When Ivan Veldhuizen, Senior Vice President of International Ministries for Converge, set out to write Far Off Saints: Remembering the Revelation Promise and Your Place In It, he wasn’t just writing a book. He was creating a resource to help churches and pastors rediscover their calling to share the gospel, both across the street and around the world.

The book, which includes a four-week curriculum, small group discussion guides and sermon resources, is designed to make missions accessible and actionable for churches of all sizes. Pastors and congregations are already using it to spark conversations, deepen understanding and inspire action.

“Many churches today have lost sight of the centrality of missions in the Scriptures,” Veldhuizen said. “This resource is about helping churches understand God’s heart for the world and their role in it.”

A resource for pastors and churches

Far Off Saints is more than a book; it’s a tool for transformation. The resource includes QR-coded videos for small group sessions, conversation questions and scripture passages for reflection. For pastors, there’s a dedicated web page with sermon outlines, word studies and missiology resources to help guide a five-week sermon series.

“It’s almost a full sermon series in itself,” Veldhuizen said. “Pastors can use it to take their congregation on a spiritual journey with very little extra effort.”

The resource is flexible, too. Churches can use it as part of a Sunday morning series, in small groups or even as a leadership team study. 

“Some churches have started by taking their leadership teams through it first,” Veldhuizen said. “That’s been really helpful for getting everyone on the same page before introducing it to the whole congregation.”

Impact on churches

Churches that have used Far Off Saints are already seeing results. Mark Albrecht, Lead Pastor of NorthBridge Church in Antioch, Illinois, was one of the first to implement the resource. His church launched a sermon series called “Neighbors and Nations,” encouraging members to engage both locally and globally.

“They had everyone get a book, do the four weeks of reading and meet in small groups,” Veldhuizen said. “Halfway through, Mark told me, ‘This is such an amazing resource that God has provided for His church. It’s changing our church.’”

Another church, Trinity Community Church in Norwood, Massachusetts, used the whole program, including the sermon helps. Senior Pastor Bruce Peterson said the experience was transformative. 

“He told me their missions giving surged, and that wasn’t even what they were trying to do,” Veldhuizen said. “He said it was the most life their church had experienced in a long time.”

The resource has even reached beyond the United States. A group of young adults in South Korea recently completed the study after hearing about it through a personal connection. 

A challenge to readers

One of the key themes of Far Off Saints is the connection between local and global missions. Veldhuizen believes that reaching the world starts with reaching your neighbor.

“If we’re not doing it here, we’re not going to do it there,” he said. “The book challenges people to walk across the street, build relationships and be a friend. It’s not about guilt; it’s about being real and making connections.”

The resource also emphasizes the biblical foundation for missions. 

“I went back to the biblical text to ask, ‘What was God’s original design for His disciples and the church?’” Veldhuizen said. “It’s about rethinking our role in alignment with Scripture.”

Endorsements and encouragement

Far Off Saints has been endorsed by ministry leaders such as Larry Caldwell, Mark Batterson and Rev. Dr. Lisa Park. Their support underscores the resource’s potential to make a lasting impact on churches and individuals.

“This is an opportunity to take your congregation on a spiritual journey that will produce great results,” Veldhuizen said. “It’s a tool that can stimulate the spiritual life of your church.”

“The stories have become the conversations in our church,” Peterson said. “They’ve captured the imagination of our people.”

The book’s design also reflects its purpose. From the full-color pages to the stained glass window featured on the cover — an actual piece created for the series — every detail is intentional. 

“I wanted this to be something people are proud to have,” Veldhuizen said. “It’s not just a resource; it’s an experience.”

Looking ahead

Though Far Off Saints is still gaining traction, Veldhuizen is hopeful about its future. 

“We haven’t pushed it very hard yet, but the response so far has been encouraging,” he said. “I believe this resource can help churches rediscover their calling and make a real difference in the world.”
For more information about Far Off Saints and how to use it in your church, visit faroffsaints.com.