Differences on Display

Written by Grace Childrey

When you enter through the back doors of Waypoint church, you may notice a new art piece hanging below the wooden cross in the alcove. Here is the story behind it: 

In November, I attended “The Guild” Creative Conference hosted in Raleigh. During one of the breakout sessions, professional visual artist Willis Norman and his wife led us in a contemplative collage activity. When he first explained that the individual collages we created would all fit together onto one large canvas, I was skeptical. How could a room full of people (of varying artistic abilities and backgrounds) create anything that would look well together?

Thankfully, I was proven wrong. The collages we made came together to make a much more visually interesting and appealing piece than we would’ve created on our own. As someone who values order and predictability, I was amazed at how the variables and unpredictability that come with creating a collaborative art piece added to its beauty. 

I was hopeful to replicate the activity at a future women’s event at Waypoint. In early 2026, we were able to do just that at the Women’s Create Event. I reached out to Willis (the artist and original creator of the idea for the session) and chatted through logistics of how we could replicate the idea for our event.   

The piece you see hanging in the hallway is the combined result of different members of the Waypoint community working together. The construction of the wooden frame, the donation of the materials for the collage, the scripture reading and guided contemplation read during the collage session, and the sixteen different tiles were all contributed by members of our church body.  

Under the piece hangs this description,   

“In response to Psalm 23, ten women in the Waypoint community participated in a contemplative activity where they were tasked with creating a collage based on the passage of Scripture and theme of rest.

The wide variety of images, colors, and styles used in these collage tiles are reflective of the different ages, cultural backgrounds, and life stages of the women who created them. While these collages are each unique, they come together to create a cohesive design.

The differences on display in this piece are meant to be a reflection of God’s design for humanity and vision for His church - not a group defined by uniformity, but a community that is made more beautiful, more full, and more complete in our diversity.”

In all areas, may Waypoint be a place where we value diversity and the different ways we experience God as we continue to grow towards glorifying Him together. 

Welcomed and Wanted

Written by Lawrence Yoo

Think of a place where you felt welcomed and fully at home. For me, growing up, that

was the Zimmerman house. The Zimmermans were family friends with four daughters,

two who were close to my age and one who later became my wife Jina’s roommate in

college. Mr. Zimmerman was the choir director, and they were active in our church. My

group of friends used to call their house “the time warp,” because you had so much and felt so comfortable there that time just flew by. It meant so much to me to have a safe, loving place to experience family and to learn and grow (and to have a lot of fun).

I have often thought about what made their house that way. Why was it a time warp? As I reflect now, I see they did certain specific things to achieve this result:

1. Their house was comfortable and inviting. It didn’t feel like a museum. You weren’t afraid to touch things. You felt at home.

2. They made gestures to let us know we were wanted: they always had snacks,

   they made space in their schedule, they moved the cars off the driveway so we

   could play basketball.

3. They let us into their family showing us both some of the highs and the lows.

   Teenagers have a radar for genuineness, and we all felt they were “real.”

What would it look like for our church to represent this type of hospitality?

1. You can help make Waypoint a welcoming place by arriving early and looking for

   people you haven’t met before. Most visitors come early, and they can feel

   awkward not knowing anyone. The staff can’t meet every new person, we need

   your help.

2. Hospitality can also be shown by small gestures like giving up prime parking spaces

   and seats. Visitors tend to want to sit on the edges and in the back. By simply

   scooting into the center, we can make things easier for new people.

3. We can also be welcoming by being vulnerable in our community groups, men’s

   and women’s Bible studies, and other spaces. We can’t be perfect, but we can be

   open, honest, and kind.

Waypoint Church, we have the call and the privilege of being a welcoming family to our community, especially as Easter approaches. What a joy to work towards that goal

together and see what God will do in and through us!

Southeast Asia Mission Trip Reflection

Written by Justin Yee

I want to begin by thanking everyone that prayed for our recent trip. We had an amazing time! We saw God work in us as well as in the people we encountered and met. 

Although we came to serve and bless, I believe that we were served and blessed by those there in equal or greater reciprocity. It was encouraging, edifying, and convicting to see the faithfulness and obedience of Christians who persevere through hardship, persecution, and suffering. We were able to meet with pastors and their families who have been, and are still being, persecuted for their faith and almost killed. We were able to meet Christian refugees who had to flee from their homes and come to a new country that does not recognize them or offer them any social services. We were able to meet faithful Christians from the West who have chosen to give up many of the comforts of living in the West to take part in the work God is doing there. It was humbling and a blessing to be welcomed with their hospitality, kindness, and love. 

One of the ways that God worked in the group is that He made 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 reality for us. What was so amazing was that none of us really knew what each person would bring to the table. And yet, each member of the group brought giftings and experiences that were unique to them. And that allowed the group to work in unity and really flourish during this trip. It was a blessing for me to be a part of this group and see the giftings God gave them shine forth.

Helena Pearce led the leadership lessons for Kingdom Refugee Care. She did an amazing job in engaging the students and helping them begin the process of developing into leaders. Her lessons for KRC were the first lessons for the leadership academy that KRC is starting. Helena also looked out for each one of us with motherly affection.

Gracie Helms absolutely crushed the Gospel presentation and testimony sharing at the Ruth Education Centre. Her ability to draw the students in and teach in a clear and engaging manner ultimately bore fruit in the students’ willingness to stand in front of everyone and explain the Gospel and share their own testimonies. Her experience as an IV leader was evident and her passion for ministry was a blessing to everyone. 

John Kline did a wonderful job with loving and ministering to all the little kids that we encountered. From babysitting the Weiner and Susman kids to helping out at the schools and house church we visited, John was loved by the kids. He bailed out our group multiple times in leading games and helping the kids have a fun time. John also demonstrated the heart of Christ with humility and submission on multiple occasions.

Daniel Manila was as good of a co-leader as I could ask for. If I was to ever lead a mission trip again, I would want Daniel to be my co-leader. Daniel helped me carry the admin and logistical load. There were times where he stepped in at just the right time without me needing me to ask him. That was huge. Daniel (& Helena) also did a great job carrying a lot of the mental load of asking really good questions when we were visiting ministry leaders. I could not have done it without his leadership and assertiveness. 

As for myself, God has been leading me to Southeast Asia for some time now since the previous mission trip during summer 2026. He continued to affirm that during my week there. And God, with fatherly care, has so graciously and gently walked with me through this process. I am excited to say that when I graduate seminary at the end of 2026, I’ll be (God-willing) heading off to pastor out there.  

I hope that if you are interested in hearing more, that you would reach out to each member. God is at work, and I hope you will consider going the next time Waypoint has a mission trip there.