Heart Check is our annual opportunity to engage in ministry outside the walls of our campuses. It is a call for us to serve others in our local communities, in our city, and globally. We are called to pray for those whom we partner with as they love people and share the Gospel. We also have a chance to serve in tangible ways with our time and talents and to give of our resources to make this work possible. We hope you'll join us on this adventure as we participate with God's work in the world!
Scroll down to learn more about our partners & the projects we are supporting this year.
God has put us in our communities intentionally, so let’s serve and bless those around us! Serving both meets real needs and opens the door for people to see how God is moving in and around them. You'll find us in Hamburg, Eden, Evans, Springville, and East Aurora. We invite you to get involved at your campus and make an impact on your neighborhood!
We have many terrific partners in the City of Buffalo and the larger Western New York region. These organizations reach people in the darkest of circumstances with the Gospel. And they do it by caring for the whole individual—providing spiritual and Gospel-centered love and support while meeting practical and physical needs. We are committed to being a part of the solution right here in our hometown.
Our partners around the world bring hope, healing, and the Word of God to people in desperate need of all three. We have supported these ministries and the hard work they do for many years. Now more than ever, as persecution against Christians grows in most of these places, we need to continue pushing back against the darkness and helping these organizations reach more people for Jesus.
Legacy Partners are individuals in the mission field that we support as they reach people for Jesus. Their work is varied and takes place all over the world. We’ve been in relationship with these individuals for years, sometimes decades, and it’s a blessing to see the fruit of their ministries.
Stacia and her team are the only known evangelical presence in their canton of 70,000 people. As they share life with people, teach English, and seek ways to engage in the community, they are building relationships that foster spiritual conversations and opportunities to share Jesus. Stacia and her team desire to see God change people’s lives as disciples make disciples who plant churches and seek Kingdom movements.
Global Bridge Impact helps refugees adapt to a new culture in Buffalo. Yoshua Bashizi encourages refugees to maintain their faith while helping them with daily needs such as language, job searches, cultural awareness, driving, and more. Global Bridge Impact also supports refugees with their education with a tutoring program, assistance in getting a GED, and learning critical job skills so they can find employment. Yoshua also pastors at Mission of Christ Wesleyan Church in Buffalo.
Scot Keranen is on the lead team of Youth for Christ Lebanon as the Director of Operations. He oversees the staff and ministries of YFC Lebanon, ensuring that their mission and vision are accomplished. Scot’s role at YFC has been rapidly expanding as YFC Lebanon expands. He has been working on the organization’s operating structure and staff development.
Ratio Christi works to keep students strong in their faith so they can withstand the challenges they face as they go out into the world. They do this by giving students a strong foundation of theological and Biblical understanding, equipping professors with tools to share their faith, and planting university clubs nationwide and around the world. Nick Sluyter is the campus minister at Buffalo State College. He and his wife work together so that students can articulate why they believe what they do and then lead others to Christ.
International Students, Inc., exists to share Christ’s love with international students and equip them for effective service in cooperation with the local church and others. Gary Kuechle and his wife have a heart for helping international students feel cared for and welcome to the US. Gary oversees and works with local staff and volunteers to host Friday Night Live Fellowship, Friendship Partners, English/American culture classes, and discipleship opportunities.
Athletes in Action connects athletes and coaches to their global community where they can develop holistically and discover purpose both during and after their competing careers. They work with athletes and coaches to develop the body (applying your faith by pushing your physical limits in competitive, Christ-centered environments), soul (growing spiritually in community with like-minded athletes), and mind (transforming your mind and strengthening your leadership). Fred also leads the yearly Call to Courage Breakfast.
Maher has been with YFC Lebanon for 21 years and their National Director for the last 11. The ministry is known for its camps, clubs, and presence on school campuses. Maher has visited Revive many times and will join us again this May. Recently, Maher and the YFC team have been utilizing a YouTube channel that’s reached thousands of youth to start conversations and ask questions that are not often discussed in homes. His influence on the organization and the region continues to be powerful
Mark Rumschik is the National Field Director of Athletes in Action Hockey in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Athletes in Action is a ministry of Cru (the name of Campus Crusade for Christ in the USA). Mark works with hockey players on the USA National Team Development Program, in college, the AHL, and the NHL. In his ministry, he walks with the players and shows them how to grow in relationship with God while equipping them to share Jesus using their platform of hockey.
Through the Ministry of Urban Advocacy of Jericho Road, Steve and Ruth Strand seek to improve the health of city residents. They work with urban congregations and ministry leaders and promote collaboration between the churches of WNY to provide spiritual care and health education. The result is a strengthened church and support network that can welcome newcomers and long-time residents into vital faith communities. This includes the long stream of immigrants and neighbors who have moved into Buffalo over the past several decades.
YoungLife is inviting young people to experience life the way God has designed it to be lived. Kids around the world are searching for hope, meaning, and belonging. YoungLife gets into life with them, accepts them for who they are, and gives them a chance to live life to the fullest. YoungLife meets weekly with middle and high school students. They also put on events like summer camp, campaigners weekend, and a yearly mission trip to El Salvador.
Local $96,500
Regional $200,000
Global $315,750
Legacy $87,750
Operational Support $100,000