Life and ministry in Africa are not new to our family. We purposefully prepared for it. Saved as children, we met while completing our college degrees in Nashville (Verlin: BSN Nursing, 1994, and B.A. Pastoral Administration/Missions, 1987; Debbie: B.S. Secondary Education/English, 1987), married, and began raising a family. Responding to the Lord’s call in 1997, we joined our Baptist mission through whom we served 16 years in Cote d’Ivoire. We worked in church-planting efforts, but focused on introducing Community Health Evangelism (CHE) in as many venues as possible. Living through three armed conflicts convinced us even more that CHE is a tool that brings lasting transformation to individuals and communities.
Many poor in Cote d’Ivoire languish without access to clean water, healthcare, education, and shelter. Malnutrition, AIDS, malaria, and other preventable diseases ravage daily life. We work in partnership with public and Christian groups throughout the country, facilitating Community Health Evangelism (CHE) teams. Daily ministry with Ivorians includes modeling disease prevention and good nutrition, demonstrating microenterprise and Farming God’s Way, and sharing Jesus in word and deed. Individual lives are changed physically, spiritually and socially by Christ. Local churches grow and show community transformation that endures and improves throughout generations. Our passion is to further fuel and equip West African CHE teams who strive to multiply hope in their neighborhoods, their country, and their continent.