Joel King

My name is Joel King and I was born March 6, 1957 as my parents were are on their way to the border of Texas and Mexico as missionaries to the Spanish speaking people of both countries.

One Sunday morning when I was 5 years old I heard my father preach on hell and knew I didn't want to go there. I prayed the sinner's prayer during the invitation and God miraculously reached down and saved a child.

At the age of 12 God called me to be a missionary and preach the Gospel. I used to practice preaching while working in the cotton fields. Although I rebelled in my teen years I still believed God wanted me to come to school and prepare to be a missionary. While at Tennessee Temple I worked in the bus and chapel ministries as I majored in music.

I met my future wife, Pam Duncan, at school. For the first 7 years of my life I was raised in a home of a father who drank a lot, and on one drunken tirade shot at my mother and me. My mother divorced him and later married a man who on the surface appeared to be a Godly man. He took us to church every time the doors were opened, was in the choir, and labored much at church.

At the age of 8 I received Christ as my Saviour under the preaching of Warren Wiersbe and was baptized at Calvary Baptist Church in Covington, KY. The next 10 years were filled with questions of God's love and hurt as my step-father constantly abused me over and over.

In spite of my childhood God preserved and protected me from turning to substance abuse and immorality. I believe God called me to be a missionary as a child and then He opened the door for me to go to TTC where I met my husband, Joel. We married and over a period of 11 years we had seven children. Four of them are married and we have 5 grandchildren and 2 on the way!

From 1979—1995 we were active in church and were involved in various ministries but depended on our 'good works' for acceptance. In February of 1995 Pam broke her leg (compound fracture) and in August I fell and crushed both arms. God used this to draw me to himself and for the first time I really knew what it was to have a relationship with Him.

Back in school at Tennessee Temple I prepared to become a minister of music. But, instead of sending out resumes to existing churches we helped plant a new church. Pam played the piano and I led music, taught teen Sunday school, was a deacon, preached occasionally, and in general assisted the pastor. We participated in various outreach ministries including a food co-op, working with the homeless, regular visitation, church and individual home workdays, etc.

In 1999 I went to Romania with two of my children and begged God to let us go back as missionaries. In 2000 all of our family except one went to Mexico. There it became clear to me that this was where God was calling us. Through several years of God patiently taking me one step at a time He reminded me of his will for my life; to be a missionary to one of the last places I wanted to go. Mexico. God has burdened us for this country; a country that seemingly has the Gospel and yet we have found that there are so many unreached people groups there.

We are members of and sent out of Reimer Road Baptist Church in Wadsworth, OH where Jim Newton is the pastor. My parents, Harold and Mildred King were RRBC's first missionaries dating back 45 years when John Powell was the pastor. We currently have 67% of the financial support that is needed for us to do what God has called us to do in Mexico.

We would like the opportunity to share with you and your church the burden God has placed upon our hearts. I will be calling you to discuss this with you. Will you please pray and ask our Lord and Saviour what He would have you do? Thank you so much for sharing your precious time by reading this letter.

Pam King

Pam has given up the security of her home and has traveled over 250,000 miles in 5 years and 5 months. She has left 5 of her 7 children, their spouses (4 are married), and 7 grandchildren, to submissively follow the Lord's calling on our lives, as we endeavored to leave this familiar country behind so that we can go to the unfamiliar and increasingly dangerous place God has called us to serve Him. She has seen 2 daughters get married and was not able to be there to enjoy the normal preparations for the weddings, as she was faithfully serving the Lord on the road. I admire my wife. At the age of 43 she left her 'normal' life behind to willing follow me, her husband, wherever God has lead, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice. Of all the sacrifices that have been made by our family, Pam, my wife of 28 years, has made the most sacrifices, hands down.

— Joel

I was born in San Antonio, Texas while my father was in the Air Force. We remained there until I was three years old at which time we moved back to Covington, Ky.

I attended church periodically until my father and mother divorced. I was eight years old. After my mother remarried we started attending Calvary Baptist Church in Covington where I was saved under the ministry of Warren Wiersbe.

Even though I grew up in a fundamental church and we were in church when the doors where open, my relationship with the Lord was not stable. My stepfather did not represent a Godly father and did not leave me with the correct perspective of a father.

Upon graduating from high school I attended Tennessee Temple where I met my husband, Joel. We married in 1979. After having seven children and getting caught up with living and still struggling with my relationship with the Lord our call to Mexico was put on the back burner.

In the summer of 1998 Ralph Sexton came to Chattanooga for revival meetings and I was finally able to settle my relationship with the Lord. We are now in the process of getting ready to go on the field and I am really excited to see what the Lord has in store for our family. Mexico is a beautiful place and the people are in need of the Savior. So many untold and so many to be told.

Please pray for us as we endeavor to do what the Lord has planned for us.

Josiah King

Josiah, 21, worked at Mt. Hope Bible Camp in Ohio this past summer (2008). For this he received $10.00 per week plus whatever churches and individuals may send in for his support (about $800.00). This support is to help make up the difference of what he would have earned so he can attend New Tribes Bible Institute. He is very much involved with his church Woodland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN and is working to save money to pay for his schooling. Josiah has also been to Romania twice and Mexico several times. He has surrendered to fulltime ministry.

Bethany King

Bethany, 19, still travels with us and is a very important part of our ministry. She has a beautiful voice, to match her spirit, and uses it for God's glory. She plans on attending New Tribes Bible Institute the fall of 2009. She is a great encouragement to us and constantly reminds us of God's promises to us, including His promise to finish the work that God began in us. Bethany has been to Mexico on several mission trips as well.

Jeremiah King

Jeremiah, 17, still travels with us and is also an important part of our ministry. He plays the harmonica for God's glory and doesn't complain about the long hours in the van away from his friends. In less than one year he will be the lone child at home, in Mexico. He worked for 3 weeks at Mt. Hope Bible Camp this summer as a volunteer, no pay at all. His work required early mornings and late nights as well as working during the day as he labored in the kitchen. He plans on being a pastor one day. Jeremiah has also been to Mexico a number of times on mission trips.

Andrew King

Andrew, 28, and his wife, Melody, attend Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in Houston, TX where Johnny Pope is pastor. Andrew is the assistant teacher in his SS class, sings in the choir, is the children's church teacher, and is involved in many of the ministries in the church. He has been used of the Lord in ministries such as First Bible International, whose mission is Bible translation, and throughout the world to witness to the lost, including opportunities to have an ongoing conversation about the saving grace of God with heads' of states. Mel was raised in Japan where her parents were missionaries and has been to Europe and Mexico on mission trips. Andy has also been to Mexico on several mission trips. Andy and Mel have 3 children: James – 6, Logan – 3, and Adalyne – 7 mo.

Nathaniel King

Nathaniel, 27, and his wife, Rina, have headed up the AWANA's program at Heritage Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. Nathaniel has lead the music, played the piano, is the youth pastor, and is currently on the pulpit committee. He and his wife are considered by the church to be leaders in their local church. They have both been to Romania on a mission trip. Nathaniel and Rina have 2 children: Micah – 7, and Kendall – 5.

Hannah Stevenson

Hannah, 25, and her husband, Josh Stevenson, faithfully attend Morris Hill Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN and are active in their SS class and serve in the nursery. Hannah has been involved in mission trips with her former church (Mexico) and MHBC and attends a MHBC women's Bible study. Josh is a full time student getting his Masters Degree. Hannah and Josh have 1 child: Katherine – 1 yr. 8 mo.

Emily Wysong

Emily, 23, and her husband, Paul Wysong, are actively involved in their Sunday school class and church, Parkway Baptist Church, in Fort Oglethorpe, GA. Paul was a deacon at their former church, led the services there on Wednesday nights, and filled in for adult SS. Emily and Paul have been on several mission trips to Mexico and Romania and Emily has traveled by bus through Mexico to reach Honduras where she spent a week. They have been a tremendous help to us on deputation, for which I know they will be greatly rewarded. Emily and Paul have 1 child: Allison – 4 mo.