WBC’s missions DNA
- 540+ WBC members have been sent as missionaries to 80+ nations since 1929.
- 60 WBC families, couples, & singles currently serve around the globe.
- Our church continues to prepare & send missionaries utilizing a wide variety of gifts & skills.
- Global workers sent by our church are supported on-field by trusted mission agencies.
Wheaton Bible Church has had a “missions DNA” from birth. From our inception in 1929—even before WBC had a full-time pastor or permanent facility—God was sending members of our church as missionaries around the world. Over 540 WBC members have been sent as missionaries to 80+ nations since 1929.
Today, our 60 sent and supported missionary singles and families are Boomers and Millenniels, evangelists, educators, and entrepreneurs – individuals from diverse backgrounds using their spiritual gifts, passions, and developed skills to serve others and to make Christ known.
Each international worker sent by our church is resourced on-field by a trusted sending agency for guidance, accountability, connection, and care—alongside their connection with our own Global staff, volunteers, and church communities.
Why Go?
In the opening book of the Bible (in Genesis 12:1-3), God unveils His conspiracy of grace “to bless all the families of the earth” (Genesis 12:3) through the descendants of Abraham. The prophets and psalms of the Old Testament foretell God’s purpose for the coming Messiah to be a light to all nations and to bring redemption and rescue to all peoples.
The gospels and letters of the New Testament make known the person of Jesus Christ, affirming the Great Commandments to love God and neighbor—and the Great Commission to His followers to make disciples of all nations.
The final book of the Bible (in Revelation 7:9-10) records a glimpse into heaven and assures those who trust in Christ of a Great Celebration! “…Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language… wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands… crying out in a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’”.
From beginning to end, Scripture is Gods’ declaration and demonstration of His purpose to restore humanity in relationship with Himself through Christ… and every Christ-follower is called to join in this grand mission. Wheaton Bible Church was founded recognizing the authority of Scripture and with a passion that everyone everywhere have opportunity to hear and respond to God’s invitation of mercy and new life in Christ Jesus.
Nearly 100 Years of Reaching the World!
Our church sent our first missionary couple to Ethiopia. WBC’s presence in Africa has been continual ever since that initial arduous travel. Our missionaries have served Africans via education, evangelism, theological training, AIDS awareness, health care, community development, and more.
During WW2, WBC missionaries faced danger: One couple was interned in a prison camp in the South Pacific; another was taken captive when their ship was sunk… Yet God protected, and they continued in service.
Post-war Europe became a major mission focus for WBC. Today, over 40 WBC missionaries are extending the Gospel in more than a dozen European nations through an array of platforms.
George & Beth Raney deployed to SE Asia with Missionary Aviation Fellowship; 18 months later, George tragically died in an aircraft accident. A single mom with 4 children, Beth courageously continued as a missionary nurse. Today, WBC supports the 3rd generation of this family, as the Raneys and Macrises serve on 3 continents.
As communism fell in Eastern Europe, WBC invested in a “sister church” in Deva, Romania—financially and via short-term teams. Since, WBC has sent over a dozen career missionaries to Eastern Europe. Timotheus Bible Institute, founded by Elisei & Adriana Rusu, has trained over 400 pastors for Romania and far beyond.
Our church began sending multiple annual “GO Teams.” Hundreds from our church family have served on these short-term mission trips on 5 continents to partner with our global workers.
In 2004, WBC launched a major initiative to serve those afflicted by AIDS in Kenya… and subsequently to address starvation in a different remote region. HOPE [Kenya] now brings transformation through community development, orphan care, water access, agriculture, microfinance, skill development, and church planting.
2011-12 – Our MOVE Initiative sent a dozen workers to serve the growing immigrant and refugee populations of Europe—as our church grew in “welcoming sojourners” in our own community, launching new ethnic communities on our campus.
2015 – In some of the world’s most challenging contexts—incl. North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia—we accelerated supporting Strategic Indigenous Leaders (SILs) to reach their own people in places difficult for westerners to enter and earn influence. (see WE PARTNER)
2019 – Fresh out of college, Noah & Jill Ellenwood arrived in Montenegro. They are one couple among more than 20 Millennials supported by WBC serving in under-reached cultures via Gospel on-ramps which include sports, technology, social justice, and holistic ministry.
FAQs
WBC supports missionaries serving under more than 35 trusted mission organizations. Some of our primary sending agencies include Greater Europe Mission, SIM, Wycliffe, Pioneers, Josiah Venture, and Reach Beyond.
Our church supports those who have been active members of our congregation for 3 years or more who have completed a preparation process and been affirmed by our leadership for service with a trusted ECFA-accredited sending agency.
Join the Mission
Ready to take the next step? Learn how you can serve our neighbors or the nations!