Mid-Year Ministry Report 2026

It is hard to believe we are past the middle of the year already. It has been a good year so far but with some challenges both in the family and in ministry. As Jesus promised, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) 

(some of the pastors and families in one gathering we had in May)

I love to set goals and plan out what I hope the Lord will do through the ministry I am leading. Usually, the Lord's plans are different as Proverbs 16:9 says, "We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps." NLT

Here is the 2030 vision I set for the ministry I am leading: By the end of 2030, the New Life Network in the United States will have 554 disciples actively engaged in discipleship, 35% of whom will reproduce. We will have 26 churches—7 of which will be newly planted—and 104 leaders actively undergoing training (Institute and Leadership Training), and we will establish a solid leadership team for RNV USA.

Here is where we are at as of right now: 84 disciples active in discipleship, 7 churches or churches in the process of being planted, 8 leaders in training.

Here is where I hope we get to by the end of this year: 125 disciples active in discipleship, 9 churches, 25 leaders in training, and develop a leadership team.

(Paola and Oliver who joined the network this year)

Here are the advances and the challenges of this year: Oliver and Paola from the Reflejo de Cristo church joined RNV. We also had one church that decided they could not continue the process of planting a church. We trained all pastors in the 2026 version of the discipleship program.We trained the leaders of Esperanza Viva in the 2026 version of the discipleship program and will soon train another church with goals of both of these churches launching new groups this year. Several groups and churches are completing the discipleship track for the first time. We had one of our pastors decide to officially become part of the leadership team of RNV USA. We also have signed an agreement with one of our churches to help them start a pastors school using our Bible institute material. (see picture below)

Here are some more pictures of some of our pastors and their families:

Socrates and Alexanda and family

Leslie and Yuri and kids

Abraham and Amanda and their kids

 Harol and Kathy and their boy Jonathan

Jose Juan and Maribel and their family

Here is a video testimony from Amanda and Abraham and how RNV has served them.

Thanks so much for supporting us so we can serve these pastors and their churches!

Prayer Time with RNV USA Pastors

 

We had a beautiful gathering with some of our pastors a few weeks ago. It is hard to get everyone together but we try and do it as often as possible. We ate, worshipped, learned and prayed together.

We did some videos and everyone thought we were doing a video but it was a picture ;-)

Thanks for supporting and praying for us as we serve these pastors and their ministries!

Joel Thomas Kunkel

It's hard to believe that Joel, our 4th boy is now a highschool graduate and getting ready to move on. In less than a month he will be moving to Kansas City to work and take some classes at the college which Levi just graduated from. Levi and Alanna will still be there for 3-4 years more since Levi is doing a masters degree. So Joel will be close to them but living on his own, working and going to school.

Here are some pictures from his recent graduation party. Thanks to those who came out!

We are grateful for all who have poured into him over the years! We are proud of him and excited for what the Lord has in store.

Here a few ways you can be praying for him:

• For a reliable vehicle
• Permanent place to live once there
• To get settled once there
• Community

Thanks as always for loving and praying for our family!

Luke's 26th Birthday & Mother's Day

 Luke turned 26 last week! We can't be that old but yes we are. We attempted to take him to an Indians game (local AAA baseball team) that got rained out but he had fun anyway.

We had fun celebrating Mother's day too. I am so grateful for Jennifer and the amazing Mom she is.

Joel's last Mother's day at home at least for now.

I am grateful for my mom too.

Our moms our great!

How's the Ministry with RNV in Guatemala going?

 

Each month our global team made up of all the country coordinators meets to pray for one of our countries where we are working. They report on their work and we pray for that country. This month it was Guatemala and I was so encourage about what the Lord continues to do with Carlos Lopez and his team so I wanted to share it with you all. 

This is where the work is currently at. Keep in mind we started a small church in our apartment with 10 people. As RNV Guatemala, we are discipling 72 people across 7 different communities; we are training 13 individuals in local leadership; we have 2 students enrolled in the Bible Institute’s course on pastoral care and church leadership; we have planted 2 churches, with two more currently in progress; and we have one pioneer church. (Pioneer church is an existing church that enters the network)

Here are a few pictures of their discipleship groups.

Below is one of the churches in process of being planted in Santa Maria. They had a major earthquake last year and from the ministry and evangelism they did there a church has resulted.

This is their vision over the next 5 years:

To have 300 people active in discipleship groups. To plant 10 healthy churches in Guatemala by intentionally discipling their members through the Discipleship Route.

And 2 training centers:

A Bible Institute

A School of Missions

A Pastoral School

5 pioneer churches driven by a passion to make disciples who make disciples.

150 leaders undergoing training at the Bible Institute.

(Carlos has never lacked for vision ;-)

Here are some of the prayer requests he shared so you can join me in praying for them:

• Resources for the pastors and their families.
• Resources for transportation to reach the communities.
• That God would raise up a prayer leader to share with each of the pastors and community leaders.
• For the discipleship leaders, that they may attend to the needs of every discipler.

I hope this encourages you as it did me! May God be glorified and all of Guatemala discipled!

Easter, Birthdays and other celebrations in April 2026

Recently we celebrated Sofia's 9th birthday and also easter and a few other things. Check out some pictures below

Easter 2026

Emma has a mind of her own ;-)

Sofia is getting all grown up. This was the immediate family celebration and the cake above was with extended family on Easter.

Egg hunt with the cousins

Birthday gifts

Grace losing more teeth

Anything for free chickfila

Muffins and Moms at the girls school.

A trip to the children's musuem during spring break.

The girls climbing trees in their pajamas.