After losing her husband, Rachel Henley asked God how she could raise three children alone. Her story of grief, faith, and unexpected direction led her to Brazil, where she now helps run Living Water Retreat, a Christian wellness center.

In this Mission SONlight Chat interview, Rachel shares how God guided her family through painful loss and a long search for the right property. She also explains how Living Water Retreat supports guests with plant-based meals, natural health practices, and daily time for prayer and worship. The conversation includes Rachel's testimony about finding strength one day at a time, along with her encouragement from Philippians 4:6-7.

Watch to hear how faith, health, and service come together at Living Water Retreat near São Paulo, Brazil.

To contact Living Water Retreat, visit https://estanciaguaviva.com.br

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Network 7 [https://www.Network7.org]

Contact: hello@missionsonlight.org 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞

A book shared at the right moment can open the door to a new life with Christ. At the 2025 General Conference session in St. Louis, young literature evangelist Mark Mapes shares how canvassing became part of his family's faith story, how he funds his education, and what he's learned while sharing Christian books with strangers.

Mark traces the ministry back to his grandfather, whose life changed after an Adventist literature evangelist introduced him to The Desire of Ages. He also talks about his goal of becoming an emergency room doctor, the books and health resources he shares, and surprising encounters with people who stopped to learn about Jesus.

In the final segment, Mark reflects on Luke 10 and why he believes canvassers can encourage one another by working in pairs and serving communities consistently. Watch for stories from the field, a look at the literature he offers, and a prayer for those sharing the gospel through books.

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Contact: hello@missionsonlight.org 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞

A firefighter's job doesn't end when the emergency is over. Pastor and volunteer firefighter Tim Mayne explains how chaplaincy helps first responders process trauma, grief, and the calls that stay with them.

At the General Conference Session in St. Louis, Tim joins Mission SONlight CHATT to share how he came to combine pastoral ministry with fire service. He talks about supporting firefighters after traumatic calls, why listening matters more than trying to fix everything, and how chaplains can serve people from every background with compassion and respect.

Tim also reflects on his unexpected path to ministry, his years as a volunteer firefighter, and the advice he gives young people considering careers in emergency services or pastoral ministry. He closes with Jude 20-23 and a reminder that caring for people in pain is a practical way to share Christ's love. 


You can Contact Tim at https://tillamookor.adventistchurch.org

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call or text 423.855.4877 📞

What does it look like to follow God's call through family hardship, career changes, ministry challenges, and personal loss? Pastor Mike Szynkowski shares his honest story in this episode of Mission SONlight Chatt.

Mike talks about growing up in Michigan, his mother's commitment to Adventist education, and the difficult family experiences that shaped his view of faith and home life. He also explains how he became an X-ray technologist before answering a long-standing call to pastoral ministry.

The conversation covers his years serving churches across Michigan, including youth ministry, church planting, leadership challenges, and the joy of seeing people choose Christ and prepare for baptism. Mike also discusses why pastors should help congregations grow into ministry instead of making themselves indispensable.

In the final segment, Mike and Christopher Beason speak openly about grief, strained friendships, losing loved ones, and the challenge of supporting people when words aren't enough. Their conversation points back to the hope Christians have in Jesus, even while grief remains real.

Recorded at the General Conference Session exhibit hall, this episode offers an honest look at pastoral ministry, faith, friendship, and hope through loss.

Follow Mission SONlight [https://www.MissionSONlight.org]

Network 7 [https://www.Network7.org]

Contact: hello@missionsonlight.org 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞

How can Christian faith, therapy, and honest conversations about grief help people face life's hardest seasons? In this episode of Mission SONlight CHATT, Elise Helzer shares her journey as a marriage and family therapist, doctoral student, caregiver, and ministry leader.

Elise talks about growing up Adventist in rural Iowa, making her faith personal, and seeing the need for better mental health support in rural communities. She also explains how her husband's early-onset dementia changed her understanding of grief, lament, caregiving, and hope.

The conversation covers mental health in the church, spiritual bypassing, grief and loss, Christian counseling, telehealth, and the importance of listening to people's stories. Elise also introduces brainspotting, a trauma treatment approach related to EMDR, and explains how it may help some people process difficult memories and physical responses connected to trauma.

Learn more about Elise's ministry, resources, coaching, and speaking at:

https://seasonsofheart.com/

If you or someone you know is struggling with grief, trauma, or thoughts of suicide, reach out to a qualified mental health professional or a local crisis service.

https://seasonsofheart.com

Follow Mission SONlight [https://www.MissionSONlight.org]

Network 7 [https://www.Network7.org]

Contact: hello@missionsonlight.org 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞

What does it take to serve as a missionary in one of Papua New Guinea's remote regions? Orian Lawrence shares his journey, his work with Adventist Frontier Missions, and the ways God is reaching communities through local leaders, Bible study, and discipleship.

Recorded at the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference Session in St. Louis, Missouri, this episode of Mission SONlight CHATT introduces AFM's work in hard-to-reach areas. Orian explains how his childhood shaped his call to missions, why he and his twin brother serve in different parts of the world, and what brought his family to Papua New Guinea after six years at an orphanage in Kolkata, India.

Orian also discusses traditional Papua New Guinean clothing and tools, including cowrie shells, pig tusks, a woven bilum, and a cassowary-bone dagger. He shares what it means to train and mentor local church leaders, plant congregations, and help new believers build a lasting trust in Jesus.

The conversation also highlights PNG for Christ, a nationwide evangelistic effort that brought more than 700 people to one meeting site and led to baptisms in Orian's region. Near the end, Orian tells how prayer and patience helped prevent violence between two villages, offering a clear reminder that mission work sometimes means standing still and waiting for God's direction.


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call or text 423.855.4877 📞

This video features a look at the 13th Sabbath offering projects in the South AAmerican Division (SAD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church for the 4th quarter of 2025.

In this week's episode. ASAP Ministries and Gospel Outreach share firsthand mission reports from Southeast Asia, India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Pakistan in this special Mission SONlight CHATT episode from the 2026 ASI North American Division Convention in Phoenix.

Daryl Hosford explains how ASAP Ministries uses practical care, medical missionary work, education, and Bible worker training to build trust and share the gospel across Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam. He also discusses 73 mission schools, support for 8,000 students, AFCO Thailand, student sponsorships, and the role of prayer in communities affected by conflict and poverty.

Next, Brent Scully shares how Gospel Outreach supports nearly 2,400 Bible workers in more than 50 countries. Hear how new work in Pakistan is taking shape with local Bible workers, how Sunshine Orchard School serves Myanmar refugee children near the Thailand border, and how students are bringing faith and hope back to their families.

Discover practical ways to pray, sponsor a student, volunteer, receive ministry updates, and support gospel workers serving in difficult areas.

ASAP Ministries: https://asapministries.org

ASAP Ministries phone: 269-471-3026

Gospel Outreach: https://www.goame.org

Follow Mission SONlight [https://www.MissionSONlight.org]

Network 7 [https://www.Network7.org]

Contact: hello@missionsonlight.org 📨

call or text 423.855.4877 📞