Bob & Barb VanWyks
Country/Region: Botswana
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2017
The Call
Bob – In 1989, 2 years after I started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I prayed a prayer I had not prayed before. I asked the Lord to raise up laborers for the harvest field. In that moment the Lord spoke to me in an audible voice (the only time I have ever heard Him audibly) asking me to be His missionary to Africa. The past 19 years have been a path of preparation as I was a school teacher (20 years), short term missionary (1year), and pastor for the last 8 years in Spencer, Iowa.
Barb – I was called to missions at a boys and girls camp. That call was confirmed and strengthened through my teen years and Bible college. I received my BA degree from North Central University in 1990 and have been actively involved in ministry for 19 years.
How We Met
We first met at Barb’s home church in Spencer in 1989. Bob had begun attending the church 3 years prior to our “meeting” and was in leadership as a deacon. Barb returned home from Minneapolis that summer to do an internship as a youth pastor. We liked each other from our first meeting but Barb was already engaged. Bob needed a distraction so he left to farm with a friend for 6 weeks that summer. When he returned Barb was no longer engaged! We started spending time together and became friends. We enjoyed each other very much but didn’t think it wise to continue the relationship into the fall because our lives were headed in different directions. Barb was called to ministry/missions and Bob was a teacher. It was at this time that Bob received his call to missions and that opened the door for us to continue our relationship.
OTHER MISSIONARIES FROM
Africa
Greg & Danna Beggs
Greg & Danna Beggs
Country/Region: Africa
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2014
As Africa regional director, Greg is responsible for giving leadership to more than 350 missionaries and missionary associates who […]
Bob & Barb VanWyks
Bob & Barb VanWyks
Country/Region: Botswana
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2017
The Call
Bob – In 1989, 2 years after I started a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I prayed a […]
Carrol & Gayle Deal
Carrol & Gayle Deal
Country/Region: Equatorial Guinea
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2007
Carrol and Gayle Deal serve the countries of the Central Africa area, which includes Equatorial Guinea where they […]
Gary & Janice Dickinson
Gary & Janice Dickinson
Country/Region: Gabon
Mount Hope Supported Since: 1988
After 24 years in Congo, it was hard to leave! However, the Bible School project here in Libreville, Gabon […]
Bill & Judy Kirsch
Bill & Judy Kirsch
Country/Region: Gabon
Mount Hope Supported Since: 1990
Bill & Judy serve in the area of discipleship as missionary trainers (Matt. 28:19-20). Bill serves as the provost of […]
Phil & Robin Malcolm
Phil & Robin Malcolm
Country/Region: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
Mount Hope Supported Since: 1999
We are Phil and Robin Malcolm and we are Assemblies of God Missionaries to the children […]
Steve & Trina Pennington
Steve & Trina Pennington
Country/Region: Africa
Mount Hope Supported Since: 1992
Steve and Trina have served in East Africa for approximately 24 years. They began their service in Kenya among an […]
Jay & Cheryl Taylor
Jay & Cheryl Taylor
Country/Region: Kenya
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2018
Meet the Taylors — Missionaries to East Africa
“Look at the nations and watch–and be utterly amazed. For I am going […]
Heather & Benard Daka
Heather & Benard Daka
Country/Region: Zambia
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2016
Heather is a pediatrician who is excited to reach out to people with the love of […]
Logan & Shannon Nash
Logan & Shannon Nash
Country/Region: Botswana
Mount Hope Supported Since: 2021
Pursing, Partnering, Planting
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Encouraging the National church toward pursuing the Lost
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Partnering with the National leadership to train and […]