171: Too Old for This Mission Field? Not Even Close!

What if your retirement address could become your mission field? Ken and Patti Sandel left successful careers in insurance, tried mission life on the road, in the mountains, and at the beach – and then said yes to something nobody expected: moving into a diverse Tennessee apartment community at ages 70 and 83 to become on-site missionaries with Apartment Life. 

Over a year into their assignment, Ken and Patti share the real, unfiltered story of what it looks like to build a family out of strangers behind closed apartment doors = the breakthroughs, the slow trust-building, the tears, and the many kids who now show up in the Sandel’s backyard just to be loved on. This episode gives an incredible look at the opportunity for God to use you to bring the Kingdom in your own neighborhood and community.  

What You'll Hear: 

• Why Ken said no to an apartment – and how God changed his mind 

• The mission of Apartment Life, straight from the field 

• A staggering stat: roughly 80–90% of apartment residents aren't part of any church 

• What neighboring actually looks like day to day: backyard games, giving a mom of six a break, a teen showing up needing a safe place 

• The slow, real work of earning trust and the honest admission that ministry like this can be lonely 

• Neighborhood events that build belonging, from newcomer receptions to simple invitations 

• Walking the dog as a mission strategy 

• Showing up in the hardest moments, including grief and anger at God 

• The business case for apartment owners = community-building that boosts retention and reduces turnover 

• A direct invitation: Apartment Life needs an estimated 100,000 couples nationwide 

Ken and Patti's story is a vivid, on-the-ground picture of what living with intentionality in your neighborhood looks like when a retired couple takes it seriously and a challenge to every listener that their own neighborhood, whatever kind it is, is a mission field. If this story stirs something in you, visit apartmentlife.org to learn more about becoming an Apartment Life missionary! 

FEATURING: Ken & Patti Sandel 

ORGANIZATION: Apartment Life