Missions – Our Missionaries At Home & Abroad

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

For 30 years, David and Yohana have been involved with translation and literacy for the Numanggang People of Papua New Guinea, living among them and rearing their own four children.  At long last, the Numanggang New Testament and Psalms have been completed, printed, and dedicated on January 28, 2006, --a wonderfully exciting event. Computer technology and air travel has enabled David's continued involvement in the translation work which has been focused on Old Testament books Genesis and Exodus, a song book, a liturgy book, and an HIV/AIDS awareness book.  David and Yohana presently live in Sherwood, Oregon, near their children and grandchildren and are writing additional literacy materials and school curricula.

Steve and Karen are the NW Regional Directors for YWAM USA.  This includes SE Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.  They reside in Salem, Oregon.  Their primary responsibility is to provide general oversight to the existing YWAM bases and to help develop new works in the future.  They also provide support and mentoring to YWAM Salem’s teams overseas with regular training missions, particularly in Asia.  More recently, attention has been focused on native peoples in the Northwest.

Brian and Janice Roy
Donna K and Nicolas
SIM USA

Presently, Brian and Janice live in South Carolina and are serving the Lord faithfully at the SIM Headquarters in a supporting role.  Brian is using his talents in the maintenance department meeting needs around the campus.  His craftsmanship has produced beautifully designed furniture pieces which are placed for bid.  The proceeds from these provide needed support for their special ministry interest, Hope for AIDS, in which they are involved.

Jim and Lorraine Smotherman
Wycliffe Bible Translators

In 1966, Jim and Lorraine joined Wycliffe as teachers of missionary children serving at Yarinacoacha Center in Peru’s Amazon region. In 1976, Jim joined the International Children's Education Department and for 20 years worked around the globe as Assistant Superintendant of Personnel.  Since 1996, Jim has served in the Member Relations Department as a Personnel Administrator involved in member care, i.e. helping with family crisis for returning missionaries and on-field missionaries, difficult retirements, illness, etc..  Jim and Lorraine currently live in Whittier, California.

Darcy and Aileen Sabido

Bethlehem Star of Peace
Team Cambodia

Darcy and Aileen completed their initial year of full-time Khmer language study and both are good communicators already.  They are now developing a Discovery Center for children, youth and families using drama, music and teaching English.  They also train church leaders how to do Christian Education ministry.

  Steve and Barbara Wilkinson

  Paul and Timothy

  Converge Worldwide/BGC

  Serving in the Philippines

 The Wilkinson's ministry focus is training pastors, missionaries, church planters, teachers and lay leaders at the Baptist Theological College and the Cebu Graduate School of Theology in Cebu City.  They also lead small group Bible studies and assist in church planting and children's ministries.

Leona Valley Church’s Local Missions Support and involvement include:

Grace Resource Center
Lancaster, CA

Grace Resource Center is the creation of a group of dedicated Ministers and lay people in the Antelope Valley, commissioned by the Lancaster Christian Ministerial Association.  Steve Baker is its director, with several staff members and over 400 volunteers.  It provides food and hope for a brighter future to the high number of poor and hungry people in our valley, the homeless and near-homeless, low-income seniors and the ever-increasing ranks of the unemployed.

This center is now relocated to a more visible facility, designed to meet with abortion minded women.  It is equipped to perform ultrasounds, in hopes more women will choose life.  It depends on volunteers, training them to provide mission critical services.  Their roles include ultrasound techs, nurses, client advocates, receptionists, administrative assistants, and even medical doctors.  There are opportunities to share the gospel, the main reason this center exists.  It offers comprehensive sex education as well (sex, pregnancy, STDs and purity), which is available to serve churches in their youth groups. 

This home was started by two men, former drug addicts, to minister to drug users who need to discover how to Live Again through Jesus Christ.  Bible study, Drug and Alcohol Education, Recovery Planning, Men’s Groups, and Family Reunification are just some of the aspects of the program.  Juan Higuera and Bill Maggio provide leadership to this ministry.