Our Story: The Open Door

Part I: The Longing

In the quiet corners of their cozy one-bedroom apartment, David and Charlotte dreamed of life in a distant land. Their hearts, like compass needles, pointed toward adventure, toward the unknown. They longed to step beyond the familiar, to breathe foreign air, and to share their faith in places where the sun rose on people who lived differently.

David, with his dreadlocks and eyes that held both wisdom and mischief, had been a leader in their church for years. Charlotte, gentle and determined, had been an entrepreneur. First in social work, then in event planning, and now as a successful real estate agent and house flipper. Together, they formed a team—a partnership forged in love and purpose. Their longing wasn't merely for adventure; it was a calling. They believed God had whispered to them in quiet moments, urging them to go. But life had its own rhythm and its own seasons. Work fluctuations, family obligations, and the needs of their growing community kept them anchored.

They prayed for an open door, a chance to serve overseas. They imagined themselves as social workers in a bustling Asian city or doing community development in a West-African village. Their passports gathered dust, waiting for the day when the longing would become reality.

Part II: The Closed Doors

Years passed. David and Charlotte found a home in an international Church. They started a family. David began as a full-time pastor. They attended many conferences and listened to stories of those who'd gone before. They celebrated others' victories—the missionaries sent off to the Horn of Africa, the midwifery practice thriving in Lebanon, the work with the vulnerable in Turkey —but their own dreams remained unfulfilled and deferred.

The doors seemed closed. Financial constraints tightened their grip. David’s career as a pastor seemed to only grow despite his training in business a promising career in banking. Charlotte found success, and even joy, in every entrepreneurial venture she put her hands to. They wondered if their longing was misplaced. Perhaps God had other plans.

One evening, as their two kids slept, David turned to Charlotte. "What if we missed it?" he asked. "What if the open door was there, but we didn't recognize it?"

Part III: The Unexpected Invitation

Then, one October, an invitation came for yet another conference. David and Charlotte stepped on the plane with hearts unsure of what was to come. The question on their minds: what are we doing?

The Vineyard Movement in the United Kingdom welcomed them—the gray skies, the bustling streets, the accents that sang of resilience. It was there that they met Steve and Viv. Steve spoke of miracles in South London and of unreached people groups. Viv spoke of hearts hungry for hope and the mysteries of God’s Grace. And as they shared, David and Charlotte felt a stirring—a resonance deep within. The congregation was a place teeming with diversity, where cultures collided, and languages danced. The need was great. What did this all mean?

Part IV: The Open Door

A year later, David and Charlotte returned to London with their three kids in tow. They rented a flat south of the Thames, and their days blurred into a beautiful mosaic. They reconnected with Steve and Viv who introduced them to their international team of staff: Londoners, Americans, South Africans, Ghanaians, and Nigerians—oh my!. Steve read The Gruffalo to their children, his laughter mingling with theirs. Viv preached in a church where sunlight adorned the faces of the congregation. Fellow pastors shared stories over tapas about weary souls finding solace in Jesus.

And as they walked the ancient streets, they realized that this community was their open door. It was not the grand adventure they'd envisioned to parts unknown. It was a quiet revolution of love. They recounted the trip. David and Charlotte prayed for anyone who would let them. They shared meals with families in the faith all over the island. They sipped tea in amazement each night dwelling on what they knew was true: they were home.

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Part V: New Beginnings

At the end of August, David will start as a Pastor at Vineyard 61 – the church pioneered by Steve and Viv in South London. David and Charlotte are packing their bags and leaving Ohio, enthusiastic to settle into our new lives in England. They are beginning to say goodbye to the familiar auditorium chairs and the echoes of our old songs in order to say hello to new sermons written with the ink of their very lives.

They are a missionary family not to a distant land, but to the heart of a city that craves the everyday miracle of friendship. David awaits the fragments of people’s stories he’ll hear in London: scars of conflict, the ache of displacement, and the recognizable longing for a home. Charlotte yearns for the experience of waking up each morning, sipping tea by the window, and whispering her gratitude: "Thank you, Lord, for the open door."

How You Can Get Involved

1. Give Financially: Partner by giving towards the cost of relocation and resettlement. You can find out more about the breakdown of expenses on the Follow The Money page. No amount is too small, and every contribution brings the Schermerhorns one step closer to making their relocation a reality! One time gifts are available and recurring gifts are extremely helpful for the next 18 months. 

2. Spread the Word: Share this campaign with your network! Encourage friends, family, (foes?), and colleagues to join us in this collective effort. And if you’d like to explore non-financial ways to contribute, please don’t hesitate to send a note!

3. Stay Connected: There are a few surprises in the works for the duration of the campaign! You can follow the journey by subscribing to this page. There will be updates, stories, and endless expressions gratitude.