Teri B

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Born in Azores, Portugal, to a military family, Teri considers Oklahoma to be her home. She earned a BA in Social Work from Oklahoma Baptist University, then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, as well as the University of Texas at Arlington, where she received an MA in Church Social Services and an MS in Social Work. Teri worked in the area of adoption and foster care for Baptist children’s homes in Texas, Kentucky and Oklahoma before moving to Russia in April 2008. 

Teri says: "God has blessed me beyond measure over the years with countless people who have showed me His love in very practical ways. It is only through God's love that I have a deep sense of peace and contentment in my life. With all that God has done to show His love for me, how can I not be consumed with a desire to share His love with others who have not yet had an opportunity to know Him? I look forward to working with our brothers and sisters in Christ who reside throughout Russia to simply tell His story and show His love to others."

Rusty & Lori H

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Team SOAR's founding members, Rusty and Lori, are currently living in the U.S. while on a leave of absence.

Jesse H

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Jesse lived in several states before graduating from Easley High School in South Carolina. After earning a BS in Ceramic Engineering from Georgia Tech, she worked as a research engineer in Alabama and studied part-time for an M.Div. She later moved to Louisiana and finished her degree while working as the Preschool and Children's Minister at FBC, Covington. Jesse came to Russia in 2004 and spent 3 years working with the Western Buryat peoples around Irkutsk before moving to Ekaterinburg.

Jesse says: "I heard a sermon on Isaiah 6 many years ago and remember the pastor saying that God calls each of us, and we need to prepare our hearts and be ready to answer 'Here am I, send me.' I am so grateful for the callings I heeded which prepared me to answer the call to Russia. I am so thankful for mentors and men and women of God who helped me discern His calling on my life. May His name be known through this vast land and may we each heed His call and go as He sends."

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Gary & Kimber R

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Gary grew up in Belleville, Illinois, and graduated from Belleville Township High School West in 1993. He then went on to attend the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he received a BS in Ceramic Engineering in 1997. Gary worked as a process engineer in Arkansas for nine years before being called to Russia.

Oldest daughter Jessica was born in September 1999. When she’s not attending school or playing with her siblings, Jessica enjoys drawing and reading books, especially Nancy Drew mysteries.

E - Excellence. Presenting and promoting a spirit of excellence in our lives, our ministries, and our relationships that embodies the greatness of God and our commitment to Him.

“Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31

A - Accountability. Living in transparency before God and our fellow men, so that we may move forward in unity toward the goals before us.

“From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16

G - Godliness. Committing ourselves to be more like our Father through study of His Word, communication with Him in prayer, and openness to all that He asks of us.

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

L - Leadership. Providing quality and effective guidance in discerning goals and determining appropriate steps to achieving them under the Lordship of Christ and the Authority of His Word.

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” Daniel 12:3

E - Everything with Integrity. Being people of our word by living with honesty, depth of character, and faithfulness in every word, deed and thought.

“In everything set them an example by doing what is good.” Titus 2:7

S - Servanthood. Loving the people to whom we are called enough to serve them, to meet their individual and corporate needs to the best of our ability by following the example of Jesus.

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28