Heart to Serve: Bethany Shepherd

In March we welcomed a young woman onto our volunteer staff with a heart to make a global impact. Her calling is specific and her passion is evident to all who know her. Her name: Bethany Shepherd. Her calling: reaching the deaf, both home and abroad, for Christ. 
      Currently volunteering as our Cross-Cultural Training assistant for our Deaf Ministry, Bethany has a heart not only to serve, but to serve in an area that is close to home for her. Her familiarity with the deaf community comes from being deaf herself, and she is keenly aware of the need for Christ among those who cannot hear. 
     Bethany is currently studying Deaf Education at Ozarks Technical Community College and Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. She is an active member at Second Baptist Church, in their college ministry, The Vine.
     We are to grateful for Bethany's heart to serve. She is using her gifts, abilities, and knowledge to reach the deaf for Christ. We are grateful to have her on board as we develop and create our growing cross-cultural deaf ministry. 
     Thank you, Bethany, for your heart to serve! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21) 

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Heart to Serve: Lance & Lori Copeland

Since the beginning, Lance and Lori Copeland have served faithfully in partnering with School to the Nations. Their biggest contribution has been raising a son, Randy Copeland (STN Co-Founder and Director), with a vision and passion for reaching unreached people groups across the world. In 1991 when the primary ministry on our campus was an inner-city children's camp for area children, Lance and Lori jumped right in and served in whatever way they could. 


As invested ministry partners they have continued as amazing volunteers and supporters over the years. Lance helps take care of our maintenance on campus, anything from changing lightbulbs to building displays for the challenge course. Much like a few of our other volunteers he has chosen to spend his retirement serving, and in doing so is making a global impact. Lori, a best-selling author, uses the platform given her as a well-known writer to share about School to the Nations with hundreds of readers world-wide. Many of her books reflect a heart turned towards missions, in fact one specific book, Monday Morning Faith, is a story entirely about life on the mission field. (Visit her website for more information: Lori Copeland Books)


Lance and Lori are faithful members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church and have been for many years. We are grateful for their obedience in following God's call and being a part of global missions. What a blessing it is for Randy to serve alongside his own parents as the message of Christ is preached to those who have never heard! Thank you for your heart to serve Lance and Lori! In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21)

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!

Heart to Serve: Jim & Shirley Fox

Making a global impact has no age limit. We are blessed to work beside a couple who desire to spend their life serving, even in retirement. Jim and Shirley Fox have been with us for nearly 6 years as volunteers and as partners in our ministry. More than likely if you have visited us during the week you have seen Jim outside mowing, weed-eating, painting, or working on the ropes course. His wife stays busy as well taking care of plants, cleaning, and serving in any way that is needed. 

The Fox's serve with a ministry called Campers on Mission, which means they live on our campus in an RV camper the majority of the year returning home during the winter months. They have chosen to spend their retirement years serving and because of their service they are partnering with School to the Nations to reach those who have never heard the Gospel. 


Jim and Shirley are members of Starling Road Baptist Church where they have attended faithfully for 49 years. We are blessed by their service and inspired by their willingness to give ALL of their life to serving God. They are wonderful models of what it means to serve for the cause of missions, giving the talents given them to advance God's message of love and hope to all nations. 

Thank you for your hearts to serve, Jim and Shirley.

 In the words of Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant..." (Matt. 25:21)

Each of our Heart to Serve featured staff members/volunteers will receive a free 16oz. frozen yogurt from Orange Leaf in Nixa, MO. We are happy to partner with the wonderful people at Orange Leaf to honor these special people who are using their gifts to change the world!!