It’s Time For You To Go

Multiple Authors

Multiple Authors

Short-term trips with Kensington are the experience of a lifetime! Most of our international trips bring you into the work and community of one of our beloved global partners, while other trips offer a special educational and empathy-building experience.

We asked eight people, who recently returned from a trip, to share their thoughts with the rest of our community. The overwhelming theme? Go! Yes, you!


Question 1: What was the most memorable moment from your trip?

Kenya
I’ll never forget the first time I saw the church gather and worship in Kenya…while they sang, it was like God spoke to my heart through the immense hope and joy that I saw in their eyes. To them, church was something that they’d go out of their way for…it’s hard – people walk for many miles over rugged terrain under the hot sun – and it takes an incredible amount of effort and sacrifice…My trip to Kenya gave me a fresh vision for what I believe Jesus desires for the Church.
-Joel Leipprandt, Traverse City Lead Pastor

Nepal
Of all the mission trips I’ve been on, this one feels so different. So personal. Never before have I had the experience of hearing someone recount the worst moments of abuse and terror in their life and then sit side by side later on laughing and working with them. It was hard to focus on the task when all I wanted to do was hug them and cry. These young women are so strong and so vulnerable at the same time.
– Shannon Sloane, Kensington Staff & Co-Owner of Ring True 

It was such a blessing to see the girls that graduated from the cosmetology training program in 2019 [now] working in their own salons. We were able to hear about their experiences and provide them some additional training that will help them grow their businesses even more. Even though I’m not a cosmetologist, I shared the love of God as I loved on the girls that we worked with.
– Karen Nicholas, Retired Kensington Staff

I was able to see all of the incredible things our partners are doing to eradicate gender-based violence, support young girls and women in education, skill training, and human trafficking reform. My most memorable moment…was being able to meet the young girl, Sushma, who my husband and I sponsor [through Kensington’s NoChild]. Being able to hear about her life and experiences, as well as seeing the change of the community where she goes to school is something that I will never forget.
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.

Israel/Palestine
The most memorable moment was visiting the church of the Beatitudes and ironically being locked in a hotel quarantining in Jerusalem with several men on the trip. It was the perfect combination for an ultimate faith-building experience.
– Bradford Jones, Trip Attender

Looking back at my recent trip to the Holy Land…the time we spent in Galilee had the biggest impact on me. Sitting at the northern top of Mount Arbel and looking down the valley to the west down to Nazareth and following that to the coast of the Sea of Galilee at Magdala then following the coastline 6 miles to Capernaum THEN realizing that this is the path that Jesus walked! To realize that I am in the same space as Jesus Christ. I still get chills thinking about this.
– Jim Henkel, Trip Attender

Asian American Civil Rights Tour
A friend of mine who is Asian American came on the trip with me. He told me toward the end of the week that one of the reasons he came was because he wanted to know why all of this Asian American “stuff” (i.e. issues of history, identity and justice) were so important to me. Then he told me, “now I’m beginning to understand.”
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor

U.S./Mexico Border Trip
The pain that emanated from this woman and her small child was so deep that even now, months later, I feel a physical weight on my chest and it becomes difficult to take a deep breath. Her eyes were so sad, her face crestfallen and I could only imagine what she had witnessed and experienced…What am I to do for this woman that goes beyond simply observing the pain that she is in? Almost right at that moment, I observed that the little toddler did not have socks. And a thought came in my head – maybe God placed me here to do the next best thing for this family and in that exact moment it was to find clean socks for this little girl.
– Jessie Forster, Trip Attender

Question 2: How did you experience God during the trip?

Israel/Palestine
I had anticipated that my faith journey would jump a couple notches however that’s not what happened.  My faith journey has been transformed, in a spectacular way, beyond anything that I had imagined.
 – Jim Henkel, Trip Attender

Kenya
There’s a pastor there who is working with unreached people groups. He felt the call of God to go…work in this region but it meant he had to leave his wife and kids behind. He only sees them a few days every month…The passion of him and his family for those who don’t know Jesus was a reflection to me of how much Jesus loves those who don’t know him. How he leaves the 99 to go after the 1.
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor

Nepal
Our partner organization in Nepal has rescued over 11,500 girls out of the hands of traffickers. [At Ring True,] we are honored to be working alongside them to offer skills training and jobs to these young women. Our goal is to build a new training center for the girls who choose jewelry making as their trade so they can have a dedicated safe place to live and train. We’ll keep you posted on this goal as we continue to grow!
– Shannon Sloan, owner of Ring True

At one of the safe houses where our Global Partner operates, we were with some young girls…many had experienced severe gender-based violence and were survivors of human trafficking. We were able to share our stories of faith…and extremely sensitive and life changing stories and pray together. We all bonded as women in that moment, and I immediately felt the presence of the Holy Spirit with us, and it is an experience I will always hold dear to my heart.
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.

Question 3: What would you say to someone considering a short-term trip?

Israel/Palestine
I’d encourage you to be very vulnerable with God and the people you travel with on this trip. It will unlock your heart in a profound way. Also, dissect scripture on the journey of the sites you see. There will be some powerful connections that you make from being on the grounds.
– Bradford Jones, Trip Attender

I have 5 kids and work as a nurse and I wasn’t sure how I was going to earn enough money to cover the trip expenses. At the first meeting, I learned about support letters, and sent one to everyone I knew. God provided the exact amount of money I needed…when I arrived in Israel, there was an overwhelming sense that God had “my back” all along and this is where I’m supposed to be right now.
-Jackie Novak, Trip Attender

Kenya
If you ever have a chance to go on a short-term trip, do it. Not only will it fuel and encourage the work being done there, it will also open your eyes, put a spark in your heart, and inspire you in your faith journey.
-Joel Leipprandt, Traverse City Lead Pastor

Nepal
Everyone has something to offer on a short-term trip. If you are feeling nudged to go on a trip, don’t hesitate. God is calling you to an experience that will grow you and expand your worldview. You will see the kingdom of God in a beautiful new way.
– Karen Nicholas, Retired Kensington Staff

If you’re considering a short-term trip…GO FOR IT! It will change your life. Go and be the hands and feet of Jesus to people around the world who are facing some of the harshest daily realities and bring love and comfort to them when they need it the most. I used to always think that God would have no use for me. I’m not a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, a CEO, but I have come to know that God chose ME to be on that trip…He has given us all unique gifts and talents to use to spread love around the world and pass along the hope of Jesus. The God of the Universe knows what He is doing, and he wants to use YOU. He picks YOU!
– Caitlin Borg, NoChild Admin.

Asian American Civil Rights Tour
Come! You will have your God view and worldview expanded.
– Andrew Kim, Troy Lead Pastor

U.S./Mexico Border Trip
When we experience pain and brokenness of this world – as we are called to love those on the margins – God’s call to us is two-fold: (1) to open ourselves up to see Him in each person we encounter and (2) to ask Him what is the next best thing we can do in this moment? The answer will likely be simple. It will likely come with little fanfare. It will be humble – maybe even as humble as a pair of socks, a soccer ball, and daily whispered prayers. But, the willingness to step in – to do that one next best thing – carries with it the power of the Holy Spirit to move, to chip through the brokenness, and to bring God’s love and restoration.
– Jessie Forster, Trip Attender

Are you ready? Information and upcoming trips at kensingtonchurch.org/go. Want to share your experience from a Kensington trip? Leave us a message at kensingtonchurch.org/story

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Titus 1

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness– 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior, 4 To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7 Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless– not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach– and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

Other Helpful Passages:
Ephesians 4
1 Corinthians 12-13
1 Peter 5
2 Timothy 2:2

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December 24 Services
December 24 Services
December 23 Services
December 24 Services
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December 24 Services
December 23 Services
December 24 Services

Divorce Recovery

You don’t have to go through the pain and stress of divorce or separation alone. Our Divorce Recovery workshop combines expert speakers, small group discussion and a time of community with people on the same journey.

Divorce Recovery Winter Sessions

Troy campus | Mondays 7-9pm | Feb 5 – Apr 15

Orion campus | Tuesdays 7-9pm | Feb 6 – Apr 16

Cost: $45
The cost includes a workbook, snacks at each meeting (including coffee), and dinner at end of session. Childcare available.

You are encouraged to join us on any week. Sessions are self-contained.

Grief Recovery

At Kensington’s Grief Recovery support group, you can find hope and healing after the loss of a loved one. It’s a place where you’ll encounter caring people who can empathize with your pain because they’ve been through it themselves.

Winter Grief Recovery | Feb 6 – April 30 | Orion campus
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Find a Grief Recovery group near you: griefshare.org

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Kensington Visitation

Our dedicated volunteers bring encouragement and prayers of faith to those who are in local hospitals, medical centers, recovery centers and homebound. If you or someone you know would like to be blessed by such a visit, email visitation@kensingtonchurch.org or call the Troy Campus during business hours at 248-786-0600.

Pastoral Care

Members of our Pastoral Care Team are trained by the nationally known Stephen Ministry program and are compassionate listeners who walk alongside others to provide skilled and distinctly Christian care in times of need. They can’t promise to have all the answers, but they can promise their focused support. To receive care from one of our Pastoral Care Team members, call us at 248.786.0600 and ask for a Campus Care Provider – they can get the process started.

Interested in joining our Pastoral Care Team? Email us for more info.

1 Timothy 3

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Other Helpful Passages:
Ephesians 4
1 Corinthians 12-13
1 Peter 5
2 Timothy 2:2

Retreats

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Websites

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Growing In Marriage

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Children's Programming During Services

Troy

5pm | 12/23
Birth–PreK programming

7pm | 12/23
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11am | 12/24

Birth–PreK programming

1pm | 12/24
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3pm | 12/24

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5pm | 12/24
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Orion

5pm | 12/23
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7pm | 12/23
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11am | 12/24
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1pm | 12/24
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3pm | 12/24
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1pm| 12/24
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1pm | 12/24
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REGISTER

The Blended Family Workshop addresses the confusing roles and boundaries involved in blending families and identifies why parents so often struggle in blending their efforts. Find a community of people who are contemplating blending a family or are “in the trenches” building and growing their blended family!
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On Sunday evening, Dec 5, parents of high school and middle school students are invited to the second half of our Edge gathering at Genesis Church, 309 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067, at 6:15pm. We will have a breakout to equip parents in caring for themselves and processing pain with their children in times of tragedy.

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We believe that unity at this time is more important than ever. Several churches in the area are partnering together to offer space for students to begin the process of healing.

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Troy Campus

Join us Sunday night, December 5th for a Community Prayer Vigil at Kensington Church at 6:00 pm. Invite friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers to come together for a time of hope and prayer. 

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What grows marriages? Focusing on the two of you and being in community!
The Marriage Course includes seven sessions, designed to help couples invest in their relationship and build a strong marriage. Some couples do the course to intentionally invest in their relationship, others are looking to address more specific challenges. Either way, the course offers essential tools and practical ideas to help you build a relationship that lasts a lifetime. The Marriage Course is based on Christian principles but designed for all couples with or without a church background.

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Financial Compass

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Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

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Please email discipleship@kensingtonchurch.org with any questions.

Registration coming soon!

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You will then be directed to PushPay for payment.
For additional questions, please contact giving@kensingtonchurch.org or call 248.786.0637

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