Missionary Bio:
Rich heard the Gospel and trusted Christ as Savior at about the age of 6 and received assurance of his salvation two years later. After obtaining a degree in engineering and working three years in that field, God burdened him about foreign missions. He yielded, went to Bible college, and became interested in Papua , New Guinea . God confirmed the call. Rich has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nebraska , and a BRE in Missions from Baptist Bible College in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
Marcia was raised in a Christian home, and was saved at the age of 12. After she and Rich were married, they became active in a fundamental Baptist church. She attended Grace College of the Bible, Omaha, for two years, had one semester of music at the University of Nebraska, and took 9 hours of studies at BBC, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.
The Ernsts have been on the field in Papua , New Guinea , since November, 1971, where they are involved in a church planting ministry. Rich was also the Director of the Goroka Baptist Bible from 1982 to 1993, and has taught at the college. When the Ernsts first went to New Guinea it was a new field, with no trained leadership or churches, but there are now 15 ABWE missionaries and 12 to 14 churches ranging in size from around 40 people to 250 people.
Since 2003 they have had no pastoral responsibilities, but have been working with existing works, most of which have national pastors. They fill in with pastoral duties as needed, and work to resolve problems. Rich works with the churches to advise and influence them to make God-honoring decisions with regard to finances, and in other areas. Both Rich and Marcia are involved in a prison ministry once a week, and the annual youth camp.
Marcia has opportunities for counseling, calling, sharing the Gospel, comforting women during the loss of loved ones, and hospital outreach. She also holds True Love Waits meetings for single gals. Marcia has also compiled a Pidgin Song Book which she is currently trying to get printed.
The Ernsts are probably in their last term of service and a burden on their hearts is to find two couples to work alongside them for the next few years in preparation to take their place when they retire.
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