Missions Minute - The Bartas (January 30, 2025)

This week's "Mission Minute" is featuring 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.

We received a wonderful Christmas card and letter from Kyle and Lindsey with many updates and a recap of 2024. I also spoke to Kyle at length in early January. Their big news is they are expecting their first child, a baby boy, in late April! They are both excited and thankful for God's blessing. There are several other young parents in their ministry and they are leaning on them to help guide them into this new phase of their life. Undoubtedly the baby will bring great joy.

Kyle is most appreciative of the extra financial support The Summit was able to supply before Christmas. He assured me it will be put to good use in their ministry. Kyle asked me to pass on their thanks to all at The Summit for our continued financial as well as spiritual support. It means a lot to them..

Kyle shared they were enjoying their last bit of the Christmas holiday break on campus. Many of the students went home for the holidays and things were fairly quiet. It is a much needed break.Things will pick up with classes resuming in mid January. This semester has been a challenge with the continued growth in Sunday attendance as well as in Life Groups.  At times they have been overwhelmed and wished they had more student leaders and staff to help in their discipleship of all the new members. Kyle is excited they recently ordained Erin, one of their original plant team members, as a pastor. Erin will provide much needed support so Kyle isn't shouldering the pastor workload alone. This is especially important when baby Barta arrives in April as Kyle will need time off with Lindsey and the baby. God provides at our time of need.

Kyle is looking forward to a mission team from H2O in Bowling Green visiting to help with ministering to Buffalo students. He is currently working on a much needed sermon series discussing God's plan for relationships, dating, marriage, and sex . Kyle sees this topic vital for the young adults on campus. He will also be starting efforts in the New Year to raise more financial support as they have lost some donors and will soon have 3 mouths to feed.

Kyle shared the following prayer requests:

• Prayers for a safe pregnancy and the arrival of a healthy baby boy.
• Prayers that God will continue to provide resources to help Kyle and Erin minister to their growing congregation.
• Prayers that God guide Kyle in developing the new sermon series and that students embrace the message
• Prayers for success in finding additional financial support.

There was one line in their Christmas letter that especially stood out: "As we face both the excitement and the uncertainty of a new year ahead and of becoming parents, we hold tight to the truth no matter what, He is powerful and loving in every circumstance."

You can find out more about Kyle and Lindsey's ministry at H2O Buffalo at www.h2obuffalo.net