Missions Minute - The Bartas (May 28, 2026)

This week's "Mission Minute" features Kyle and Lindsey Barta from H2O Ministries at the University of Buffalo. H2O is an on-campus church that seeks to introduce students to Jesus Christ by meeting them where they are at. Kyle is the lead pastor there and formerly attended the Summit before going on the mission field with H2O.

Kyle recently sent out some exciting news that I am glad to share.

Exciting Momentum:
Kyle shared that H2O Buffalo has turned a corner and the student members are truly taking hold of the church's mission. They long to be in a place to love the Lord with all their hearts and to invite others to do the same. Most recently, Kyle's co-pastor Aaron led a spring break trip to Bowling Green, OH, to visit another H2O Church. The goal of this trip was threefold:

• Give their students some evangelistic experience in a new environment
• Develop their students in spiritual disciplines
• Show their students the culture of a healthy, older H2O Church

The students that went on this trip came back energized and have been so intentional about sharing the gospel on campus and inviting others in their church to do the same. In my February update I mentioned that their students were starting to do campus outreach on the "First Friday" of the month. Since the Spring Break trip, the participation in this event has skyrocketed,  going from 2-3 students participating to 12-13!

To quote Kyle "I've have noticed in the Sunday Services since Spring Break that the students who went on the trip are much more intentional about connecting with new students. They see someone new walk in and sit down, and they bee-line towards them to talk to them! Little things like this give me hope that the tide is turning."

Workers for the Harvest:
Kyle reported he is seeing more and more interest among students in joining their staff. A couple students seem to at least be hoping to do that when they graduate. This is good news as Kyle and his team of 2 are constantly feeling stretched when it comes to time/capacity. Even the small amount of interest they are seeing is a huge answer to prayers. They continue to ask the Lord to send workers because, as He says, "the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

Sabbatical:
This summer Kyle is taking his first sabbatical after 13 years of college ministry. Reliant, his mission organization, offers and recommends a sabbatical every 7 years.To quote Kyle, " I'm excited to take some time away from ministry and process the next season of life. I'm also so confident in our team at H2O Buffalo that it's only been recently that I've even felt like I could take a Sabbatical and that our church would remain in great shape." Kyle's sabbatical will run between May and September. Hopefully he will rest, recharge, and enjoy time with Lindsey and baby Beau.

Prayer Requests:

• Rest and discernment for Kyle during his summer Sabbatical 
• That the Lord would continue to move powerfully at H2O Buffalo in Kyle's absence! 
• Prayers for additional staff.  May student interest in joining the staff continue to grow
• Prayers that the Christ-focused culture that has started at H2O Buffalo flourish
• That God be with the new graduates and the continuing students that have left campus for summer break

Kyle asked me to convey his personal thanks to each of you for your continued support and prayers!