Go therefore and make disciples of all nations
Matthew 28:19
We are dedicated to bringing hope and healing to people everywhere by caring for their physical, spiritual, and relational needs—just like Jesus did. We support strategically-selected organizations in our communities and around the world to partner with God in the work He’s already doing. With your help, we can reach people of every age, location, and language for Christ.
Missionaries We Support
Meet the missionaries that Life Church Huntsville supports!
Jonathan Augustine
Czech Republic / Poland
Jonathan & Daniela Augustine In 1991, on his way home from the Upper Room Church of God in California, Jonathan received an open vision of dozens of people running to an altar for salvation as he preached. Nine months later, that vision was fulfilled in the church he planted in Kustendil, Bulgaria. Since that time, he has served as a missionary pioneer in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The Augustines have planted a church in each of the countries they have served as missionaries, Bulgaria, 1991, and Czech Republic, 2003. In addition, they planted a Bible college, the Bulgarian Theological College in 1997, and a ministry to homeless street children called Samaritans in 1998. While planting the church in Prague, Jonathan, Daniela, and Josiah Augustine founded a coffee shop outreach, DayStar Café, 2006, and a family center, Palecek, 2006. Jonathan has served as a regional superintendent since 2003, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Vanguard University 1990, a Master of Divinity from the Pentecostal Theological Seminary 1995, and a Doctor in Ministry from Drew University 2008.
Don Chavis
Europe's Child
I serve as a missionary to Europe’s Child Missions, Inc. Most of our ministry is based out of Italy, primarily by providing humanitarian assistance to children in need. I also facilitate youth camps and plant churches in several different countries.
I became a missionary after taking several short-term trips. Missions got into my spiritual DNA, and I could not lose the passion for it. I then began to feel the call of God towards missions and surrendered to that call.
One of the most memorable moments from the mission field was in our first children’s camp. We had limited supplies and wanted to have the children make cards for someone and give them away as an act of love or kindness. At the end of our class, this beautiful little Roma gypsy girl named Mihaela came up to me and gave me her card. I smiled as she went out to play with the other children.
After a few minutes, I opened the card and my heart broke. There was no writing. I realized that she could not convey her thoughts because she was unable to write. I stood there with tears rolling down my face. At that moment, I knew God was calling me to make a difference. On that hot afternoon underneath that make-shift tent I told the Lord, “If you will give me partners that will support this ministry, I will do my best to help change a generation, one child at a time.”
I became a missionary after taking several short-term trips. Missions got into my spiritual DNA, and I could not lose the passion for it. I then began to feel the call of God towards missions and surrendered to that call.
One of the most memorable moments from the mission field was in our first children’s camp. We had limited supplies and wanted to have the children make cards for someone and give them away as an act of love or kindness. At the end of our class, this beautiful little Roma gypsy girl named Mihaela came up to me and gave me her card. I smiled as she went out to play with the other children.
After a few minutes, I opened the card and my heart broke. There was no writing. I realized that she could not convey her thoughts because she was unable to write. I stood there with tears rolling down my face. At that moment, I knew God was calling me to make a difference. On that hot afternoon underneath that make-shift tent I told the Lord, “If you will give me partners that will support this ministry, I will do my best to help change a generation, one child at a time.”
Coleman Bailey
Precious Kids Orphanage
Growing up, I never dreamed of being able to travel the world and do any ministry. In 2015 I moved to Kathmandu, Nepal thinking that I could help provide some assistance to people suffering from the recent earthquake. While there, God began to completely change my life, and I saw the fruits of that in my ministry. I soon started working with street children on a regular basis which naturally led me to work with orphanages there and throughout South Asia. Since then, God has blessed me with the opportunity to work with children’s homes all around the world.
Today, my work is primarily in Africa and Eastern Europe, where I am working with 22 orphanages. Here, I have been able to be a part of launching several brand new orphanages. God has also blessed me with the opportunity to lead large-scale humanitarian responses to wars both in Ukraine and in DR Congo. I am so unbelievably grateful to be in a place where every day I feel like God is using me.
When I was living in Nepal, I can remember the first time I saw a little girl eating trash (literally plastic). It horrified me, and I tried to assist her in finding food. I never dreamed of being able to do any of the ministry that God has allowed me to be a part of, but I still think about that girl all the time. In working with orphanages, we can sometimes neglect the individuality of a child due to the sheer numbers of children in one home. When I saw her, I saw a child fully known and loved by God. Still to this day, she has been a major motivation for me. For years, I have worked with the mission of helping “one more” child. As we continue to launch new orphanages, the dream still remains of helping “one more” child.
Today, my work is primarily in Africa and Eastern Europe, where I am working with 22 orphanages. Here, I have been able to be a part of launching several brand new orphanages. God has also blessed me with the opportunity to lead large-scale humanitarian responses to wars both in Ukraine and in DR Congo. I am so unbelievably grateful to be in a place where every day I feel like God is using me.
When I was living in Nepal, I can remember the first time I saw a little girl eating trash (literally plastic). It horrified me, and I tried to assist her in finding food. I never dreamed of being able to do any of the ministry that God has allowed me to be a part of, but I still think about that girl all the time. In working with orphanages, we can sometimes neglect the individuality of a child due to the sheer numbers of children in one home. When I saw her, I saw a child fully known and loved by God. Still to this day, she has been a major motivation for me. For years, I have worked with the mission of helping “one more” child. As we continue to launch new orphanages, the dream still remains of helping “one more” child.
Manning & Jane Thornton
Missions For Christ
We are focused on reaching the lost around the world through our ministry, “Missions for Christ.” Our ministry for the lost is fulfilled in three ways: (1) in teaching and training pastors and church leaders for ministry and evangelism; (2) in evangelistic crusades and in national, regional and international conferences; and (3) through nurturing leadership. Our ministry is world-wide having ministered in 63 countries and returning to most numerous times.
Manning has an earned Doctorate in “Preaching and Evangelism” which opens doors for teaching and training oversees. Our full-time missions work began after 31 years of pastoral and leadership ministry. We have served with Church of God World Missions for almost 22 years.
In Africa, we preach in local church services; in Conferences (local, regional, national and international venues); and in conducting and preaching Evangelistic Crusades in different African countries. We also do teaching and training both in informal settings and in formal education (Local churches/Conferences; Bible Schools and Programs offering both B.A. and Masters Programs). Our training consists in biblical and theological training, as well as pastoral development and enrichment with an ultimate goal of developing leaders who both nurture the Church and reach the lost of the world.
Manning has an earned Doctorate in “Preaching and Evangelism” which opens doors for teaching and training oversees. Our full-time missions work began after 31 years of pastoral and leadership ministry. We have served with Church of God World Missions for almost 22 years.
In Africa, we preach in local church services; in Conferences (local, regional, national and international venues); and in conducting and preaching Evangelistic Crusades in different African countries. We also do teaching and training both in informal settings and in formal education (Local churches/Conferences; Bible Schools and Programs offering both B.A. and Masters Programs). Our training consists in biblical and theological training, as well as pastoral development and enrichment with an ultimate goal of developing leaders who both nurture the Church and reach the lost of the world.
Randall & Rhonda Parris
The Parris Bridge
Rhonda and I have two young adult children, Clay and Alysse, and one daughter-in-law, Stacy. We have over thirty years of successful ministry. We both love teaching, equipping, coaching, and inspiring emerging Christian leaders.
We chose to conclude almost three decades of prolific ministry with the Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship to serve full-time as a 100% donor-funded missionary. As a kid, I raised offerings for missions. At 16, I spent a month in Asia on a STEP Mission Trip. That love for missions grew exponentially throughout my life, and we have trained leaders and pastors from 30+ countries.
The “Great Commandment” advises just two things: Love God. Love People. This is what we want to do. God’s Word says, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
We teach and train pastors, leaders, youth leaders, young ministers and young people. We preach and teach in conventions, hold crusades, and sponsor special projects.
Young adults need help preparing for ministry; pastors and leaders are hungry for training; young people need Jesus. We serve anywhere we can make a difference. We hosted “Winterfest Africa” in Lusaka, Zambia.
We are trusting the Lord and trusting in you. We can do so much together with you!
We chose to conclude almost three decades of prolific ministry with the Church of God International Department of Youth and Discipleship to serve full-time as a 100% donor-funded missionary. As a kid, I raised offerings for missions. At 16, I spent a month in Asia on a STEP Mission Trip. That love for missions grew exponentially throughout my life, and we have trained leaders and pastors from 30+ countries.
The “Great Commandment” advises just two things: Love God. Love People. This is what we want to do. God’s Word says, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
We teach and train pastors, leaders, youth leaders, young ministers and young people. We preach and teach in conventions, hold crusades, and sponsor special projects.
Young adults need help preparing for ministry; pastors and leaders are hungry for training; young people need Jesus. We serve anywhere we can make a difference. We hosted “Winterfest Africa” in Lusaka, Zambia.
We are trusting the Lord and trusting in you. We can do so much together with you!