Joyce Hancock
Joyce was first appointed by Canadian Baptist Ministries in October 1978, and served for four years in Manado, Indonesia teaching missionary children and English as a Second Language, and helping with Christian Education work throughout the province. In May 1993, she was re-appointed to ministry in the city of Brasilia, Brazil, to work along with others in outreach to abandoned children.
For eleven years, Joyce worked with The Sharing Way’s ministry to street youth in Brasilia. During that time, she spent much time on the streets and, with Brazilian colleagues, formed an association which created Ministério SERVO (Servant Ministry), a rehabilitation centre in Brasilia designed specifically for youth. The program for this centre was based on needs expressed by the youth themselves - to stop using drugs and doing crimes, to change their lifestyle and become more integrated in society, and to gain training that could lead to employment.
In 2004, Joyce and some friends launched a prevention program in the city of Águas Lindas in the state of Goiás, not far from one of Ministério SERVO’s centres. They committed themselves for one year to see what God would do with this work. They began courses, counselling and evangelism with the intention of attracting youth from a needy section of the city and off the streets, hoping to change their direction in life by giving opportunities for study, music, recreation, computer knowledge, job training and spiritual formation. This ministry eventually became Free Flight Association, signifying the intention to help people soar in life. Joyce and others work full-time with this ministry now, which has expanded to help not only youth, but children and adults as well. In June, 2005, they were able to buy property which allows them to develop more courses, sports and other outreach activities.
Joyce was raised in a Christian home in Thunder Bay, ON. She came to faith in Christ when she was a child and her relationship with God grew through personal Bible reading and involvement with Sunday School, church, camps and youth activities. These provided many opportunities for developing her leadership skills.
Throughout elementary and high school, Joyce looked forward to a career in teaching and in missions. Her interest was heightened through meeting missionaries at camp, in her church and through her parents. Following high school, Joyce attended a year of leadership training studies at the Baptist Leadership Training School in Calgary. She graduated from Lakehead University (B.A., B.Ed.). After her term in Indonesia, she studied at Acadia Divinity College (Acadia University - M.R.E.).
Joyce served as Director of Christian Education at First Baptist Church in Dartmouth, NS, where she was involved in many aspects of Christian training, youth work, mission tours and community outreach. While serving in Dartmouth, Joyce participated in short term assignments with Canadian Baptist Volunteers (CBV) and Acadia Divinity College on a study tour in Bolivia, and with a Growth Ministry Team in India, and a CBV mission tour to Trinidad. Each of these experiences confirmed her desire to return to overseas mission service.
Jeff and Deann Carter were appointed in 2002, to a youth-focused assignment in partnership with the European Baptist Federation, the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Prague and Acadia Divinity College.
The Carters are based in the Czech Republic, where Jeff serves as the Youth Ministry Training Coordinator for European Baptist Federation made up of 54 countries in Europe and the Middle East.
Jeff was born in Wolfville, NS, but his early childhood years were spent on native reservations in Northern Manitoba where his father was school teacher and principal. Jeff came to faith in Jesus Christ as a child and was baptized as a teen. Jeff's strong call to ministry has been shaped through his pastor, Dennis Leamont, his involvement in ISCF and his involvement in IVCF.
Jeff enrolled at Nova Scotia Agricultural College with a view to agricultural missions. During the years he fostered contacts with CBM personnel working in agriculture. On the advice of CBM, Jeff also took theological training at Acadia Divinity College (M.Div. and M.R.E.). After graduation he taught for four months in Bolivia with Canadian Baptist Volunteers and began to learn Spanish. Jeff served as Christian Education Director at First Baptist Church, Charlottetown where he discovered his love of youth work and subsequently formed 'Sonrise' and later with IVCF, a group called, 'Street Lights', both performing arts discipleship groups. Jeff has served on staff with IVCF Canada, and as IVCF Coordinator in the Atlantic Provinces. In 2001 Jeff has also completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at McMaster Divinity College focusing on the relationship between Christian community and Canadian youth on the Internet.
Deann is also from Nova Scotia and was baptized at the Smith's Cove United Baptist Church. Deann is a graduate of Acadia (M.Div. and M.Th.). She also has a Diploma in Prison Ministry from Acadia. Deann pastored a five-point charge in Lower Granville, NS. Both Jeff and Deann were ordained through the Atlantic Baptist Convention.
Jeff and Deann met at Acadia. After their marriage in 1992 Deann served part time as Chaplain at Mount Allison University and pastor of visitation/youth at Moncton First Baptist Church. Deann has also been the Pastoral Care Director at a nursing home and part-time chaplain at two hospitals. She is a licensed counselor and therapist and had a private practice as well working with the Stratton Inquiry as a counselor to victims of institutional abuse.
Jeff and Deann feel that God has called them to work together in a singular calling in missions.
Jeff enjoys the arts, music and painting. Deann enjoys reading and cross-stitch. They have two sons, Zachary and Matthew.
Verse:
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Phil.1:6
Contact:
Nad Habrovkou 3 (Jeneralka)
16400 Prague 6
Czech Republic
Website: http://cartersinprague.blogspot.com/
Email: jcarter@ebf.org