Global Missions rejoices to announce the appointment of Bob and JoAnn Tate as special assignment missionaries to West Indies Theological College (WITC) in Trinidad.
 
Growing up on a farm in the Walla Walla Valley in eastern Washington, Bob felt the call to missions from an early age. As a youth he was very involved in regional and state activities of the Church of God. He paid his tuition to Warner Pacific College with money he earned in agriculture to pursue his desire to serve God.

Although coming from a Church of God heritage, JoAnn grew up in the Lutheran Church. She had a deep spirituality that led her to accept Christ at a youth camp in high school. She enrolled in Warner Pacific College to pursue studies in Bible.

Bob and JoAnn met at Warner, where they shared a desire to serve God in missions. Their first mission experience was in 1971 with a Vacation Samaritans work camp to Panama. In 1973, Bob saw an article in Missions magazine, written by Paul Butz, asking for people skilled in agriculture and teaching to consider serving at La Buena Tierra, the Church of God Bible School in Peru. The Tates went to Peru, where Bob developed a fifty-hectare farm to support the school. He also brought new farming techniques to the Amazon farmers. In addition to teaching at the school and raising their children, JoAnn prepared materials and worked with students as they served in the various preaching points. They served as paramissionaries for ten years.

The Tates returned to the states to raise their children. In 1998, an article about the need for teachers at WITC prompted JoAnn to enroll in Fuller Theolgical Seminary, from which she will graduate with a master in theology degree before leaving for Trinidad. Bob has visited Trinidad three times, preparing for his agricultural ministry. They are excited to be part of the Church of God missionary family and anticipate a fruitful ministry in Trinidad and Tobago.

If you would like to support the Tates financially, please contact Candy Power in Global Missions at 800-848-2464, ext. 2129, or at CPower@chog.org.

Project # 42.11301