ECPC Missions Support

BELIZE 

After about 8 months in language school in Costa Rica, Marc and Sam Summers and their three children went to Belize in the summer of 2004 to serve with Mission to the World.  Marc is the country director for MTW in Belize

Marc and Sam Summers met through the youth ministry of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where both were working. They were married in 1985, and are members of East Cobb Presbyterian Church and have been in missions for many years.

During Marc’s six years on staff with Mission to the World (MTW), the family spent two summers in Belize, where their hearts were captured by its people. They began to recognize God’s calling to give their lives to ministry in this part of the world. After much prayer and confirmation from others, they became certain of that call.

Marc is serving as MTW Country Director for Belize. He is providing leadership for the MTW short-term and long-term missionaries serving in that country as well as working closely with the Presbyterian Church in Belize. Marc and Sam have a passion to see the gospel transform the people in Belize and desire to see God use them in building strong Reformed church-planting movements. In addition, Sam is involved in evangelism, outreach and discipleship.

SOUTH AFRICA 

Bruce and Barbara Wannemacher serve with Mission to the World in Cape Town, South Africa. Bruce is on staff at the Bible Insitute of South Africa. He teaches and disciples national students and pastors from throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Barbara disciples women from the Bible college and also works off-campus teaching Bible at a local primary school. God has blessed them with seeing the fruit of their labors as He uses them to build His kingdom there in South Africa.

Bruce and Barbara grew up in northern Illinois, where they met in elementary school. They each became Christians through a campus ministry in college. Bruce served as a U.S. Army officer in the Medical Corps for 20 yrs.

Desiring to serve in cross-cultural missions after military service, Bruce and Barbara pursued Bible training at Covenant Theological  Seminary. There God confirmed their desire to serve cross-culturally. They both graduated in 1998—Bruce with an M. Div. degree and Barbara with an M.A. in general theological studies. Serving in short-term mission opportunities in England, Jordan and Africa confirmed their desire to serve in the field.

Bruce and Barbara have two grown children. 

Mission to the World  Peter and Gretchen Beck have served as missionaries with MTW since September 2000. In 2006, they returned from Cusco, Peru, where they were part of a team of people ministering to the poor through work, deed and presence. During their term of service, they worked with this population and saw God bring many to Himself, changing their lives and giving them hope.

The Becks are transitioning to a new assignment with MTW, where are part of the global training department. They will be training missionaries for service around the world. While they will be based here in Atlanta, they will conduct training in Europe, Africa and central Asia.

Prior to their work in the mission field, Peter worked in missions administration and Gretchen taught children with severe emotional disturbances and learning disabilities.

Peter and Gretchen have three children.

Al and Elaine LaCour  serve with RUF International on the campus of Georgia Tech. 

Professor and Mrs. Truong serve with Mission to the World. They travel to sensitive areas of the world where he provides seminary teaching/training to national pastors and lay leadership.

Bill and Bev Smith and their three children serve with South American Mission in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. They are involved in both teaching and medical ministries. 

Dan and Rebecca Gregoire and their children left for Slovakia in Feb. 2007.  They had been raising prayer and financial support for 5 years.  They are serving on a church-planting team with Mission to the World in Slovakia.

Visit their website http://www.gregoiresinslovakia.com (open the blog).

SHORT TERM MISSIONS

YOU  have the opportunity to serve on a short-term mission trip! Each year East Cobb Presbyterian sponsors a short-term mission trip to serve alongside these and other of God’s servants. 

Short-term missions trips are typically one week in duration. The teams typically involve 15-25 individuals, couples and entire families. The team will conduct several fund raisers in advance of the trip to raise the necessary funds for the entire team.

In 2007, a team went to Cherokee, NC, for a week.

PERU 2006 In July 2006, 28 persons formed a short-term mission team to Peru to assist Peter and Gretchen Beck and their ministry there.  The team was involved in leading worship, constructing facilities, improving outreach facilities, and other acts of service.  What a great opportunity and privilege to allow God to work through His people!
	Summer 2006 Team to Peru