Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas

Become the hands and feet of Christ this Christmas.As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them . . . ?John 17:18God sent Christ at Christmas. In turn, Christ sends us into the world to be his hands and feet, head and heart. Dynamic pastor Jorge Acevedo leads us on a 5-week Advent journey to discover how, where, and why we are sent. Joining him on the journey are four young clergy including Jacob Armstrong, Rachel Billups, Justin LaRosa, and Lanecia Rouse, who challenge us through story, art, and Bible study. The DVD contains five sessions of 8-10 minutes of video for small group use, each led by a different presenter. Each session begins with a story about a memorable Advent or Christmas and is followed by a lively discussion among the presenters. Stories show that Christ sends us to liberate, to heal, to reconcile, to transform, to bring new life.

Jorge Acevedo is the Lead Pastor at Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist congregation in Southwest Florida. Jorge led a group of young clergy in the creation of the book and Bible study Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas and is author of Vital: Churches Changing Communities and the World. He is a contributor to Circuit Rider magazine, Good News magazine, and Our Faith Today.

Lanecia Rouse is the author of numerous articles on Christian formation for Upper Room Ministries and Abingdon Press. She has held pastoral roles in the United Methodist and British Methodist Church, most recently as Project Manager of the Art Project, Houston, a therapeutic art ministry with those experiencing homelessness. Lanecia earned a Master of Divinity degree from Duke Divinity School and currently lives in Houston, where she continues her ministry as a writer, artist, photographer, and workshop leader.

Rachel Billups is a visionary, leader and author. She currently serves as Pastor of Ginghamsburg Church and Lead Communicator. She partners with family and young adult ministries to dream and deploy discipleship opportunities for making young disciples of Jesus Christ. Rachel is an ordained Elder within the United Methodist Church and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Bible/religion and History from Anderson University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Duke Divinity School. Rachel is the author of Be Bold: Finding Your Fierce. She and her husband, Jon, have four children - Adeline, Christopher, David and Sarah.

Jacob Armstrong is the founding pastor of Providence Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Providence's vision is to see those who are disconnected from God and the church to find hope, healing, and wholeness in Jesus Christ. Jacob is the author of Renovate, A New Playlist, Treasure, The God Story, Upside Down, Loving Large, Interruptions, and The New Adapters.

Justin LaRosa is a United Methodist Deacon and a licensed clinical social worker. He has served Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa since 2005, first as the Minister of Discipleship and now as the Director/Minister of The Portico, a community gathering space where people come together for conversation, connection, and community change. Justin has co-authored three studies for Abingdon Press: A Disciple's Path: A Guide for United Methodists; A Disciple's Heart: Growing in Love and Grace; and Sent: Delivering the Gift of Hope at Christmas. He and his wife Caroline have a daughter, Isabella, and a son, Russell.