May 15, 2026
THIS IS OLD COPY of 2026 has been both intense and deeply rewarding. In these past months, I’ve found myself on the road more than at home, yet each journey has brought new life to our mission. In the Dominican Republic, I had the privilege of spending time with our team, a team whose dedication to the Lord’s work inspires me every time. The developments there, new teammates, and the vision for the future are encouraging, and I’m excited about where things are headed.
I also had time with our Board of Directors. While we may not gather as often as we’d like, those moments to connect, process, and align matter deeply. It’s a reminder that we are not just working toward something, but we are doing it together. In Costa Rica, I saw Ronald’s steady, faithful Kingdom work firsthand, and we were also able to explore a potential opportunity for the Manna Business Collective to come alongside another Kingdom-minded venture. It has been a busy season, but a meaningful one.
And then, as I returned home right around Easter, I was reminded again of the reason behind all of it. Easter is the turning point. Christ’s resurrection is what gives meaning to every step we take. Without Him, none of this would be possible.
As we look ahead, there is a growing sense that God is stirring new things across the ministry. We are seeing prayers answered and doors beginning to open in ways we have been hoping for. It is still unfolding, but it is clear that there is momentum building into the rest of 2026, and I’m excited for what that will mean for the future of Manna.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your prayers, support, and faithfulness make this work possible, and we are grateful to walk it together.
– Chad Mynatt
Pastoral Care
"Pastoral Care" is a term we don’t use often enough. I’m not entirely sure why, but I’ve come to believe it needs to be both intentionally spoken of and, more importantly, intentionally practiced.
Every person on earth is unique, yet we all share fundamental needs: safety, security, nourishment, and relationship. God, in His infinite wisdom, created the Church to meet these needs—a gathering of people from vastly different contexts and experiences, all gifted by the Spirit for the purpose of building one another up and encouraging us to remain steadfast in His mission.
Too often, we lean heavily on the gift of teaching. While teaching is vital, I would argue it is no more or less important than the other giftings Paul describes in Ephesians 4. As I get older, I am beginning to understand my own giftings more clearly. I find myself deeply passionate about exploring the depths of Pastoral Care and learning how to leverage it for the good of the Kingdom and inviting others to do the same.
My heart is to help followers of Jesus walk toward further maturity, longing for us all to obtain the "full measure of Christ." While that is a lofty goal, when we use our unique giftings together for His purposes, there is truly nothing that cannot be accomplished.
-Jeff Reese
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Spring teams wrapped up with two amazing partnering churches!
Cross Point sent their college ministry to Santiago, where they gained a deeper understanding of Manna DR’s long-term vision. Beyond the mission field, the students were challenged to consider how that same vision applies to their local university contexts. They spent meaningful time partnering with our D3 ministry, engaging in leadership training, worship, and enjoying some sightseeing around Santiago.
Collegeside returned for their second consecutive year with a family-focused team. They supported various ministries and projects, with two standout highlights:
Women’s Day Event: Over 45 women attended to be served, build community, and hear a powerful message on what it means to be a woman of God.
Family Technology Workshop: The team hosted an event addressing the modern challenges of technology in the home. While recognizing technology's blessings, the session focused on its hurdles, providing families with games and tools designed to foster intentional connection.
Overall, the Spring season was a huge success. We are so grateful for continued partnerships with churches like Cross Point and Collegeside that make this work possible!
– Jeff Reese
COSTA RICA:
For two years, Ronald and I have prayed persistently for team growth in Costa Rica. We took inspiration from Paul in Acts 16, not in the obstacles, but in his perseverance. Even as we waited on God’s timing, we kept asking Him to prepare the way. Now, the first quarter of this year has revealed that those doors are opening. In the weeks ahead, we’re excited to share how this team is expanding and what that means for the mission.
In fact, I recently traveled to Costa Rica with a group from College Side Church of Christ. Beyond encouraging Ronald, we explored the exciting possibility of a centralized ministry hub. As the team expands, we envision a space that anchors outreach and discipleship. Just as God is providing the growth, we trust He’s preparing the place for a deeper Kingdom impact.
COOKEVILLE, TN
It is a joy to see how the Lord is moving right here in our local community!
Women’s Devotional Group
Our local women’s devotional continues to flourish with 10–12 women attending regularly. Beyond just a weekly meeting, a true community is forming—one centered on a love for the Word and for one another. We are particularly encouraged by how this group has rallied around one of our members walking through a very challenging season. Seeing the community show up for her while she points back to the Lord’s provision is a beautiful testament to the strength of their collective faith.
Collegeside Iglesia de Cristo
Isaak Meza continues to lead a consistent weekly gathering of about 15 people from the Hispanic community. We are thrilled to see these individuals growing deeply in their faith! Currently, Isaak is leading a study on the parables of Jesus as they relate to the Kingdom. The group is exploring what the Kingdom is, how to become a part of it, and the work we are called to do within it. Their excitement to study, learn, and discuss these truths together is truly contagious!
– Jeff Reese
MANNA BUSINESS COLLECTIVE
Over the past few years, Manna Business Collective has been growing steadily, but its role within Manna has at times felt a bit undefined. This first quarter of 2026 has marked an important shift. There is a growing clarity that MBC is not just a side initiative, but a core part of how we live out our mission.
As a team, we have been aligning around a simple but important idea: business is not separate from discipleship. It is one of the ways discipleship happens.
Through MBC, we are stepping more intentionally into the marketplace as a place for Gospel impact. Healthy businesses create real opportunities for people. They provide jobs, develop leaders, and open doors for everyday relationships where faith can be lived out and shared naturally. We are seeing more clearly how business can serve as a long-term, sustainable platform for transformation in communities.
For 2026, we have set a clear goal to identify and begin working with 10 Kingdom-minded business partners. Some of these will be entrepreneurs we come alongside to help launch and grow. Others will be existing businesses where we can provide coaching, strategy, and support to strengthen what is already happening. In both cases, the focus is the same: helping leaders build businesses that are both sustainable and deeply rooted in discipleship.
We are already seeing encouraging movement. New conversations are taking place, opportunities are developing, and there is a growing sense that God is opening doors in this space. It is still early, but the foundation being built now will shape what MBC becomes in the years ahead.
We are grateful to be stepping into this more clearly and trusting that as we invest in leaders in the marketplace, the impact will extend far beyond the businesses themselves into families, communities, and future generations
– Chad Mynatt
We are grateful for the partnership that we continue to have with you. Thank you for your support and prayers as we strive together for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
Chad & Jeff