Jansma Newsletter (Winter 2026)

Keeping First Things First

I heard a song the other day that I haven’t heard in a while—maybe you are familiar with it too: First Things First by Consumed by Fire. The lyrics are so powerful, and I found myself in awe as I replayed the last year in my mind while listening.

Although conversations and some training had been happening for many months, this January marks one full year since we made the decision to fully pursue joining staff with Teen Missions International. God is so faithful! We had to set aside fear, uncertainty, and the lingering thoughts of are we enough?—choosing instead to fully surrender to Him and His plan for our family.

Our last letter was written just a few short weeks after moving. Russ had just begun working at the base daily, and the boys had just started school. This letter finds us six months in—routines have formed, the school year is halfway over, and deeper connections have been made.

We are currently in the midst of moving from the temporary house we started in, to what will be our permanent home just a few houses down the street. Although there are still boxes to unpack, we are feeling much more settled. Praise be to God!

Serving Together as a Family

As a family, we’ve had the opportunity to help serve in the retreat center on base, Legacy Lakes. It is a wonderful space where Christian groups can come together, and the proceeds help fund the TMI Sojourner School of Ministry, here in Florida.

There are many ways to serve the Lord here at Teen Missions, and we are enjoying discovering where He can use us—not only individually, but together as a family.

Over Christmas, we were able to travel back “home” to Indiana to spend time with family and friends and to worship at our home church. It was such a blessing to reconnect and to celebrate our Savior’s birth together. We arrived back “home” in Florida for the New Year. What a gift it is to be able to say we have two places we call “home”!

A Note from Russ

I would like to start by saying thank you for your continued prayer and support. It has been a blessing to serve the Lord here, using the skills I’ve learned through my previous work endeavors.

I’ve especially enjoyed working with the students in the afternoons—teaching them how to weld and getting to know each one personally.

Working in grounds and maintenance, I’ve been able to do a wide variety of projects: Disassembling and removing “Elijah’s Chariot" (an old bus) which was used for many years on the Obstacle Course, renovating a bathroom along with other plumbing repairs, fixing rusted culverts in the roads to improve water drainage throughout the property, working on the new display room to show Teen Missions over the years, and building a welding shop to better support projects and create a more effective space to teach the students.

Spring Break

We are preparing to assistant lead one of the Spring Break trips. We will be serving in Yonkers, New York with a team of 19 teenagers—two of whom are Case and Cavan.

We will have the opportunity to serve in multiple ways. Our work project will include renovating an old school building that serves as a church and local ministry center and having the opportunity to do evangelism with a local ministry – Yonkers Christian Assembly – that has been bringing God’s love, hope, and practical help to the heart of the city for almost 100 years. 

Russ and I are especially thankful for the opportunity to serve alongside other leaders and learn from them as we prepare to lead this summer’s trip.

Summer

Peru

Russ and I will be leading a team to Peru, serving at Refugio de Esperanza (Refuge of Hope) in Pucallpa. This ministry is dedicated to bringing hope and transformation to children, youth, and adults with disabilities.

As head leaders, we will carry a significant responsibility—guiding work and evangelism projects, discipling teens in their spiritual walks, and ensuring they are well cared for. Please pray for the teens who will be joining us, those still considering going, and all those we will serve while there.

Madagascar

Cavan will be heading to Madagascar! His team will continue construction on a staff housing building at the Teen Missions base in Mahajanga, helping provide much-needed housing for the growing staff and their families.

In addition to construction, the team will have multiple opportunities to share the Gospel and engage in evangelism within the local community. Cavan is currently raising support for his trip. If you feel led  to support him through prayer or financially, please use the attached coupon or feel free to reach out to us for more information.

Case is still discerning what this summer will look like—whether working or joining a summer TMI team. Would you please pray for him as he seeks the Lord’s will, not only for this summer, but also for his future and what comes next after high school?

There’s Still Room!

Would you join us in praying that the Lord would call young people to step forward in faith and fill the 2026 summer teams? That lives would be changed for these young people and that they would proclaim the gospel to all the nations? 

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples”  1 Chronicles 24:16

–Interested in going on a Teen Missions Missions trip? 

Go to teenmissions.org to sign up today!

Looking Ahead to Fall

Yes—already! This fall, we will be traveling north during our deputation time. While dates are not yet confirmed, we invite you to reach out if you’d like to connect, have us speak at your church, or host a small group get together and update. We would love to share what God is doing around the world and how you can be a part of it too.

Stay Connected

Please keep in touch. We would love to hear from you and how we can support you in prayer and or praise.

Russ

???? (219) 689-8332

???? [email protected]

Kelly

???? (219) 689-8508

???? [email protected]

We thank you for joining us on this journey! We’d like to leave you with these words from First Things First by Consumed by Fire:

“First thing's first

I seek Your will

Not my own

Surrender all my wants to you

Keep the first thing first

To live Your truth

Walk Your ways

Set my eyes

Lord I fix my face on you

All my desires reversed

To keep the first thing first”

“Not to us, Lord, not to us but to Your name be the glory,

because of Your love and faithfulness.”  Psalm 115:1