HEARTLAND Directory

Maricka, a native South African, currently serves as an administrative assistant and faculty member at the Philippine Bible Methodist Shepherd’s College. Her passion is disciple-making, particularly among those who are training for Christian ministry.

She grew up in rural South Africa in a loving Christian family. As God began to direct her towards a life of full-time ministry, He opened the door for her to receive her ministry training in the US at God’s Bible School and College, earning degrees in: BA in Intercultural Studies and World Missions, BA in Biblical and Theological Studies, MA in Biblical Studies, graduating in 2017

David was born into a Christian home and made a personal decision to follow Jesus when he was just six years old. “I don’t remember the exact date”, David testifies, “but the conviction that I was a Christian never changed. I fully surrendered my life to Christ in May of 2013. I was a High School senior about to graduate and confused about the future. In His mercy, God came close to me, called me to full-time ministry, and ask me to surrender all. I did.”

While David has been studying at GBS he as also been involved in a ministry called Cincinnati Circuit Riders, a weekend preaching, testimony, and worship ministry organized by international students.  One of David’s ministry peers says of him: “When we traveled in the ministry team together David was known for his willing spirit to do anything for the team (preach, play the piano, teach). He is a very talented guy with a servant’s heart.” One of his professors at GBS describes David as “sincere, humble, disciplined in his studies, a team-player, a man of integrity.”  We look forward to introducing Bro. David Martinez to you in our BMC camp meeting missions services this summer.

While David feels called to church planting ministry, his complete transition to the field is still a few years away. Later this year he will be enrolling in graduate studies at a seminary in Guatemala: SEMINARIO TEOLOGICO CENTROAMERICANO. During breaks he will be training, working and teaching with Brennan and Ivon Muir in San Gabriel and throughout our BMC work in Mexico. We will talk about this and much more this summer!

Since 2011 Paul and Esther’s family have been seeking to reach Buddhists in the foothills of the Himalayas.  Paul was clearly called by the Lord to this largely unreached people group when he was just 14 years old.

This calling led him to pursue and complete degrees in TESOL from Hobe Sound Bible College and Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, MI), and to court and marry Esther r, a dedicated young lady whom God was also calling into cross-cultural ministry.

Paul and Esther spent their first two years of married life as missionaries to Japan before God at last opened a door for them in the country where they now live, study, teach and work. They have been blessed with three beautiful children, Menita, Isaiah, and Yashua.

Paul and Esther are examples to us of quiet strength, humility and complete commitment to the will of God. They have a love for exploration, adventure and mountain climbing, and their children are following in their footsteps!