Missions
FPC Tacoma has been committed to sharing the gospel both in Tacoma and around the world for many decades. Learn about some of the missionaries and missions we currently support globally and locally.
Go and Make Disciples
Learn about Our Missions and Missionaries
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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’.” Matthew 28:18-20
“…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8b
These words first spoken by our risen Lord to His disciples 2,000 years ago have echoed through the ages, calling those who love Jesus to then share Him with others. This ‘Go’ command begins at home with each one of us reaching out to our neighbors and beyond.
Currently, First Presbyterian Church supports missionaries serving in nine countries. Some of these dedicated disciples have been a part of our church since their youth. Others came to us as adults.
“…and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8b
These words first spoken by our risen Lord to His disciples 2,000 years ago have echoed through the ages, calling those who love Jesus to then share Him with others. This ‘Go’ command begins at home with each one of us reaching out to our neighbors and beyond.
Currently, First Presbyterian Church supports missionaries serving in nine countries. Some of these dedicated disciples have been a part of our church since their youth. Others came to us as adults.
All of these missionaries and their families are a part of the First Presbyterian Church family. They have heard Jesus’s call to go and make disciples in very specific ways, and to very specific places. It is our privilege to help them honor God’s call on their lives, to provide support, through prayer and finances while they are away, and to give them a loving church home when they are here.
As a part of this effort, the First Presbyterian Church website will be posting information and updates about missionaries we support on this page. We invite you to read about the exciting things God is doing, using the hands and feet of people we know. We also encourage you to read their prayer requests, and take time to pray for them. Feel free to send a note of encouragement to them as well! Below is a list of missionaries and groups that we currently support. Let’s partner with our missionary families as they share Jesus with others.
As a part of this effort, the First Presbyterian Church website will be posting information and updates about missionaries we support on this page. We invite you to read about the exciting things God is doing, using the hands and feet of people we know. We also encourage you to read their prayer requests, and take time to pray for them. Feel free to send a note of encouragement to them as well! Below is a list of missionaries and groups that we currently support. Let’s partner with our missionary families as they share Jesus with others.
Missionaries
Get to know our missionaries
Steve & Jennifer Baughman | Wycliffe Bible Translators
4801 West Royal Palm Road, Glendale, AZ 85302 Email: steve_baughman@sil.org
Steve was instrumental in dubbing the Jesus Film into several languages. He now works in Scripture usage and leadership development in Europe, the U.S. and Asia for promoting the gospel around the world.
Mark & Iris Barnes | Youth with a Mission
R. Francisco Mota Machado 565, Capao de Imbuia, 82800-230 Curitiba PR, Brazil Stateside address: 342 Mulberry Village Lane, Ft. Mill, South Carolina 29715 Email: stupidkool@gmail.com
Mark and Iris have spread the gospel in Brazil for more than 30 years. Mark is energetic and is innovative in means of evangelism. He uses theater and mime under circus tents, travels down Brazilian rivers to evangelize and plant churches.
Brendan & Erin Connally | Serving in Missions
Cusco, Peru
Email: brendan.connally@sim.org
Brendan is SIM’s Peru Director. They have moved from Abancay to Cusco, the Incan capital. Erin is a dentist working at a clinic for sustainable health care. They work with the Quechua people of the Andes.
Dorothy Forsberg | Serving in Missions
S.I.M., B.P. 15, Parakou, Republic of Benin, West Africa
Dorothy made the decision to retire from translating the Bible into the Yom language in Benin, Africa, after 30+ years in the mission field. We pray that she will receive refreshment and enjoy good health during her much deserved retirement.
Rob & Karen Mahon | Navigators
8412 Vina Del Sol Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122-4217 Email: kgoldfain@gmail.com
Karen works in friendship evangelism, mostly with Africans, on college campuses and in homes in the greater Denver, CO area. She leads Bible studies, encourages students, and is part of the Nations Within mission.
Paul Lewis | Wycliffe Bible Translators
4321 Presto Circle, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Email: paul_lewis@sil.org
Paul is the editor of the Ethnologue, the two-volume book describing every people group in the world and every detail about them and their country. He teaches linguistic courses and conducts seminars around the world, and is writing a book.
Edwin & Evie Martinez | OC International
3861 Lovett Street, Bellingham, WA 98226 Email: edwinmartinez73@aol.com
Edwin is the Director of Pastoral Ministries and a member of OC’s International Ministries Team. He is involved in evangelistic crusades, seminars on missions and leadership development training. Evie has ministered as a conference speaker and worship leader and travels in Latin America and the U.S. giving seminars on worship. They have been with OC for 40 years.
4801 West Royal Palm Road, Glendale, AZ 85302 Email: steve_baughman@sil.org
Steve was instrumental in dubbing the Jesus Film into several languages. He now works in Scripture usage and leadership development in Europe, the U.S. and Asia for promoting the gospel around the world.
Mark & Iris Barnes | Youth with a Mission
R. Francisco Mota Machado 565, Capao de Imbuia, 82800-230 Curitiba PR, Brazil Stateside address: 342 Mulberry Village Lane, Ft. Mill, South Carolina 29715 Email: stupidkool@gmail.com
Mark and Iris have spread the gospel in Brazil for more than 30 years. Mark is energetic and is innovative in means of evangelism. He uses theater and mime under circus tents, travels down Brazilian rivers to evangelize and plant churches.
Brendan & Erin Connally | Serving in Missions
Cusco, Peru
Email: brendan.connally@sim.org
Brendan is SIM’s Peru Director. They have moved from Abancay to Cusco, the Incan capital. Erin is a dentist working at a clinic for sustainable health care. They work with the Quechua people of the Andes.
Dorothy Forsberg | Serving in Missions
S.I.M., B.P. 15, Parakou, Republic of Benin, West Africa
Dorothy made the decision to retire from translating the Bible into the Yom language in Benin, Africa, after 30+ years in the mission field. We pray that she will receive refreshment and enjoy good health during her much deserved retirement.
Rob & Karen Mahon | Navigators
8412 Vina Del Sol Dr. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87122-4217 Email: kgoldfain@gmail.com
Karen works in friendship evangelism, mostly with Africans, on college campuses and in homes in the greater Denver, CO area. She leads Bible studies, encourages students, and is part of the Nations Within mission.
Paul Lewis | Wycliffe Bible Translators
4321 Presto Circle, Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Email: paul_lewis@sil.org
Paul is the editor of the Ethnologue, the two-volume book describing every people group in the world and every detail about them and their country. He teaches linguistic courses and conducts seminars around the world, and is writing a book.
Edwin & Evie Martinez | OC International
3861 Lovett Street, Bellingham, WA 98226 Email: edwinmartinez73@aol.com
Edwin is the Director of Pastoral Ministries and a member of OC’s International Ministries Team. He is involved in evangelistic crusades, seminars on missions and leadership development training. Evie has ministered as a conference speaker and worship leader and travels in Latin America and the U.S. giving seminars on worship. They have been with OC for 40 years.
Sue Mills | InterVarsity
3410 North Eiger Mt. Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Email: suemills@mac.com
Sue has served for 30 years and is now the Assistant Director of Intercessory Prayer. She is developing prayer culture on campuses, daily student led prayer meetings, weekly prayer meetings with non-staff volunteers to pray for ministry with a goal to have every campus covered in prayer and with ministry coming out of prayer.
Zack & Nadia Mills | Navigators
106 Myrtle Place Jacksonville, NC 28540
Every Navigator’s passion is to help others know Christ and to make Him known. Through small-group Bible studies and life-on-life discipleship, Zach and Nadia come alongside people and teach them to be Christ’s followers as they study and apply the Word of God to chart their lives. Then they train them to pass what they have learned on to others. Through their Military ministry, they work alongside U.S. military staff and chaplains to help meet the spiritual needs of service personnel and their families. They serve those who serve our country.
Mary Peterson | Bible Club Ministries International
1427 East Buena Ventura, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Email: marycwhm@icloud.com
Mary grew up at First Pres. Now in Colorado, Mary works with physically and mentally challenged adults and children. She shares the Lord and teaches Bible lessons with individuals, usually one on one, developing relationships and building friendships.
Barry & Jan Potter | Overseas Missionary Fellowship
9172 Weatherstone Ct., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 Email: barry.potter@omfmail.com
Barry has traveled back to Asia regularly to do leadership and other training courses for missionaries and local leadership, and has served as a vice president of OMF in Colorado. His ministry is now as a church missions consultant and trainer. Barry is also considering being a part of the training team for one of OMF’s mobilization ministries called LinkAsia. LinkAsia involves consulting, assisting, and providing training for churches which seek to be more effective in making missions an important part of their overall ministry. Jan serves in a hospitality role at one of OMF’s guest homes.
Jack & Nancy Snyder | TEAM
3534 East Indianapolis Street, Fresno, CA 93726
Email: jacknancysnyder@yahoo.com
Jack and Nancy served for many years with TEAM in Koutou, Chad, Africa managing a print shop, printing voluminous amounts of Christian literature which was distributed to many parts of Africa. Currently, they are serving their church in Fresno, California.
3410 North Eiger Mt. Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Email: suemills@mac.com
Sue has served for 30 years and is now the Assistant Director of Intercessory Prayer. She is developing prayer culture on campuses, daily student led prayer meetings, weekly prayer meetings with non-staff volunteers to pray for ministry with a goal to have every campus covered in prayer and with ministry coming out of prayer.
Zack & Nadia Mills | Navigators
106 Myrtle Place Jacksonville, NC 28540
Every Navigator’s passion is to help others know Christ and to make Him known. Through small-group Bible studies and life-on-life discipleship, Zach and Nadia come alongside people and teach them to be Christ’s followers as they study and apply the Word of God to chart their lives. Then they train them to pass what they have learned on to others. Through their Military ministry, they work alongside U.S. military staff and chaplains to help meet the spiritual needs of service personnel and their families. They serve those who serve our country.
Mary Peterson | Bible Club Ministries International
1427 East Buena Ventura, Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Email: marycwhm@icloud.com
Mary grew up at First Pres. Now in Colorado, Mary works with physically and mentally challenged adults and children. She shares the Lord and teaches Bible lessons with individuals, usually one on one, developing relationships and building friendships.
Barry & Jan Potter | Overseas Missionary Fellowship
9172 Weatherstone Ct., Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 Email: barry.potter@omfmail.com
Barry has traveled back to Asia regularly to do leadership and other training courses for missionaries and local leadership, and has served as a vice president of OMF in Colorado. His ministry is now as a church missions consultant and trainer. Barry is also considering being a part of the training team for one of OMF’s mobilization ministries called LinkAsia. LinkAsia involves consulting, assisting, and providing training for churches which seek to be more effective in making missions an important part of their overall ministry. Jan serves in a hospitality role at one of OMF’s guest homes.
Jack & Nancy Snyder | TEAM
3534 East Indianapolis Street, Fresno, CA 93726
Email: jacknancysnyder@yahoo.com
Jack and Nancy served for many years with TEAM in Koutou, Chad, Africa managing a print shop, printing voluminous amounts of Christian literature which was distributed to many parts of Africa. Currently, they are serving their church in Fresno, California.
