What does it really mean to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor as yourself?”  Are churches around the world, regardless of the poverty level in their given countries bound by the same mandate we are; to “go into all the world and make disciples?”

These are the two overriding questions that drive this ministry.  Because we desire that every Christian come to understand their unique role in the Great Commission we focus our efforts on helping every Christian develop a great commitment to God’s greatest commandment.  In doing so, we believe that Christians will not simply win the world for Jesus Christ but will develop disciples of Him along the way. 

That’s why, in May of 2003, Bob & Janet Wielenga started this ministry called Global Outreach Development.  It’s purpose is to simply use education and experience to help believers better understand how to live out both the Great Commission and the Great Commandment, or as we like to say, invorigate others to live like nothing else matters but God!

In 2006 Joe worked with Bob to lead a team of high school students to Chichicastenango, Guatemala. Since then Joe has come on staff as the Director of Simply Missions.

Joe is working with churches and Christian schools helping them to develop a strategy for equipping their small groups and students through short-term missions.

Joe's creativity, enthusiasm and passion for developing young people are a great asset to the ongoing ministry of Simply Missions and Global Outreach Development.

Russ joins the Nicaragua work with:

• Nearly 15 years of progressive management experience in the non-profit, business, and political world.  
• Extensive ministry leadership experience (licensed pastor) including local poverty work, administration, teaching, counseling, and discipling young adults and youth.  
  
• A bachelor degree from Michigan State University in International Business with specializations in sustainable development, law and developing country economics.  
• In addition to the above, his interests are strategic planning, helping organizations organize their ideas and processes, networking, project management, and connecting people with helpful skills and resources.