Global Partners
Eastern Europe
Stephen and Mary were both working jobs in the US when God called them overseas to join different teams working to plant house churches amongst unreached people-groups. Stephen was serving in the Middle East and Mary was serving in Eastern Europe when a mutual friend at Citylight introduced them to each other. They were married 9 months later, and are now heading back to Eastern Europe, where Mary had been serving.
Both of them individually wrestled during their years on the field as single adults with two questions: “Why does the missionary stay?” and “Is Jesus worthy of this sacrifice?” God revealed to them that He is absolutely worthy. We stay for the people - people who have never heard of Jesus, people who have never seen a church, people who have never touched a Bible, and people who have a wrong understanding of who God is.
In our city, roughly only 1 of every 4,500 people is a Christian. Our team’s vision is that there will one day be a network of small churches across the city, meeting in homes and business. At the moment, we are building a community amongst people with disabilities, people who are marginalized, and people who don’t know God’s love. We are sharing the gospel while meeting basic needs.
In addition to partnering with our teammates in this vision, Stephen will spend his first year learning the local language - working to eventually be able to share the Gospel in the local heart language, which is itself a full-time job. Mary will continue to enjoy her role as the homeschool co-op teacher, where she is able to provide stability for 18 missionary kids and their families.