New Season of the CO StaffCast

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Today, Thursday, September 4, 2025, Season 4 of the Campus Outreach StaffCast podcast went live. Our first episode of the new season begins a journey that we will follow for the entire season. Our theme is “The Definition of a Laborer". 

For over 40 years, Campus Outreach has endeavored to "build laborers on the campus for the lost world.” As we come to our 50th year, I am privileged to produce this podcast series that will capture the years-long development of what we mean by “a laborer.” 

In Matthew 9:37-38, Jesus lamented and called his disciples to action when he said, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV) It is clear that a laborer is one who is actively engaged in God's Kingdom work. But what else?

Our definition, at this point of development, is that a laborer is “a person mobilized through the church to live out Christ-centered identity with Spirit-filled character, who is governed by a Biblical worldview and who engages persuasively among non-Christians with the gospel and is equipped to multiply this lifestyle in others.”

All of Season 4 of the StaffCast will focus on interviews with Campus Outreach staff and pastors about their reflections, encouragement, critiques, and exhortations for our ministry and our staff on 100+ college campuses all around the world build laborers for the lost world.

Join us on this journey of Season 4 of the Campus Outreach StaffCast. You can find the show on your favorite podcast services, or visit the following link: bit.ly/m/costaffcast

Home, But Not Home

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From Tathiana:

Recently, God blessed us by giving us the opportunity to return to Brazil after living here in the US for two years. This trip was very important for us in this continued season of transition to the US - yes, we’re certainly still in transition.

The feeling of arriving in Brazil and hugging the people we love is a kind of joy that makes your chest almost explode. Our time in Belo Horizonte was full of happiness, laughter, and good food, just like any good Brazilian event. We were able to visit our old home and the school where the kids studied. We spent precious time with family and friends. The bonds we have there are so strong that even with the distance, it feels like nothing can break them, as if we remain connected by an invisible thread.

This trip made me realize how much I missed being myself – being 100% understood without having to second-guess my own words. I miss being known. I now empathize more with Jon, who lived for 21 years outside his cultural comfort zone.

Our goodbyes were hard, especially for Sara and me. During our last week in Brazil, Sara said that her life there was so good, and she didn’t understand why we had to move. She was very honest and said she felt angry with Jon and me for taking her away from the friends she loved. As hard as it was to hear, I believe this was a necessary step for her in our process of transition.

We returned to the US a little over two weeks ago, and I won’t lie – reentry has been hard. It hasn't helped that I got sick, and Isaac is being treated for pneumonia. I’ve been fighting not to believe lies about our move here. American life really does meet many of our needs, but it also brings greater financial and relational challenges. Since arriving in the US two years ago, we’ve seen God's provision through family, partners and even new supporters. However, we have continued to work hard to raise a salary that matches the cost of living here. We’re still looking to raise an additional $1,200 per month to reach 100% of our budget. Even with me working as a substitute teacher, it’s still been hard to find margin with all the costs of establishing a new life in a new land. This has often brought us stress and discouragement, and it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison.

I recently read that there is no explanation or medicine to cure the pain of being separated from your home country. It’s the price you pay for living far away.

But Jesus, oh Jesus, He can walk with me through this valley. That is my hope.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. - Hebrews 11:14-16




First Half of 2025 + Brazil Trip

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2025 Campus Outreach Resource Connect in Chattanooga, TN

The first half of 2025 has been full of projects with Campus Outreach SERVE. Below, I have listed some of the highlights over the past 5 months. Together with our partners, we celebrate the impact on so many teams and campuses around the world. And the finale is our first trip to Brazil since we moved in 2023.

Resource Connect (photo above): In February, I participated in the 2025 CO Resource Connect in Chattanooga. This annual conference brings together operations, financial, communications and administrative staff from Campus Outreach regions domestically, and we always have international staff join us virtually or personally. Our time in Chattanooga was helpful to network, collaborate, discuss best practices and gear up for the 2026 Campus Outreach National Conference that will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center in January of 2026.

2024 Annual Impact Report: Lots of hours were dedicated to the 2024 Annual Impact Report over the past 9 months. This was my first year to quarterback the Report. It is a much larger and broader print media piece than I have done in years, so collaboration and planning were key. We learned a lot, especially about printinglarge quantity products and mailing them out to individual donors. The digital version will be out soon, and everyone can take pleasure in knowing that YOU helped make that happen.

Website launch: Almost 2 years ago, a major revamp of the Campus Outreach and CO SERVE websites began. The culmination of years of work is currently launching, so stay tuned for the official re-launch. From conceptualization to implementation, it took a lot of work. I came in on the phase of building the content and populating the pages, and preparing video elements - so it is a project I am convinced will benefit so many staff, students, supporters and others for many years to come. 

Season 3 of the CO podcast: Due to the previous two projects (Annual Impact Report and Websites), our podcast schedule for the staff-focused StaffCast was pushed back. Currently, we are publishing every few weeks and will conclude Season 3 this summer. Each recorded interview of approximately 1 hour of content takes about 12-15 hours of editing and preparation to complete and publish. These podcast episodes have been such a blessing to me as I hear over and over the wisdom and God-glorifying truth shared by our guests. Feedback from staff in the USA and overseas has been very positive, and we have accumulated over 10,000 downloads in just 2.5 years of production. 

Pre-Deployment Training session

Pre-Deployment Training Session: I recently had the privilege of pulling from my 20 years of experience in Brazil, and particularly as a member and elder of our local church in Belo Horizonte, to lead a session in our Pre-Deployment Training for 5 staff members about to deploy to their field assignments on 4 different continents. The session was “Engaging the Local Church,” and I enjoyed helping these new staff prepare for their relationship with their partner church in a healthy and humble manner.

Brazil Trip: And to close out the first half of 2025, our entire family will be taking our first trip back to Brazil since we moved in June of 2023. We hoped, prayed and desired to be able to reconnect with our family, friends and culture in Belo Horizonte, but were unsure it would happen. The Lord worked out so many details, and we were able to use a lot of frequent flier miles to make it happen. We will spend almost a month in BH and I will get the opportunity to work while on the ground in several projects with the CO team and local church while there. This time, our 16-year-old cat stays home - no more international travel for her. 

#3 International Ops - Year-End 2024, New Year 2025

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Jon with International Resource Staff at the 2024 CO Resource Connect

My first two Year-End 2024/New Year 2025 updates highlighted that God has me in the right place for impact. More validation came as I began researching missionary attrition after a conversation with a potential financial partner about "boots on the ground." I found that over the past 30 years, 71% of returning missionaries annually do so for PREVENTABLE reasons: financial, organizational, training, conflict, loss of vision, etc… (see full BLOG post here).

With my 20 years of experience as "boots on the ground," I thought, "If the need is boots on the ground, how can we keep those boots, well… on the ground?” This was the stimulus that God used to help me understand my unique contribution to the mission of Campus Outreach and to keep CO missionaries on the field for longer, healthier, and hopefully fruitful ministries for global gospel impact.

As we look toward 2025, I desire to give even more time and effort to my International Network Operations role. Read the field testimonies from Update #2 to understand why! 

To put us in a position of strength for the mission ahead, our 1-time goal for 2025 is $12,000. We have raised $2000 so far.

With your increased monthly investment or year-end gift, together, we can be more effective to boots on the ground in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and England.

Scan the QR code or click on the image to go to our online giving page.

#2 Testimonies - Year-End 2024, New Year 2025

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I referenced one confirmation that God has me in the right place for impact in my previous post (see here). More validation continues to push my resolve to work hard to keep CO missionaries on the field for longer, healthier, and hopefully, fruitful ministries.

As we look toward 2025, I desire to give even more time and effort to my International Network Operations role. Read the field testimonies below to understand why! 

Rodrigo in Monterrey, Mexico: 
Jon, your coaching and training are beneficial to our development and resourcing of our campus ministry team in Monterrey. It helps us connect and see what other regions are doing. Hearing best practices and networking with other international regions will be very helpful.

Zack in Guadalajara, Mexico: 
Thank you so much, Jon. I've talked to our Director and we are going to adopt some of these support-raising strategies as a team and individually. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us, super helpful!

Fabiana in Belo Horizonte, Brazil:
Your role as a liaison between our field team and other regions, network leadership and CO Serve is valuable because you bring vast international field experience where you walked in our shoes and understand the specifics of what our needs are. 

Jeff about Lima, Peru:
Thank you so much for your prep work for the team in Lima. The document you drafted with perspective and practical points about hiring was worth gold. I think this type of information will be so helpful as they consider their first national hires in Peru.

Dan in Birmingham, England:
We are still very much at a pioneering stage in the U.K. That brings with it a lot of excitement but also uncertainty and unfamiliarity. As a Resource Director, Jon’s experience and encouragement are invaluable to me. Having someone who understands the challenges and can give gospel perspective and practical help makes a massive difference to our day-to-day ministry in Birmingham.

Thank you so much for doing your part in reaching college students around the world. I hope that you are encouraged as your investment continues to reap benefits in God’s harvest field in the new year!

To put us in a position of strength for the mission ahead, our 1-time goal for 2025 is $12,000. With your increased monthly investment or year-end gift, together, we can be more effective to boots on the ground in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and England.

Scan the QR code or click on the image to go to our online giving page.

#1 Year-End 2024, New Year 2025

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At the close of our first full year at Campus Outreach SERVE, I will be sending several updates over our different media, and am mailing a physical year-end update to many of you. We are glad to share how your partnership and investment are impacting our lives personally and CO ministries around the world..

Here is an encouraging message I received recently from a team member in Brazil about the podcast series I produce with CO SERVE:

"The podcast helps keep the vision before me, and even gain a greater vision, for my primary work of evangelism and discipleship on the campus. The interviews, filled with biblical truth and practical ministry experience, are incredibly encouraging. I've even used quotes directly from StaffCast episodes in my one-on-one meetings with staff members."

This is just one confirmation that God has me in the right place for impact. As we look toward 2025, I desire to give even more time and effort to my International Network Operations role. Read the field testimonies below to understand why!

Thank you so much for doing your part in reaching college students around the world. I hope that you are encouraged as your investment continues to reap benefits in God’s harvest field in the new year!

To put us in a position of strength for the mission ahead, our 1-time goal for 2025 is $12,000. With your increased monthly investment or year-end gift, together, we can be more effective to boots on the ground in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and England.

Scan the QR code or click on the image to go to our online giving page.

PREVENTABLE ATTRITION: how is your ministry partnership combating it?

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Several major missionary studies over the past 30 years have stated that 71% of returning missionaries annually do so for PREVENTABLE reasons. This is called preventable attrition for career missionaries. Those reasons include lack of financial support, lack of organizational support, personal concerns, inadequate pre-field training, poor cultural adaptation, loss of vision/drive, team conflict and disagreement with the agency. (source: Mission Frontiers, Nations Outreach)

I began researching missionary attrition after a conversation with a potential financial partner who was unsure about supporting someone who is not "boots on the ground". As one of those "boots on the ground" for 20 years, I admit I needed to remind myself of the importance of my current role. The rhetorical question in my mind was, "If the need is boots on the ground, what is the biggest need for those boots on the ground to not return prematurely?" Do we just send more people into the field, or can we also provide support that helps keep those missionaries on the front lines for longer, healthier, and, hopefully, fruitful ministries?

When I was developing Season 3 of the Campus Outreach StaffCast, I asked a CO Network Director what he thought the staff needed to hear the most. His answer was immediate: "They need encouragement that is specific to what they are doing. They need encouragement from those who have been through what they are facing and who encourage them to rely on God, to persevere when it's tough, and rejoice when it's fruitful."

I am glad to say that the goal of our staff-focused podcast series is exactly that—"a podcast produced by CO Staff for CO Staff."

Beyond that, I enjoy the direct and indirect ways that I work alongside staff on campuses around the globe on projects like publishing a Home Ministry Assignment Guide, developing Latin American resource staff on the field, and highlighting impact each year through our CO SERVE Annual Report. 

I am confident that your ministry partnership is impacting staff across the CO regions so they can impact the next generation of leaders around the globe. Thank you for investing in this ministry with us. 

Please be encouraged by watching this one-minute video testimony from the Director of our Cape Town, South Africa team about the StaffCast. 

James Broadaway - Cape Town, South Africa.