As the resurrected Jesus gathered his disciples one last time before ascending to heaven, he charged them with spreading the news of his glorious plan for salvation throughout the earth. The small band of apostles was to multiply into a world-wide congregation of Christ-followers.
Luke records their assignment: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Christ offered his unmatched power, knowing that the mission would demand commitment, devotion, and sacrifice. It would require the entire body of Christ—those who would directly confront the darkness of hostile religions, cultures, and political systems, and those who would faithfully and sacrificially support them along the journey.
Two thousand years later, the mission continues. With three billion people still without access to the gospel, our generation must pick up the mantle, carrying the name of Christ into unreached regions shadowed by Islamic minarets, empty cathedrals, or rugged wilderness.
Since autumn 2022, we’ve seen 53 new mid- and long-term workers join ABWE and seven join ABWE Canada. Their stories of calling and commitment to ministry follow.
Many are preparing to serve in contexts that pose a security risk to them and their partners in ministry. Their identities have been withheld to preserve their safety and effective witness.
The calling of each new worker is a calling for the global church: to faithfully pray, partner, support, or join them in ministry. Will you join us in Christ’s mission?
Africa
Jacob & Carol Lee
ABWE GO | Associates | Uganda
Rebecca Collier
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Togo
Rebecca Johnson
ABWE GO Aviation | Long Term | Ghana
Derek & Christine Penny
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Togo
“You have to see this hospital!” Derek told his wife, Christine. Derek was visiting his sister’s family, short-term missionaries in Togo, when a medical situation brought them to Hôpital Baptiste Biblique (HBB). He knew Christine, an anesthesiology assistant and respiratory therapist, would be amazed that the staff prays with patients and openly shares the gospel—privileges she did not enjoy in the Canadian healthcare system. As Derek and Christine weighed the possibility of missions work with their own hesitations, Christine noticed that the Bible says 365 times not to fear and surrendered her concerns to God, committing to visit Togo. After serving three years, they recognized the crucial need for ministry though anesthesia and construction and committed to longer service.
At HBB, Christine serves patients and trains Togolese nursing staff, while Derek maintains the hospital facilities, servicing the plumbing, electrical, water filtration, vehicles, and repairs to ensure uninterrupted ministry.
Daniel & Anya Storey
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Togo
Asia
P.M. & R.P.
Live Global | Long Term | South Asia
P. and R., both South Asian nationals, were born to Syrian Orthodox families that turned to Christ. P.’s father became a missionary to an unreached region until insurgency forced their family to flee, losing everything. As P. grew older, he sensed the Lord’s direction to continue his father’s ministry in that region, but, like the prophet Jonah, feared the people’s violent history and fled to another city, where he worked with non-profit organizations.
R. was saved at 16, committing to serve the Lord with her whole life. God refined her theology through a master’s degree, preparing her to equip pastors’ wives.
When God again directed their family to the unreached area through a dream, they obeyed.
“From the moment we stepped in that land, God started moving,” P. shared.
As hundreds of people came to faith, P. and R. strategized how to develop house churches, train leaders, and organize them into a network. They continue to serve churches in this region.
Stephen & Kaytlin Brock
ABWE GO | Long Term | Japan
J.C.
ABWE GO | Long Term | South Asia
K.C.
ABWE GO | Long Term | South Asia
C.P.
Live Global | Long Term | Middle East/North Africa
R. & A.P.
ABWE GO | Long Term | South Asia
Nathan & Azusa Stratton
ABWE GO | Long Term | Japan
M.Y.
Live Global | Mid Term | South Asia
Europe
Madison Dugger
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Portugal
Ben
Live Global | Long Term | Balkans
Born in the Balkans and raised in Canada, Ben grew up in a Christian home but didn’t have a personal faith until his high school philosophy class prompted questions about his purpose in life, and he trusted Christ. When his parents informed him that they were moving back to the Balkans to serve with Live Global, he joined them to assist their street evangelism ministry distributing gospel literature. After two years, he decided to join Live Global himself to expand his ministry. He plans to develop an online evangelical radio station in the Balkans—the first of its kind in their nation.
“God has shown me my true purpose in life, a true calling that is worth most to me,” he declared.
Sarah Hanson
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Hungary
Landon
Live Global | Long Term | Europe
Holly
Live Global | Mid Term | North Africa
Jack & Loulou Murray
ABWE GO | Long Term | Germany
J. & L.T.
ABWE GO | Long Term | The Balkans
Latin America
Kurt & Bethany Gomez
ABWE GO | Long Term | Mexico
Patience Czelusniak
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Chile
Stephen & Jessica Morse
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Ecuador
Hannah N.
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Chile
Lydia Neuman
ABWE GO | Long Term | Brazil
North America
Christian & Ximena Aguilar
EveryEthne | Mid Term | US
Ray & Grace Brandon
EveryEthne | Long Term | US
Donna Childs
EveryEthne | Long Term | US
Michael & April Davies
ABWE GO Aviation | Long Term | US
Mark & Kim
Live Global | Long Term | US
B. & C.
ABWE | Long Term | US
Kenneth & Melissa Heiland
Beautiful Feet International | Long Term | US
B. & A.
EveryEthne | Long Term | Canada
B. was saved out of the darkness of alcoholism in his native Middle East. He began drinking at age 13 due to family struggles, and, banished by his father, he lived homeless for eight years until finding Christ. His life transformed, he shared the gospel with homeless friends and used his resources to aid their recovery. When persecution arose, he fled to Southeast Asia.
A. moved to Southeast Asia at age 14 and became depressed at not having opportunity to attend school.
“When I met Jesus, he changed my whole life,” she said.
B. and A. both served actively in local churches, and after their marriage, planted a church for fellow refugees, where they trained 17 new believers to become leaders. A. also manages a school for refugee children and women. Seeking new ministry opportunities, they connected with EveryEthne and plan to move to Canada to reach immigrants from Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia.
Paul & Katie Moss
EveryEthne | Long Term | US
Dallas & Jen
EveryEthne | Long Term | US
Jesse & Bethany Stewart
EveryEthne | Long Term | US
Heather
Live Global | Associate | US/Belize
Sarah
Live Global | Associate | US
