About us...
We were married in December 1999 and have two precious children, Cullen (5) and Ansley (2). The past three years we have resided in Moody, AL and are members of Community Presbyterian Church. About four years ago, the Lord starting directing us towards foreign missions as a lifestyle, with the British Isles as our first desire. Here's a little more about our individual testimonies:
Trace's Testimony: I grew up in Florence, AL and became a believer in high school. I was raised by my mother until she remarried when I was around 9 years old. Her marriage gave me the opportunity to hear the gospel for the first time. My new grandmother was used by God to show me the love of Christ. She would spend every Wednesday with me tutoring me in English and teaching me truths about Christ.I learned from her that Christ died to save me from my sins and have a relationship with me. While in high school God used several events and struggles to show me His grace and draw me to himself. During high school I was involved in a very large youth group that was focused on evangelism and God's word. At this point, Christ began leading me on the journey of grace and a desire to learn more about Him through His scriptures. After high school I went off to the University of Alabama to become a civil engineer, so I thought. God was leading in a different direction. I returned home to Florence after one year in Tuscaloosa and enrolled in the University of North Alabama. I changed my major into something I enjoyed- History. God had shown me, while in civil engineering, that I was doing what my family wanted me to do and not what He wanted me to do. Little did I know that it was during this time God was moving me to the place where I would experience great growth spiritually and begin to desire a life of missions. While in college, I was active in Campus Outreach. I was introduced to this ministry by Tim Garland who God used to disciple me and who is still a very strong mentor in my life today. I took part in several summer missions projects with Campus Outreach where I was trained in envangelism and discipleship. It was through this ministry and short-term trips to Peru that I grew interested in serving overseas. I graduated from the University of South Alabama with a BA in History. I am presently serving as a deacon at Community Presbyterian Church and I am currently employed by Wayne's Environmental Services.
Ginger's Testimony: I was raised in Middle Tennessee, in a Christian home. I became a believer in my teens and was discipled for several years. That was a big turning point in my life because I grew in my understanding of who God is. My eyes were opened to missions during several short-term trips to Montana, Honduras and Peru.
Trace and I met while in college and have been in ministry together since our marriage. We were involved in the College and Career ministry of our church, leading small groups and discipling the young men and women. A few months later, we moved to Fairhope, AL to work with the youth group of another church. We were able to be involved with teenagers lives, share Christ with some and disciple them. We both believe that discipleship is the key ingredient to a young Christian growing in his knowledge and relationship with Jesus.
Although I have a degree in Drafting and Design, I am on staff at Community Presbyterian as Children's Ministry Director. The Lord has given me a passion not only for missions and discipleship, but also women and children's ministies as well. I plan to use my gifts and experience overseas to help minister to women and children.
Our Mission...
As missionaries, we will be focusing on the community around us. Trace's official title is Youth Evangelist, so he will work not only with the existing youth group of Grace Fellowship, but reaching youth in our community as well. He also plans to be heavily involved in sports, both coaching and playing. Ginger will continue her work with children both inside and outside the church. By the time we move there, we will have two school aged children, so we plan to be very involved in the schools. We hope these community involvements, along with using our home for hospitality, allow us to meet and minister to a lot of families in the area, mothers and fathers as well as youth and children! Although we will be living in the village of Culcheth, our work will also be assisting church plants in the nearby cities of Warrington and Manchester.
Mission to the World
MTW is the sending organization of the Presbyterian Church in America. They uphold the doctrines of sovereign grace and the truth that God saves His people as described in the Westminster Standards. MTW is focused on planting churches that glorify God by proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.
International Presbyterian Church
We are missionaries with Mission to the World, working in a partnership with the International Presbyterian Church. We are actually the first MTW missionaries sent to work with the IPC in England. Here's a little history on the IPC (from their website)...
Their origins are in the work of missionaries Francis and Edith Schaeffer. The Schaeffer family moved to Switzerland from the Reformed Presbyterian Church (USA) in 1948 and in 1955 established the community called L'Abri (French for "the shelter"). The first IPC church was established in Switzerland in the mid 50's. The L'Abri mission established a base in England and soon after started two churches to meet the need of the people who came to Christ through their ministry: Ealing in 1969 and Liss in 1972. These churches were called "International Presbyterian Church" and so the English IPC denomination was started. Grace Fellowship is the third IPC church in England.
The IPC cherishes multicultural diversity that produces churches eager to take the gospel to a changing world. Our desire above all is to know Christ and make him known.
Why England?
We have both had a interest in Europe and its history for many years. England is in the midst of social and spiritual problems that can only be healed by the Gospel. It is an extremely diverse nation of 51 million people, although 28% of Britain follows no particular religion. Less than 2% of Western Europe (not just England) profess a vital relationship with Jesus Christ, and less than 2% of those are under the age of 30.
Vision & Values
Our vision for the church plants is to be a new community of believers who, through a deep and passionate love for Jesus Christ will:
- Engage in whole-hearted and intimate worship, being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
- Constantly yearn for a closer walk with God.
- Portray a radical unconditional acceptance, love and care for each other.
- Humbly serve others in ways beyond expectation.
- Discover and use their Spiritual gifts willingly and fully for the building of the body of the church.
- Enthusiastically share the gospel of hope, redemption and salvation to those within their sphere of influence.
- Believe whole-heartedly in the power of God to do the impossible.
- Live a life that will glorify God.
Core Values
- Deep and Meaningful Worship
- Continuous Education
- Meaningful Fellowship and Accountability
- Fervent Prayer
- Responsible Stewardship
- Mission and Evangelism
- Strong Growth
