Missionaries

First Methodist Grapevine supports a number of missionaries on a regular basis. The majority of our missionary funding goes to Kenya and Costa Rica.

Latest Update - Spring 2012 (pdf)	Ray and Lidia Zirkel Costa Rica In 1995, the Zirkels were invited by Dr. Luis Palomo, Bishop, to minister with the Methodist Church in Costa Rica. Ray is an ordained elder in the Methodist Church and serves as a professor at the Evangelical Methodist Seminary. In addition, Ray is a member of the Board of Directors of the Methodist High School and Elementary School; and, he helps to plant and develop local congregations.   In 2006, the Zirkels sensed the Lord leading them to an additional area of ministry  focused on bringing the Good News and love of Christ to abandoned and orphaned children in Costa Rica.  Today, the  “Hogar Metodista”  is a fully operational Children’s Home with 10 children currently living on the campus where Lidia serves as the general director. With the assistance of the  20 to 25 short-term Missionary Teams the Zirkels host each year,  the plan is to continue expanding the ministry of the Children’s Home to reach a population of nearly 60 children in the coming years.  Today, the Zirkel’s call and vision for the people of Costa Rica continues to grow. It is their prayer that you would become Partner’s in Ministry with them through your prayers, financial gifts, and participation on a short-term Missionary Team. J.B.C. SJO #1441 P.O. Box 025240 Miami, FL 33102-5240 Tel./Fax: 281-385-9068
Latest Update - July 2012 (pdf)	The Peifer Family Africa Inland Mission - Kenya Kids Can Steve Peifer has a vision. He sees a Kenya where children have enough to eat and stay in school. In Steve’s vision, these same high-achieving students go on to become Microsoft certified and get professional, well-paying jobs. Through education, today’s children can lift Kenya out of poverty and build the next high-tech economy. We have made a special effort to help Steve Peifer's ministry to feed the school children in Kenya.  Typically, it costs $1.50 to feed a child for a month. This term, it will cost us $6.00 per child each month. That is a 400% increase in a very short time. Kenya is experiencing intense inflation while the U.S. dollar is also declining in value. We need your help to make up the difference. You can give to Feed the Kids Kenya any time by indicating "Feed the Kids Kenya" in the memo portion of your check (please be sure to include "Kenya" so as not to be confused with local feed the kids programs).
	Kenyan Evangelists When Bishop Muriuki originally visited us, he expressed the great need for sponsorships for native Kenyan evangelists. Since then, we have sponsored a number of evangelists for three year periods.