Missionaries
Due to sensitive countries or the nature of their work, some of our missionary friends are not listed below
LOCAL
Adult and Teen Challenge
To provide an effective and comprehensive Christian faith-based solution to life controlling behavioral disorders including but not limited to; drug, alcohol, pornography, and gambling; to treat the whole person so they may become productive members of their community. Adult & Teen Challenge of the Greater Midwest endeavors to help an ever-increasing number of people become mentally sound, emotionally balanced, socially adjusted, physically well, and spiritually alive. With a spiritual emphasis, residents are given the opportunity to encounter God as their hope for change and He is glorified as their lives are delivered through His Holy Spirit.
Called College
CALLED COLLEGE IS FOR YOU IF:
*You feel a verifiable call from God into vocational ministry.
*You want the skills and knowledge necessary for long-term success in ministry.
*You want to be mentored in ministry by some of the best to ever do it.
*You want to make lifelong connections with friends and leaders who will push you to be who you are called to be.
CALLED COLLEGE TRAINS YOUNG PEOPLE FOR VOCATIONAL MINISTRY
A vocation (from Latin vocatio “a call, summons”) is an occupation to which a person is especially drawn or for which they are suited, trained or qualified. Being “called” means being set apart for ministry as their primary work in the world. Even if vocational ministers have a secular job or career, they would consider ministry to be their main purpose in life. Vocational ministers are often pastors or missionaries, but may be evangelists, chaplains, or even drawn to social work.
Mark and Jenn Bettinger - Chi Alpha
Mark and Jenn launched EIU Chi Alpha in the fall of 2015. We are a community of students earnestly following Jesus. We're not a fraternity. We're family. Our name is Greek because the New Testament was written in Greek. It comes from 2 Corinthians 5:20 which says, "we are therefore Christ's (Chi) Ambassadors (Alpha)." We often abbreviate our name as XA. Before their time at EIU, they served widows and vulnerable children as missionaries in South Africa.
Recently, Mark shifted again and became the Illinois State Director for Chi Alpha. Currently there are 14 campus ministries all over Illinois. While they are not at EIU full time now, they will still remain a part of the campus ministry at EIU. Jenn also took on a new position with Chi Alpha, serving the staff and students of 53 campus ministries across 5 states (IL, IN, WI, OH and MI) as the Great Lakes XAi representative.
Jay & Cinnamon Covert - Urban Outreach Ministries
Jay is a former addict with a powerful testimony who graduated Teen Challenge as well as Master's Commission and is now following God's call on his life to reach the addicted, afflicted and hopeless in the inner cities. In 2004, after completing the Master’s Commission program and then working at the original Urban Outreach in Washington, D.C., for four years, he launched his ministry in poverty stricken East St. Louis, IL area. Alone for a year, Covert ministered in East St. Louis out of the back of his Ford Aspire, which he packed with snack bags and clothing to distribute freely to homeless people, drug dealers, and gang members.
Jay and Cinnamon along with other team members have now planted 11 Urban Outreach centers in 10 cities so far, reaching the outcast, addicted, and street-hardened with unconventional methods.
First Step Women's Center
We empower women and families facing unexpected pregnancies in Springfield, IL. We provide accurate information, free services, and practical support with a holistic and compassionate approach. We give each of our clients the care and attention they need, empowering them to make informed decisions for themselves and their future.
Chuck & Wilma Lormis - Missions Cultivators
Chuck & Wilma Lormis have been involved in missions in some form or fashion for most of their ministry lives. Although they had known each other through ministry venues for more than 20 years, it wasn't until April 2015 that God began to direct their paths together. They officially joined forces September 5, 2015, when they became husband and wife to serve Jesus and make Him known. They both share a passion for missions, believing that missions is not simply a program of the Church, rather, Missio Dei (the mission of God). Therefore the mission of God should be integrated in everything the Church does.
Their desire is to reach the lost by coming alongside pastors and churches to encourage and assist them in extending their reach - locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
Billy & Katy Willis - Youth Alive
We exist to inspire students to LIVE ON MISSION!
In April of 2020, Billy and Katy Willis stepped out in faith and moved from being youth pastors to Youth Alive Missionaries for the state of Illinois. Youth Alive is a missions movement that was launched by the Assemblies of God to reach one of the greatest mission fields, the public schools. They partner with churches and youth ministries in Illinois to help equip today's youth to fulfill the Great Commission. Students are encouraged to start Youth Alive clubs and/or prayer tables at their schools, partnering with other Christian students to reach their school campuses, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. This couple is ON FIRE and they are ministering across Illinois with a passion to see a powerful revival within the youth of Illinois!
GLOBAL
Katie Luke (Benson) - Indonesia
Katie (Benson) and Danny Luke are missionaries to Indonesia, the largest Muslim population in the world! Katie has been serving in Indonesia since 2014. Danny joined her in December 2022.
For the last 9 years, Katie was a part of the team that has successfully pioneered campus ministry focusing on reaching Muslim students! They are now making the move to Jakarta, the capital city, to reach Indonesia in a new context...an International Church!
Their desire is to serve the church, bless the city, and reach the unreached.
If you have specific questions about Indonesia or the ministry they are a part of, please don’t hesitate to ask! Click the learn more button to connect with Katie's Facebook page.
Larry & Mi Sook Fischer - Korea
Larry and Mi Sook have only recently said yes to going to the mission field. They are ministering specifically to the military in Korea. Here are some of the things they are doing: ministry to chaplains & their families. Ministry to marriages and to their children with Bible classes and VBS. Church planting. Men’s & women’s groups / retreats. Bible studies for men and women, singles and married couples. Single chaplain’s ministry is sorely needed just to name some of what their focus is. Click the learn more button to be directed to their newsletter site where you can read the current issue as well as previous newsletters and subscribe to receive the newsletters as they are sent out.
Rick & Angela Johnson - Triumphant Ministries International
Rick and Angela are the founders of Triumphant Ministries International. Together, they have shared international ministry from the refugee camps of Nepal to the war zones of Burma, from the slums of Africa to the barrios of South America. After working in the nation of Myanmar they realized this was their passion. They incorporated their ministry in Myanmar, and this allowed them to purchase land near Kalaymyo, where they are building the Legacy Campus. This campus is home to the Legacy Learning Center where they are teaching at-risk girls in the trade of sewing and offer training in other vocations. Angie’s House is their orphan and Seniors outreach, touching the forgotten. The School of the Harvesters is their evangelistic training school. Teaching proven methods to reach their community, country and to cross borders to China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand.
They also produce rice and other crops at their Jehovah Jireh Farms. The rice is for the feeding of orphans, to sell in the markets and to donate to evangelistic efforts. Additionally, they oversee Harvest Churches, located across Myanmar. These are life giving churches have a mission’s mandate and focus on church planting.
Joel & April Louisignau - Go Beyond Borders
Go Beyond Borders purpose and goal is to introduce people to the living God. The one and only God who loves them unreservedly and has great plans for each of their lives. Mass evangelism is their most-commonly used event and has played a huge part in their ministry and will remain the cornerstone of their outreaches throughout the world. The most important aspect is to be effective, and with that in mind we will use any form of evangelism necessary to reach the unreached.
In 2010, Joel & April answered the call to be a voice to the masses. Here at GBB, our aim is to preach the gospel to as many people as possible and be obedient to go wherever God calls us. As of today, this includes a vast amount of the globe still, many living without ever hearing about Jesus or the gospel message one time. Our goal is to change that statistic whether in mass or one person at a time. Time is short and things are changing rapidly in this ever-changing world, but the thing that doesn’t change is God’s love for humanity!
Jim & Sandra Murphy - Promise Home
At the end of 2021, Jim and Sandra packed up their entire lives and moved to Honduras to take over the day to day operations of Promise Home. Sandra is Director of the children’s home, taking care of the children’s physical, emotional, spiritual and educational needs, and Jim is the Ministry and Missions Director. He is training pastors and disciples a well as church planting while hosting mission teams for outreach into our communities.
Jim has been serving in Honduras since 2002, and they have both been serving at Promise Home since it’s beginning with short term mission trips. They have prayed for this opportunity for many years. Their hearts are full of joy and gratitude that God would use them in this mighty way! They understand this is a huge responsibility, and can’t do it on their own. God is with them in this!
Promise Home provides a family for children who have never experienced one. Each child experiences what it means to feel the love of Christ in this family setting. They are generously provided love, a quality education, nutritional support, and life-long direction.
