Philippines
Roble & Araceli Cortel
On February 25, 2019, New Hope Church (NHC) missionary Ellery Laquihon, who was at that time looking for a lot for sale in Roxas City and surrounding town to start a church, was offered by Engineer Erson Rotulo a 500 sq/meter lot that he owned in Panitan, Capiz, about 15 Kilometers from Roxas City. He had a condition: It must be used to start a church. A few days before, Ellery had met Engineer Rotulo at a Christian businessmen meeting, where Ellery was the guest speaker. Ellery accepted the offer and Usufruct agreement. After a 4-month renovation of an existing abandoned building, paving the lot and putting a cyclone wire fence around the property, Panitan Christian Fellowship of Barangay Salocon, Panitan, Capiz was dedicated to the Lord in a Thanksgiving and Dedication Service on September 8, 2019.
Minnesota
In addition to our formally supported missionaries, we are also prayer partners with
Samuel and Cheyenne Ketchum.
Samuel and Cheyenne, devoted to Jesus Christ, are passionate about serving in rural
America through Village Missions. Samuel, raised in Calvary Bible Church, felt called to
pastoral ministry at twelve. He married Cheyenne, and they attended Frontier School of
the Bible, where he earned an Associate’s in Biblical Studies in 2022. Inspired by
Village Missions’ motto, “Preach the word and love the people,” they aim to revitalize
rural churches. Cheyenne, initially drawn to overseas missions, embraced this calling
after realizing the importance of starting ministry at home, supported by their family’s
commitment.
Samuel currently serves as Pastor of Old Scenic Community church, the only gospel
witness to date in that area. New Hope Church feels blessed to partner with the
Ketchum family in supporting and revitalizing a local church, “which is the church of the
living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
Ukraine
Dr. Richard Strahm and his wife Cheri work with Equippers Network International. This organization is a leadership training organization that equips qualified Christian leaders in areas of the world where few training opportunities exist, to serve as mission-aries and church planters. ENI provides qualified instructors, training materials and ministry equipment. Dr. Strahm is the executive director of ENI and an instructor in the Ukraine. His wife Cheri works with the wives of pastors to instruct and equip them for service as well.
Japan
Kevin and Kaori Laverman serve with WorldVenture as church planters in Japan. After being appointed by CBInternational (currently WorldVenture) for career service in 1997, the Lavermans moved to Japan in early 1999. Kevin spent the first two years in language and cultural study at the International Christian University. Meanwhile, Kaori watched their son, Justen Keiji, and began some Bible study groups for young mothers whose children attended a local kindergarten. After Kevin completed language studies in August 2001, the family moved to the Yokohama/Kawasaki area to begin a church planting work. The Lavermans are working with a core group of believers to multiply leadership and Bible study groups using believers’ homes. Kevin and Kaori have one son, Justen.
The group launched their first Sunday worship service as Denen Grace Chapel (www.denengracechapel.org) in November 2001. Kevin shares, “Slowly but steadily, God brought people to our church and to faith in his Son, Jesus. One by one, baptisms have added people to our small church which now numbers around 30.” This group of believers meets in a private hall for Sunday services. Twice monthly a relaxed “coffeehouse” style music service called “Sanbi Cafe” is also offered. A Gospel workshop and English classes attract community seekers. Small group Bible studies for ladies, men, and not-yet-Christians are also conducted. Believers are growing spiritually and becoming excited by the opportunities to reach their friends for Christ.
http://www.lavermansinjapan.org
Germany
Igor & Vita Swiderski were born in the former Soviet Union to Jewish families, but grew up and met in Germany, where their families immigrated to in the early 90s. They both came to faith in Jesus at a young age through the witness of their Gentile friends. Since then, their passion for the Lord has increased, and the Lord has placed a special calling for Jewish ministry on their hearts. After completing their training at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, they served on staff with Chosen People Ministries. Upon completion of theological studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL, they returned to Germany with their daughters Rosie and Sophie for full time ministry in a Messianic congregation in Dusseldorf, Germany, to continue the work that Igor’s family started there. Their vision and commitment is to do evangelism, discipleship, and planting of Messianic congregations among the widely unreached Jewish people of Europe and Israel. They are now serving the Lord in Munich to fulfill that vision.