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Missionaries TOM AND KATHY PADLEY: Tom and Kathy came to Christ in 1975 on the wave of the Charismatic Renewal that was sweeping the country. They became involved with youth ministry that same year and in the years that followed they began to work in prison ministry, foster care to troubled teenage boys and church leadership. It was after the death of Keith Green and during one of his memorial concerts that the call and vision for missions was solidified. In 1988 Tom and Kathy and their 4 children were sent out on a one year commitment to serve with the church in Brazil ministering to the many homeless children there. Over twenty years later, Tom and Kathy still serve in Brazil along with a team of dedicated missionaries which includes some of his own children and their spouses. This mission, the International Association of Missions (IAM) was first incorporated in Brazil as Associação Internacional de Missões(AIM), by Tom and Kathy in 1989. This year marks the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Tom and Kathy as IAM incorporates in the U.S. as a stand-alone corporation. Having functioned in the U.S. as a ministry of the Alliance for Renewal Churches, it’s with great joy and excitement that we see the ministry take the next step to see the Kingdom of God expanded across the globe. Today, Tom is the President of IAM in Brazil, the Alliance for Renewal Churches of Brazil and they are both involved in many of theministries listed on the website in one capacity of the other. E-Mail: Tom:tpadley@gmail.com Kathy:brazilgram@gmail.com Website: www.air.org.br  JAMES AND FLANS PADLEY:James Padley is the youngest son of Tom & Kathy Padley. James was twelve years old when he went to Brazil with his parents in 1988, but very committed to the work in which the family was being called. James is an incredibly talented song writer and musician. James has written over 400 songs, has two solo music CD’s and has contributed to many artists in Brazil. James met the love of his life, Flans and the two were married in 1996. James and Flans have four children, three daughters and a son and together they spearhead the organic (house) church movement with IAM. James also has a ministry called Pegue Fogo (Catch the Fire) which was initially started to reach out to needy neighborhoods with street parties, music, games, clowns using arts and crafts, drama and music for evangelism. This ministry has been a barrier-breaker with a non-intrusive approach to befriend the poor with the Gospel message. Each event and includes follow-up with a focus on the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of those being ministered to. E-Mail: James and Flans: peguefogo@gmail.com or jamesarcbrazil@hotmail.com Website: www.peguefogo.com  MIKE AND BECKY KUELKER:Mike and Becky Kuelker have been married for 28 years. They left Life Christian Church in St. Louis, MO on August 13, 1994 heading to Dallas. They completed the two year program at Christ For the Nations in May 1996 and went on to get their Cross Cultural Degree in December of 1996. From there they went to Kingsway Language Institute, where Mike took a 4 year college course of Spanish in only 9 months. He graduated December 22, 1997 and both were in Tepic on the 24th of December to begin their work with the Huichol Indians. The Kuelkers have three adult children and six grandchildren. E-Mail: Mike or Becky: makuelker@yahoo.com Website: www.makuelker.com  MELISSA AND SAGARES MARTINS:Melissa is the daughter of Gary and Lori Christofferson in Elyria, Ohio. Melissa went on a short term mission’s trip in 2002 to minister with the Padleys shortly after graduating from high school. She fell in love with the Brazilian people and culture and decided to become a career missionary. Sometime after that, she met a wonderful young man named Sagares Martins, fell in love, and the rest is, as they say, is history. Melissa and Sagares have been blessed with two beautiful young boys. Both work in a key support role with the whole mission in Brazil serving from the churches to the Amazon. Sagares has taken a strong leadership role, helping to pastor the organic church movement with James Padley. Sagares and Melissa also fill a key role in being able to step into any position they are called up to do. They serve closest with James and the ministry of Pegue Fogo (Catch the Fire) in bringing the gospel to the cities and neighborhoods of Brazil. E-Mail: Melissa and Sagares: xenam11@juno.com  APRIL AND JUDSON OLIVEIRA:April is the youngest daughter of Tom and Kathy. April was at the impressionable age of 16 when she went to Brazil in 1988 with her family. April is uniquely gifted with children and so it is no wonder that she took a lead role in helping to raise many of the abandoned street children that her family took into their home. April met the love of her life in 1990 and married Judson Oliveira the following year. Together, they took several of the children into their own home, raising each of them into adulthood, where most are serving the Lord today. 
April’s husband Judson is very anointed as a worship leader and as such has national and international recognition
and success. Judson is also an itinerate preacher and teacher and also works to bring pastoral care and counsel to numerous
Brazilian pastors. Judson's ministry has taken him to many countries including Ghana, West Africa, Japan, Germany, Cuba, USA,
and Argentina among others. His music is highly sought after with dozens of his own CD's and DVD's. April and Judson have
three wonderful boys (14, 12 & 2) who have already begun to minister in song and word.
E-Mail: April: april@juda.com.br Judson: joliveira@juda.com.br Website: www.juda.com.br/  DAN AND KIMBERLY KUBITZA:
Dan and Kimberly Kubitza and their 3 children, Davian, Nathaniel and Stephen live in Goias, Brazil. Dan is a vernacular media specialist which means he provides materials of educational and moral value to minority language groups. More details and specific projects that he is working on can be obtained by contacting them directly. Kimberly's current ministry focus is keeping the household functioning while Dan travels and caring for their young children. She enjoys giving English classes at an after-school ministry and hosting out of town guests. They are currently building a guest house to meet the needs of other missionaries traveling to their region. E-Mail: Kim: vidadoce@me.com Dan: mediabr@me.com Website: web.me.com/vidadoce  RANDALL AND PAULA YORK:Randall and Paula come from Manfield, Ohio. Each was convinced from an early age they would serve as missionaries, but only recently found their calling with IAM. As a computer professional, Randall will be providing technical support to all members of the team. Paula brings skills as an artist. They will also be teaching basic tropical agriculture. E-Mail: Randall & Paula: randall-paulayork@iamusa.org Website: www.yorkchops.com Blog: yorkchops.blogspot.com  ART AND SANDY HACKETT:The seeds for La Family Ministries started in 1982 when Art helped a neighbor, who was a Mexican national, to drive across Mexico. While in Mexico for three weeks he was received very well by the Mexican citizens. At that time, Art knew God did something in his heart, but was not sure what it was. He continued to minister in Mexico in the coming years, evangelizing in the prisons of Tijuana and ministering with the churches. Art continued to visit Baja California and through developing relationships they settled in Tecate. In 2003, Sandy and Art had bought a home on a "land contract," and were able to pay it off within three years. This home has become their base, as they build church and community in Tecate. Having started a church, they have built a building to begin the House of Prayer with the hope and desire to get people to pray more and see God move among the people of Tecate. Sandy is leading this ministry and is hoping to have it filled 24/7 someday. Most recently, Art has connected with the director of the local Rehab Center and looks forward to a specific ministry there as well. E-Mail: Art & Sandy: lafamilyministries@yahoo.com  JACOB AND ANITA ESTRADA:Jacob & Anita and their five children are from the Toledo, Ohio area and are currently in Tecate, Mexico and serve with and under Pastors Art And Sandy Hackett with La Family Ministries. Besides translation, they help with praise and worship, evangelism, and most recently they host a home group. The Estrada’s house has become a community center as they reach out to those in the neighborhood. They have a full-sized volley ball net and a basketball hoop set up; both draw a lot of activity and provide another means of outreach. Friday and Saturday nights are fellowship nights in their home, were they continue to build the church and support the work of La Family Ministries. Jacob and Anita also work with missionaries in the areas who are serving from other Latin American countries. E-Mail: Jacob & Anita: estradas_tecate@yahoo.com |
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