2026 Highlands Missions Festival
Imagine seeing the world through Jesus' eyes. In the gospels, Jesus shares what he sees when He looks at the multitudes. For our 2026 Missions Festival, we're asking, "How Far Can You See?" We invite you to join us in the challenge of seeing people across the world through Christ's perspective. Our Sunday messages will explore this important question for Jesus' followers over the centuries. Some of our missionary couples will join us to share about their work in distant places. Children will also learn from well-known missionary biographies, exploring what those heroes of the faith saw. Come and see what can happen when we open our eyes!
Our host Missionaries will be:
(SPEAKER) Nate and Nikki Bonham - (Rionegro, Colombia)
Trey & Kiki Adams - (Bangkok, Thailand)
Brent Kooi - (Sydney, Australia)
Bibek Guidey - (Nepal)
Clarke and Khrystya Norton - (Ukraine)
Tim and Bev Hart - (Bahamas)
2026 Missions Festival Schedule
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15
9:00am Kickoff Worship Service (nursery provided)
Rev. Joseph Wheat preaches opening sermon
10:30am Sunday School Communities
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
5:00pm Church-wide Dinner in the Fellowship Hall (nursery provided)
Kids in Pre-K 4 through 5th grade will meet in the 3rd floor lobby for pizza and their own Missions Fest.
Kids are encouraged to wear international costumes and bring an offering for our missionaries.
6:15pm Panel Discussion with Missionaries in the Fellowship Hall
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 (Adults only- Community groups college and up)
In-Home Food & Fellowship opportunity with Missionaries
11:30am: Crossroads in the Atrium
6:00-8:00pm: Seekers, Refuge, Lighthouse meet in the home of Chris & Christy Burgess
6:00pm-8:00pm: Covenant, Young Adults, College meet in the home of Cory and Stephanie Wilson
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Mission Committee Dinner with Missionaries
6:00pm Home of Julie and Craig Crosland
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21
8:30am Men’s Breakfast in the Fellowship Hall (all ages) Clarke Norton speaking
11:30am Ladies’ Luncheon in the Atrium (all ages)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22
9:00am Worship Service & Faith Promise Commitment
(children singing) Missionary Nate Bonham preaches (nursery provided)
10:30am Sunday School Communities - Missionary Speakers
Make a Faith Promise 2026 Pledge or a One Time gift HERE
We would like to see every family at Highlands involved in giving through Faith Promise. To continue supporting our current missionaries, we need a Maintenance Goal of $160,000 in Faith Promise giving. A Challenge Goal of $175,000 will allow us to consider supporting additional missionaries.
Short Term Missions Opportunities
We are excited to share several upcoming mission opportunities in 2026. Highlands members have previously served in both the Bahamas and El Salvador, and we are preparing to return. A potential trip to the Bahamas is being planned for July 4–11, open to adults 18+ and to qualifying Highlands Student Ministry students attending with a parent or grandparent. We are also planning a trip to San Salvador September 5-12 for adults 18+. In partnership with Joni and Friends, we will offer family-friendly options, including two single-day trips (March 28 or August 29) and two week-long trips (July 5–10 or July 12–17). Visit https://highlandspca.org/shortterm for more information.
REACHING Beyond The Walls: Missions Spotlight:
For the month of January, please be in prayer for: John and Lorena McCall
John and Lorena McCall are missionaries in the region of Rionegro, Colombia, which is located just outside the city of Medellin. They serve alongside the Bonhams. Here the McCalls are working with their team to plant churches and serve through university ministry. Campus ministry happens with and through the local church, where students receive cross-generational discipleship and grow spiritually within the body of Christ. Lorena’s heart for missions began as a teenager while living in Costa Rica. For John, that call came in 2016 while serving as director for the Outdoor Adventure Program at the University of Virginia. There he saw how his background could be used for effective ministry in a cross-cultural setting. Rock climbing, hiking, and team building activities are some of the tools the McCalls are using to help build relationships and have gospel conversations with students. John and Lorena are thankful the Lord has brought them to this region to bring hope and truth to the next generation of leaders: students searching for purpose and answers to life’s big questions. Please support them as they help shape future leaders for Christ. Learn more at https://mtw.org/missionaries/details/mccall-john-lorena/
Our Supported Missionaries
Teresa Wilson, USA, with Japanese Team
Craig and Stacy Pohl, Japan
Trey and Kiki Adams, Thailand
Brent Kooi, Australia
Tim and Bev Hart, Bahamas
Lenden and Gemma Fleeman, Spain
Derek and Shannon Ebbers, Romania
Scott and Christine D., Turkey
Bob and Andrea Burnham, Ukraine
Jon and Tracy Eide, Ukraine
Clarke and Krysta Norton, Ukraine
Doug and Masha Shepherd, Ukraine
Andrew Sheppard, Ukraine
Jonathan and Olya Powell, Ukraine
Daniel and Katie Brink, Belgium
Nate and Nikki Bonham, Colombia
John and Lorena McCall, Colombia
Manny and Terri Bersach, Colombia
Rick and Betty Aschmann, Ecuador
Rodney and Janna Davila, El Salvador
David and Lynelle G., India
Bibek Guidey, Nepal
Franklin and Beth Beaver, USA
Graham and Emily Guo, Taiwan
Glenn and Sharlene Grubb, International
(USA)Oliver and Kim Pierce, Belgium
Anna Jordan Butts, Peru
David and Jill Martin, Romania
Alex and Irena Ponomarev, USA Slavic Tribes (USA)
Richard Pratt, Third Millennium Ministries (USA)
Jonah, Muslim Ministries (USA)
Deddy and Desta Simanjuntak, Indonesia
Jim and Bubbles Delfin, Philippines
Mike and Robin McMahon, Panama
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Mission to the World - see our supported missionaries above.
World Missions is a vital part of the vision and core values of Highlands Presbyterian Church. Worship, Teaching, Nurture...REACHING! “Reaching” means to take our place as partners in ministry together, seeking to be faithful to do our part in fulfilling Christ’s Great Commission to strengthen His church and extend His Kingdom through the proclamation of the Gospel at home and abroad. Highlands “reaches” out in three areas of ministry: Home Missions, World Missions, and Mercy Ministry. For World Missions, we will seek to do this by praying for our missionaries, keeping in touch with our missionaries, providing monetary support to individual missionaries and agencies through Faith Promise, and organizing and supporting Highlands’ short-term mission teams. We would love to raise up and support people within our congregation to consider long-term service on the mission field if the Lord is calling them there. We seek to offer warm, loving hospitality to missionaries that visit our church, giving them the opportunity to share with us God’s work through them in their particular place of service. We also try to send our people “there” from time to time to be an encouragement and help to our missionaries on the field. The biggest World Missions event of the year is our annual Missions Festival. Missionary guests, a challenging speaker, and multiple opportunities for growth and fellowship make this a special time in the life of our church.
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Mission to North America (Home Missions)
The Home Missions Ministry of Highlands reaches out through church planting, campus ministries, and the support of other ministries and institutions we believe in within North America.
Ministries We Support :
Church Planting
Campus Ministries
Other Ministries and Institutions -
Short-Term Mission Opportunities
Short-Term Missions Opportunities
Highlands is planning several mission opportunities in 2026! A return trip to Nassau, Bahamas is planned for July 4–11 for adults 18+ and qualifying Highlands Ministry students attending with a parent or grandparent. A San Salvador trip is planned for September 5–12 for adults 18 and up. Family-friendly trips with Joni and Friends include single-day options (March 28 or August 29) and week-long trips (July 5–10 or July 12–17). Learn more at https://highlandspca.org/shortterm .
Highlands Bahamas Missions Report Team #1
Praise God for His protection and provision! Our Highlands Bahamas Short-Term Missions team (Cameron Walters, Laura Antoon, Jack Lanier, Will Day, John, Karen & Harry Thomas, David, Kathryn, Hannah & Sarah Day, Cindy & Chip Johnson) returned safely from their trip to Nassau on July 19. It was a powerful week of ministry and an incredible opportunity to see God at work.
The team served alongside MTW missionaries Tim and Bev Hart—faithful partners supported by Highlands—hosting a literacy and STEM camp for approximately 35–40 students in grades 1 through 6. Each day, the team had the opportunity to share the gospel and lead a Vacation Bible School, planting seeds of truth in young hearts. We’re especially grateful for our gifted and dedicated teachers who led literacy, STEM, and VBS activities. The students were engaged, and the gospel was clearly communicated throughout the week. On Sunday, the team canvassed a nearby neighborhood that was vastly different from what many of us experience in the U.S. It was a deeply humbling and eye-opening experience, particularly for our teenagers, who were struck by the contrast and reminded of how blessed we are. One of the greatest praises is that God kept the team safe and mostly healthy, even as a few members fell ill toward the end. The team pressed on with strength and unity. We are also incredibly thankful for Tim and Bev Hart—gracious, faithful hosts who have built a remarkable ministry presence in Nassau.
Please join us in praising God for:
His protection and faithfulness throughout the trip
The gospel going forth clearly and consistently each day
The students who attended and heard about Jesus
The life-changing experiences for our team members
And join us in praying for:
Tim and Bev Hart, as they continue this week’s camp—asking God to provide extra hands and strength for the work
The second Highlands team heading to Nassau July 26–August 2—for safety, team unity, flexibility, and spiritual impact
The hearts of the children, that they would truly be moved to know and trust God
Thank you, Highlands family, for your prayers and support!
Highlands Bahamas Missions Report Team #2
Highlands Bahamas Short-term Missions – Team 2 Update
Highlands’ Bahamas Missions Team 2 (Chip Johnson, Brad, Kate, Jane Bradley, Beckham, Brooke & Maddox Madden, Darlene, Clay & Kendra Quarterman, and Laura Antoon) served alongside Tim and Bev Hart July 26–August 2 and returned home safely, grateful for a fruitful week. Team 2 led VBS, STEM activities, and literacy classes for children and teens of all ages at a community center in an at-risk, poverty-stricken neighborhood. Each day brought challenges—shifting schedules, disruptions from unruly teens, and very limited space—but the team, serving alongside the Harts, met each one with Christlike patience and grace. They faithfully shared the parables of Jesus, showing love to the youth with the hope of growing God’s Kingdom.
At first, the community center’s staff were hesitant to engage. However, once they saw the team’s gifts and servant hearts, they eagerly invited them to help with other projects—including assembling a video for a special Thursday program for benefactors and parents. The team was also invited to attend and participate in this program!
Team 2 is deeply grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf. Their safety, flexibility, endurance, and joy in service were a direct answer to those prayers.
Please continue to pray:
For the Harts, as they review and assess the five weeks of camps, and for their rest and refreshment.
For the youth and teens from the community center, that the seeds of love and truth planted would take root and bear fruit.
For Taliya, a humble and grateful young girl who apologized for others’ behavior and warmly welcomed the message of Jesus.
Thank you, Highlands family, for your prayers and support!
Current Missions Committee Members:
Joseph Wheat
Craig Crosland
Brad Tisdale
Susan Pettis
Chip Johnson
David Harbaugh
Lynn Johnson
Karen Thomas
Terry Sensing
Clay Quarterman( ex officio)
Trey Toler (chairman)
Faith Promise Goals
Below are our goals for 2026 Faith Promise Giving.
Maintenance Goal – $160,000
Support our current missionaries
Challenge Goal – $175,000
Add a missionary
Add funding for short-term, support, trips
Add special projects funding
Increase funding for current missionaries