Timothy & Ellie Petersen Newsletter (Winter 2026)

Greetings to all our faithful prayer warriors and supporters,  

These last three months have been nothing short of amazing and fruitful. We write this update to you with so much gratitude to the Lord for what He has done. It is such a joy to present to you the things you were a part of. You may not be here physically and it’s quite possible that you have never been to Teen Missions, but that your impact is significant. Be assured that God has used you to impact eternity through your prayers, finances, and encouragement. We serve a very big God who has sustained us through the mountain top experiences and the more rigorous parts in the valley. We desire that you read this and are encouraged by how our Heavenly Father provides. We pray this report produces joy and appreciation for the Lord’s gracious love. 

The End of Another Year with A New One in Sight

Since our last newsletter, Ellie and I have been busy working in our respective departments. Ellie is continuing in her responsibilities as Department Head of the Legacy Lakes Retreat Center. She has been very blessed by the amazing legacy Lake staff that she gets to serve with. The team consists of four Sojourner School of Ministry students who are absolutely five star individuals. They do an amazing job of getting the property set up and ready for incoming retreats who utilize the beautiful 200+ acre property. Ellie is also working with volunteers and making sure they are situated with their logistics and paperwork. It’s fun to see the Lord use so many different people from different parts of the country to do so much for the Kingdom. Whether the volunteers are from Minnesota, Pennsylvania, or Florida, God brings them together under one purpose to Glorify the Father. It’s a privilege to get an all access perspective into that operation and see God work. 

As for myself, my department (Mobilization Dept) is preparing for the 2026 Summer teams that will be sent out! Mobilization currently has 16 teen mission trips for the Summer that will begin June 16th.  I am primarily working with the leaders that will be on those teams. I work with placement of leaders,  making sure that they have what they need in regards to information and logistics. In about a month’s time, we will be having a leader seminar that will take place at Teen Missions International (TMI). We are currently slated to have about 16 leaders take part in that leader seminar that will help equip them for their upcoming trip. It’s a great time to get to know the leaders and to communicate the vision and goals that we have for the students who are going on these trips. We thank God that we have so many amazing leaders that are part of what the Lord is doing on these teams.

Next up for the Petersens: Baby Boy Petersen Coming Summer 2026

We are super excited to let you know that we are expecting a baby boy! The due date is set for June 24th. Ellie and I can’t explain our excitement and how blessed we are as we anticipate his arrival. With this exciting addition, we will not be leading a summer team and will be staying home in Florida. Ellie will begin maternity leave in late May and I will continue serving in my role through Boot Camp until baby boy arrives. Teen Missions currently has four staff couples that are expecting little ones this summer so our staff team staying back this year is a pretty big group! I am looking forward to working alongside the staff here at headquarters and supporting the teams that are being sent out from HQ. 

We know with confidence that the Lord is going to do big things in the lives of those that are a part the teams as well as those the team ministers to. 

How can you partner with us?

The Lord has blessed us with around 91% of our monthly budget goal of $3500 through our generous monthly supporters. We give God all the praise for bringing in the prayers and finances so that we may be in this work. Please join us in prayer as we watch God work and bring in the remaining partners!! If you feel God is calling you to partner with us,  you can do so by reading the instructions in this newsletter below. If you have any questions about partnering with us, we’d love to answer them. You can email us at [email protected].

Thank you for being a part of our ministry by offering encouragement, financial support, and, most importantly, prayers for God’s ministry. Because of your partnership, we are able to give all our attention to the ministry and be completely present there. Please pray for Ellie and baby boy as they continue doing life together. Please pray for us as we prepare our home to welcome our son. 

The Petersens pray this ministry update finds you well and that you are blessed. May God hold you and keep you as you continue to serve Him where you are today. 

Blessings 

1 Samuel 16:7

Timothy and Ellie Petersen