Rob & Laura Evans were neighbors here in the Vancouver area before moving to Mexico early in 2010 to train and send national teams on short-term mission trips. After a few years, Rob’s job changed to include caring for finances for the field. Then in 2015, their mission asked them to relocate to the U.S. to allow Rob to train for, then step into, the Finance Director position for the U.S. headquarters in eastern Pennsylvania.  The U.S. Finance office processes the financial donations for over 300 missionary units, plus caring for the annual taxes, W-2’s and donor receipts. Although they serve in the U.S., their ministry extends around the world. Rob and Laura have three children: Hannah, Josiah and Ellie.

Tracy and Leng Halstead have ministered to the children in Clark County for over 25 years.  As Clark County Directors of Child Evangelism Fellowship, they reach into schools, churches and homes, plus fairs and festivals – wherever there are children – to share the message of the Gospel. During the school year they have Good News Clubs which meet once each week.  Some clubs are held in schools, others in private homes.  The biggest outreach of the summer is the Clark County Fair where CEF hosts a booth each day.  They do face painting and talk to boys and girls, and their parents, about God’s love for them and His desire to have a relationship with them.  

After serving in Indonesia for seven years, Mike and Angie were recently re-assigned to serve at MAF Headquarters in Nampa, Idaho where they are supporting the entire MAF worldwide ministry. Mike is working as Maintenance Controller and Angie is working in the parts department as Stores Keeper. They equip planes to serve in different countries and maintain training aircraft to help equip future staff overseas with the skills they need to survive the rough working conditions they will encounter. Mike & Angie have two children, Colton and Macie, and are members here at Gateway Church. 

Nick serves as Director of New Creation Ministries which exists to teach national leaders the Word of God and prepare them to lead others.  Part of that ministry is a university (CLIR) that is currently redesigning curriculum and programs to meet government accreditation standards.  They also teach local leaders in the Pastoral Training School, a three-year program. Krystal co-leads the team and also serves as a nurse, mostly in the local clinic to support families in their prenatal care and deliveries..  She is currently taking classes to gain Nurse Midwifery credentials.  Nick is working on his PhD in Adult Education. The Pirolo’s have three children: Grace, Rayna and Luke.

Rigo and Claudia began working in evangelism and church planting in the country of Nicaragua in 2001. He was recently named Director of International Ministry for Missions Door.  His areas of oversight include: Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America, Africa and Central Asia.  Many of our Gateway family served with Pastor Rigo in Nicaragua over the past 20 years during our missions trips there.  His passion is seeing men and women come to know Jesus, grow in Him and gather together in church communities to start the process all over again.  He and Claudia have three adult children.  

Juan Carlos is the son of Rigo and Claudia and has his parents’ same passion to share the Gospel, disciple and train new believers. He is Nicaraguan by birth and loves teaching men and women the Word of God and training them to teach others. Currently he and his family live in Washington State and he is teaching classes virtually.  They also help lead a local Hispanic church in their community. Our Gateway teams have also worked extensively with Juan Carlos and Guisela during our missions trips.  They have two sons, Juan Carlos and Rigoberto.

The Simons, church members here at Gateway, have been serving in the country of Haiti since 2016.  Dave is a pilot and mechanic with Mission Aviation Fellowship. God uses MAF to reach into remote areas with the love of Jesus. Erin oversees the care and education of their children and also has opportunities to use her nursing skills in the lives of local families. They are passionate about being available to serve the Lord as He opens opportunities.  The Simons are also involved in ministry at their local church.  They have four children: Elsie, Sam, Isaiah and Ruth.

Duane & Jodi minister to Chinese students on the PSU campus.  They partner with other campus ministry organizations plus Portland-area churches. In addition to one-on-one evangelism and discipleship, they also meet practical needs of students such as airport pick-ups and helping to find and furnish housing opportunities.  They host outings to give students the chance to experience the beauty of the area and recreational opportunities. During these outings, the Deckers are able to build relationships and initiate spiritual conversations. Duane and Jodi continue to disciple believers who have returned to China and encourage them in their Christian walk.

John & Amy work with CRU on the campus of PSU and a few other area colleges.  They lead volunteer staff and Christian students to engage in spiritual conversations with fellow students, encouraging them towards Jesus. Amy works with students, but also is trained to prepare CRU staff/missionaries to serve cross-culturally. One of their goals is to partner with nearby churches to help reach students on the local campuses.  The Rozzelle’s have one son, Asa.

The Starretts, Gateway Church members, are excited to begin a new season in their lives, serving at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany.  Beginning in the fall of 2022, they will be Dorm Parents for 16-20 high school boys. Students at BFA come from missionary families who are working in over 40 countries to advance the Gospel.  God has prepared Jay & Marnie for these responsibilities through the years as they have served in various ministries in their churches and community. Jay & Marnie have committed to serve from three to five years at BFA.

Gateway is supporting a family who is living and serving in a restricted nation.  Although the area was a center of faith for the early church with thriving Christian communities, there is now no tangible witness for Christ.  Someone needs to bring the Gospel to them.  This family has joined a team that is working in a secular jobs and serving through a local church.  Their goal is to build relationships with individuals and be able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then disciple new believers to grow and share their faith in an on-going cycle.