Saying Goodbye and Hello
Following fourteen years of faithful service in Asia, Jonathan and Kari concluded their time with World Partners at the end of January. Jonathan and Kari have three sons, Elliot, Micah, and Lukas.
During their time in Asia, Jonathan worked at an international school. There he strove to speak Christ into the lives of the students on a daily basis. One of Jonathan’s responsibilities was the organization of a large annual family education conference for homeschooled children. Outside of the classroom, he led an English Club for the children in a local fishing village, eventually training up others to take over leadership. Another sizable project that Jonathan headed up was the creation of a website that provides free information and resources to families who are living in other cultures and attending international schools. Kari served as a volunteer at a local shelter for women. In serving these ladies, who had been rescued out of human trafficking, Kari was able to show them the love of Jesus.
Kari, Jonathan, and their boys have now transitioned back to life in the United States and continue to utilize their talents to work with students in higher education. We honor this family for their many years of service with World Partners and wish Jonathan, Kari, Elliot, Micah, and Lukas the best in their future endeavors!
On the flip side of the staff change coin, we are excited to welcome three new couples who have been approved to join the World Partners team and are actively raising support.
James and Jenny Wolheter have been accepted as World Partners missionaries to Bolivia. The Wolheters have served in Bolivia since 2002 with the Evangelical Church On Mission (ECM). Unfortunately, ECM will be closing its doors permanently, and we are pleased that James and Jenny will continue ministering through World Partners.
In Bolivia, the Wolheters are training Latin Americans to become missionaries and to disciple others. They have three sons, Coy, Cy, and Cade. Currently the Wolheter family is in the United States on Home Ministry Assignment. To partner with James and Jenny, please go to wpartners.info/JamesJennyM733.
Gordon and Grace have been officially approved as World Partners staff to South East Asia. Gordon and Grace’s mission has been to share the transforming love of Jesus by reaching out to low-income communities through Shalom-rooted development. They have a special heart for children at risk, which has led them to plant children’s ministries and establish a therapeutic foster home for high-risk children. Many of these children have experienced tremendous trauma and are responding to the Christ-centered love and guidance they receive in a stable environment. Additionally, Gordon and Grace founded a local nonprofit that exists to encourage, equip, and establish local Shalom-rooted ministers who likewise share God’s transforming love wherever God is calling them to serve. Gordon and Grace have seen God work in beautiful ways, transforming the lives of the children and leaders they have had the privilege of serving.
To partner with Gordon and Grace in ministry, please go to wpartners.info/GordonGraceM732.
Carlos and Ruth Medina have also joined World Partners and are currently raising support in the United States. The Medinas will be heading up a special World Partners partnership, which will be announced soon, so stay tuned! To join their support team, go to: wpartners.info/carlosruthM734.