Heidi Chupp, Author at TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Making Disciples who Make Disciples

The Church is strengthened when mature Christians take time to mentor fellow believers and live life together.

Jan 14 2022

When Stuvan read the message from a colleague introducing him to Balraj, a church planter asking for discipleship, he paused before answering. It could have been a no brainer. Stuvan, a south Asian TEAM missionary, is passionate about mentoring national workers in foundational Christian beliefs. Instead, he took the time to ask questions, do research and pray for guidance. Was Balraj serious about serving God and about being trained? Was he faithful? Did Balraj have the time for discipleship with Stuvan? Was he available? And was Balraj willing to learn? Was he teachable? “I really wanted to make sure,” Stuvan…

Cristian felt like he was falling apart. Now, through sports ministry and discipleship, he’s a passionate believer with a vision to spread the Gospel.

Aug 16 2021

When two visitors showed up at Cristian’s middle school, he had no idea that the basketball program they promoted would end three long years of loneliness. It wasn’t easy growing up in La Paz, Mexico, where Cristian regularly navigated offers of drugs, family dysfunction and his own adolescent hormones. And he was doing it pretty much all on his own. He’d had some good friends, neighbors who provided a safe space and a listening ear — and who also pointed him to Jesus. But they moved away. Where Cristian had once found friendship and spiritual guidance, now there was only…

When Steve and Lois Dresselhaus invite you to kayak, be ready for deep conversations about God and worship at sea.

May 13 2021

TEAM missionary Steve Dresselhaus was in his usual place of worship on Sunday morning. Not in a sanctuary, but in nature. Not with a congregation, but with fellow ocean enthusiasts. Not in a pew, but in the seat of a kayak on the Sea of Cortez. One of his friends paddled up. “Steve, I like this church,” the man told him. A Ministry Born out of Burnout On any given week, Steve and Lois Dresselhaus see church happening around their dinner table, in a kayak, in someone’s yard, on a hike or in their living room. It takes place during…

Annie Wilson smiling despite missionary challenges she faced

Annie took the missionary assignment of a lifetime in Chad. Then everything went sideways.

Jan 21 2021

I don’t want to be a missionary anymore, Annie Wilson thought. She’d followed God’s leading and left her P.E. teaching and coaching job to serve Him overseas. So why did it feel like a dead end? Exploring Missions Annie began exploring missions in 2014 when she was asked a question: “What would you be willing to give up for God?” As Annie wrestled with her answer, she discovered TEAM and saw opportunities for sports ministry. TEAM connected her with a missions coach, Tasha Eckenhoff, who worked with her to find a role that would be a good fit. One option…

When Imelda’s mom forbade her from going to church, Imelda rebelled. She got baptized — and prayed for her mother’s salvation.

Nov 18 2020

“Are you crazy? What’s wrong with you?” Ten-year-old Imelda had just come home from an evening church service. She’d been growing to love and follow Jesus, and now she was ready to be baptized. But her mom, Vicenta, would have none of it. Their family was supposed to be Catholic, and Imelda’s involvement with a Protestant group raised all kinds of red flags for Vicenta. “She was a minor,” Vicenta says, suspicious that someone was manipulating her daughter. So when Imelda told her mom she wanted to be baptized, that was the deal breaker. Vicenta not only forbade the baptism,…

Moving abroad can reveal a side of yourself you didn’t know. The Enneagram can help you process what’s happening and submit it more fully to Christ.

Oct 26 2020

I don’t even recognize myself anymore, Christine thought to herself. Have I changed this much? Christine knew that she was going through an intensely stressful season of life — starting a new business with her new husband, while navigating a new culture and new language in a new country. She’d been preparing for the external upheaval. But what she didn’t expect was the upheaval she saw in herself. Some of her actions and thoughts surprised and disturbed her: Anger at her circumstances, and her excessive attempts to control them. Difficulty in expressing her feelings and needs. Frustration at her limited…

With a well built to last at least 30 years, the Kanyemba village in Zimbabwe will be able to make long-term investments to grow their community.

Oct 13 2020

Under a bright blue sky, in the dry shrubland of northern Zimbabwe, a small group gathered around a concrete platform and an odd-shaped contraption with two handles. It was a brand new well. The members of Kanyemba village took turns, two at a time, to crank the well, pulling the water up from its underground reservoir. The new handles were stiff at first, but the more they were used, the easier the job became. Children, women and men all stepped up and took their turn. Anyone who wanted to help was welcome. As everyone waited and watched for the first…

Men sort bottle caps as part of recycling project

Zhenya had lost everything to his addiction. But a surprise job at a recycling plant — and an unlikely friendship — led Zhenya to redemption.

Aug 12 2020

Kurt drove away from the rehab center — and from his friend Zhenya. As the miles went by, he felt a growing relief. For the first time in months, the heavy burden of responsibility that came with helping Zhenya was lifting. Caring for Creation and Their Community Kurt and Rochelle zurBurg have served as TEAM missionaries in Odessa, Ukraine, for more than 12 years. Their ministry has included a variety of activities — from apartment building repairs to backpacking to teaching science classes. It is always, “at its core,” Kurt says, “about serving people and sharing Jesus with them in…

Being a Christian means following Jesus everywhere — even at work. But what happens when your profession's best practices conflict with God's commands?

Feb 11 2020

“For the longest time, I thought my job … was to figure out how to help people transform their relationships.” Henry*, a conflict management specialist, was taking a closer look at his role when he realized something: “That’s not exactly my job.” A Tool for Christian Professionals Henry had been working through the Vocational Manifesto, a discipleship program designed for Christian professionals. The program helps people find areas of brokenness in their professions (e.g. poor financial stewardship) and then replace them with ethical practices. Henry is a TEAM missionary serving in a professional role, in a nation where traditional Gospel…

A group of men in Chad work on a Bible translation project

Bible translation is rarely about simply replacing one word with another. Bible translators share some of their trickiest challenges and how they overcame them.

Jan 29 2020

The journey of a TEAM Bible translator begins long before the first word of Scripture is written down. It includes undergoing extensive training, cultivating cultural sensitivity and navigating the possibilities of a difficult climate or an unfriendly reception. And once the translation work begins, each language project has unique challenges all along the way. For example … … After 10 long years, still searching for just the right word for “hope.” … Discovering two very different words for “God.” … Realizing that your recommendations as translation consultants don’t go over too well with the translation team. So, what’s a Bible…

Author - Heidi Chupp

Making Disciples who Make Disciples

‘More than Just a Basketball Thing’

Building House Churches Through Outdoor Adventures

Missionary Challenges: From Ready to Quit, to No Regrets

A Daughter’s Rebellious Prayer

The Enneagram for Missionaries: Tips for Overseas Life

Clean Water for Today – and Tomorrow

Freed from Addiction — Through Recycling

Discipling Christians to Live Their Faith at Work

What Does a Bible Translator Do When. . .