Members of the Westchester United Methodist Church have entered into covenant relationships with the following missionaries in the field. Our committment is to support these missionaries through contributions and prayer.

VENEZUELA Missionary Code 013944Z (Latest Newsletter 2008)

Rev. Jose Orlando and Yolanda Rivera served eight years as missionaries in Argentina and Venezuela. They will return to the U.S. and begin an appointment in the California-Pacific Conference in July 2008.

SINGAPORE Missionary Code 14173Z (Latest Newsletter 2008)

As clergy members of the California Pacific Annual Conference, Chin Cheak Yu and George Martzen are assigned to Singapore. Chin Cheak teaches several classes per week at Trinity Theological College and serves as mentor to small groups of students. She also works to maintain close relationships with local churches of the several denominations in the city-state. Through her work, she says, she is able to empower students "to explore together God's works already existing in their lives and their communities and to point them toward various pathways of partnership with God through faith communities."

Reflecting on her experiences, Chin Cheak says she felt God's presence in paving the way "to complete PhD studies, despite challenging obstacles over a period of 13 years." She continues, "The invitation from friends in Singapore to consider serving in my alma mater" provided "God's affirmation to return home to share what God has done in my life."

George Martzen is assigned to the Methodist Church of Singapore as the Assistant Director for Church and Community Relations. His responsibilities include assisting the director in producing "Methodist Message," a monthly publication of the Singapore Church, developing brochures, books and other publications as requested by the bishop or director, forging closer ties among local Methodist churches, and assisting in establishing relations with Methodist churches in other parts of the world. Other tasks include overseeing the website, member database, and production of a coffee table book on the Methodist Church of Singapore.

"Through the communicative arts," George says, "God has called me to be like a tree that sinks its roots in God's sustaining power and reaches out to connect diverse peoples to participate in God's kingdom."

A native of Kampar, Perak, Malaysia, Chin Cheak earned a bachelor's degree in theology from Trinity College. She received an MDiv degree from Taiwan Theological College in Taipei; a ThM in religious education from Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, NJ; and a PhD, also in religious education, from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, CA. She completed her PhD dissertation while on sabbatical just prior to her commissioning as a GBGM missionary.

A native of Dinuba, CA, George studied journalism at California State University in Fresno. He earned a BA degree in biblical and religious studies and communication from Fresno Pacific College. He received his MDiv degree from Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, CA. Prior to this assignment, he served eight years as pastor of Baldwin Park United Methodist Church. He also directed the youth and evangelism program at Santa Clarita United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Krista S. Givens

GERMANY Missionary Code 15184Z Newsletters (December 2007) (February 2008) (May 2008)

A missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Krista S. Givens is serving as pastor of an international church in Germany.

Growing up outside of mainstream religion, Krista longed to find a spiritual location, a place to find God, community and herself. After searching various Christian denominations and other faith traditions, she joined the Claremont United Methodist Church community in 1992. Amid a congregation of current and former professors, retired pastors and business professionals, Dr. Givens was influenced by former missionaries in the congregation.

“Each of us has a role to play in God’s work and my place is with the children of the world. When I was called into ministry in 1998, I understood that call to be one to “hands-on” ministry – a ministry in which I would need to risk my self for the sake of the gospel,” says Dr. Givens.

Most recently, Krista served as the senior pastor at Westchester UMC in Los Angeles. She was also Associate Pastor with Kailua UMC in Kailua, HI, as well as Director of Children and Youth Ministries at Claremont UMC.

A native of California, the Rev., Dr. Krista S. Givens attended Scripps College in Claremont, CA, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. Her Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry in Ethics degrees were earned at Claremont School of Theology in California.

”My earliest memories include care for the world, multicultural community and concern for the poor. And as God has opened doors to lead me here, I have followed obediently and seek to follow God’s guidance through this next door.”

Krista’s home annual conference is California-Pacific.

Make an online donation to: Krista Givens.