Take a quick trip around the world with us and catch a glimpse of what God is doing through One Collective communities.
God’s Word Knows No Borders
In parts of the Middle East, following Jesus can come at an extraordinary cost. Believers face persecution, rejection and even threats to their lives simply because of their faith. Yet even in these difficult places, God's Word continues to spread.
Through technology, One Collective workers help facilitate an online Bible study connecting believers across cities and international borders. Together, they study Scripture, pray and encourage one another, often without ever meeting face to face. Recently, one participant shared that he joins these gatherings by going to the roof of his building and using a burner phone he keeps hidden to protect his identity as a believer. Connecting with other Christians puts him at risk, yet his desire to study God's Word and experience fellowship with the body of Christ is worth that risk to him.
The Word of God is alive and active, and no border can limit its reach.
We are grateful for One Collective workers who have answered God's call to be sent into hard places, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus and helping believers grow in their faith.
Please pray for the safety of these brothers and sisters, for courage and encouragement in the face of persecution, and for our workers faithfully serving alongside them.
When the Journey Ends, God Is Still at Work
Every year, thousands of travelers walk the Camino de Santiago, a network of ancient pilgrimage routes across Europe ending in Santiago, Spain. Some come for adventure, others seeking healing, reflection or spiritual answers. For many, the physical journey becomes a deeply personal one. At the finish line, One Collective's Pilgrim House offers travelers a welcoming place to rest, process their experiences and explore questions of faith.
Recently, a pilgrim from Lithuania arrived needing practical help after walking more than 800 miles in shoes that were too small. Our team helped him contact his embassy, plan his next steps and find new shoes. Then, sitting on the couch at Pilgrim House, he began to cry. As he shared his story, he explained that God had changed his heart during the Camino. More than a year sober, he was returning home with a renewed sense of purpose and a desire to become the father his seven-year-old son needed.
Our workers encounter pilgrims wrestling with grief, forgiveness, family and faith; often meeting them in the middle of stories God has been writing long before they arrive. As 1 Corinthians 3:6 reminds us, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” Through a listening ear, practical support and the hope of Jesus, our team has the privilege of walking alongside pilgrims for a small but important part of their journey, trusting God to continue the work long after they leave Santiago.
Pray for our team in Santiago as they welcome pilgrims from around the world, that each conversation would point people toward the hope found in Jesus.
Finding Hope in the Fire
In August, a wildfire threatened El Refugio, One Collective's adventure camp outside Quito, Ecuador. With every bed filled and camp in full swing, strong winds pushed the flames dangerously close to the property. Firefighters established a base at El Refugio while our team managed heavy smoke, adjusted activities and prepared for a possible evacuation. After several tense days, the fire was finally contained.
In the weeks that followed, Executive Director Jim Olsen found himself reflecting on the charred mountainside he regularly passes on his morning runs. At night, the fire had looked especially terrifying. The flames seemed enormous against the darkness. Yet in daylight, while the danger was still real, it was easier to see things in perspective. Jim recognized how often life's struggles feel the same way. When we're overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty, our circumstances can seem insurmountable. But God's Word brings light and reminds us that we don't face those challenges alone.
Then Jim began noticing something else: fresh green growth emerging from the burned earth. What had looked like destruction was already giving way to new life.
The experience brought new depth to God's promise in Isaiah 43:2: “When you walk through the fire, I will be with you.”
Jim reflected, “Maybe that's part of what care looks like: being present with one another in the fire, helping each other find the light, and trusting God together for the new life that comes afterward.”
It's a beautiful picture of the ministry at El Refugio, where our workers walk alongside young people through life's challenges, pointing them to God's truth and helping them discover hope, healing and new growth in Him.
Despite the challenges of the wildfire, Adventure Camp continued, giving young people opportunities to experience adventure, build relationships and grow in their faith!
More Than Coffee and Conversation
Tucked into a shopping center in Cowley, Oxford, England, The Jungle is a vibrant community space where One Collective workers are building relationships, fostering creativity and sharing the hope of Jesus. Through workshops, community projects and everyday hospitality, The Jungle seeks to embrace, equip and empower people from all walks of life.
One part of this ministry welcomes men recovering from addiction, offering a place to relax, play pool, enjoy free coffee and build friendships. One man, recovering from more than 20 years of addiction, recently shared:
“The Jungle is a place where I can leave my ego at the door. I feel myself. I can laugh, I can cry, I don’t have to pretend to be all tough. I have been looking for a place like this my whole life.”
These relationships are opening doors for conversations about faith. Recently, a man who initially believed his "higher power" was the universe began exploring Christianity after conversations with One Collective worker Micah. He started attending Bible study and now calls Jesus his Savior! After receiving a copy of the Gospel of John, he returned one day and shared:
“I got to John 3:16 and these words hit me! I just sat there rereading it over and over again!”
Several other men are now attending Bible studies, connecting with local churches and taking their first steps toward following Jesus.
Please pray for the men navigating recovery and growing in faith, and for our workers as they continue welcoming people from across East Oxford into a community where they can experience the love and hope of Jesus.
Step Inside The Jungle!
Join Micah for a day in the life at The Jungle and see how everyday relationships are opening doors for transformation.
These are just a few snapshots of what God is doing across the globe. Thanks so much for reading!
Lindsey Vanzant
Global Giving Advisor
Lindsey serves as the Global Giving Advisor for One Collective, where her primary focus is to coach financial supporters by connecting their goals, experiences and passions to the work God is doing on the front lines in communities where One Collective serves around the world.
Prior to joining One Collective, Lindsey spent 15 years in various business development and account management roles with Rubbermaid Commercial Products where she most recently led the healthcare division. For the past 11 years, Lindsey has led a local ministry support group for young moms with unplanned pregnancies alongside her local church.
Lindsey lives in Indiana with her husband and four children and loves to travel, explore new places, meet new people, cheer on Hoosier basketball, grow flowers, and spend time with family and friends.