Heart to Serve: Larry Stevens

Any missions organization must surround itself with people who not only have a heart for sharing the Gospel with all people, but also those who are experts in their field of work and excel at what they do. Larry Stevens, with his wife Melody, is a man that we are blessed to have as a part of our U.S. Home Base Camp Advance Team. 

Larry is a talented builder, as he runs and operates his own building company, Larry Stevens Building. Not only that, Larry has a heart to serve and see God's love taken across the world to those who have never heard. We are blessed to have such a talented man who knows the business, yet maintains integrity in the midst of the competitive business world. 

He and his wife, Melody have two sons and are members of Ridgecrest Baptist Church where Larry serves as a deacon. Larry has a heart to serve locally but is extending his reach to the ends of the earth by partnering with School to the Nations and sharing his gift of building with us. 

Thank you, Larry and Melody, for using your gifts to not only bless our ministry, but to be a part of God's global purpose and helping us reach the unreached! 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: Kristy Ogden

Kristy Ogden has been involved in missions for many years, her heart is full of love for all people and she is a key part of what goes on at School to the Nations. Currently Kristy takes care of our Leadership Development and has created an orientation for all new staff members and volunteers. She is crucial in helping these people become acclimated to our ministry, and learn the ins and outs of School to the Nations. 

Having travelled overseas herself to places like Brazil and Bosnia, she is very aware of the need for Christ around the world and is using her gifts to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. She and her husband Matt (our Director of Buildings and Grounds) are involved locally at Ridgecrest Baptist Church and have one son, Asher. Her heart to serve is played out on a daily basis as she works full time with the Missouri Baptist Children's Home caring for local children who are in need of God's love desperately. Not only is Kristy impacting people globally through her work at STN, but she is impacting people locally as well! 

Thank you for partnering with us Kristy! Your heart to serve is such an important part of School to the Nations and we want to honor you for using your gifts to serve the Lord. 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: Stu & Marry Lou Hulsebus

We are blessed to have had quite a few retired couples join us at School to the Nations from the Campers on Mission ministry out of the North American Mission Board. This month we want to honor one of these couples, Stu and Marry Lou Hulsebus. 

Stu and his wife attend First Evangelical Free church in Springfield, MO and also serve with Campers on Mission as mentioned before. For a few months now, Stu has been helping us with maintenance on our Home Base campus, whether it's carpentry, electrical, or simply being Mr. Fix-it for the day. We are so blessed by his service and partnership in taking the Gospel across the world. 

What a wonderful picture of the idea that God is never done using you, as Stu and Marry Lou are still serving even after retirement and plan to continue for as long as they can. 

Thank you, Stu and Marry Lou, for using your gifts to not only bless our ministry, but to be a part of God's global purpose and helping us reach the unreached! 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: James & Abi Copeland

Joining the vision that God gave his father for School to the Nations, James Copeland has served with School to the Nations since the beginning. After marrying his wife, Abi in 2007, the two entered into ministry together and share a calling on their lives to live a life committed to bringing the Gospel to all nations. 

"James and Abi have a unique commitment for the cause of Christ globally and within the local church," says STN Founder (and James' father) Randy Copeland. 
James has served in the local church since 2005 working mainly with students ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-five. He is currently on staff at Ridgecrest Baptist Church as a Student Associate Pastor where he serves junior high, senior high, and more recently college aged students. Both James and Abi have a passion for discipling young people and helping them develop a global vision. 

The Copeland's have been overseas numerous times with School to the Nations, and have led teams of students as well across the globe on short-term trips. They have been vital in our church plants in the tribal villages of West Africa and both witnessed the first baptisms among a people group in 2008. 

Currently, James is in the last year of his Global Studies degree at Missouri State University. Abi attended Evangel University where she graduated in 2007 with a degree in Mission Studies. They are parents to two little girls, Anabelle (3) and Mya (2). Abi serves as our Journalist for School to the Nations and James serve on our Frontier Advance Team and is our Media Director. 

Thank you for your heart to serve with us James and Abi! 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: Adam Chambers

What a joy it is to have such incredible volunteers join us in our mission to bring the Gospel to the frontiers around the world. This month we want to honor one of these people, for his dedication to serve in whatever way is needed and for his heart for the nations. Adam Chamber has served with us in many different ways over the past few years and we are so honored to watch him use his gifts to make a global impact. 

Adam and a friend in West Africa

Adam currently is serving as a volunteer on our Buildings and Grounds team and also as a Facilitator on our Extreme Adventures Challenge Course. He has also been on many trips overseas with School to the Nations and it is on these trips that his true servant's heart is visible. He has a passion for God's Word, and for sharing Scripture with those around him. This passion is unique among his generation and the Lord has great plans for Adam as he continues to serve and allow God to direct his paths. He is currently a member at Stonebridge Church in Nixa, Mo where he is involved in discipling young people. 

Adam's heart is truly the heart of a servant. He is loyal, not only to the Lord, but to his family, friends, and the ministries he serves. We are so blessed to have him on board to STN and look forward to all that God has in store for this young man's life! 

Thank you for your heart to serve with us Adam! 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: Chris Dowdy

We were so blessed to have a few incredible interns this summer, including Chris Dowdy. Chris just finished his internship with the Building and Grounds grew at School to the Nations last week and we are so proud of the work that he put into partnering with us in advancing the Gospel. 

Chris just recently moved to the area after attending Bible College in Washington. He is finishing his degree at an area school in Theological Studies. He attends Emmaus in Springfield, Mo. He is also involved in various campus ministries. 

Chris truly has a heart to serve, and his love for Jesus is evident. He was a tremendous asset to our building and grounds crew this summer, and was willing to do whatever was asked of him. He desires to use his gifts to advance the cause of Christ among the nations. 

Thank you for your heart to serve with us this summer Chris! 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: Jon Arnold

Not many high school graduates would choose to spend their first summer after graduation volunteering. Working outside, especially in the incredible heat we've had this summer, is not the easiest place to serve, but Jon Arnold decided that this was where God wanted him. Jon recently graduated from Ozark High School and is volunteering for us as our Extreme Adventure Challenge Course Intern. We are so blessed by the hardwork and compassion we see in Jon's life and are thankful for his partnership in using his gifts to have a global impact. 


Jon attends Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo and has plans to attend Ozarks Technical Community College in the fall. Not only is he interning on our challenge course, but he also is spending time shadowing our STN leaders learning the day-to-day details of running a missions organization. He has a heart that loves others and is willing to serve in whatever capacity to help other people. 

Thank you, Jon, 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: Jenna Kilgallin

For those that know Jenna Kilgallin personally, you are aware of the amazing heart this young woman possesses. Jenna serves as our Cross-Cultural Training Director and is a Field Director on our Frontier Advance Team. Her heart is one full of hope and passion for all people to know Christ. She has traveled numerous times all over the world, including a five month stay in India where she finished her teaching degree from Missouri State University. 

Jenna has a wealth of experience and maturity, far beyond her age. She is "at home" overseas and has a huge heart for each person she meets along the way. Her authentic love for Jesus is evident and her deep love for all the nations of the world is contagious. She attends Emmaus in Springfield, Mo. 

Her heart to serve has an incredible impact on School to the Nations. From welcoming teams that visit for training, organizing trainings for church groups, or researching about future frontiers for STN to serve she has helped us in incredible ways and we are so thankful that the Lord called her to work alongside us in reaching the unreached for Christ. 

Thank you, Jenna, 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: Tracy Wofford

On August 16th, 2012 over 300 international students will be welcomed to our Home Base Campus for the annual International Day event. It takes amazing organization and time to put on an event or this quality and size and we are blessed to have Tracy Wofford at the head of it all as the International Day Director. To see a video from last year's event click here: International Day 2011  

Tracy has an incredible heart for lost people across the world, a heart that is contagious to those around her. She and her husband Mark, have traveled to West Africa numerous times with School to the Nations and have given their love and energy to showing the lost the love of Christ. They are members of Journey Church in Springfield, Mo. 


We are so blessed to have Tracy partnering with us in reaching the lost across the world. She is using her gifts to make a global impact on a daily basis! 

Thank you, Tracy, 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: Jackie Arnold

     Few things would run smoothly at School to the Nations without our amazing Office Administrator, Jackie Arnold. What a blessing it is to have a woman with pure God-given gifts in administration and organization. Jackie has been on staff with us since November of 2010 and has been key in keeping our records accurate, our newsletter effective, and also aids in mobilizing our our teams as STN sends them out on the mission field. 


     Jackie is married to Mark, who is a pastor and church transitional specialist. They are members at Second Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo and have four children, Sarah, Taylor, Seth, and Jonathan. 
     Jackie is a well-spring of knowledge when it comes to office work and also has a heart for the unreached people; giving her time and energy to send out workers to the harvest. She truly has a heart that is willing to serve in any capacity and one that is so important to the way our organization runs on a day-to-day basis. 

 Thank you, Jackie, 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: Terry & Corinne Conners

Our organization is blessed not only with a staff full of people with a heart for missions but we also have a Board of Directors comprised of men and women who are living out their calling to be involved in God's work across the world by giving their skills and resources to help our organization run effectively and efficiently. 

Terry & Corinne Conners are members of this Board. The Conner's have been on board with us since 2010 and offer their wisdom on financial issues as well as Biblical insight. Their hearts are turned toward missions and this amazing couple truly live their lives using their gifts for God's Kingdom. They are involved in the local church as members of James River Assembly in Ozark, Mo. 


Terry & Corinne have two sons, Seth and Christian. Terry is a Senior Investment Advisor at The Mutual Fund Store in Springfield, MO and Corinne has an interior design business, Old World Designs. They have been greatly gifted and are great assets to School to the Nations. We are thankful for their partnership in reaching all nations for Christ! 

   Thank you, Terry and Corinne, 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: 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: Maureen Copeland

"She senses the worth of her work, 

is in no hurry to call it quits for the day. 

She's skilled in the crafts of home and 

hearth, diligent in homemaking. 

She's quick to assist anyone in need, 

reaches out to help the poor.

-from Proverbs 31

      Do you know Maureen? Or maybe you know her as "Mo" as many call her (a few special girls even call her GrandMo). Either way, if you have had the blessing of meeting Maureen, or even more have the blessing of calling her a friend, you know her heart is a heart to serve. Co-founder of School to the Nations with her husband, Randy, Maureen has a heart for the nations and desires to be a part of planting churches globally as His Kingdom advances.
   
As for the day-to-day business, she is the Financial Secretary and Treasurer for STN and serves to keep the books in order for our ministry. She is well-seasoned in frontier work having traveled numerous times to Africa, as well as Japan, Greece, Brazil, and Mexico (to name a few). Her heart is a heart of hospitality seen clearly in the way she opens her house to family, friends, and even a few strangers now and then. Her warm personality is welcoming, along with her desire to see young people grow in the Lord, she has mentored many young people that have crossed her path over the years. She is a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church, where she sings on the worship team
    As help-mate to Randy, she serves cheerfully as he follows the call and leads School to the Nations as the Lord leads him. For 32 years of marriage she has stood by him faithfully even to the point of "being dragged across the world" as the two of them have discovered this wonderful gift given to them, School to the Nations.

Thank you for your heart to serve Maureen! 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: Matt Douglas

Videos. Photography. Graphic Design. When it comes to School to the Nations media, Matt Douglas has his hand in it all. Matt serves on our Media team and is truly using his gift to capture the story that our organization is a part of. Matt and his wife, Lindsay, live in Nixa, Mo and are involved at Lifepoint Church where he often plays in the worship band on Sunday mornings. 

Matt has a heart to follow the life calling that the Lord has placed on his life, and is doing so by serving with us and by beginning his own business, M.S. Douglas Photography. He is a talented photographer and videographer and is using his gifts to make a global impact through School to the Nations.  He serves diligently, creating promotional videos, trip reports, and brings to life this mission movement that we are all a part of. For a look at his most current work watch our Deaf Project promo by clicking here. 

"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!!

Stay tuned for our next Heart to Serve! If you have questions about getting involved with us at STN please contact us at schooltothenations@gmail.com.