Our Missionaries
You may be aware of the services and outreach programs provided by Chapel,
but did you know that we support various missionaries around the world?
but did you know that we support various missionaries around the world?
Drew & Gracie Loring
Drew grew up attending Chapel in the Pines with his family and is now working with an international mission organization called “Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ.” He has been involved with this organization for a few years now, but officially working with them since 2020. He serves the Southwest and Northwest Regions of the US to teach, encourage, and equip leaders in ski towns throughout this region.
The mission of "Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ" is to bridge the gap between the Ski and Snowboard communities and the local church. The type of people that they come across within these communities are not typically the type to willingly walk into a church building, so they strive to bridge the gap by meeting them where they are. They do all sorts of different outreach in ski towns from free meals and skate nights in sanctuaries to camps and discipleship training.
The purpose is to be the light of Jesus on the ski hills, and they have seen countless individuals and even large groups in communities experience a shift toward God as a result of that purpose being lived out authentically.
The mission of "Snowboarders and Skiers for Christ" is to bridge the gap between the Ski and Snowboard communities and the local church. The type of people that they come across within these communities are not typically the type to willingly walk into a church building, so they strive to bridge the gap by meeting them where they are. They do all sorts of different outreach in ski towns from free meals and skate nights in sanctuaries to camps and discipleship training.
The purpose is to be the light of Jesus on the ski hills, and they have seen countless individuals and even large groups in communities experience a shift toward God as a result of that purpose being lived out authentically.
The "M" Family
The "M" family has been serving with Operation Mobilization (OM) for 15 years, at their US office near Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. "M" serves with the communications team and is responsible for web, email and social media – inspiring Americans to pray for missions, to give towards projects that open doors for the gospel, and to GO and serve in more than 110 countries where OM operates. OM is 100% focused on ministering to the almost 3 billion unreached in our world, who have no access to the gospel.
"We are so thankful for YOU, dear Chapel family for your prayers, partnership and friendship!"
"We are so thankful for YOU, dear Chapel family for your prayers, partnership and friendship!"
Ron & Maria Purdue
As long-time missionaries supported by Chapel in the Pines, Ron and Maria served the Lord in Istanbul, Turkey, for nearly thirty years. They partnered with Operation Mobilization, an organization dedicated to motivating and equipping Christians around the world to share God’s love.
During their years of service in Turkey, Ron and Maria were involved in church planting, teaching at a school for missionary children, training new members of Turkish Outreach, and providing earthquake relief. For 25 years, they ministered in an agricultural town on the Asian side of Istanbul. There, Ron taught English to local villagers, while Maria developed a B4T (Business for Transformation) ministry. Through this work, she created a women-run coffee shop and cheesecake business, where she hired, trained, and empowered local women.
In 2024, Ron and Maria returned to the United States while still serving with Operation Mobilization. While it was a blessing to be closer to family, Ron continued to struggle with his health. In March of 2026, Ron passed into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Maria still serves with Operation Mobilization but now resides in California, where she enjoys spending meaningful time with her family and friends.
Ron and Maria’s legacy in Turkey continues to impact the lives of many. Through their decades of faithful service, they strengthened their community by teaching, creating opportunities for women, and using their God-given gifts to serve others with love and compassion.
During their years of service in Turkey, Ron and Maria were involved in church planting, teaching at a school for missionary children, training new members of Turkish Outreach, and providing earthquake relief. For 25 years, they ministered in an agricultural town on the Asian side of Istanbul. There, Ron taught English to local villagers, while Maria developed a B4T (Business for Transformation) ministry. Through this work, she created a women-run coffee shop and cheesecake business, where she hired, trained, and empowered local women.
In 2024, Ron and Maria returned to the United States while still serving with Operation Mobilization. While it was a blessing to be closer to family, Ron continued to struggle with his health. In March of 2026, Ron passed into the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Maria still serves with Operation Mobilization but now resides in California, where she enjoys spending meaningful time with her family and friends.
Ron and Maria’s legacy in Turkey continues to impact the lives of many. Through their decades of faithful service, they strengthened their community by teaching, creating opportunities for women, and using their God-given gifts to serve others with love and compassion.
Jeff and Christine Stanfield
After thirty-plus years of missionary service in Africa (Kenya and Uganda), Jeff and Christine have changed their home base to be in the United States near World Gospel Mission headquarters, to join the WGM’s Member Health Team. They continue to serve as missionaries with WGM, but their role has changed and now they are Area Member Health Leaders for Africa.
In this role they are coordinating Member Health initiatives in the Africa region of WGM. They assist in equipping missionaries serving in Africa to fulfill their call to advance God’s kingdom by supporting them spiritually and emotionally, which includes the ministries of presence, caring, encouraging, and training. Their role involves travel to be with missionaries in their places of service as well to visit them in their places they call home within their passport country.
"We're excited to see how God will multiply the harvest through well-equipped missionaries in Africa."
In this role they are coordinating Member Health initiatives in the Africa region of WGM. They assist in equipping missionaries serving in Africa to fulfill their call to advance God’s kingdom by supporting them spiritually and emotionally, which includes the ministries of presence, caring, encouraging, and training. Their role involves travel to be with missionaries in their places of service as well to visit them in their places they call home within their passport country.
"We're excited to see how God will multiply the harvest through well-equipped missionaries in Africa."
