Progress Report & Moving Forward
Summer Newsletter
Summer
The warm season is not quite in full effect, with neither heatwaves nor record-breaking spells hitting the British Isles as it has across the Channel in parts of Europe. The weather has been mostly temperate and balmy, unlike previous summers where heatwaves have caused the country’s traditionally designed properties, which excel at insulating warmth, to backfire in the most inconvenient way (pun intended).
I still recall our first summer in the UK, which was so blisteringly unbearable that our family had to camp out in the downstairs living room (called a lounge or sitting room in the UK) due to the lack of airflow. The heat rose to the second story (the first floor in the UK), turning the entire area into an oven.
As our family enters this unique season of newborn stage plus preterm time planning, with September being one of the busiest months of the calendar year, we want to take a moment to THANK YOU.
Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us, some of which have recently come alongside us in various intentional capacities. Whether it is in prayer, encouragement, helping broaden our network, and/or establishing a formal ministry partnership—you are impacting us as we are impacting people here! You are making a difference!
First and foremost, if you’ve been keeping up with our content on Along The Way, you’ll know things have slowed down a bit with the publication due to our transition from city to city, ministry to ministry, and with the new addition to the family on the way (any day now). We’re eager to pick up the pace once more as we introduce different topics, share news, tell stories, and keep everyone up-to-date.
Monthly and Annual Subscribers - thank you for your private emails, likes, and comments on our blogs, articles, and quarterly newsletters.
Founding Members - thank you to those who continue to be the foundation of our publication—we love hearing your ideas for content!
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The mission of Jesus moves forward through the generosity of God’s people.
This truth has too easily been discarded since the advent of large institutions, networks, or denominations. We have forgotten that for nearly two millennia, the mission of Jesus has been funded through the generosity of His people. Whether through individuals, couples, families, or larger communities and organizations, the exchange of financial capital and other resources for ministry capital (ROI) has always been present.
9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Matthew 10:9-10
1 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:36-37
We have borne witness to the personal sacrifice and sheer perseverance of our friends and family, who actively participate in Jesus’ Commission and invest in the work He is doing in and through us. Your generosity is co-participation and a heartfelt response to the immense generosity the Lord has shown you. It is through these means that the work of ministry is accomplished!
Individuals - you have reminded us to cultivate our individual worship and devotion to the Lord, as our day-to-day schedules can fill up with many other emphases.
Couples - you have inspired us to root our marriage in the Lord—our Rock and Redeemer—as we press on in pioneering ministry.
Families - you have personally empathized with us, feeling the tangible pressures of providing for a growing family while continuing to do God’s work.
If you are compelled to give a recurring gift to our ministry or a one-time gift, please click on the link below. All donations are tax-deductible.
Be sure to select “Gino Espineli UK Mission” from the drop-down menu (screenshot below):
Alternatively, you can use this giving link:
Several churches and organizations have joined us in their passion for reaching the lost and advancing the Kingdom in what many consider the front lines of the spiritual war (Ephesians 6:12). The UK has always been a place of influence, with its significant contributions in the arts/literature, education, industry, sciences, medical research, technology, etc. Moreover, whether through immigration, academics, or asylum-seeking, the nations have converged onto the UK and have come to our doorstep. Our ministry uniquely involves social action/humanitarian relief work through the Food Pantry and other outreach initiatives, which means engaging with various people from different socioeconomic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. Philippines 4:14-17
Here are some of the key organizations and faith communities that we praise God for, both in the work they're doing in their local contexts and in their long-sighted vision to reach the nations by funding missions abroad! We’re thankful to be your representatives, your “boots on the ground”—an extension of your ministry as fellow ambassadors of Christ.
Coastlands Community Church
Gateway leadership Initiative
LB Charitable Foundation
Love of Christ Fellowship
Mission Boulevard Baptist Church
Moser Family Foundation
New Life Church
Restored Church South Bay
Revival Church
The Walk Church
We’re grateful to God for our Sending Team!
You are impacting countless people and serving vicariously through us here in England!
Progress Report
Reaching the poor, the homeless, and the refugee in Birmingham
Engaging with the local community via Food Pantry, which has 123 members, supporting 260 adults and 177 children. There I interact with refugees/asylum seekers (mostly Muslim and some Ukrainian) and the homeless residing in the area or living in the Barry Jackson Tower, a temporary accommodation center.
Here are a few stories to report:We've built a relationship with a Ukrainian family who fled to the UK and helped them find accommodations, as well as resources for employment and English language learning.
We bought a Muslim mother of 6 a washing machine and helped her access city council resources. She had been cooking meals for her family at her neighbor's home and had been struggling to make ends meet.
Michael, a British native, came to the Pantry to volunteer and recently gave his life to the Lord and has committed himself to taking part in the life of the church. He currently lives off of city council aid and corresponds regularly with a local social worker.
Real Life Church in Sutton Coldfield organized a fun run which resulted in a generous gift of £1,500 for the Pantry to help buy food and supplies.
Christ Church Birmingham
I’ve been integrated into high-capacity service at the church:
Leadership Team - collaboration, strategic planning, and prayer to reach the marginalized in the community through ministry and social action. I am continuing to learn and grow in my understanding of the context.
Pastoral ministry - preaching, ministering, and counseling.
Worship - leading, rehearsing, and collaborating with other singers and musicians.
Setup and Audio/Video - setting up mobile components, troubleshooting tech gear and software.
Church Planting - Working with other churches that are part of the Birmingham Collective, a church planting fellowship that seeks to foster collaboration.
Regions Beyond - Attending regional and national hub meetings and annual conferences, potentially traveling abroad to help strengthen and be with churches in other parts of the world: Dubai, Nepal, etc.
Steph has been integrated into church in various ways, using her gifts/talents:
Baked goods for people in the church/community - bread, pastries, and cake.
Women’s fellowship and ministry, both with singles and married (mothers).
She has helped with videography (troubleshooting and tech support), and once we’re through the newborn stage, she will assist with photography.
Serving in children's ministry/creche as the church is seeing a growing number of children in attendance.
Reaching International Students in Birmingham
I established contact with Friends International’s Centre Team Leader.
This led to in-roads with the Christian Unions who help coordinate and collaborate student engagement in each of the 5 Universities in Birmingham and their respective campuses all across the city.
Developing relationships and priming our involvement with active ministries in Birmingham before term time in September.
Church planting in Birmingham
Walsall (Redemption Hill Church)
Providing leadership and support for service projects for the Walsall Impact Group.
Demolition work, clearing out rubbish, and remodeling the newly rented church building.
Moseley Church Plant
Shooting footage in Moseley and editing a promo video for the prospective church.
