Missionaries-in-Residence

During the Fall 2009 semester, we welcome Andrew and Heather as our missionaries-in-residence (their last name is not being used in public promotional materials for security reasons). Andrew and Heather will be living in Beverly Farms and will be available to meet with students who are interested in missions and/or those who might like to hear more about their work in China.

Andrew was born on April 28, 1970 in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from Carleton College in 1992 with a degree in political science with a Chinese concentration. Heather was born on February 12, 1970 in Baudette, MN. She graduated from Wheaton College in 1992 with a degree in art history and a minor in Bible. Heather and Andrew met in 1992 while teaching English in Wuhu, Anhui.  The next year Andrew began classes at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, MA while Heather stayed for a second year of teaching and discipleship.  They were married in 1994.  Andrew received his MA degree from Gordon-Conwell in 1996, and in 1997 they returned to China through an international China-specific sending organization located in Hong Kong.  Since then, they have resided in Taiyuan the capitol of inland Shanxi Province where they serve along with their children Sophia (born in 2000) and Rebekah (2003). 

Heather enjoys Bible studies with local women and is developing a new outreach program to target Taiyuan’s orphans and disabled children.  Andrew thrives on supporting the local church leadership, gains satisfaction from publishing frequent articles on China ministry, and is addicted to local Christian history.  Their children take pleasure in living in China, and are looking forward to growing up in their organization’s own one room school.

Over the last few years they have found themselves increasingly called upon by other China workers who seek to gain from their experience and wisdom.  While this has meant pulling back from some of their frontline labors, it does seem that for this season this may be the bulk of their work.  Hopefully, their time and efforts will help others to develop ministries that are more culturally appropriate, and more faithful to the biblical mandate for ministry.

Check out the GPS calendar for events involving the missionaries-in-residence!