Brunswick Church Missions
The mission field is all around us. We are a multicultural and multigenerational congregation seeking to share the love of Jesus Christ in Brunswick, across Rensselaer County, throughout the Capital Region, and around the world.
The Missions Team supports more than ten ministry partners in multiple countries and extends that reach through trusted partner organizations. We value meaningful relationships and welcome opportunities to connect, learn, and grow alongside those we support.
Our mission is both local and global. We serve through our time, talents, prayer, and financial resources, and we invite everyone to take part in this shared work.
We believe missions is a two-way relationship. As we give, we also receive, learning from the faith, leadership, and experiences of our partners.
Mission Partner of the Month
TAUM (Troy Area United Ministries) recently underwent a smooth transition from the steady hand of the Rev. Donna Elia, who led the organization for 25 years, to the new leadership of the Rev. Abby Norton-Levering. Here are some highlights from 2026:
- MLK Scholarship Program: The program raised more donations than ever before, allowing TAUM to distribute $6,000 among six well-qualified scholars beginning college this fall.
- Free Food Fridge: TAUM installed a Free Food Fridge on its property on May 3, exponentially increasing its ability to provide food to food-insecure neighbors 24/7.
- Community Garden: TAUM expanded its garden to make it more accessible and useful to the community. This summer, it has become an oasis of peace and a place of learning for neighbors of all ages.
- Russell Sage Chaplaincy: TAUM is blessed to have Darren Gundrum continuing in ministry as chaplain at Russell Sage. His experienced, calm, and trustworthy presence is a blessing to students, faculty, and staff. Whether providing one-on-one support or leading programs, he adapts to the changing needs of Troy’s diverse population and the newer Sage University campuses in Albany.
- Tech for Teens: This educational program is focused on teaching job skills. It has been a phenomenal summer working with 16 young people through the Rensselaer County Youth Employment Program. TAUM is exploring ways to expand the program to provide more safe spaces for children and employment opportunities for youth in South Troy.
- Community Compass: The partnership continues to flourish with one of Community Compass’s social workers now on site one day a week to provide resources and assistance to neighbors.
- Furniture and Feeding Programs: Use of TAUM’s signature Furniture Program and feeding program, also known as “The Damien Center,” continues to grow as more people struggle to make ends meet. Two years ago, TAUM served 35–40 meals at its Thursday lunch; recently, it served 96. TAUM expects this need to continue growing.
TAUM is deeply grateful for all the support Brunswick Church provides—not only financial support, but also the generous volunteer and prayer support. TAUM especially appreciates the holiday food baskets and warm clothing items collected for its patrons last winter. Most recently, a group from Brunswick Church filled the Free Food Fridge with “Grab-and-Go” meals, providing tremendous help in reaching and feeding neighbors with immediate needs.
TAUM is much stronger because of partners like Brunswick Church!
Mission Funding Requests
Online Form: Discretionary Funds
Discretionary Fund Requests can be made at any time during the year and the Mission Team will review each request as they are submitted.
Discretionary funds are allocated as God leads the Missions Team. The team will carry out this responsibility through prayerful discernment, fiscal responsibility, integrity, and without bias, with God’s help.
Brunswick Church Application for Mission Partner Status & Funding
Mission Partner grants last for three years and are paid out each year. Please submit your application online or send to the Missions Team by November 15th, for grants that begin in the upcoming year. We plan to let you know your status and grant amount after our Missions Team meeting in January.
Some of the Missionaries and Ministries We Support
Refuge Place is a program that has become a beacon of hope in the downtown Troy community, addressing food insecurity through its biweekly Let’s Feed Troy meal program.
These gatherings provide healthy, nourishing meals to neighbors, especially those who are economically disadvantaged and in greatest need.
His Table
Established in 1989, His Table provides a weekly dinner to help meet the needs of the Troy community. His Table is hosted by Mark & Chris Strube and their expert team of chefs and servers. This dedicated team served meals take-out style for over a year throughout the pandemic and has now opened up the Dining Room for guests to be able to enjoy both companionship and a hearty meal. His Table regularly serves 180-200 meals each week – a homemade dinner and dessert, prayer, fellowship, and gospel encouragement. His Table has been offering the hospitality of Heaven to Troy neighborhoods for over 35 years.
Troy Area United Ministries
Rooted in Troy’s diverse interfaith community and open to all, TAUM offers food and assistance for those facing health challenges, homelessness and hard times, furniture for families making a fresh start, job training and scholarships for teens, spiritual support for Sage College students, and space for neighbors to gather, organize and advocate for justice, healing and peace.
Camp Cedarbrook in the Adirondacks is an overnight wilderness camp for girls ages 7–17 designed to help them grow spiritually, socially, and personally. Girls can step away from screens and constant expectations and into a Christ-centered community where they are truly known and encouraged. Days are filled with outdoor challenge and discovery, while evenings gather around campfires, Scripture, and cabin conversations that matter. Girls return home more confident, more independent, and more grounded in their faith.
Rowan Harper with InterVarsity Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF)
The vision of NCF is to see nursing students and nurses come to know and follow Jesus. Nurses have a unique opportunity to impact countless patients each week through both their care and compassion. Yet the nursing profession is demanding, and many nurses are experiencing burnout and struggling to remain in healthcare. Nurses Christian Fellowship exists to encourage and support nurses, equipping them with the tools to care for themselves and others while keeping Jesus at the center. As Jesus cares for nurses, they are empowered to care for others and share His peace with the world.
Bangladesh Youth First Concerns – Peter Halder, National Directror
Founded in 1995, Bangladesh Youth First Concerns (BYFC) has been a teen and youth-focused initiative dedicated to empowering young people through leadership development, academic education, mental health support, social engagement, and community service.
Young people can make a real difference. BYFC helps them face challenges by building skills, encouraging civic responsibility, and creating opportunities for personal growth. Their programs include Youth Alpha, Drug Abuse Prevention, 3D Camps, homes for street and orphaned children, BYFC Hi-Club, a rehab center, family counseling, discipleship, training, and group activities. Through these efforts, BYFC aims to inspire and prepare youth to give back to their communities and support Bangladesh’s sustainable development.
Peter & Laurel Olson (Resourcing Christian Education, Intl., Black Forest Academy, Germany)
Black Forest Academy (BFA) exists to provide an educational option for children of missionaries and international Christian workers. BFA has a boarding program and welcomes students in Grades 9-12 from over 40+ countries. By supporting families who serve abroad in mission, they help students grow academically, spiritually, and socially. Peter teaches math and is the chair of the math department and Laurel runs the admissions office. For more information on BFA, please visit the school’s website (bfacademy.de).
The Fosters (Jesus Film / Cru)
Jesus Film Project partners with local churches and other missions organizations to reach the unreached peoples of our world. But the work is far from done. To date, more than 679 million men, women, and children have indicated decisions to know Christ after viewing the “JESUS” film, and new churches are being planted daily. An estimated 2 billion people have yet to hear the gospel even once…. The opportunity is great. Scripture tells us the spiritual harvest fields are ripe. The Jesus Film Project’s is that many more unreached peoples can hear and respond to the message of hope in Christ in as many languages as possible.
Sarah & Dr. Jonathan (Kinetix Global)
Brunswick has supported Sarah in cross-cultural service since 2005 and added Dr. Jonathan to the team in 2010. After completing a fellowship in International Family Medicine in Africa, Dr. Jonathan and Sarah ventured into a remote Himalayan valley in 2013, where they ran a small hospital and later trained government doctors and networks of pastors. Wellspring Medical Services allows them to support and care for their local Himalayan community, often while drinking chai and providing medical consultations. Through their Resilience Initiative Project, they promote cultural preservation and transformation by equipping local leaders and professionals. They model and teach discerning God’s call through guided reflection informed by best practices in Industrial Psychology, Evidence-Based Medicine, Spiritual Direction, Coaching, and Scripture. These experiences complement their work with International Crossroads Albany, which welcomes international students and scholars from all over the world. Dr. Jonathan is thrilled any time he gets to teach human cognitive scaffolding via AI-contentious partner training. Sarah and Jonathan enjoy hiking and exploring the world with their four beloved daughters.
Michael & Heather (Mercy Ships)
Mercy Ships sends hospital ships, crewed by selfless volunteer medical professionals, to people in dire need of medical care. Hospital ships provide free lifesaving surgeries for people where medical care is nearly non-existent. Over 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast. In many cases, ships are the best way to reach people in great need.
Niki Campbell: InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Niki works for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, a national Evangelical Christian organization committed to seeing student and faculty lives transformed by the Good News of Jesus on every corner of any campus. Currently, there are 18 colleges and universities in the Capital District. Niki is working with students from 5 of our area colleges. She is assisted by 3 volunteers who give their time to help the Gospel grow on our area campuses. Niki is in her 22nd year of working with InterVarsity (initially as a volunteer, then as an employee).
RCA (Rensselaer Christian Association)
Rensselaer Christian Association is a chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship serving Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and other nearby institutions. They are dedicated to sharing the gospel on our campus and to establishing Christian community.
Stuart Milliken (Jian Hua Foundation)
The Milliken worked in East Asia for 30 years teaching in universities, and working in the areas of language development, literacy and Bible translation for an ethnic minority. They trust that He will use what they have done there for His purposes and His glory. They are now based in the US, and will continue to serve Him as Bible translation consultants. There is a critical need for such consultants in many languages throughout the world.
OTHER MINISTRIES OF BRUNSWICK CHURCH
Brunswick Cares Food Pantry
Hosted in our building, this community service provides food and care to those in need in our area in cooperation with the Regional Food Bank.
Deacons – Community Outreach
Caring deeply for our community when needs of many kinds arise
Pastoral Care Outreach
Visiting those in need at home or the hospital
Prayer Community
This email-based group prays for prayer concerns and praises from the community and the world
Deacons – Thanksgiving Meals Ministry
Providing complete meals to 100+ families for Thanksgiving
Deacons – Christmas gift ministry
Providing Christmas clothing gifts to many in need