Volunteer of the Month: October 2013

Jim & Shirley at the Jungle Village Celebration in October. 

Most people think of retirement as a chance to rest, relax, and check out from job and duty. School to the Nations is blessed beyond measure that Jim and Shirley Fox do not see it this way. Rather than spend their retirement traveling to exotic places, resting, and not doing much of anything they have chosen to spend their retirement continuing in the Lord's work.

For seven years they have served STN faithfully doing anything from carpentry to weed eating, without complaint and with smiles on their faces. More recently Jim has spent countless hours on helping complete our Jungle Training Village on campus. Jim and Shirley serve with a ministry called Campers on Mission which means they live in their camper and serve full-time as volunteers for our ministry.

"They love Christ and the Kingdom and truly have served the cause of the Gospel on a 

daily basis. What a joy and example of growing older in Grace." 

-Randy Copeland (STN Founder/Director) 

"Jim & Shirley are a godly example of what it means to serve Christ on a daily basis. 

Their consistency and faithfulness are an inspiration to all of us at School to the Nations."

 -Jackie Arnold (Office Administrator) 

Jim & Shirley are blessed with six children, 22 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren! They are avid St. Louis Cardinals fans as well. Jim loves photography and Shirley enjoys doing crafts. They are members of Starling Road Baptist Church.

Thank you Jim & Shirley for your passion to reach the unreached and for using your gifts to help School to the Nations. This month we honor your hard work and dedication!

May Volunteers of the Month: Bethany Webster & Hanelle Reeder

School to the Nations believes that every gift can be used to impact the world for the Glory of Jesus. We are blessed to have volunteers with a variety of God-given gifts and talents who are using them to be involved in missions and in carrying out the call that the Lord has placed on their lives. 

This month we want to honor two women who are using the gift of dance to proclaim the message of Jesus. Bethany Webster and Hanelle Reeder recently choreographed and performed a dance at our Sowers & Fields Festival at Remington's in April. It was a joy to see these women dance with such skill and passion! 

The Webster Family

Bethany Webster is a close family friend of the Copeland's and has been involved here and there with School to the Nations over the course of the ministry's development. She has traveled with STN to Africa and has a sincere servant's heart. She is the wife of Jacob Webster and they have two children, Landon (5) and Storri (3) and a third baby on the way! They attend Revolution Church in Nixa. She works at VIP Hair Studio in Nixa where she uses her gifts not only to cut and style hair but to impact her community by offering great service as a means to share the love of Jesus. She has been involved with dance for many years whether teaching, choreographing, or dancing herself. What an inspiration to see Bethany dance with such passion! 

Hanelle Reeder

Hanelle Reeder came to School to the Nations through our college house church that meets weekly during the school year. Originally from Nixa she is one of eight children in her family and other than dancing enjoys painting, violin, and piano. She is a member of the Petra Ballet Company and attends Parkcrest Baptist Church. Hanelle has always wanted to dance for the Lord and feels that it is a huge part of her ministry. She loves the work that STN is doing and appreciates that Randy and the staff are so real! Hanelle has a hunger for the Living Word of God and it was an honor to watch as she used her gifts for the Glory of Jesus.

We are grateful for Bethany and Hanelle's part in making our April event a success and most of all for welcoming us into the presence of the Lord through dance. We pray that they continue to use their gifts for His glory! If you know these ladies, take some time to bless them with your words and know that these two ladies are living testimonies of God's specific gifting all for His Glory. 

Sowers & Field Festival - April 2013

 Thank you Bethany and Hanelle for your work and service not only for School to the Nations but for the Lord! 

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!!

Biblical Partnerships: Raising up the Next Generation of Missions Leaders

School to the Nations is honored and excited when the opportunity comes to train young people on our Home Base Campus. We see the importance of raising up young men and women with a global perspective and a heart to serve ALL people.

Recently we were able to host students from two area churches and are excited to share that experience in hopes that we will continue to see churches encouraging their students to gain a global vision and a heart for missions across our world.

On July 11th, fifteen students from East Sunshine Church of Christ  in Springfield came out and volunteered on our grounds. They were a huge help in completing some maintenance work on our Kelunka Tribal Village and we are so thankful for their hearts and willingness to partner with STN in this way.

Following that, on July 12th, 184 students from Northpoint Church in Springfield took part in a variety of things including working on our Extreme Adventure Challenge Course and took part in a missions awareness event including the Prayer Trail where they were introduced to different unreached people groups and spent time in prayer for each group. We are thankful for churches like Northpoint who are building global missions awareness into the DNA of their student ministries.

Praise the Lord for each student and leader that came out and took part in advancing God's Kingdom into the unreached places of 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: 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: 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!!

Heart to Serve: March

Matt Ogden has a heart to serve. Matt is the Buildings & Grounds Director for School to the Nations and is in his second year of serving with us as a volunteer. Have you seen our Extreme Adventure Challenge Course lately? Matt has put together a team that is in the process of upgrading the elements, along with constructing new elements for use in our team training. He oversees a great team of volunteers that maintain our 29 acres, and works along side them to create a clean, welcoming environment to anyone who visits the School to the Nations Base Camp.

Matt and his wife, Kristy, live in Nixa, Mo and have a three year old little boy named Asher. They are involved in a local church, a great example of the importance of being grounded in a local body of believers. Matt works full time for Ozark Electric and Kristy works for the Missouri Baptist Children's Home. He is using the gifts that God has given him to help advance the Gospel to the unreached.

This monthly highlight will honor one of our staff/volunteer members as they are making a global impact with School to the Nations. Stay tuned for next month's Heart to Serve! If you have questions about getting involved with us at STN please contact us at schooltothenations@gmail.com.