SENT Global is a new nonprofit organization serving the poor in Jamaica, Guatemala, and Mozambique. It was begun by Cergnul, an art teacher at St. Patrick’s School in Brighton.

Cergnul was inspired to start the organization after attending the Encounter School of Ministries founded by St. Patrick’s Pastor Father Mathias Thelen. The Encounter School offers programs that teach, equip, and activate disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit.

“In the fall of 2022, I heard a calling from the Lord to buy a passport,” Cergnul said. “I said to Jesus, ‘OK, I’m ready to go.’ A short time later, I had to laugh because a friend of mine said you need to get a passport, you are going with me to Guatemala!”

Guatemala is the fourth-poorest country in Latin America, with 55 percent of the population living in poverty. Cergnul and her family did go on her friend’s mission trip and her life changed. “I saw very, very deep poverty for the first time,” she said. “People were sleeping on floors. I saw poverty through a new lens.”

Through her deep prayer life, Cergnul became convinced that God was calling her to serve the poor, particularly in Mozambique and Guatemala, two of the world’s poorest nations. She now serves as executive director and missions director for the organization she founded.

At the same time, a similar call was happening to Cergnul’s new friend, Lindsay Koss, whom she met at a prayer group. In Koss’ case, the call was to Jamaica. However, Koss’ call came a bit differently.

“In 2014, my husband and I found a house on Treasure Beach (in Jamaica).” Koss said. “It was beautiful, but on the other side of Treasure Beach, the church was so impoverished they only had one Bible, and that one was tattered and torn.”

While many people dream of renovating a luxury home in Jamaica, the Koss’ home now serves as a home base for SENT Global’s work in Jamaica. Koss serves on SENT Global’s board and as Jamaica coordinator.

Cergnul, Koss, and several others joined forces to found SENT (the acronym stands for “Sending Spirit-led missionaries to Evangelize, Nourish, and Tend”). How they live out the acronym depends on the needs of each country:

In Guatemala, SENT Global missionaries work in partnership with Helping Hands ministry to provide food and shelter. This year, a team of SENT Global missionaries will travel to Guatemala from Aug. 1st to the 8th to provide hands-on assistance.

In Mozambique, the missionaries will work with A.V.A., a local facility to provide training in such skills as sewing, farming, welding, masonry, construction, and artisan crafts. They will also work together to start a medical clinic. The next mission trip is in the planning stages for 2026.

In Jamaica, missionaries will provide hands-on help June 21st to 27th, providing care packages, including essential food staples, personal hygiene products, and other essentials to help residents, who are still suffering the effects of Hurricane Beryl, which struck July 3rd, 2024.  

Currently, there is a team of about 20 volunteers, including a seven-member board, a communications director, a fundraising chair, and U.S.-based country coordinators who work with local liaisons in each country. Additional volunteers are needed to travel on the annual mission trips. Those interested are encouraged to apply on the SENT Global website. Volunteers are required to complete an application as well as to pay for their own flights.

SENT Global’s team is working stateside to raise awareness for the extreme poverty experienced in their mission countries, as well as for the various projects in the works. Currently, they are trying to raise $12,000 for a medical clinic in Jamaica.

Even more important than the physical projects and fundraising efforts, however, is the spiritual work. Evangelization is key in each mission country, including street evangelization and the distribution of Bibles. SENT Global’s leadership is committed to prayerfully discerning each project and God’s will.

In less than two years, SENT Global has accomplished a great deal: raising $56,000 for Jamaica and Guatemala; distributing 200 care packages (each feeding four to five people) for Jamaican hurricane relief; and distributing 50 Bibles in Mozambique. Donations come from individuals and local businesses, including Nurture Family Dental, McMasters Koss Co., Michigan Grappler, Soapy Bucket Car Wash, and CWS Dental.

While there are many other charitable organizations, Cergnul and Koss said SENT Global has a unique role to fill. “We are smaller, so what donations come in go right to our work,” Cergnul said.

Cergnul and Koss encourage people to serve in any of three ways: As donors, as volunteers, and as prayer warriors, even those who feel unqualified for mission work. “I didn’t plan to start this nonprofit; the Lord opened the door,” Cergnul said. “Where we go next will be where the Lord opens the door, for we are sent.”

Learn More

For more information, visit sentglobalmission.org or call 810-373-5377.

Find out more about SENT Global at St. Patrick’s May 29

To introduce potential volunteers, donors, and prayer warriors to their efforts, SENT Global is hosting an event, “Heart of Mission: A Taste of Faith and Service,” May 29 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 711 Rickett Road, Brighton.

The event will include a talk by SENT Global Co-chair Mary Bielski and food tasting stations with the flavors of Jamaica, Mozambique, and Guatemala. The event is sponsored by Lansing Diocesan Commission on Catholic Social Teaching. For more information, call 810-373-5377.