Who
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."
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:29
Jocelyn grew up in Arkansas and attended Ouachita Baptist University, where she studied Christian Studies and Studio Art. After graduating in May 2007, Jocelyn decided to spend two years serving in Russia with Team SOAR. Her main responsibility within the team is organizing English ministries.
Jocelyn says: "Throughout my life, God has shown me His love and His call on my life to show and teach others about Him. I am so thankful that God led me in making the decision to serve in Russia, and through this experience God has taught me much about Himself. He has blessed me and used me in ways I would never have imagined, and I'm excited to see what He has next for me."
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Rusty is a native of Hope, Arkansas, and graduated from Hope High School in 1981. He attended Ouachita Baptist University, where he received Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Education degrees. He has served churches across central Arkansas as a Minister of Music and later as a Children's Pastor and Missions Pastor. Rusty was appointed to serve in Russia in January 2002.
Rusty says: "There have been so many blessings in my life -- family, friends, co-workers and countless experiences through the years. When God has been so good, it just seems natural to want to share that with others, to allow them to feel the same love, and experience the same blessings. What a great privilege it is to serve Him in Russia, to be His hands of love in the lives of people who have never had the joy of knowing Him, and to discover with them that with each new day come even more blessings from His hand."
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and delivered Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20
Lori was born in Jackson, Mississippi but grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, graduating from Parkview High School in 1981. After obtaining a degree in music education from Ouachita Baptist University, Lori taught music in a variety of schools, offered private piano lessons, and served in churches as a pianist and children's choir coordinator, among other things.
Lori says: "Since moving here in 2002, we have had the privilege of seeing God at work in Ekaterinburg, and He has blessed us beyond belief by allowing us to be involved in His work here!! It is amazing to me how much God has allowed us to experience that is so much more than we could imagine, and it is the result of not giving in to our fears, or setting our own path, but because we simply have said that we’ll do whatever God wants, and go wherever He leads."
"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline."
2 Timothy 1:7
"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’'
And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"Isaiah 6:8
Born in April 1990, oldest daughter Laura loves life and loves to share it with everyone she can. She is currently a college student in America preparing for a future in early childhood education.
Megan was born in January 1993 and hasn’t slowed down since. She is a high school student at a Russian school in Ekaterinburg and loves to read, watch and play sports, and learn anything and everything that she can.
The youngest member of the family, Hannah was born in September 1996 and is a junior high school student at the Ekaterinburg School for Gifted and Talented. She loves art of all kinds, singing, and adding to her growing collection of distinctive shoes.
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
Jessica was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas and graduated from Bentonville High School in 2003. She attended Ouachita Baptist University, where she earned a BA in Christian Missions and a minor in Mass Communications. In April 2008, Jessica moved to Russia to join Team SOAR.
Jessica says: "I am so thankful to have grown up being taught the truth about God's love and His plan for our lives. When reading the Bible, it's obvious to me that God has a heart for the nations, and it is such a blessing to be able to see His hand at work in Russia. I am grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Russian believers to spread His love in Sverdlovskaya Oblast."
"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
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.
Gary says: "I like consistency… predictability… routine. So I guess it is no surprise that God asked me to leave everything I know and understand and come to a place where unpredictability is the norm. God has quite the sense of humor... Praise God that He can use anyone, anywhere, anytime to accomplish His purposes!"
“But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
During her childhood, Kimber lived in a number of cities throughout the Southeast before settling in Missouri, where she graduated from high school in 1996. Kimber attended Texas A&M University and graduated in 2000 with a BA in Speech Communication. After graduation she was a professional writer, then a stay-at-home mommy, before moving to Russia in July 2008.
Kimber says: "I can't imagine my life without Christ, and my heart breaks at the thought of how the Truth was suppressed here for so many years. Yet I know that God has a deep and abiding love for the Russian people. I'm humbled and grateful that He has brought me here to share that love."
“Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25
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.
Christina was born in March 2002. She likes eating breakfast for supper, wearing jewelry and anything to do with princesses. She loves to laugh, so her favorite things to read are funny picture books like “Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late.”
Born in August 2004, Joey is a natural story-teller who enjoys movies and books almost as much as he likes chocolate cookies. His current hobbies are building Lego cities and taking gymnastics lessons.
Dee Dee (Debra Danielle) was born in May 2007, and is named after her grandmother and her uncle. Her favorite toys are dollies, board books, crayons, and the broom and dustpan. She spends most of her time exploring, often with milk and crackers in hand.
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
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