Mission: HIV and AIDS outreach internationally; Global Fingerprints, the EFCA orphan sponsorship program; White Cross ministries throughout EFCs here at home, in meeting material needs of our partners.
Rachel has served with the EFCA since 1983. Many years spent at Tandala Hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, training nursing students and working with church leaders in Christian Education. Civil War began in Congo (then Zaire) in 1996 and she spent 9 years at home in the states working with international students at Iowa State University.
Rachel's home is in Ames, Iowa. She travels frequently, making a few trips annually to the Congo to evaluate programs, encourage the Congolese leadership and assist short-terms that are there to serve.
GlobalFingerprints is currently sponsoring 800 Congolese orphans. The program is managed by the Congolese Evangelical Free Church. The children live with extended family or concerned Christians.
Through White Cross, Rachel keeps local groups informed on the needs in Congo, Mongolia, Central African Republic, Romania, Ukraine. We (White Cross groups) provide what is needed to care for those who are hurting, lonely, fatherless and homeless.
Rachel's birthday is May 19. She feels blessed in so many ways and daily knows God's goodness in her life. She loves the verse in Psalm 145:13-14: "The Lord always keeps His promises; He is gracious in all He does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads."
Rachel Martin E-mail: Rachel.Martin@efca.org
1024 Harding
Ames, Iowa 50010
Missionary
Bio
Launching Church Planting Movements Internationally
International Mission
Martin, Rachel
Serving with Compassion Ministries
I grew up in an EFCA Pastor’s home, hearing the Gospel clearly as a young
girl. It was my dad who introduced me to Christ Jesus at age 6. I remember clearly
his explanation that I was a sinner…he used the story of “The Ugly
Duckling”, and told me that I was that duckling! But Jesus died to “turn
me into a beautiful swan”, a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17). I understood
my need for a Savior so that I could be forgiven and clean before God. I trusted
Jesus at this young age.
I also grew up with the desire to someday be a “plain ‘ole missionary”.
God gave me that dream as a very young girl. I had many opportunities to grow
in my Christian walk with God through Bible studies, camps, Bible quizzing…God
was so gracious in placing me in an environment surrounded by people who knew
and loved Him and were examples for me to follow.
I began my college studies at Trinity College in Deerfield, IL…from there,
I transferred into a nursing school, West Suburban Hospital in the Chicago area.
I knew I was supposed to go overseas, and was sure that God could use a nurse
somewhere! After nursing, I worked for 2 years while getting more Bible training
at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
God provided for me financially in just a few months, so at age 24, I left for
Africa! I actually spent close to 2 years in France and Belgium, working on
French and tropical medical courses. And then I headed to the Democratic Republic
of Congo, which was Zaire at that time. I spent about 12 years there, working
for 2 terms as a nurse at Tandala Hospital, teaching our nursing students there.
I thought I would always do that, but God changed my plans!
The African church needed help in organizing and training workers in Christian
Education. So I worked with an African team to develop CE materials, and train
Sunday School teachers, Bible Study leaders, and Camp counselors. The need was
great (we have 600 Free Churches in that area of Congo!), so I left nursing
to do that full-time.
In 1997, I came home from Congo because of a family crisis. I expected to return
after a few months and had my tickets purchased and bags packed, but God closed
the door. A Civil War broke out there and I was unable to return. After months
of uncertainty for me, I realized that there was a huge international mission
field just 20 minutes from my parents’ home!! I had wanted to stay close
to my parents, because my dad had had a massive stroke and my mom needed help
to bring him home from the hospital and care for him. So God beautifully put
the whole picture together, allowing me to continue on in missions work, yet
remain close to my parents. The Evangelical Free Church Mission loaned me to
another organization called “International Students Inc”, which reaches
out with the love of Christ to internationals
studying here in the USA.
God has given me many, many international friends. Here at Iowa State University
in Ames, IA, we have close to 3000 students from 115 countries of the world
studying!! Most of them have never heard the message of salvation in Jesus Christ!
In fact, many of them have never dealt with the issue that they are sinners
and need to find forgiveness with God, their Creator. So for the past 5 years,
I’ve had the privilege of sharing the Good News with students from all
over the world!
I don’t know what the future holds or how long I will continue in this
ministry. But it is a wonderful, exciting privilege to be here, befriending
internationals with the love of Jesus, and asking them if they would like to
know God through the study of His Word! My experience overseas helps me to relate
to them…I understand the language and cultural struggles they face every
day.
It is so easy to fret and worry about the future…but God has proved over
and over to me that He really does prepare the way before me, leading me step
by step.
1024 Harding Ave
Ames, IA 50010