Rev. Patrick G. “Pat” Lewis is a Global Missionary of The United Methodist Church, serving as director of training, promotion and interpretation for Give Ye Them to Eat in Puebla, Mexico. A nonprofit organization created by the Southeastern Annual Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico, Give Ye Them to Eat strives to combat hunger and poverty in the rural sector of south-central Mexico. In the past 40 years, the ministry has provided disadvantaged farming families with development opportunities to improve their lives and situations so they need not abandon their lands and leave their families by immigrating to the USA in search of jobs and a better income. Pat earned a Master of Divinity degree at Iliff School of Theology. An ordained elder, he most recently served First United Methodist Church, Billings, Montana, related to the Mountain Sky Annual Conference. Describing his faith development, he said, “I have been on this journey since I was young, first serving as an acolyte at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Laramie, Wyoming, which led to camp [attendee], camp counselor and youth group. “From youth camp, where we installed a septic system, repaired tent platforms and cleaned the hiking paths, I found myself drawn to service and mission,” Pat remembers. “My father would take me with him as a youth, and we would help families in need, shoveling walks, repairing houses or fixing vehicles. It has been in my DNA. “When I was 12, I had an encounter with the Divine during an operation that assured me I was being cared for and loved by God. During my college years, I drifted from the church but remained connected with God through prayer and conversations with those with whom I had a spiritual relationship.” After college, Pat worked with several nonprofits as part of his employment at a television station. “I learned about Habitat for Humanity,” he said, “and, within a few years, was the executive director for the central Wyoming Habitat for Humanity in Casper. Here I again felt connected with God and began to know my calling to serve.” On Habitat mission journeys, he helped build houses in the state of Veracruz. “We worked in the villages,” Pat recalled. “I forged friendships and grew to know the presence of God in the side-by-side work with those who were in need and who served each other to build homes and community. I heard a call from God to ‘make miracles happen.’ I did not know how I would do that, but found myself on a path to serve others and help them to see the miracles they were in the world and to become the bright light God calls each of us to be.” Within a few years, Pat married Kimberly Lewis. “We began working in our lives to serve God and be greater connected to helping others realize their lives in God’s kingdom,” he said. “I returned to school and completed a Master of Divinity degree. As an ordained elder, he served in Denver, Salt Lake City, the Grand Junction [Colorado] area, and Billings, Montana. “Through Habitat, volunteering with UMCOR and serving as a minister, I feel guided to grow in love and service each day so that others may know God’s grace and mercy in their lives. I feel God has particularly called me to serve those in Central America and has afforded me the opportunity to serve there on several occasions, growing my interests and abilities to break down barriers while lifting souls.” Pat’s favorite part about mission is witnessing the miracles unfold – “the changes in people when they realize that they are called to something more. The peace that comes over them as they begin to see God’s light and find God’s love in their life,” he explained. He is inspired by Isaiah 58:10 (NIV): “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” “I, too, am inspired through the teachings of John Wesley and the thought that we are here to earn all we can, keep what we need, and give the rest away to grow the world around us,” Pat said. “My wife and I have been blessed with the gifts God has shared with us, and we are blessed also to share of those gifts so the world we live in may be a better place.” Pat and Kimberly are the parents of twin daughters.

Collins Kwasi Prempeh is a Global Missionary of The United Methodist Church, serving as regional missionary for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Ministries at Old Mutare Mission, Zimbabwe. Because of his placement, Deaf students will be able to study at Africa University. New Deaf ministries have begun in Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and Burundi. Collins, who is Deaf, earned Bachelor of Divinity and master’s degrees from Africa University and a diploma/certificate in Bible translation into sign language at Deaf Opportunity Outreach (DOOR). He was an evangelist at Tepa Wesley Methodist Circuit in Ghana. After accepting Jesus Christ into his life in 2008, Collins started his faith journey. “I discovered a deep passion for serving others, particularly within the Deaf communities in Ghana,” he said.” Through my preaching and ministry work, I have witnessed firsthand the power of faith to bring hope, healing and transformation to those who are often marginalized and overlooked. “God urged me to preach to Ghana’s Deaf villages and surrounding area. In 2011, I traveled to Kenya to translate the Bible into sign language at Deaf Opportunity Outreach. I was invited to The United Methodist Church’s third worldwide Deaf mission in Nairobi in 2013. As soon as I got my certificate in 2014, I volunteered at a Deaf ministry in Tepa, Ghana, my home country. I received an invitation to attend the fourth World Methodist Missions Conference of the Deaf in Waxahachie, Texas, in 2017.” Feeling God’s call to the ordained ministry, Collins applied to Africa University. “I traveled to Zimbabwe in 2019 to study theology at Africa University,” he said. “I made many trips to Deaf communities in Mutare, Zimbabwe, where I shared counseling, the gospel, news and my own experience. I was also asked to preach to the Deaf congregation at HillTop UMC, Mutare, Zimbabwe.” Collins is certain that God has shaped him for his new role as a missionary in Zimbabwe. “Through various experiences, challenges and opportunities, God has been equipping me with the skills, knowledge and spiritual gifts to minister effectively to Deaf and hard of hearing communities in Africa and around the world,” he said. “My unwavering commitment to this cause, coupled with me deep empathy and understanding of the unique challenges faced by this population, demonstrates God’s hand at work in my life.” Collins realizes that mission work may test his faith, perseverance and reliance on God’s strength. “The complexities of working in a new cultural context, the emotional weight of hearing the struggles of those I seek to serve, and the practical challenges of navigating unfamiliar territories may pose obstacles along the way,” he acknowledged. “However, it is through these challenges that my faith is likely to deepen, my character is refined, and my reliance on God is strengthened.” He has participated in mission journeys across Africa and around the world, providing firsthand experiences of serving and interacting with diverse communities. “My involvement in Bible translation into sign language for the Deaf and hard of hearing communities,” he noted, “demonstrates a deep commitment to ensuring that all individuals have access to the teachings of the Bible in a way that resonates with their unique needs and communication preferences. This dedication to making the message of Jesus Christ accessible to the Deaf and hard of hearing reflects my heart for inclusive ministry. “My perspective of mission has been influenced by a combination of personal faith, experiences, mentorship, engagement with Scripture and a genuine desire to serve others. These factors have collectively shaped my interest in mission work and my dedication to ministering to Deaf communities, reflecting a heart that is aligned with God’s calling and compassion for all people.” Collins and his wife, Victoria Quao, who teaches at Demonstration School for the Deaf (DEMODEAF), Mampong-Akuapem, are parents of a daughter, 5, and a son, 3. His family, he said, “plays a crucial role in supporting and encouraging my mission endeavors. Their love, understanding and prayers are invaluable as I embark on this journey of faith and service. My family’s unity, love for God, and dedication to serving others will undoubtedly inspire and encourage others as they learn about my mission endeavors.” The Bible verse that resonates with Collins is Matthew 28:19-20, where Jesus commands his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations.” Mission, he said, “provides a sense of purpose and direction, driving individuals and organizations to work toward a common goal. In a world with diverse challenges, mission helps to focus efforts on addressing specific issues, such as poverty, education, health care and environmental sustainability. It also fosters collaboration, innovation and social responsibility, leading to positive impact and meaningful change. Moreover, mission encourages personal growth, self-reflection and empathy, helping individuals to develop a sense of belonging and connection with others. “By having a mission, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations.”