uses experience and wisdom that was gained while serving as a missionary family in Ireland. 

 

Contact Denise Tolbert

Watch More about Her Ministry

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