[singlepic id=5 w=320 h=240 float=left]Craig Gilley
When I was five years old my parents explained to me who Jesus Christ was. Through our conversation I learned what a sinner was and that it included me. I understood that because I had sinned against God I would be eternally separated from Him. Christ’s death on the cross was the only way to restore that relationship. That morning I placed my trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Since that day God has cleared up those details in my mind. He took a hopeless sinner who was destined for Hell and graciously restored in me a hope filled life. God has shown me that we can strive and search all we want to find a way to Him, but the only way is through Christ. Christ is the only answer to get back to God, when we believe in him and his finished work on the cross.
Kayla Gilley[singlepic id=9 w=320 h=240 float=right]
As a young child you are always asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Well, for as long as I can remember I always said, “a missionary mom”. I very clearly remember that every time I had to dress up for something I always wanted to dress up like my mom. I know that probably seems pretty common for a little girl, but it was so much more to me then just being mom. This all started when I put my faith in Christ alone for salvation. Although I was only five when I made this important decision the following years as a missionary kid would help to grow my personal relationship with Christ. Through this I have been given a desire to serve the Lord in an overseas ministry. It is clear to me that God has been preparing my heart for this for the last 20 years and I am beginning to see why.
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Together
If you had told us in 1999, when we met for the first time, that one day we would be married and pursuing a life of ministry in overseas missions we would not have believed you. However, we serve a sovereign God who has orchestrated many little steps to get us where we are today. In 2002, Craig attended Ecola Bible School in Oregon where he got his first taste of missions while on a short trip to Mexico. Ecola was also the place where he was introduced to Reign Ministries. Craig would be a part of this mission organization for the next 2 years taking overseas trips to Turkey, Northern Ireland, and all through out Europe. Each of these trips continued to open Craig’s eyes to a world of lost people. After Reign Ministries Craig began attending New Tribes Bible Institute. For Kayla, her heart was opened to the lost people of the world at a very young age. Her parents moved to Papua New Guinea for the first time in 1991. Early on Kayla had a heart for the people and longed to see them hear the gospel. Following high school and a move back to the United States Kayla attended Judson College where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. A spring break missions’ trip to Northern Ireland, while attending Judson, would refresh Kayla’s heart for missions. Following college graduation Kayla moved to Nairobi, Kenya to teach with the Network of International Christian Schools. It was during her time in Kenya that Craig and Kayla reconnected. What begin as friends corresponding through emails, grew to a long distance relationship, engagement and eventually marriage on June 21, 2008. We have seen what a world without Christ looks like, and it is sad. As we have continued to grow in our understanding of God’s Word and are daily being challenged by His Spirit we believe we have no choice, but to go. There are millions of people that will die and go to a Christless eternity if they are not given a chance to hear the gospel. We believe God has led us to minister with New Tribes Mission. We desire to be a part of taking Hope to the Hopeless and replace a life of fear with a Life of Joy in knowing Christ personally.
The five of us…
The Lord has blessed us with three beautiful and healthy children. Estella was born the day after our one year anniversary and Hudson came 16 months later. They have already lived in 4 different states, countless “homes” and on 2 different continents! Our most recent addition is our sweet and flexible baby Roman! He got his passport when he was 2 days old!!! He may be 4/5 years younger than his siblings but don’t tell him that!