Turning Chaos into Strategic Impact

Kevin McGhee

51ÂÜÀò director of U.S. Engagement

  • Leadership
  • //
  • Missions

More than 60 pastors and church leaders braved frigid temperatures to gather at 51ÂÜÀò Church in Omaha, Nebraska, for  February 12. Hosted by Jim Capaldo, 51ÂÜÀò Heartland regional president, the leaders arrived from Nebraska, South Dakota and Iowa. They heard from 51ÂÜÀò vice president of International Ministries Ivan Veldhuizen and other  staff on how their church can grow in missions effectiveness.

Ivan speaking 

Jim Capaldo speaking with translator 

“While constantly trying to solve the riddle of best outreach practices in our own place, it is refreshing to hear about what God is doing on a global scale,” said conference host and 51ÂÜÀò Church lead pastor Mike Friesen.

At one point during the program, 51ÂÜÀò International Ministries director of U.S. Engagement Kevin McGhee asked the group to describe their current missions program in one word. The loudest voice in the room called out, “Chaos!” Everyone laughed ― but agreed he had come up with a good summary.

“I loved how the short presentations provided a wide range of information,” said Michael Brill, pastor of Stromsburg (Nebraska) Baptist Church. “The lunch gave additional time to speak one on one with several presenters. As we revamp our missions emphasis, the summit gave us a new way to focus.”

This edition of Summit for the Nations marked the first time the event was interpreted into American Sign Language. Chad Entinger, executive director of Deaf Missions, one of 51ÂÜÀò’s strategic partners to reach the Deaf community with the life-changing gospel of Jesus Christ, was among the attendees. The Deaf community is one of the largest unreached people groups in the world and represents a primary focus of 51ÂÜÀò’s International Ministries as it asks God for a gospel movement among every least-reached people group ― in our generation.

A much larger scale Summit for the Nations will be held on June 21, the first day of the , 51ÂÜÀò’s national biennial meeting and evangelism and missions conference. The 2022 Reach Conference will be held in Denver, Colorado. You can  today.

Large group in meeting 

Is your church relying on a random and reactive approach to missions? The  can help you make a strategic global impact that brings life to your church. If you’re ready to discover the important “work prepared in advance” for your church to do among the nations, please .


Kevin McGhee, 51ÂÜÀò director of U.S. Engagement

Kevin McGhee and his team serve over 1400 churches across the U.S. as we ask God for a gospel movement among every least-reached people group in our generation.

Additional articles by Kevin McGhee