Still Here, Still Serving.
A Gospel-Centered Close to the Year
2025… what a year.
For our mission, for my family, and for our community.
I’ll be honest—I’ve struggled with writing this year-end blog.
The first draft I wrote a while ago went something like this: “Look at everything we did this year…” It would have been bold, probably engaging, and many of you might have been excited to see all that’s been done in the name of Jesus. But after prayer and reflection, it felt selfish—too much like “look at us.” That’s not what we’re trying to do with the Beaver Dam Mission Center.
A week went by, and during prayer I thought, “Maybe this month’s blog should just be me reading Scripture. No words at all.” I swung all the way in the other direction. But even Paul shared stories of his journeys as he fulfilled his calling.
Lately, I’ve heard whispers from the enemy—many things—and it weighs on me heavily. Every day I feel the suffering of this human flesh, and I long to be with Jesus more and more. I was reading Revelation recently, imagining standing before Jesus in the presence of God—in awe. That overwhelming sense of unworthiness. Scripture shows us that whenever angels or even Jesus appear, our human flesh trembles in fear—confronted by our failures and God’s perfection.
WHY THE BEAVER DAM MISSION CENTER EXISTS
As many of you know, we officially started the Beaver Dam Mission Center in March of 2025.
In June, we kicked off a five-week fundraising campaign for our shoe program. In July, we received our 501(c)(3) status. In August, we hosted our first public outreach event. In October, we hosted a community cookout and received Wisconsin sales tax–exempt status. In November, we delivered Thanksgiving boxes to families in need.
The original goal of creating the Beaver Dam Mission Center was simple: to continue the serving we were already doing, but with a formal platform—one that allows others to come alongside us with their spiritual gifts, access resources available to nonprofits, and live out the calling of all believers: sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
We wanted to pool resources in a way that ensures God alone receives the glory.
A quick impact snapshot:
Over $23,000 raised
Over 450 people served
Nearly 300 Bibles given out
If you’d like a more detailed impact report—including stories and numbers—you can find that on our About Us page:
👉 https://www.missionbd.org/about#2025impact
GUARDING THE HEART OF THE MISSION
My father once told me that nearly all spiritual ministries begin with a good heart, but over time many lose their spiritual foundation and start to look like the world.
That terrifies me.
How we lead the Mission Center is no different than how my wife and I served before it existed. For me, nothing has changed. We serve where God calls, and we let Him lead both the ministry of our lives and the ministry of the BDMC.
I ask you—please keep me accountable.
Our board of 11 members plays a huge role in this accountability. They help keep us mission-focused and pray over the work regularly.
FAITH THAT WORKS, AND WORKS THAT FLOW FROM FAITH
Nothing we have done—or ever will do—is for us or from us.
We serve King Jesus. Period.
Our works do not save us.
But our works do reveal who we belong to.
God says, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
James reminds us that faith without works is dead—that our works reveal our faith to the world.
If you’ve never sat behind three inches of glass in a prison visiting room…
If you’ve never served the homeless in the dead of winter…
If you’ve never opened your home or helped someone in crisis…
I urge you to take your faith to the next level.
You have your quiet time.
You rest and abide in Jesus.
But what are you doing with the rest of your time?
Are you ministering at work?
Are you sharing the life-changing message of Jesus with friends and family?
Who is in your inner circle?
Do they long for Jesus like you do?
God has blessed us with time, energy, and resources—not for ourselves, but for His Kingdom.
A SHIFT IN FOCUS FOR 2026
We started this year with a hope of uniting the churches of Beaver Dam in a shared mission for the Kingdom. I quickly learned this is not a battle man can win. Division among denominations runs deep.
That said, I want to be very clear—
I love our churches in Beaver Dam.
I love the pastors, the leaders, and those faithfully serving in the roles God has placed them in within our local church buildings—many of whom are my mentors and role models in the faith.
Scripture is clear that Christian community is not optional. Gathering with believers, worshiping together, being taught, and walking in accountability are all essential parts of the Christian life.
I once heard a pastor I love dearly say, “You are going to have more impact on someone when you spend time in relationship with them. You will have an easier time witnessing to them when they know you and respect you, versus standing on a street corner telling people to turn to Jesus.” I don’t disagree with that statement at all—but I see this as a both-and, not an either-or.
Yes, we should build genuine relationships with unbelievers. Yes, we should show them Jesus through how we live our lives—pointing to Him in our actions. And we should also go to the street corners, into neighborhoods, into uncomfortable spaces, and boldly share the good news of the gospel—Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for the repentance of sin.
These are not competing callings; they are complementary.
If the primary work of the local church is to build relationships and discipleship within the four walls, then my calling—and the calling of the Beaver Dam Mission Center—is to build relationships outside the four walls. Not instead of the church, and not in competition with it, but as an extension of the same gospel mission.
So in 2026, we are not calling churches to unite under an organization. We are calling believers to run alongside us for our city. If you believe Jesus is King, that Scripture is truth, that sin should grieve us, and that repentance matters—then there is a place for you here.
Our gifts were never meant to stay inside church buildings. They were given for the good of others and the glory of God. When believers step outside the walls together—led by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit—I truly believe we will see God move in powerful ways.
Revival doesn’t start with programs or buildings. It starts with obedience.
WHAT DOES SMALL-TOWN HOMELESSNESS REALLY LOOK LIKE?
Over the summer, a young man named Ty called us looking for a hotel voucher. He was sleeping outside a hotel with no money, no car, and nowhere to go.
Ty was 22 years old. He came to Wisconsin from Houston with his uncle and cousin for manufacturing work. When they returned home for a family emergency and didn’t come back, Ty stayed—trying to build a life and eventually bring his son up from Texas.
Then the job laid him off seasonally.
His car broke down.
His housing disappeared.
His family was far away.
Put yourself in his shoes.
For real—take a second and imagine being 22 years old. Full of confidence. Ready to take on the world. Saying, “I’m going to prove I can do this my way.” Now imagine everything being stripped away. No family nearby. No friends. No money. No food. No housing. Stuck in a city far from home, sleeping outside for the first time in your life.
That loneliness and hopelessness gives me chills. That was Ty’s reality.
When Ty called, we could hear the anxiety in his voice. After a few nights in a hotel, it was clear he had no plan and was paralyzed by fear. Eventually, through conversation, prayer, and discernment, we realized the best path forward was getting him back to family in Texas—even though he felt ashamed.
After prayer and accountability, we invited him into our home.
Ty stayed briefly. He had his own room. He joined us for meals. We prayed together. We talked about Jesus. He packed the three bags that held everything he owned and prepared for a 36-hour bus ride home.
Today, Ty is safe in Houston, living with his grandmother and spending time with his son. Seeds were planted—seeds I pray will grow into a deep faith in Christ.
This is what homelessness often looks like in Beaver Dam: not addiction, not crime—just people trying to survive when life collapses.
Scripture tells us to care for the needy and welcome the stranger. Don’t overthink it. Trust that obedience to God is safer than clinging to comfort.
LET SCRIPTURE SPEAK
Man’s words pale in comparison to God’s.
God’s Word is pure, holy, and set apart. Any human involvement muddies the water—no matter how well intentioned. Remember this when you read my words or hear your favorite pastor preach: seek Scripture for yourself.
Pastors and teachers are a gift, and I am deeply grateful for them—but they are not a replacement for time with God Himself through His Word.
Need or want a deeper study Bible? I have many and would love to give you one.
📧 jesse@missionbd.org
If you see your need for a Savior, praise God.
If you haven’t made Jesus Lord of your life, today is the day.
There is no magic prayer—salvation comes through repentance, faith, and surrender to Jesus. When we turn from sin and place our trust in Him, the Holy Spirit takes residence within us and transforms our lives.
We are called not only to believe—but to obey.
Not slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness.
Sit at the feet of Jesus.
Confess your sins.
Invite the Holy Spirit in.
Surrender your life to Him.
Abide in Him.
Love God.
Love your neighbor.
And trust God to reveal His plans in His time.
A CLOSING ACT OF WORSHIP
As we close this year, I want to end not with my words—but with God’s.
Below is a reading of 2 Corinthians, chapter 1. I encourage you to listen, read along, and let Scripture speak without interruption.
Greetings from Paul
1This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy.
I am writing to God’s church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.
2May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
God Offers Comfort to All
3All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.
8We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. 9In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. 10And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 11And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.
Paul’s Change of Plans
12We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 13Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
15Since I was so sure of your understanding and trust, I wanted to give you a double blessing by visiting you twice— 16first on my way to Macedonia and again when I returned from Macedonia. Then you could send me on my way to Judea.
17You may be asking why I changed my plan. Do you think I make my plans carelessly? Do you think I am like people of the world who say “Yes” when they really mean “No”? 18As surely as God is faithful, our word to you does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” 19For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” He is the one whom Silas, Timothy, and I preached to you, and as God’s ultimate “Yes,” he always does what he says. 20For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
21It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, 22and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.
23Now I call upon God as my witness that I am telling the truth. The reason I didn’t return to Corinth was to spare you from a severe rebuke. 24But that does not mean we want to dominate you by telling you how to put your faith into practice. We want to work together with you so you will be full of joy, for it is by your own faith that you stand firm.
Praise be to the one true God.
Yahweh — I AM WHO I AM
Elohim — Mighty Creator
El Shaddai — God Almighty
El Elyon — God Most High
El Olam — Everlasting God
El Roi — The God Who Sees Me
We get to worship God with our lives.
What a blessing that is.
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth - 1 John 3:18
