Serving in Czech Republic

Matthew and Natasha will be serving alongside the elders at BSKK (Bible Church of Christians in Kladno) with discipleship, evangelism, preaching and teaching the Word, while under the direction of the elders prayerfully pursuing the possibility of a new church plant within the next few years.

The Czech Republic is predominantly atheistic and in great need of the gospel. Roughly less than 1% of the entire population are evangelical Christian. Please pray:

• Matthew and Natasha would be walking in ever-greater holiness and humility with the Lord,

• The Lord’s provision of practical set up needs,

• Faithful and continual proclamation of the gospel among the lost,

• Discipleship and preparation ofqualified Czech men to leadspiritually,

• Wisdom, joy, and perseverance for the elders serving at BSKK,

• Language learning and proficiency for Natasha and Matthew as well.

If you'd like to receive updates or hear more, please reach out to Matthew at matthew.smith@hopeinchristbiblechurch.org. If you would like to participate in their missionary support, please go to the Giving page.

Serving in Malawi

Matt and Brianne Kopp both grew up and came to saving faith in Spokane, WA. After getting married they moved to Orange County, CA so that Matt could complete his Master of Divinity at The Master’s Seminary and so that they could be involved in a local church plant, Faith Bible Church (FBC). They stayed in Orange County for a total of thirteen years during which time Matt eventually came onto the pastoral staff of FBC full time. During this time, God blessed them with five children (Jacob, Ellie, Andrew, Zoe, and Josiah), three of whom were adopted from Ethiopia.

In 2016, Matt was called to pastor at International Bible Fellowship Church (IBF) in Lilongwe, Malawi. He also became an adjunct professor at the Central African Preaching Academy (CAPA). The overarching goal of their ministry is to see God glorified through the strengthening of the local church in Malawi. At IBF, Matt is involved in preaching and teaching, shepherding, and seeking to train more Malawian leaders within the church. At CAPA, he teaches courses on homiletics and pastoral ministry. Brianne is very busy homeschooling all five children and ministering to the ladies of IBF.

Prayer Requests:

• For Matt and Brianne to walk closely with Jesus Christ in the good of the gospel every day.

• For the salvation and sanctification of all the children.

• For the spiritual growth of IBF Church and for God to continue to raise up more leaders.

• For CAPA to effectively help train pastors in Malawi.

• For close relationships between like-minded churches for the sake of the spread of the gospel and growth of the church throughout the country.

Serving in the Czech Republic

Marcus, Amie and their children Lydia, Sophia and Chloe serve in the Czech Republic.

Serving in the Philippines

I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family, believing that my parents' religion is the only true religion in the world. They taught me to do good things to offset the bad things that I might have done. However, I was pretty sure that the best I could hope for was purgatory.

One day I saw an ad in the newspaper offering to explain the meaning of life and how to get to heaven. So I wrote to them and they sent me a series of lessons showing from the Bible that Christ is the only way to heaven because He paid for my sins. I believed the good news of salvation and became a follower of Jesus Christ.

I read the Bible hungrily. I shared what I had discovered with anybody who would listen. I invited Cora, the girl I was dating, to read the Book of Revelation with me. The Lord opened her heart and she became a believer also. I married her soon after that.

I resigned from my job and began working as a teacher at a language school for Christian missionaries, and soon became involved in the ministry. My wife and I started going to a Bible school together, using what we were learning to minister to people in the village. Cora shared the gospel with her siblings, cousins, and friends and many became believers through her ministry. Our two sons James and Melvyn are believers also.

I’m now serving in the ministry of training pastors and church leaders all over the Philippines. I get to do what I love best: studying the word of God and and teaching it to others, knowing that I'm investing my life and energy in the lives of people who love and serve the Lord.