Our Vision:
Though we are both from New Jersey, Michele and I didn’t meet until 2008 through To Every Tribe and married in June 2010. We can’t help but want to go when we think of the many that have never heard of the atoning work of our Lord, Jesus Christ, reconciling us, His children, to our Heavenly Father. We long for the truth of the gospel to be proclaimed throughout the earth and for sinners to be set free from the bondage of sin, Satan, and idolatry to fellowship with their Creator. We want to go because Jesus commands us to and because we long for the glory of His name to fill the earth. Our desire is to be used to bring the gospel to the unreached regions where there is no other access. God has burdened our hearts specifically for the unreached people in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico.
Chris’ Testimony:
I was born and raised in central New Jersey. I grew up in a Christian home and attended church regularly. Though I thought I was a Christian, my lifestyle showed a great contrast to what the Bible describes as a Christian. I “did” the right Christian things and “said the right Christian things but wanted to live my life on my own, by my own rules. In 2004/2005 God began opening my eyes in His Word. Through a few hard situations, I began searching the Bible for answers. God used that time in His Word to save me and show me Himself. At first I did not understand the new life, but only knew that the way I had been living was wrong and I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I began to read the Bible daily and pray regularly. My brother Allen had a great impact on me with giving me very encouraging words and direction through the Bible as well as many good books to learn from. More and more I realized that God had saved me and changed me, making me a new creature. I had attended Rutgers University and graduated with a certificate to teach history to middle school and high school students. I was looking for a job at this time but starting to think maybe I would go to a Bible college or seminary. Missions work was an option but I was not too sure of it.
Chris’ Call to Missions:
While searching for a job as a teacher and looking to go into Bible College to ultimately become a pastor, I attended the Desiring God Pastors Conference - 2006 and heard David Sitton speak. While listening to David, I realized the great need for missionaries to the MANY unreached people groups around the world. I had listened to a few missionary biographies and read “Don’t Waste Your Life” by John Piper so God had already given me a desire to go where He sends and tell everyone I meet about our Great God! I knew without a doubt that God was calling me to go to the nations and tell them about the good news of Jesus Christ. Not knowing where God would send me, I prayerfully made the decision to go to the Center for Pioneer Church Planting in 2007 with To Every Tribe.
Michele’s Testimony:
If you asked me what religion I was before I was saved, I would have said Catholic. Though I claimed to be Catholic, my family and I never went to church nor did I follow any of the traditions. I attended catechism weekly through grade school but could care less about anything having to do with God. Being Catholic was just merely another label. At the time, I wasn’t even sure if I believed in God. I continued, unaffected in my unbelief, not attending church or any kind of religious gathering until I was sixteen. During those years, I was attempting to find worth and satisfaction in the futile things of this world. My fruitless search for happiness was in people, sports and success both present and future. When I was in high school everything I did began to seem dissatisfying. The more I accomplished the more I yearned for something greater and grew utterly bored with life. After my sophomore year, God continued to open my eyes and heart to the worthlessness of the things around me. I grew sick of all that the world offered. I began to realize that nothing here was satisfying me and it never would. For the first time, I saw sin as distasteful and empty. I began to think about what I was living for and often contemplated death as life itself seemed meaningless. I wanted to know if there was a purpose for my life and if there was a God. Though I did not know if I believed in God or anything about Him, there was a strong impression in my heart that I needed Him. During this time, the Lord also brought three Christians into my life. They shared their faith and hope in Jesus Christ with me. One day, one of my friends came to my house and shared the gospel with me and gave me a bible. I began reading it and the Lord awakened my heart to Him. I finally understood that Christ died on the cross because it was the only way to atone for sin. I saw the love and relationship He was offering me and knew that was what my soul desired. A few days later, in August of 2003, I fell to my knees; I cried to God, repented of my sins and committed my life to Him. Shortly after, I began attending Joy Community Fellowship, where I was instructed in the scriptures and discipled by many loving brothers and sisters.
Michele’s Call to Missions:
Beginning in 2006 the Lord confirmed in me a love for lost people of the nations and a desire to pursue full time missions after taking my first short term trip to Guatemala. Up to that point I had heard many sermons on missions and read missionary biographies that had already began to incline my heart towards missions work. In 2009 I left my home town in southern New Jersey to attend the Center for Pioneer Church Planting with To Every Tribe. I hope to combine my love for theology and passion for missions by serving women through teaching and discipling them in the Word of God. It would be my delight to see women digging deep into the scriptures in search of rightly knowing the character of the One whom it is they are called to worship.
Our Family:
We married on June 12, 2010. We have four sons, Malachi 12, Josiah 10, Levi 7, and Isaac 4.
