Sending Church: Faith Baptist Church—Cambridge, Iowa

Field: Creative Access Nation

As a teenager, Joe lived a worldly life, without purpose and without hope. When a friend invited him to an evangelistic meeting, Joe finally found what he needed and wanted: salvation that brought freedom from sin and a real purpose in life. From then on, his love for the Lord grew, and he became deeply burdened to help others find Christ. Halfway across the world, in a Creative Access Nation, that same burden was developing in an MK named Renee. Separately, they began praying, “Where do you want me to serve, Lord?”

Eventually, Joe and Renee’s lives intersected at Bible college through a connection with Renee’s missionary dad. It was then that their ministry paths became clear. Although open to wherever God wanted her, Renee longed to serve in the country where she grew up. Through prayer, God revealed to her and Joe that He was in fact leading them to that country.

After marrying in 2002, the Fishers soon left for this Creative Access Nation and began working among its people. Through the Fishers’ video teaching ministry, people from all over their country began connecting with them. Joe and Renee’s large family also helped them build new relationships. People asked them, “You show love and kindness; are you Christians?” This led to many opportunities for sharing the gospel and discipling new believers. The Fishers served in this ministry for 15 years until returning to the US to settle their oldest child in college.

When the Fishers return, they’ll use insights gained during those 15 years to expand their ministry’s effectiveness. They plan to locate in an urban area to train national believers and disciple young Christian families. In this way, believers can obtain doctrinally sound training that is very difficult to find in their country. Both the training and discipleship will better equip believers to reach others for Christ and to plant churches. Ministry in any Creative Access Nation is difficult, and the Fishers seek prayer that God will open every door needed so that they can help more people find salvation and ground these young believers in the Word.

* Names are pseudonyms