Our Story
We accepted Christ in our late 20s. Eleven years later, we went on a short-term mission trip to Guatemala. We felt God’s call to return to that country. We and our three children joined the mission field two years later when we moved to Guatemala from Indiana in 1998. For the past 26 years, we have been in Guatemala with the mission organization, Missionary Ventures, with the last 22 years functioning as Directors for the country of Guatemala. Randy is an ordained minister and works with local Pastors and Brenda enjoys her time with the wives, she also provides administrative oversight to activities within Central Guatemala.
Our three children grew up in Guatemala, are bi-lingual, and love the Guatemalan culture. Nate is 37 years old, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling from Moody Bible Institute in May, 2011, also completed his Masters and married Kim Kapanka in June, 2011. They are presently living in Spring Lake MI. and have a precious daughter Emery Grace and handsome son Liam Josiah! Leah, 35 years old, completed her Cosmetology training from Aveda Institute in Tampa, FL in April, 2011 and manages a mens barbershop in Tampa. She married Dustin McKenzie in Nov. 2019 and she is a wonderful stepmom to his son Grayson Oak, and are enjoying their precious newborn Rory Rose! They presently live in Tampa FL. Seth who is 32 years old is a contractor and married Joelle Ferguson in Nov. 2015 and presently live in Oldsmar FL. They have an adorable leap year guy Oliver Jude, and twin boys Finn Thomas and Graham William and their latest little one Elliott James!
Vision Statement
Our vision is to bring God’s salvation to the people of Guatemala by developing and nurturing indigenous Christian leadership and by facilitating the exchange of both material and spiritual support between churches of the north and churches in developing countries.
Mission Statement
To accomplish our vision, we assist local churches and Christian leaders who are already serving the local people, primarily in poor and at-risk communities. We help them start and maintain effective ministries by:
• Pioneering projects and ministries such as pastor care programs, feeding centers, and Christian schools for children.
• Hosting specific short-term mission teams.
• Administrating the projects, programs, and support.
Current Projects
Our ministry focus is to support -- and increase -- the good work that is being done by Guatemalan pastors, leaders, and churches to reach the Guatemalan people. We continue to see success in the following four key areas:
Pastor Support
• By providing financial support to pastors, they are able to support their families and continue their ministries. They are also able to create and maintain church-related programs to meet the different needs of local communities.
• Monthly meetings and annual conferences provide fellowship, encouragement, and training to pastors and their wives.
Feeding Centers
• According to the World Bank, Guatemala's infant mortality, child malnutrition, and illiteracy, are among the worst in the hemisphere. Our 7 Feeding Centers provide nutritious meals to hungry children.
• Most of these Feeding Centers also serve as schools and/or evangelism opportunities as well with the purpose of sharing Christ.
Bible School
• Few rural pastors have had the opportunity for formal training. This Bible School increases knowledge, bolsters skills, and deepens faith of pastors already in the field.
• Providing creative ways to get books and training materials into the hands of rural people also increases the number of pastors and church leaders entering the harvest field.
Hosting of short-term mission trips
• Teams of volunteers from North American churches come to Guatemala to provide financial resources, Pastoral training, construction of homes, evangelism, and vacation Bible school programs to local ministries. Our desire is to also use more Guatemalan teams to serve.
Future Goals
We believe that new areas of growth that we feel called to pursue in the near future are:
* Discipling and encouraging young people to serve in their community.
* Sowing into marriages and helping them to be Christ centered.
As we look forward to 2025..
We ask that you would continue to encourage us through support and prayer in the following ways for what we feel God is calling us to over the coming year:
Ministry
*Please pray for the safety of the Missionary Ventures staff in Guatemala and the Guatemalan Pastors and their families.
*Pray for expansion of the ministry through Pastor conferences, touching more lives that can influence others with the Gospel. We believe that pouring into the lives of the pastors and leaders is key to reaching those that need to hear the Good News of Christ!
Personal
*Please pray for continued strength and health as we continue our current efforts and discover new areas where we can expand the ministry despite the recent challenges these last few years.
*We thank the Lord that Brenda continues walking forward “cancer free”. We ask that you continue to pray for the Lymphedema and other side effects of the cancer treatment that remain.
We just want to take one more opportunity to say thank you to all of you that have faithfully supported us over the years. We know that we couldn’t have done any of the above without His presence in our lives, His leading and His people…YOU!
Your prayers, financial support and personal involvement have been felt by the pastors, children and the many projects that you’ve helped us with over the years. Your generosity has kept us on the front lines of ministry for 26 years now! Thank you also for your prayers for us as a family, we are honored to be co-laborers with you in what God is doing here in Guatemala. We sure do serve an amazing God!
Our three children grew up in Guatemala, are bi-lingual, and love the Guatemalan culture. Nate is 37 years old, completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Counseling from Moody Bible Institute in May, 2011, also completed his Masters and married Kim Kapanka in June, 2011. They are presently living in Spring Lake MI. and have a precious daughter Emery Grace and handsome son Liam Josiah! Leah, 35 years old, completed her Cosmetology training from Aveda Institute in Tampa, FL in April, 2011 and manages a mens barbershop in Tampa. She married Dustin McKenzie in Nov. 2019 and she is a wonderful stepmom to his son Grayson Oak, and are enjoying their precious newborn Rory Rose! They presently live in Tampa FL. Seth who is 32 years old is a contractor and married Joelle Ferguson in Nov. 2015 and presently live in Oldsmar FL. They have an adorable leap year guy Oliver Jude, and twin boys Finn Thomas and Graham William and their latest little one Elliott James!
Vision Statement
Our vision is to bring God’s salvation to the people of Guatemala by developing and nurturing indigenous Christian leadership and by facilitating the exchange of both material and spiritual support between churches of the north and churches in developing countries.
Mission Statement
To accomplish our vision, we assist local churches and Christian leaders who are already serving the local people, primarily in poor and at-risk communities. We help them start and maintain effective ministries by:
• Pioneering projects and ministries such as pastor care programs, feeding centers, and Christian schools for children.
• Hosting specific short-term mission teams.
• Administrating the projects, programs, and support.
Current Projects
Our ministry focus is to support -- and increase -- the good work that is being done by Guatemalan pastors, leaders, and churches to reach the Guatemalan people. We continue to see success in the following four key areas:
Pastor Support
• By providing financial support to pastors, they are able to support their families and continue their ministries. They are also able to create and maintain church-related programs to meet the different needs of local communities.
• Monthly meetings and annual conferences provide fellowship, encouragement, and training to pastors and their wives.
Feeding Centers
• According to the World Bank, Guatemala's infant mortality, child malnutrition, and illiteracy, are among the worst in the hemisphere. Our 7 Feeding Centers provide nutritious meals to hungry children.
• Most of these Feeding Centers also serve as schools and/or evangelism opportunities as well with the purpose of sharing Christ.
Bible School
• Few rural pastors have had the opportunity for formal training. This Bible School increases knowledge, bolsters skills, and deepens faith of pastors already in the field.
• Providing creative ways to get books and training materials into the hands of rural people also increases the number of pastors and church leaders entering the harvest field.
Hosting of short-term mission trips
• Teams of volunteers from North American churches come to Guatemala to provide financial resources, Pastoral training, construction of homes, evangelism, and vacation Bible school programs to local ministries. Our desire is to also use more Guatemalan teams to serve.
Future Goals
We believe that new areas of growth that we feel called to pursue in the near future are:
* Discipling and encouraging young people to serve in their community.
* Sowing into marriages and helping them to be Christ centered.
As we look forward to 2025..
We ask that you would continue to encourage us through support and prayer in the following ways for what we feel God is calling us to over the coming year:
Ministry
*Please pray for the safety of the Missionary Ventures staff in Guatemala and the Guatemalan Pastors and their families.
*Pray for expansion of the ministry through Pastor conferences, touching more lives that can influence others with the Gospel. We believe that pouring into the lives of the pastors and leaders is key to reaching those that need to hear the Good News of Christ!
Personal
*Please pray for continued strength and health as we continue our current efforts and discover new areas where we can expand the ministry despite the recent challenges these last few years.
*We thank the Lord that Brenda continues walking forward “cancer free”. We ask that you continue to pray for the Lymphedema and other side effects of the cancer treatment that remain.
We just want to take one more opportunity to say thank you to all of you that have faithfully supported us over the years. We know that we couldn’t have done any of the above without His presence in our lives, His leading and His people…YOU!
Your prayers, financial support and personal involvement have been felt by the pastors, children and the many projects that you’ve helped us with over the years. Your generosity has kept us on the front lines of ministry for 26 years now! Thank you also for your prayers for us as a family, we are honored to be co-laborers with you in what God is doing here in Guatemala. We sure do serve an amazing God!
Randy in the trenches.
Brenda in the (really adorable!) trenches.
Randy & Brenda with their grandkids.
L to R: Graham (Seth’s twin son), Randy, Liam (Nate’s son) Finn (Seth’s twin son), Brenda. Front: Oliver (Seth’s son) and Emery (Nate’s daughter).
Not pictured: Leah’s stepson Grayson, and newborn daughter Rory, and Elliott (Seth's son)
L to R: Graham (Seth’s twin son), Randy, Liam (Nate’s son) Finn (Seth’s twin son), Brenda. Front: Oliver (Seth’s son) and Emery (Nate’s daughter).
Not pictured: Leah’s stepson Grayson, and newborn daughter Rory, and Elliott (Seth's son)
Contact Us
purcell5guatemala@yahoo.com
813.713.8959
Stateside address:
Missionary Ventures
1017 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.
Maitland, FL 32751-7205.
Field Address:
Cond. Escalon Casa #1
Lote 11, Sector C-6
Manzana M
San Cristobal, Mixco Zona 8
Guatemala C.A.
purcell5guatemala@yahoo.com
813.713.8959
Stateside address:
Missionary Ventures
1017 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.
Maitland, FL 32751-7205.
Field Address:
Cond. Escalon Casa #1
Lote 11, Sector C-6
Manzana M
San Cristobal, Mixco Zona 8
Guatemala C.A.
What People are Saying
While there are thousands of organizations and missionaries doing great work around the world, I choose to support Randy and Brenda for three main reasons. One, I trust their intentions – that they are seeking after God in all that they do. Two, I trust their vision – that working through Guatemalan leaders and organizations to reach Guatemalan people is the most effective way to deliver the good news of Jesus Christ. And three, I trust their hearts – that Randy is one of the most humble and giving men I have ever met and Brenda, with her transparency and wonderful sense of humor, is a warm, welcoming friend to all.
Julie Swartz
Port Orange, FL
My husband and I have known Randy and Brenda Purcell for over 20 years and love them dearly. Both of us grew up around Missionaries and have been involved in short term missions for many years, so our time in Guatemala with the Purcells was not a new experience for us. Let me tell you that Randy and Brenda are what we would call "real" missionaries. Their love and commitment to the Guatemalan people is genuine. Most impressive is how the Guatemalans love them back.
Sylvia Schubert
Greenwood, IN
We’ve known Randy and Brenda Purcell for many years and have a deep love and admiration for them and the work they do with the people of Guatemala. Because the Purcells genuinely open their hearts and lives meeting the needs of those who are poor and hungry, we made the decision to support a feeding center that they oversee. We are truly blessed to be a small part of their ministry and we feel that through their dedication and faithfulness, we are making a difference in the world.
Matthew and Christy Minnick
Osprey, FL
