WHO WE ARE
Be bold in the things of Jesus and
humble in the things of yourself. [FBR]
MEET TESSA DEPUY
Called to Crisis with Care
Tessa focuses on serving as a kind and helpful presence in marginalized and crisis-debilitated communities. Inspired by the daring tales of clandestine missions and medical relief operations to active warzones, Tessa has actively served in frontier mission work for over a decade.
Tessa nurtures flourishing and mutually uplifting relationships among the outcasted and downtrodden of society. Based out of Denver, CO, and with a curious background in 911 Dispatch, Tessa embraces the unique challenges of cross-cultural and bi-vocational ministry.
Snapshot of Work:
+ Emergency Management
+ Community Development
+ Relationship Building
+ Crisis Intervention
Tessa is a passionate advocate for the direct influence of the Gospel, through trauma-informed, caring response and community-based capacity building. Tessa envisions indigenous peoples united as the redeemed Church, serving through love in a life-giving function as shepherds of restoration and reconciliation in dark, dangerous, and despised places.
Tessa’s aspiration, desperately dependent on the grace of God and the support of the local and universal Church, is to catalyze an organic people movement to Christ among indigenous peoples, witnessing the transformation of communities and nations for the glory of Jesus Christ.
A Shared Story
There is something special about one's birthplace. And for Tessa, that is the REZ. This is a good story... Tessa's parents moved to the desert-scape Navajo Reservation when Mom was 6 months pregnant with Tessa. This was her parent's last grand adventure as they were finishing their graduate educations, launching into full-time careers, and welcoming parenthood soon. Mom worked in the local Indian hospital as a midwife during the family's time there, and Dad was the resident Internet guru at the local high school. This was 1993. And thus, Tessa was born, against the backdrop of an undecorated, simple delivery room in the local Indian hospital in Tuba City, AZ, into a landscape of sand and sun and tumbleweeds and tires-holding-down-trailer-home-tiles and rez-dogs. The REZ is the birthplace of Tessa's life and the home of Tessa's heart. So it is true that Tessa is of full European descent, with no known Native heritage. And it is also true that Tessa's story originates in that same desert ghetto. Born between the four sacred mountains, the REZ will always be home. Tessa's bond to Native America is stronger than bonds of blood. It is a bond of shared story.
A Shared Longing
God planted the seed of care in Tessa's heart for Native America when she was born in the same desert ghetto as her Native companions. God has always given Tessa a heart for the marginalized and downtrodden, those who find themselves on the fringes of society. Because Tessa shares that same soul story. Tessa knows what it is like to find yourself in a seemingly inescapable desert ghetto - emotionally, relationally, spiritually. Navigating the rough terrain of visible and invisible desert-scapes in her own life journey, Tessa understands the profound, felt need and shared longing that comes from looking at your bone-dry life and seeing only sand and sun. No water, no relief, in sight! But to those who also find themselves in a desert, Tessa has a deep need to share this: water [emotional, relational, spiritual healing] can be found in the desert. She wants parched people, especially her Native companions, to know that even in a barren, desolate landscape, true healing is available that can quench the thirst of our sun-scorched souls. Tessa wants to share the same message she needed to hear: "Let's go together in the care of our good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who can and will guide us to that living water, springs welling up to eternal life, and truly heal our arid souls!"
"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb [Jesus Christ] in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." REV 7:16-17 ESV
RESOURCES .
We value partnerships in the vital work in crisis-debilitated communities.
IAOCC
First Responders for the Soul
The International Alliance of Community Chaplains is a team of highly-trained, highly-motivated Chaplains dedicated to the community's service, providing support, and critical incident debriefing to people, communities, and agencies.
Mending the Soul
Understanding and Healing Abuse
Mending the Soul brings community-based restoration to people worldwide who are debilitated by abuse and trauma, through a sustainable trauma care model, free resources, and contextualized training.
Urban Skye
The Island of Misfit Ministries
Urban Skye champions Jesus-centered faith entrepreneurs through operational support, personal and professional development and a collaborative, creative network in the Denver area.