Missions
Missions and the Gospel
At The River Church we take the responsibility of Reaching others with the Gospel seriously. Those who have received Christ and become part of His church have a unique responsibility to honor the Gospel, proclaim the Gospel, and support others who carry the Gospel around the World.
In the New Testament we see how the local church sent out missionaries (Acts 13:3) and cared for the missionaries after they were sent (Philippians 4:15–16; 3 John 1–8). Below is a list of Missionaries that consider the spread of the Gospel a crucial part of their ministry and receive prayer and financial support from The River Church through the mission portion of the budget. We are making their information available to you so that you may pray, request newsletters, and support them financially if you choose.
If you have questions regarding missions or any of the missionaries supported below, please reach out!
Missionaries Supported by The River Church
Key of Hope • Dan & Rachel Smither
Durban, South Africa
Key of Hope is an international non-profit in Durban, South Africa that reaches children affected by poverty and AIDS with the hope found in Jesus Christ through long-term mentoring relationships. Our vision is to unlock the future of Africa by empowering children to be ambassadors of change in their families, schools and communities.
Website: keyofhope.org
Mailing Address: Key of Hope, P.O. Box 20745, Durban North, 4016 South Africa
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Clay Cups • Ernesto Alaniz
The Dalit People, India
Clay Cups is a Christian non-profit that works with the untouchables of India. They partner with Untouchable pastors of small villages to bring the hope of Jesus to a dry and thirsting land. They equip, empower, and resource these Indian pastors as they reach the Hindu nation of India.
Mailing Address: Claycups, PO Box 300577, Waterford, MI. 48329
Website: claycups.net
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Independent Baptist Missions for Asians
IMBA has the vison of a Christ-centered Philippines through soul winning and planting of Idependent Baptist churches in the 41,995 barangays. They believe that the Philippines, being a nation without any history of aggression against its neighbors, will play a vital role in evangelizing the southeast Asian region.
Ador Lumibao
Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Mailing Address: 5085 Matatalaib Tarlac City 2300, Philippines
Website: https://ibmaforasians.org/lumibao,-ador.html
Angelo Lumibao
Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Mailing Address: 5086 Matatalaib Tarlac City 2300, Philippines
Website: https://ibmaforasians.org/lumibao,-angelo.html
Aries Gonzales
Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Mailing Address: 5087 Matatalaib Tarlac City 2300, Philippines
Website: https://ibmaforasians.org/gonzales,-aries.html
Oliver Manzano
Talavera,Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Mailing Address: 5088 Matatalaib Tarlac City 2300, Philippines
Website: https://ibmaforasians.org/manzano,-oliver.html
Roehl Tanedo
Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
Mailing Address: 5089 Matatalaib Tarlac City 2300, Philippines
Website: https://ibmaforasians.org/ta%c3%b1edo,-roehl.html
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Ethnos 360 • Logan & Kendra Teal
Asia-Pacific Region
Motivated by the love of Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, Ethnos360 exists to assist the ministry of the local church through the mobilizing, equipping, and coordinating of believers to evangelize unreached people groups, translate the Scriptures, and see indigenous churches established that glorify God.
Website: https://ethnos360.org/missionaries/logan-and-kendra-teall
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Baptist Evangelistic Missionary Association • Jacob and Rachel Adesina
Nigeria, Africa
BEMA has always focused on helping foreign national missionaries establish local New Testament indigenous churches, however, they understand that the mission of God is accomplished through domestic missionaries as well. It is their ultimate aim to glorify God through the spreading the gospel among the unreached peoples of the world. They achieve this by providing accountability, training and assistance to our missionaries as they carry out their pre-field, on-field and furlough ministries.
Mailing Address: 4744 Winchester Pike Columbus, Ohio 43232
Website: bemamissions.org
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Baptist Mid-Missions Foundation • Kelly and Debbie McMaster
Diamantina, Minas Gerais Brazil
Since 1920, Baptist Mid-Missions is a partner with independent Baptist churches as they send out and equip their members to share the gospel and plant new Baptist churches.
Website: bmm.org
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SIM • Ginny Feldmann
Elgin, Illinois
Convinced that no one should live and die without hearing God’s good news, we believe He has called us to make Jesus known in all places and among all peoples. With more than 4,000 workers representing over 65 nationalities, SIM workers share the love of Christ through Christian witness, community development, health care, education, business and more. We are passionate about prayer and care as we respond to need, proclaim the gospel and epuip the church in over 70 countries worldwide.
Mailing Address: 1960 W Highland Ave. Elgin, IL 60123
Website: simusa.org
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Word of Life • Brad and Mary Hawkins
Durban, South Africa
The Hawkins are serving with Word of Life in South Africa. Primarily to the Young Adult population.
Mailing Address: Word of Life South Africa, PO Box 28295, Malvern, Durban, KZN 4055, South Africa
Website: wol.org
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Carriage Town Ministries
Flint, MI
In these uncertain times, CTM remains open to meet the growing need of those in our community. For those who are hungry, we provide something to eat; for those who are thirsty, something to drink. For those who need a place to stay, we provide a home; for those who need clothing, a coat to keep them warm. And for those who are sick, a free walk-in clinic is provided each week. The gospel of Christ is taught daily through word, deed, devotionals and church services. In addition to the CTM cafe, clothing distribution and educational opportunities, residents are given the chance to create a Personal Success Plan. This is a goal-oriented program that enables individuals to grow spiritually, academically, and vocationally through mentoring, work-experience, and life skills.
Mailing Address: 605 Garland St. Flint, MI 48503
Website: carriagetown.org
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Elim • Beth Ann Downer
Kitale, Kenya
Ministers to, demonstrates the love, and shares the gospel with the handicapped children of Kenya.
Website: elimfellowship.org
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The Voice of the Martyr Missions
Worldwide
The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost.
Mailing Address: 1815 SE Bison Rd., Bartlesville, OK 74006
Website: persecution.com
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Scripture Union • Paul & Marty Clark
Lima, Peru
Paul and Marty work in public schools with poor children teaching them Christian Values; the ministry has 6 homes for abandoned boys throughout Peru; a program with Deaf boys, girls, and adults; a medical program in the jungles of Peru with 2 medical ships; all are made more valuable through our Ministry of Bible Use.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 987 #1, Valley Forge, PA 19482
Website: scriptureunion.global/movements/peru/
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Sonlife Ministries • Jay & Stephanie Fast
North and Latin America, Was in CostaRica
Jay serves as a full-time missionary with Sonlife, which is a ministry that equips pastors and ministry leaders in relational disciple-making according to Jesus’ life. He oversees Sonlife’s student ministry short-term missions program, called “Fusion”, developing partnerships between churches in North America and Latin America for the purpose of equipping students as disciple-makers. Additionally, Jay serves as a liaison between Sonlife’s global ministry partners and facilitates training, coaching, and mentoring for ministry leaders in the Midwest region of the U.S.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 23842 Portland, OR 97281
Website: sonlife.com
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The Evangelical Alliance Mission
Tim & Katie Cole
The town of Karuizawa in Nagano Prefecture, Japan
The Coles’ primary ministry was formed in 1994 to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ through family issues, and to strengthen Japanese Christian families. FFJ is involved in seminars, radio broadcasting, publishing, and counseling. It currently has 3 missionary staff, and 2 full-time, and 5 part-time Japanese staff. The ministry rents office space in Yokohama.
Mailing Address: 1197 Karuizawa-machi,Kita Saku-gun, Nagano-ken, Japan 389-0102
Website: colesinjapan.org/Colesinjapan/Welcome.html
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SEND International • Jon & Beth Eckstein
Taiwan, Asia
Jon & Beth are passionate about reaching the unreached and seeing the gospel take root in every people group, especially in Asia. After joining SEND in 1999, the Ecksteins departed for East Asia in 2001. Working among an UPG their first term, they had the privilege of seeing many of their students trust Christ and grow in Him. In 2014 Jon began serving as the East Asia Regional Director, responsible for SEND’s ministries in Japan, Taiwan and other East Asian countries. Jon is also currently launching SEND’s first regional hub, the International Office Asia, located in Taiwan. Beth is passionate about personal development and and as a credentialed life coach, Beth is involved in both personal coaching and coach training. In 2015 Beth accepted the role of Director of Women’s Ministry for SEND. The Ecksteins reside in Taiwan and are also actively involved in a bilingual church plant and building relationships in their community.
Website: send.org/give/projects/eckstein-education-project
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Latin American Mission • Billy & Yashmin Clark
Latin America Peru, Columbia
Billy serves as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Scripture Union Colombia. His responsibilities include:
• Development of Income Generation projects
• Establish partnerships
• Assist with leadership training
• Oversee maintenance and development of SU Colombia infrastructure
• Serve as a liaison between SU Colombia, SU International and the international community
• Assist SU Colombia’s General Director
• Assist any foreigners who volunteer their time with SU Colombia
Website: uwm.org/missionaries/27498
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Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry • Chaplin Kenny Hovis
Genesee County Jail, Flint MI
RTF believes in the redemption and restoration of inmates through Jesus Christ. As the largest jail-focused ministry in the U.S., we empower chaplains and volunteers to share hope and salvation with the “forgotten” women and men incarcerated in Michigan’s county jails.
Mailing Address: 1480 Buchanan Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Website: jailministry.org
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New Life Camp
At New Life Camp our goal is to provide guests with an environment free from the distractions of everyday life. Our mission is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a memorable, quality camp environment. We pray that in this place, everyone will grow in their relationship with God or come to know Him for the first time.
Mailing address: 701 Mayhew Rd, Rose City, MI 48654
Website: newlifecamp.org
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InterVarsity at Oakland University
Eric Wagoner
Eric is a campus staff minister that is passionate about sharing the Gospel among college students. A graduate of OU he found that the students and faculty around Him needed to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. InterVarsity has the purpose to establish and advance communities of believers that will witness to others and share the Gospel growing in God’s word and love for people.
Website: ouintervarsity.org