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Meet our missionaries
...
Tim
& Sue Hoffman
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I never intended to be a missionary," says Tim
Hoffman. "My plan was to pastor a church somewhere in the
States."
Tim grew up in a Christian home in Ohio, and gave his
heart to Christ at age nine. "It was at camp, as a teenager, that I
surrendered my life to full-time service," he says.
As a youngster, Tim had been exposed to missions -- at
church, and when missionaries would occasionally stay in his home. He was
about to start his last semester of Bible school in Missouri when NCEM
missionaries, Ed and Karen Lytle (from his church in Ohio) contacted him.
They were returning to the States for deputation and needed someone to
fill in for them at Norway House, Manitoba.
"In my short time in Norway House, God burdened me
for the people there," says Tim. "After finishing Bible school,
God provided a way for me to return to Norway House on my own. While I was
there I joined NCEM in 1988."
Tim later moved to the Cree community of Oxford House
(MB), where he serves as missionary/pastor at Niiyahk Bible Chapel, an
associate NEFC member church.
Sue Collins also grew up in Ohio, and met Tim in their
high school years. They attended the same youth group and worked together
at camp.
As a child, Sue recalls acting like a "model
Christian." But, as a 14 year-old Bible camper, she admitted she had
been "playing games." "I knew that I did not have a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I received Him into my life one
evening after chapel."
Sue remembers being challenged about missions shortly
after, and telling God that she would go where He wanted. Her schooling
has included a university degree in education, and elementary school
teaching.
Tim had been serving in Oxford House for about a year
before they were married in the fall of 1998.
With Oxford House accessible only by air and by winter
road, it was not until the following spring that their wedding gifts
arrived. But they had only two months to enjoy them -- a fire destroyed
their home and all their possessions.
Support from the church and community was encouraging.
Initially, though, local people were asking, "Are you planning to
leave?"
... to which the Hoffmans responded, "God brought us here and when
it is time to leave, God will let us know!"
Click here to meet more of our
missionaries
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