amazing power of the Gospel message and her response has been to tirelessly pour her energy and love into others. Jonni Sliver Jonni Sliver is an AFLC missionary to Brazil, she has been serving with World Missions for seven years. Jonni is an engaging individual with a deep love for Jesus and a heart for children. Her interest in missions began on a short-term mission trip to an orphanage in Mexico when she was twenty years old. She remembers sitting on top of a hill in Mexico and feeling strongly that God spoke to her about His purpose for her life. He was calling her to missions. She soon made a commitment to follow God wherever He wanted her the go. The first place He led her was a friendship evangelism ministry called Project Kibbutz in Israel and Lebanon. Later he called her to pursue training and attend Bethany Fellowship School of Missions and eventually join YWAM and serve in Brazil at a safe house for street children. She served there for sixteen years. Jonni has experienced the Numbers 14:14 says, And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You, LORD, are seen face to face and Your cloud stands above them. And You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. Just as God provided guidance for the children of Israel as they fled Egyptian captivity, He guides each of us today. It is intimate, through the still small voice of the indwelling of the Spirit. Jonni has listened to the voice, followed the Cloud. In 2010, World Missions was looking for someone to send to the Miriam Infant Home in Campo Mourao, Brazil. At the same time, Jonni was looking for a place to share about the wonderful news of salvation for all. God s sovereign hand brought them together and today she continues to serve. Many broken, lost, hurting kids that don t know what it is like to be loved filter through the Miriam Infant Home every day. Jonni loves each of them with the love of Christ, she is a soul in the grip of grace making a difference in this world.
farming to describe the process of evangelism. Farmers know that an important part of the growing process in clearing the land of rocks before the seeds are planted. The Schierkolk s have been faithful to clear the rocks by gaining people s trust and building relationships. They can have confidence knowing that God will complete the work He has started in people s hearts. Todd Schierkolks The Schierkolk s have been ministering in Mexico for twenty-seven years. The specific area they have been working in is nicknamed the graveyard because so many have tried to start a church or evangelize in the area but have left after being so discouraged. When the Scheirkolk s first arrived, there were many other missionaries working in the area but today only a few others besides them remain. Even Mexican natives have attempted to pick away at the hardened hearts of the community but left after struggling to reach the people clinging to their strong conservative, Catholic ties. Only by the grace of God have Todd and Barb been able to persevere through the drought. By the world s standards, the numbers don t look very promising. The Schierkolk s have persisted in sharing the Gospel only by holding fast to the promises of God found in His Word. Isaiah 55:11 says, So will my word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. The Bible repeatedly uses imagery of Fruit of their ministry has been visible, especially in connection to their Kid s Club program. The Kid s Club is a weekly gathering of neighborhood children, they have Bible lessons, games and other fun activities. For many, this place has become a place they can belong. Some of the strongest and most faithful families in their church have been a direct result of this ministry. Todd and Barb are souls in the grip of grace making a difference in this world. Christ s love has compelled them to love others loyally and share truth and grace with those so desperately in need of salvation. Psalm 126:5-6 have been particularly encouraging to their family through the years, Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting, He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
Micah Bergers Micah Berger has been serving as a full time AFLC Missionary since 2014. He works with Ambassador Institute in Uganda, training and teaching people in the word of God. Micah is practical, resourceful and embraces the African culture. He became interested in international mission work shortly after leaving high school. He applied for the STA program and was encouraged to go to AFLBS. Willing to follow God s direction for his life, Micah went to Bible School, studied the Word, and built up his faith. He first began to feel strongly called to missions as a lifelong vocation after two Short Term Assistant trips to Uganda, working under Nate Jore. His visionary purpose as a missionary has simply been to make disciples somewhere, to baptize and to teach, to do what he could to build the Kingdom of God. The Lord used Micah s time at Bible School and time as an STA to prepare him for service. Those who know Micah, and have seen him encompassed by the people and lifestyle of Uganda would say that it is truly his home. He continues to become more absorbed in the culture every day. While in Uganda, Micah met his now wife Famke. She was a missionary from the Netherlands and was working with children in the same area. She has an adopted Ugandan daughter Naomi. A couple years ago, they married and established a beautiful cross-cultural family. Famke works to support and care for her family and build relationships in the village. The teaching methods of the Ambassador Institute are designed to be taught orally. This type of structure allows for lessons to be acted out in dramas and skits. Micah, who participated in drama club in high school, is especially gifted in this area. God has equipped him the skills and abilities to accurately portray biblical ideas and scenes through theatrical means. The Lord has used Micah s vocational skills in a mighty way. In Matthew 16:24 we read Jesus words, If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Micah has taken up his cross, he and his family are souls in the grip of grace making a difference in this world.
knows all things and works all things for good to those who love Him. Their hearts are for the unsaved people of this world and they have answered the call to make disciples of all the nations. Brent Raans Brent and Emily Raan were commissioned as ALFC missionaries of 2015. Both have felt a strong call to missions since very early in life. After an internship in Uganda, they spent a year in Asia building relationships and learning the culture and language. Doors were closed, and they were unable to remain there any longer because of visa issues. As of right now, Brent and Emily, along with their two daughters, are looking forward to joining the mission work in Uganda this coming fall. The Raans will join the Jores and Bergers. They will be focused on church planting. We do not always know why certain situations never work out, God closes doors but he also opens others. The Raans have endured difficult times and unanswered questions by clinging to the One who Brent has expressed his missionary purpose as being to go where God leads and do what He has called him to do. He hopes to be able to say what it says in Luke 17:10, So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done. Only because of Christ, His work on the Cross, and His doing, are any of us worthy of the task we are called to complete. Brent and Emily are aware of that and Christ s love compels them to live faithfully in service to Him. They are souls in the grip of grace making a difference in this world.
at the church in Maringa. It is exciting how God has used his friendly personality to help him reach out to others. Ednay has opportunities to minister to the women in the churches as well. Matthew Abels The Abel family has a long history of mission work in the country of Brazil. Matthew is carrying on the tradition as a third generation missionary. Since the time he was very little, Matthew was active in the ministry of his parents and grandparents. Today, he and his wife Ednay have a very unique willingness to help wherever they are needed. Together they pour themselves into every situation for the glory of God and for the sake of the Gospel. Last year, they spent a few months in Switzerland exploring and developing new mission prospects. Currently, Matthew is filling in as full time Pastor and Jonathan and Tamba Abel s church in Maringa, Brazil while they are on furlough. The church has received them well and been enthusiastic about the evangelism outreach and other activities being promoted. Matthew excels in getting involved in the community wherever he is, drawing in new people to the churches. He has started a New Membership class Colossians 3:17 says, And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. The Abel s have a deep love of Christ and He shines through wherever they are and in whatever they are doing. Matthew and Ednay are souls in the grip of grace making a difference in this world.