The majority of Jonathan's childhood was spent in Shell, Ecuador. His parents served as missionaries in Ecuador for 22 years. The upper level of this building was their home in Shell! Jonathan grew up hearing about the rich history of mission work in Shell and the areas surrounding his home. Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, and their friends were martyred in the first attempt to bring the gospel to the indigenous people (the Waodani tribe) in the jungle near Shell. You can read more about the history of Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, Pete Fleming, and Ed McCully here.
About Jonathan
As a young man, Jonathan felt a call to foreign mission work. God has been so faithful in leading and growing him through college, seminary, and a year of serving at his high school alma mater in Quito, Ecuador.
About Bekah
While Bekah grew up in the US, missionaries were her childhood heroes. She felt a call to foreign mission work as a child. God has also been faithful in her life, providing her with opportunities to serve Stateside, in Mexico, and now in Ecuador!
God brought them together at North Greenville University, where they met and fell in love. Jonathan earned his B.A. in Theatre Ministry and Bekah earned hers in Studio Art. They were married in June of 2012. As newlyweds, Jonathan attended Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. Jonathan will soon graduate with a M.A. in Christian Ministries.
Jonathan & Bekah have enjoyed serving together at Southside Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, as well as in Quito, Ecuador at Alliance Academy International, and on the growth group leadership team at English Fellowship Church.
Now, God has led them to join the Williams Family back in Shell, where this story began! Jonathan is thrilled to return to his childhood home to minister to indigenous people there! Bekah is also excited for this new opportunity to serve and to get to know Jonathan's many friends (that are like family) in Shell!
About the Williams Family
The Pifers will be apprenticing under another couple, Chet and Katie Williams, for the next two years! The focus of their ministry is on leadership development, empowerment, and discipleship of the indigenous tribes. The Williams are a part of a missionary cooperative, Commission To Every Nation (CTEN), and they have invited the Pifers to be a part as well! Learn more about CTEN here!
The purpose of this apprenticeship is two-fold:
- to learn from the experience the Williams have in ministry with indigenous people groups
- to partner with them in a new season of their ministry
One of the dreams God placed in the Williams' hearts a long time ago was to start a skill center for the indigenous people. The younger generations of these tribes are coming out of the jungle, but without education or knowledge of the outside world, they are quickly falling into a bad way of life. The Williams’ dream is finally becoming tangible, as the tribal leaders have asked that the Williams step in to help their young people learn how to live among non-indigenous people. In turn, the Williams have asked the Pifers to help them make this a reality. This will expand their ministry from focusing on the Waodani tribe to all indigenous tribes.
Do you remember the home where Jonathan grew up in Shell? The Center is actually going to be on that same property!
This is such a special ministry to the Pifers, not only because it will take place at Jonathan's childhood home, but also because he grew up with some of the Waodoni people with whom he will now be working! Sometimes we catch a glimpse of the beautiful and intricate life God is weaving for each of us... all of the reasons for the different seasons of life He is leading us through. Isn't that a glorious thing?
Jonathan and Bekah are looking forward to supporting the Williams by teaching new skills, building relationships, sharing the Word, and working together to weave the gospel into every aspect of this ministry. With backgrounds in Theatre and Art, the possibilities for ministry are endless!
The Pifers are looking for PARTNERS in ministry!
Partner: someone who participates in an activity with another person
There are three types of partners the Pifers need for ministry: Prayer Partners, Financial Partners, & Traveling Partners.
Prayer Partners can focus their prayer time on the Pifers' marriage, funding for ministry, relationships with partners and those they will minister to, as well as language & culture learning.
Financial Partners can partner by committing to monthly giving, yearly giving, or one-time giving. Gifts through CTEN or Go Fund Me are tax deductible!
Traveling Partners can come to share the work load in person! We welcome Church Teams, Family Teams, Interns, and Visits!
Will YOU join their team of partners?
Prayer:
Financial:
Traveling:
Jonathan & Bekah would love to speak with you directly about what God is doing in their lives! Currently, they are available to share with church families, small groups, and individuals in the Southeast of the US. They are also happy to schedule Skype dates with individuals in other areas.