2016 New Missionaries to North America

Matt & Sarah Brown | Project Office

Matt had always questioned if his career in engineering was where he was supposed to be investing his time and energy, and Sarah, a pediatric occupational therapist, had always been drawn to missions.

Then, in 2013, Matt, Sarah, and their children went to help friends who were missionaries in India. That trip opened their eyes to missions and how their skills could be used on the mission field. Then a year ago, Matt felt God leading him away from his job and into missions.

As a member of the ABWE Project Office based in North America, Matt, along with his family, will be traveling around the world to use his expertise as an engineer to manage ministry building and rebuilding projects on the missions field.

“We’re excited to help manage these projects so that the missionaries on the field can focus on doing what they do best: sharing the gospel,” said Matt.  

Paul, the son of a Syrian pastor, felt called to ministry in high school, but went to college in Syria for an engineering degree before seeking a Bible degree. Six years ago, God opened up a door for Paul to go to a Bible college in the United States. Paul jumped at the opportunity, not knowing he would meet his future wife, Nastassja.

After a civil war broke out in Syria, Paul couldn’t return home, and Paul and Nastassja weren’t sure where God was leading them. Then God opened the door for Paul to go to central Pennsylvania to work with an Arabic pastor who was planting a church for different ethnic groups who relocated to the area.

“This was not my plan when I left Syria, but God gave me this ministry,” said Paul.

The new church plant ministers to immigrants and refugees from all over the world. Paul loves giving a community to these people who have lost theirs, and Nastassja is eager to use her Bible education, psychology degree, and Spanish and English language skills to support Paul’s new church.

“There are so many foreign people and they need somebody to reach them,” said Paul. “They are lost in this culture and they need someone to build the bridge.”