Region: Central Asia

Terry has spent his life in ministry, serving as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) with youth, adults, and families. He has led servant events in Mexico and participated in mission work in Haiti and India, as well as ministered in inner-city Minneapolis and St. Paul. Wherever he serves, Terry’s heart is the same—to help others grow in their faith and discover the deep joy found in the love of Christ.

Ruth’s career in education included roles as a teacher, adjunct professor, and literacy coach. In retirement, she stepped into a new season as a writer, where she continues to encourage others through her words. She also enjoys leading Bible studies and mentoring young adults in her community.

Terry and Ruth met at Concordia College in St. Paul, where their shared faith first brought them together. Today, they live in Wisconsin and are grateful for their growing family, including their two daughters, sons-in-law, and four delightful grandchildren.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Ed and Yin Lim are natives of Singapore and have been residing in the US for more than 30 years. They both came from a Chinese folk religious background and were converted to the Christian faith in their teens through the work of Lutheran missionaries from America. 

Ed received his Bachelor of Theology from the Singapore Bible College in 1982 and obtained his Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne, IN, in 1988 & 2003. Ed retired from Light of Christ Lutheran Chinese Mission in St Louis at the end of 2024. He has been a pastor for more than 40 years, having served in various congregations in Singapore, Australia and the United States (Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, IN, and St. Louis, MO). He baptized many Chinese believers from China, Taiwan, Macau, and Singapore in these years of service.

Yin has recently retired and is excited to be involved in this new mission. She received her theological training from the Singapore Bible College in 1985 and a Master of Arts in Religion from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne in 2000. Throughout Ed’s pastoral ministry, Yin has been an active supporter by his side helping in women and youth ministries. They are blessed with four children and three grandchildren living in Asia and the US.

They will be serving in a large city in East Asia, teaching and ministering to many who have a real desire to learn more about God. 

Please pray for Ed and Yin that God will grant them wisdom, that they will have a clear vision of God’s leading, and for spiritual and physical protection.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Serving three schools, four churches and a university as school teachers and as a pastor, Curtis and Jo Ann have treasured their time of serving the Lord together over the past forty years. Their desire to serve as overseas missionaries began early on in their work together. Curtis first served as a volunteer back in college when he joined a mission group to teach vacation Bible school in Tijuana, Mexico during spring break. Summer months during his college years, he served as a Lutheran camp counselor and assisted with the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ evangelism program. 

Throughout his career as a Pastor, Curtis served the LCMS as the coordinator of a church careers recruitment project, a director of a servant event to serve people in northwest North Carolina, New York and Missouri, and was appointed as the coordinator of the junior youth experience at a national Great Commission Convocation.

Over the years in ministry together, Jo Ann worked as an assistant Lutheran preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, and preschool director, while raising five children. In recent years, the two of them have traveled and explored various European nations which included Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Turkey, Romania and Latvia. Several times they served as a team for the Wittenberg English Ministry in Wittenberg, Germany reaching out with the saving Gospel to English speaking tourists and residents.  Wanting to combine their love for traveling with growing and sharing the Gospel with those they meet along the way is what encouraged and challenged them to pursue this opportunity to serve the Lord overseas. 

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Rex and Linda met while he was studying at Concordia Theological Seminary, then located in Springfield, IL. Linda, who was a graduate of Concordia Ann Arbor and Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI, was employed as a Medical Social Worker at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. They met and, as they say, the rest is history. They spent their vicarage year on the East Coast at a large established congregation in Baltimore, MD along with a mission congregation in their basement.

Over the years, they have enjoyed leading short term mission teams to Panama, Jamaica, and Slovakia. In 2005-2006 after leading multiple mission teams to Slovakia, Rex took a sabbatical, and they taught at Evanjelické Gymnásium Tisovec (EGT) in Tisovec, Slovakia. In 2014, Rex retired from the parish ministry and accepted a position through the Office of International Missions to serve as a Chaplain to the missionaries in Eurasia. Together Rex and Linda offered encouragement and spiritual support to the missionaries and their families and were also encouraged by their fellow missionaries. Since then, they have served, as needed, in mission and ministry opportunities in Germany and with multiple ethnic groups stateside.

Having served parishes in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Minnesota, they have been involved in building projects and two mission starts. Their life has been an exciting journey with Christ in His Kingdom. The Lord Jesus has walked with them through the joys and challenges of ministry and everyday life. No matter where a person resides, there’s always an opportunity to share the Gospel, love people, and offer hospitality to others. They have been blessed with three sons, three wonderful daughters-in-law, and ten precious grandchildren. They are richly blessed, and they want to continue to serve Christ and His Kingdom as long as they are able.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

JB first ventured to Central Asia in 2003, carried over as an infant by her parents. For eighteen years she grew up steeped in the languages and cultures of the area, developing a deep love for the Lord and for the people living there. A mix of local schooling, homeschooling, and online classes provided her with an excellent and well-rounded foundation for life as a child of God anywhere in the world. She also got hands-on experience preparing and leading camp activities, developing resources in the local languages, teaching children of varying ages, and lending a helping hand in whatever way she could.

In 2025, JB graduated with a degree in K-12 Art Education. Highlights of her time at college include singing in the women’s choir, hosting weekend Bible studies, and engaging with school communities during student teaching.

Through MCN, JB will be teaching English in Central Asia, working with a team to reach minority people groups with the Gospel. While she may not be teaching art, JB still enjoys finding ways to use her artistic talents wherever she goes, learning local art techniques and using them in her own work to point to Jesus. 

JB is excited to see where this new chapter in life takes her, and thanks God for the body of Christ working together to share Christ’s love to the world. Please pray for JB and for the people of Central Asia!

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Adam is native to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He first met LCMS missionaries while participating in a short-term mission trip to Central Asia in the summer of 2017. Through mutual conversation, he discovered that the missionary family had been praying for someone to come, while Adam had been praying to go.

Throughout high school, Adam developed a passion for teaching music and telling people about Jesus. He served for five years as the organist at his church and has been involved with the Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ (OAFC) since the age of thirteen.  This kindled a desire to share the Good News of Jesus with everyone he meets—especially those who do not know, who have not yet heard the message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Following that first short-term mission trip, having learned of an unfulfilled need there among the small congregations of minority Christians, he decided to channel his gift for music into a ministry. Working several part-time jobs, he paid his own way to return to Central Asia three more times since that first visit, teaching guitar to anyone who wanted to learn. Also, working with the missionaries, he was able to help in a multitude of other ways on the mission field, such as helping with the church youth group, leading ESL activities at a church English club, and teaching two of the national youth to become music leaders in their local church.

Having discovered a way to be in Central Asia long-term, Adam lived as a student on that same mission field, studying music education at an international university. He had many opportunities to witness in the city and encourage new believers and used his breaks and summers to continue teaching and volunteering in the local Lutheran churches among minority Christians in Central Asia.

Today Adam lives in Linn, Kansas, serving as a music teacher and organist, and volunteering with Hispanic outreach and youth ministry at his home church. He also serves as a mission consultant for ongoing mission projects and  short-term teams visiting Central Asia, making occasional trips to encourage and equip those he worked with and trained to serve as leaders in the maturing church.

Please pray for Adam, and for this unreached people group, that God would be glorified and that many would come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior!

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Michael serves in an Asian city of about 20 million. He works in two churches preaching the Word of God to foreigners, expatriates, and nationals from throughout Asia. Michael looks for opportunities to teach Bible study and the catechism and to build relationships as he shares God’s Word of life. Previously, Michael served as an ESL teacher, English Center administrator, church planter, and pastor at a Lutheran church in Macau. Praise God!
Throughout his ministry, Michael has served churches in Nebraska and Iowa. Eventually he became a missionary with the Office of International Missions of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod serving in Macau and other parts of Asia. In 2016 Michael retired. However, loving the missionary work and life, Michael decided to go back as a mission partner with Mission of Christ Network.
Michael is married to Yan, an Asian national. Yan is a retired teacher, having taught Russian at a university. Michael has two married daughters, Rachel and Rebekah, and four grandchildren – Evelyn, Simon, Penelope and Benjamin.
Michael was born in Davenport, Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. degree in 1973. Michael attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN, graduating in 1987. He received a master’s degree from Concordia University Seward in 2008 in Family Life Ministry. Michael is a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Iowa.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Shiu and Janice will serve in Asia and establish their mission base in Macau and Hong Kong. Shiu is an ordained pastor of the LCMS. He has been serving in the parish for over 38 years. Shiu is currently the Senior Pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in San Francisco, California. He also serves as an academic dean at a local seminary in California and teaching faculties elsewhere. Shiu has been actively involved in mission work in Asia for over 20 years. He planted a new mission, “The Light of Christ,” in St. Louis while pursuing his PhD program in 2000.

Shiu and Janice were born in Hong Kong and moved to the US in 1991. Shiu finished his STM (1999) and furthered his PhD study at Concordia, St. Louis. He graduated with his DMin (2017) at Christian Witness Theological Seminary, CA. He plans to complete his PhD dissertation at his alma mater in the next few years. Janice has been active in mission work for over forty years. She is also gifted and received formal training in outreach and evangelism. Throughout the years, Janice has greatly assisted Shiu in evangelism and discipleship.

Shiu and Janice have a burden to raise more leaders and plant churches in Asia, which may also help provide servants of God to serve in the US and around the globe to accomplish the Great Commission.

Please pray for Shiu and Janice as they start to serve in Asia. Pray for the wisdom and guidance of God as they share the love of Christ, in word and deed, with the local people. Pray for their spiritual and physical wellness and God’s provision of their needs as they walk in the mission journey.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.

Jon and his wife Tami serve in East Asia. Jon is an ordained LCMS pastor, and Tami owns a business which manufactures its products in Asia. Jon serves two English-language sister congregations in East Asia.

Jon grew up in Missouri, the son of a pastor who served congregations throughout the state. He attended high school at Saint Paul Lutheran High in Concordia, MO, and graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, CA after study-abroad semesters in both Germany and Mexico. He graduated with an M.Div. from Concordia Seminary, served congregations and schools in Missouri and California, and participated in the development of ministries for both international student and refugee populations. Tami grew up in Belleville, IL, and graduated from Belleville East High School, where she was also the student body president. She is a graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree in Marketing, and of St. Louis University with a Masters in Public Administration. Jon and Tami have been blessed with five healthy children who are currently in college or have already graduated. Their home congregation is St. James Lutheran Church in Glen Carbon, IL, where Jon serves on the ministry team while pursuing a Ph.D. at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Please pray for Jon and Tami as they serve in Asia. Pray they are given faith and wisdom as they carry out their vocations. Pray for their spiritual and physical health, growth, and protection. Pray they are given opportunities to share the love of Christ, in word and deed, with their family, friends, and everyone involved in the congregations they serve.

Any funds raised that exceed Mission Partner’s Total Cost of Missionary Service may be used to further support Mission Partner in missional activities, or Mission Partner may donate, after consultation with the Executive Director, any excess funds to one or more Mission Partners who are in good standing with MCN or to MCN’s General Fund. The purpose for this is that any funds raised are to support missional activities throughout the world.