Letter from Keith: A Return to Our Heart Land

Growing up in a pastor’s home, I was enthralled by the stories of the missionaries that we hosted. Through those stories I heard God call me to the mission field at the age of 12. My sophomore year of playing college basketball, my team took a tour of the Philippines. During halftime, one of the team members would share a testimony. Then later that evening, two of us would return with the pastor from a local church and preach a salvation message. Thousands responded and several churches were planted as a result. God accomplished three things in my life through that trip. First, He expanded my view of ministry. I learned God could use something like basketball to reach the lost. Second, I fell in love with the people of the Philippines. Third, I met my future bride to be — Delsey. After meeting, Delsey and I became pen pals. I graduated in 1996 and went to minister as a youth pastor on the Island of Saipan. Delsey joined me there as my bride in 1998. There, our hearts expanded for the people of Asia Pacific. We returned stateside in 2000 to serve both as youth and lead pastors. Now, 17 years later, God is opening the door for us to return to missions in a region close to our hearts. We are excited to be working with Asia Pacific Media. Having volunteered with a local Christian TV station, we have witnessed firsthand the cultural influence of media. We want to see His Message, Multiplied as we continue producing relevant, high-quality resources and training up Asian media missionaries to reach their homeland and beyond. KEITH & DELSEY GARNER Asia Pacific Media—PHILIPPINES