Stories at The Well
WELL STORIES
Well Known: God’s Heart for the Nations
Global mission starts small—faithful steps spark churches, joy, and transformation.
Humans everywhere need a savior.
A remarkable journey is underway at our church—a mission to plant 100 churches, both here at home and around the world, within the next 50 years. At first glance, this vision might seem like a distant goal, a marathon rather than a sprint. But every marathon starts with small, intentional steps. One of the most impactful ways to explore how God might be calling you to be part of this mission is through short-term mission trips.
Take KC Onyekanne, for instance—a former elder and a long-time covenant member at The Well—whose experiences on these trips offer a glimpse into the transformative power of stepping into God’s work. KC's first taste of mission work came while attending an Episcopal church, where he was sent to Biloxi, Mississippi, to help clean and rebuild homes after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This experience wasn't just about physical restoration; it was also a moment of spiritual awakening for KC.
During his freshman year of college, KC encountered another mission opportunity, this time through a church in Waco, Texas. Partnering with an organization called Hoops for Hope, KC found himself in Dillingham, Alaska—a remote area so isolated that getting there required a bus ride and a boat trip through the mountains. There, in a dilapidated gym, he taught basketball to children aged 5 to 18. But what struck him most wasn't the game; it was the realization that many in this community had never heard the gospel—and some had never even seen an African-American before.
“I remember this young girl, maybe nine years old, who came up to me and tried to rub the color off my hand,” KC recalled. “She asked me why I was brown. I told her, ‘Well, I’m dark brown because that’s the way God made me,’ and it made me chuckle.”
Fast forward to two years ago, and KC found himself on another mission trip, this time with The Well in São Paulo, Brazil. There, he visited Sampa Church, a church planted by Bob and Martha Robbins, who were sent out from The Well in 2015. KC ministered to the youth in Cracolândia, an area known for its extreme poverty and violence. Despite the dire conditions—including children being bitten by rats at night—KC met a young believer so full of joy that you’d never guess the hardships he faced.
This young man, living in abject poverty with a drug-addicted mother and having just lost his father to a tragic accident, was a testament to the resilience of faith.
We are called to bring the name of Jesus to places where He hasn’t been proclaimed, for the sake of setting people free.
These experiences deepened KC’s love for the nations and for unreached peoples, reminding him that all humans are made in the image of God. As a Nigerian with a white wife and mixed-race children, KC was struck by the diversity in Brazil—a reflection of his own family. It was a vivid reminder that no matter our ethnicity or country of origin, we are all created in God's image.
“Humans everywhere need a savior, and we are called to bring the name of Jesus to places where He hasn’t been proclaimed, for the sake of setting people free,” KC said.
KC's story is a powerful reminder that we can be called from anywhere to go anywhere; God's mission field is boundless, but while the harvest is plentiful, the laborers are few. Your own mission field—what we call your “One Place”—could be your family, workplace, gym, favorite café, or neighborhood, or it might be a town halfway across the world. Having a One Place, serving our city with your CG, or signing up for a short-term mission trip to experience a different culture and witness God’s love in action are just some of the ways you can be involved in God’s heart for the nations. As you step out, you may discover that God is doing as much work in your heart as He is through your hands.
Mission work isn't just about spreading the gospel; it's an invitation to see God in ways you never have before and to discern His will for your life. Romans 12:2 encourages us to “...be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
God’s ultimate will is to see people come to know and worship Him. His holy jealousy, rooted in His deep love for us, is where our true joy can be found. As we align ourselves with God's will, we become more driven by a deep conviction at The Well: to ensure that every tongue, tribe, people, and culture has the chance to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every soul matters to Christ, and every believer has a role to play.
We want to be faithful to Jesus’ last command before His ascension: to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Just as KC took a step of faith and made a difference in the remote parts of Alaska and the favelas of Brazil, so can you.
Reflection Questions
What is your One Place? If you don’t have one, what has prevented you from finding one? What can you do about the lack of one?
We are all called to “go” and be sent. Is God calling you to make an impact where you are currently, or calling you to be somewhere else?
Have you ever been on a Short-Term Trip? If not, what has prevented you from doing so?
