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Rick and Elisabeth Arnold

Children: Annelise, Amandalee, Alyssalyn & Arickson

Address

Africa

Ways to Connect

Email Rick and Elisabeth Arnold

Ministry Focus

Pioneer church planting among the least accessible, unreached peoples.

Primary Ministry Activities

In 1991, We went to Africa and began pioneer church planting among the least accessible, unreached people. Although enduring many hardships, by God's grace and the prayers of many, we are in our fifth term of four years. Reaching out in a variety of ways, including sports, hospitality, literature, parties, tools, local school partnerships, seeds for farming, soccer teams, sportplex, eyeglasses, and tea debates, we have seen God at work in deepening relationships with our neighbors. Years have passed without visible change, yet God has been at work! Today, outward signs of God's grace are pointing to extreme decisions being made with life and death consequences both eternally and within the community!

Personal Journey - Call to Christ

Rick: In eighth grade, I watched the movie “A Thief in the Night.” I asked Jesus into my heart as I didn’t want to be left behind when Jesus returned. Since then I have never looked back, but continue to grow in my understanding of what it means to follow Jesus as His disciple.

Elisabeth: I was four years old when I was at a communion service in America sitting with another couple other than my parents. Since I grew up in Africa, I was interested in what was being passed around. The couple asked if I was allowed to partake of the elements. My parents shook their heads “NO,” but I told the couple “Yes.” My mom shared later that night that I was not a part of God’s family. I was very young when I made that decision, but my heart has been captured by His love forever. I continue to grow in understanding not only the sins of behavior, but the sin choices and habits of my heart when I turn to anything other than Jesus. 

Call to Missions Service

Rick: After I graduated from high school, I stayed out a year with my parents. I was invited to minister with a summer team as a translator and tech man. We passed through so many villages without any witness, and the people were begging for us to stay and teach them about Jesus. God touched my heart and called me to unreached, least accessible people.

Elisabeth: When I entered Columbia International University as a freshman, I believed the facts stood clear that I was needed where there was no opportunity to hear the gospel. When I was a sophomore, I attended a memorial service for a martyred alumnus, Chet Bitterman. At the end of the service, the speaker asked for all those who would fill in Chet’s place on the front lines to stand to their feet. I felt a clear, strong, passionate assurance to stand to my feet and offer my life for front line commitment. 

Prayer Requests

  • That God would raise a group of believers who would be able to stand together for the Name of Jesus among the people.
  • That God would continue to open the door for the oral Bible storying.
  • Teammates
  • Financial support during these difficult economic times.
  • That we would live out of Jer. 31 hearts.
  • That God would give us wisdom to raise godly children in the location that He has called us.
  • That God would give us patience, hope, and wisdom for Alyssalyn’s health issues.
  • That God would protect and guide our college children an ocean away from us.

Support Needs

Funds can be sent to the following address with a note that designates it for the Arnolds #110053:
Pioneers
0123 William Carey Dr.
Orlando, FL 32832