International Partners is Grace’s ministry dedicated to cross-cultural missions. This vital ministry has two main focuses: supporting missionaries—whom we call International Partners (IPs)—with both finances and prayer, and cultivating a heart for global missions within our church family. Our IPs serve around the world in church planting, Bible translation, ESL, teaching, preaching, and demonstrating God’s love in practical ways. They minister to international students, refugees, unreached people groups, students, national pastors, U.S. military personnel, and many others. The ministry also helps our church engage in global missions through meeting our IPs, participating in sewing projects that bless local and global communities, and serving on short-term mission trips.
IP Potlucks
The International Partners Ministry offers our church family opportunities to engage with our visiting International Partners (IPs) at potluck dinners throughout the year. These gatherings allow our IPs to share updates on the work God is doing in their ministries and give our church family a chance to connect with and pray for them. Subscribe to the IP Prayer & Praise email to receive notifications about upcoming IP Potlucks.
Join us for our next IP Potluck on Saturday, October 3, from 6–8PM in the Chapel. The summer short-term mission teams from Slovenia and Vanuatu will share about the incredible work God is doing in those countries. Bring a main dish and a side or dessert to share, and enjoy an evening of food, fellowship, and global missions.
Short-Term Mission Trips 2026
Honduras: A team will once again travel to Honduras in Spring of 2027, partnering with International Partner Alison Howard (Sabio) to bring Vacation Bible School to children in Sambo Creek. The team will also work with Refresh Hope Honduras to host a VBS-style soccer camp for underprivileged children living in the mountain regions of Honduras.
We thank God for the work and safe return of the teams to Slovenia and Vanuatu this summer! Join us for a potluck on Saturday, October 3 to hear stories from both teams.
Missions Sewing Workday
Join our Missions Sewing Team as we create quilts for local charities and families in need. All skill levels are welcome and fabric will be provided! We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month (except July and December) from 9-11AM in Room 100. Bring a sewing machine if you have one, but it’s not required.
Missions Sewing Saturday
The Missions Sewing Team gathers twice a year for special Saturday projects: In February the team meets to sew simple dresses for Little Dresses for Africa, and in May they make purses for SewPowerful. These purses are filled with hygiene supplies and help girls in Zambia stay in school.
All Missions Sewing Saturdays run from 9AM–2PM in the lobby. Bring your sewing machine (if you have one), basic sewing tools, your lunch, and a friend!
Christmas In July
Christmas in July is our way of showing appreciation for our International Partners by blessing them with Christmas gifts each year. Every July, the International Partners Ministry Team collects presents and cards from the Grace family and sends them in December to our Partners and their families serving around the world.
Christmas in July is back for it's 9th season! Return your unwrapped gift to the church by August 30. It's a simple way to encourage those who spend all year encouraging others!
Operation Christmas Child
For the past two years, Grace has partnered with Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child (OCC) to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. The mission of OCC is to partner with the local church worldwide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations. This holiday season, Grace collected 636 shoeboxes filled with gifts, prayers, and the message of Jesus Christ. Thank you, church family, for your contributions!
Join us in the Chapel on Friday, September 18, from 6:30-8PM for a special event, Operation Christmas Child: Shoeboxes & Stories, featuring OCC speaker, Saba N., who will share her story on how receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift as a child while living in a country hostile to Christianity transformed her life. Afterwards, help us pray for and fold 800 shoeboxes in preparation for the upcoming Operation Christmas Child shoebox season! A light dinner will be available from 6 pm.