Chris and Rachel Conley

Chris and Rachel had served as missionaries in South Africa, but due to the Pandemic, their ministry moved back to the US as they continue to work with Internationals.  They live and serve in Northeast Philadelphia, USA, with their two children, Evie and Jonah. Philadelphia is one of the most diverse places in the USA and their region is primarily Arabic-speaking North Africans and Middle-Easterners. They work with a diaspora team there to reach Arabic speakers with the Gospel, mobilize believers and work towards eventually planting a church.

Chris works with an established Arabic church to teach young adults, and also teaches ESL classes. Rachel is a doula and childbirth educator, serving immigrant and refugee families in the area.

One of their biggest projects is building and maintaining a community garden. The house they purchased in the city came with a large plot of land. Many of their immigrant friends love to grow their own vegetables, and their quality of life is diminished when they live in cramped quarters with no yard; land is difficult to find in the city! For years, Chris and Rachel’s yard was an overgrown neighborhood dump. Now, it will be a place of life where all are welcomed to make things grow, sip tea and have meaningful conversations.

Pancho Francovich: Viva Global Membercare

Pancho works & mentors with Spanish speaking pastors around the globe. Many missionaries feel alone & not equipped to deal with the pressures of their ministries. Pancho provides support in a mentorship ministry. Pancho will also organize mission trips for Woodlawn Baptist Church to these different locations to provide encouragement and help for missionaries around the world.

Pancho introduced two different ministries in Spain to a group from Woodlawn on a mission trip.  There are people at Woodlawn that continue to support these Spain ministries.

Berenice Salce in Spain

Berenice (Bere) Salce is a Latina pursuing social justice for women and men being trafficked in Southern Spain. She stands on the front line fighting the systems that exploit women and personally rescues and places women in safe houses. She started Project Perla in 2013 after having served in Spain since 2003 with abused women and children with physical challenges.  Bere is from Laredo, Texas, the daughter of a pastor, loves her dog “Chugo” and loves eating “churros.”

Ministry to Muslims in Spain

Jesus and Lily are from Mexico and went to Spain to serve as missionaries. Their ministry is in Roquetas Del Mar  and they minister to Muslim immigrants by teaching Spanish classes and starting a church.

Craig and Ellen O’Brien: Origin Church

have lived in Vancouver since 1994. They are both graduates of the University of Georgia in Athens and of Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. In 2003 Craig completed his Doctorate of Ministry from Golden Gate Theological Seminary with a focus on urban cross-cultural leadership development.

Craig and Ellen have four children and enjoy being parents. Together as a family they can often be found exploring the beauty of the West Coast or the dynamic urban life of Vancouver.

Vancouver is the third largest metropolitan area in Canada, with a population of 2.3 million, according to the Canadian census. Only 3% of the population is affiliated with an evangelical church. To reach the people who live in Vancouver, it will take churches that reflect the ethnic makeup and culture of the communities in which they are planted.

Woodlawn has partnered with the O’Briens and their church, Origin Church, in Vancouver by providing financial assistance and prayer. Craig left a successful church that he had planted several years ago to start this church on the campus of University British Columbia (UBC).

For more information about Origin Church visit originchurch.ca and to sign up for the O’Briens emails click here.