| Team History |
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Razorbacks for Christ |
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Before the dream of a team ever entered our minds, most of us were already friends in the Razorbacks for Christ campus ministry. Our interest in missions grew under the influence of campus minister Scott Karnes and while involved in RFC missions efforts in Arkansas and throughout the world. |
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Survey Trip |
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Serious talk of forming a team began in the summer of 2001 during a two-week survey trip and missions seminar in the Czech Republic. The trip was initiated by Scott Karnes and conducted by Prague missionaries Allen and Laurie Diles and Galen Harrill. It proved to be a valuable encouragement—further inspiring interested individuals, introducing them to the stages of preparation for foreign mission work, providing an opportunity to visit four of the country’s largest cities and imagine ministry possibilities there, and, most importantly, instilling an even greater desire for sharing the word of Christ our Lord. |
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Interest Meetings |
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On the heels of the survey trip, several attendees returned to school intent on coming together to form a mission team. During interest meetings and informal conversations a few other friends expressed a desire to join, and, after prayer and consideration, the group took initiative from God to make a commitment to work together in Olomouc, Czech Republic, beginning in the fall of 2006. |
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Continued Communication |
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Soon after our initial commitment, members of the team began to graduate from the U of A, and as a result, we were separated geographically. This slowed our preparation, but—praise God for his faithfulness—did not put out our fire. During these years we did the best we could to prepare individually and to develop the dream via email and during occasional meetings. |
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Regular Meetings |
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More regular meetings could begin in early 2004, when God orchestrated the Keen's move from Virginia to Texas. Spread out between Fayetteville, Fort Worth, and Abilene, we made the Keens' place in Fort Worth our central meeting spot and tried to meet there once every one or two months. |
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Application to MRN |
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In the fall of 2004, we decided to seek the assistance of Missions Resource Network in preparing for our work in Olomouc. MRN's application required the submission of extensive biographical information, three letters of recommendation, three short essays, and academic transcripts. |
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Assessments & Workshops |
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Once the initial applications were approved, we all completed a body of psychological instruments. Psychologist Dr. Steve Allison analyzed these instruments and met with each teammate individually as well as with each couple to discuss the results. It turns out that we are crazy enough to be missionaries, but, thankfully, not too crazy.
Following this assessment, MRN facilitated several workshops for our team—workshops on team missions, interpersonal relationships, fundraising, Czech history & culture, and church planting. They also facilitated workshops to better inform our families and supporting churches on what exactly life on the mission field involves. |
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History in the Making |
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On October 28, 2006, we made the big move to Olomouc!
Our first few months here involved getting our bearings, finding apartments, and buying furniture. During that time, language school began in December, and it will continue until the beginning of 2008.
This is just the beginning of our history together. May God glorify his name and bless his church and the Czechs through us... |
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