Gary and Elizabeth Eckman

From an early age, we both sensed a call to missions. In more recent years, our hearts for missions have been directed toward Southeast Asia. Both of us love working with kids—and we find them wherever we go!

Gary: My passion for Southeast Asia originated during a college missions trip to a closed country in the area. I was impacted by local believers who did not have access to Scripture. I developed a longing to bring the Word to areas that are still relatively unreached by the Gospel, and now have a heart for discipleship. I plan to walk with local believers as they grow in their faith and their knowledge of Scripture, enabling them to take up leadership in their own communities. I believe this approach can have a profound impact on spreading the Gospel throughout their countries and other unreached areas.

Elizabeth: God stirred my heart towards Southeast Asia when I discovered how many communities were completely unreached by the Gospel. During college, I traveled to the Southeast Asia. It was here that I really encountered people who knew no other Christians. Some were interested in Christianity and wanted to grow spiritually but had no Christian mentors or practical examples of how to live out a Christian life. This gave me a passion for what I call incarnational living, which is creating relationships and living side-by-side those who would otherwise have no access to Scripture or Christian examples. I am an English teacher who loves to use teaching as a tool to create relationships and environments where I can share the Gospel. I feel led to use this passion in Southeast Asia to reach those with little to no exposure to the Gospel.