Counting the cost in a world abounding in difficulties, dangers, and strife, God’s people still boldly follow his call to the nations.
Since October 2025, 14 new missionaries have joined ABWE. Some are engaging indigenous groups living among drug violence in Central America. Others will bring healing and hope to West African villages. Still others will shine the light of the gospel in oft-forgotten Muslim nations or in European cities where the once-bright gospel legacy has nearly been extinguished.
While each story of calling is unique, every new missionary highlights common ways that God sovereignly directs his people. Whether we’re called to go or to support those who do, their insights are valuable to consider.
First, encountering the needs of the world and considering our God-given giftings help us determine where we can be most useful in his service. When Ken Kistler heard a Scottish pastor say, “You could throw a dart at a map of Scotland and you’d probably hit a town of 1,000, 5,000, or 10,000 with zero gospel influence,” he was burdened to use his background as a pastor to reach a nation with few Christian leaders.
Second, God often directs us through other believers, whether through godly input or through the example of those who have gone before. Wise counsel and mentorship from ABWE missionaries in Romania encouraged Sydney Spielbauer to join their team, while Aliza Curtis Urias was inspired by the faithful sacrifice of a Bible translator whose husband was killed on the field.
Third, God speaks through the local church. Matthew and Amanda Bixler noted the positive impact of their church in following the example of Acts 13 to affirm their call, disciple them for ministry, and guide them to the field.
Finally, the gospel itself compels us to join Christ’s mission. Boris Ramirez described how Christ’s sacrifice in John 3:16 motivates him: “When I think about the gospel message, that’s what giving is—it’s the giving of our lives, of our families, of our dreams, for death. But when we think about the death of our Lord, we remember the life that it gives us.”
As these new missionaries prepare for the field, may we also be sensitive to God’s leading and how we may pray, partner, or join them in his mission.
Matthew and Amanda Bixler
ABWE GO | Long Term | England
Passionate about the role of the local church in missions, the Bixlers developed a partnership between their church in Texas and a church in England before moving to the UK in 2022. They mobilize leaders to plant and revitalize churches.
G. and K.
ABWE GO | Long Term | Central Asia
Witnessing the inaccessibility of the gospel in Muslim nations led G. and K. to find a fit for their natural giftings in Central Asia, where they will disciple, train, and mentor young national church leaders to introduce the gospel in their region.
Rose Jones
ABWE GO | Long Term | Togo
Rose, a physician assistant and second-generation missionary, has pursued medical missions since childhood. She will combine compassionate medical care with intentional discipleship at the Hospital of Hope.
Ken and Lynn Kistler
ABWE GO | Long Term | Scotland
While visiting family in Scotland, the Kistlers were struck by the number of church buildings that were closed or converted to stores or pubs. They are joining an ABWE team to equip the few but faithful believers to rekindle the gospel in Scotland.
B. and D.
International Security and Crisis Management | Long Term | Worldwide
B., a police officer, and D., a civil servant, apply their professional experience to share the gospel through TACTICA law enforcement training in Latin America and by equipping US churches for disaster response and crisis intervention.
Boris and Beth Ramirez
EveryEthne | Associate | United States
Boris and Beth served 30 years in Boris’ native Guatemala translating the New Testament into the Poqomchi’ language. Now in Pennsylvania, they lead outreach to immigrants and train new missionaries to Latin America.
Sydney Spielbauer
ABWE GO | Mid Term | Romania
Through repeated ministry trips with ABWE missionaries in Romania, God led Sydney to refocus her college studies and activities in preparation for serving in Bucharest to reach and disciple young people.
Jenny Stevenson
ABWE GO | Long Term | Liberia
Jenny’s teaching degree, administrative background, and youth ministry experience converged on a trip to Liberia, leading her to return full-time to help local leaders enhance and strengthen outreach and church planting ministries.
Carlos and Aliza Urias
ABWE GO | Associate/Long Term | Mexico
Carlos, saved at a church plant in Mexico, met ABWE missionary Aliza while serving in Culiacán. They present the gospel to migrant farm workers from least-reached Mexican indigenous groups and disciple them to reach their communities.
