Ministry Focus
While attending their local church in 2007, Mike and Patricia met Paul Hutton, then Director of Ministry for Missions Door in Central America. He shared many of the needs of the people there with their church, and it got people excited about the possibility of being used by God to support that ministry to the poor. In 2008 Patricia and Mike met Rigoberto Reyes and shared with him their desire to teach people how to grow food. Farming has always been one of their greatest pleasures and they felt that the Lord was calling them into ministry as advocates to raise awareness of the poverty in Nicaragua and as servants to the poor. In 2011, Mike and Patricia went to Nicaragua and were able to see how God was going to use them to help His people. It was at that time they started working under Rigoberto Reyes and assisting with the development of the Bethlehem Farm. Mike has worked as a systems engineer for the last 14 years. Patricia has studied and worked with horticulture for 15 years. Their inspiration for this mission comes from Matthew 25:37-40. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. The King will reply, I tell you the truth, Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Faith Story
Patricia came to know the Lord Jesus Christ in 2004 during a time of illness and healing, both physical and spiritual.
Mike spent 40 years in the wilderness before coming to the Lord in 2004. Since then he has been actively involved in music ministry in various churches and loves to use his voice and musical talents to give glory to the Lord.
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Patti and Mike by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
Specialized Ministries
Ministry location:
, United States