Serving in Papua New Guinea at Goroka Baptist Bible College

Pat and Kellis serve in Papua New Guinea with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism and have completed their third (4 year) term of service. Their main ministry is assisting churches through a teaching and discipling ministry at Goroka Baptist Bible College (GBBC). Pat serves as the Headmaster (director) of the college, which exists to “Help churches train workers for the Gospel ministry.” The school offers various 2-4 year courses of study in both English and Melanesian Pidgin, and an advanced Bachelors program as well. Over 70% of the school's 300 graduates are serving the Lord, and we are in process of expanding the programs, staff, and facilities to enable future training of leaders for the growing church of Papua New Guinea.

Pat grew up in Sacramento, California, and was saved as a young teenager through the ministry of an AWANA club. Kellis was raised in Redmond, Washington and was saved as a young girl, partially through the ministry of Christian neighbors. They met in Salem, Oregon, at Western Baptist College, now known as Corban College. They were married on the same day Pat graduated, June 4, 1983. They received further training at Northwest Baptist Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. While in seminary they were challenged by a missionary to consider the needs of the mission field, and the commands to make disciples of all nations. “There are many who can go but DON’T, shouldn’t you see if the Lord wants YOU to go?” They were appointed as missionaries in 1990 and arrived in Papua New Guinea in 1995. Their five daughters: Beka (now married), Rachel and Naomi (both in college), Lydia (16), and Abi (14), have been involved with various ministries as well.

After our return for a regular furlough in 2008, our youngest daughter Abi contracted a life-threatening flesh-eating disease (necrotizing fasciitis) on her face, and she almost died.  But God spared her life, and has led us through eight surgeries, many doctor visits, and Abi is continuing to heal in miraculous ways.  Praise God!  We anticipate returning to Papua New Guinea in July of 2010.