Creative Access Countries
Many nations throughout the world are considered “creative access,” “limited access,” “sensitive,” or “closed countries.” These countries restrict church activities and make it difficult or impossible for expatriate or foreign international workers to get a visa. There are some countries in the world where open evangelism by Christians is unlawful. While fulfilling the Great Commission in these countries can be challenging, it is not impossible. It is through “creative access” relationships that international workers are able to spread the gospel message. You will notice that we did not provide information for three of our international families in these locations and only provided limited information for the others. This has been done for their protection. If you wish to correspond with any of the international workers in these locations, please call the Outreach Office at 480.824.7230 and we will be happy to relay your message.
John and Wendy Bockelman
John completed a MA in Biblical Leadership at Phoenix Seminary and Wendy has a MS in Nursing. The Bockelman’s began their cross-culture ministry to a creative access country in May of 2007. Their first major task is to learn the Arabic language. As their language abilities improve they enjoy assisting the Arab Church in spreading God’s Good News throughout the Arab World. John and Wendy are beginning to partner with local congregations and encouraging them to grow stronger physically and spiritually. Affiliated with Scottsdale Bible since 2006.
Agency: Christar
Birthdays: John—November 13
Wendy—June 21
Anniversary: March 10
Email: desertlight2@gmail.com
Walt Edman
Throughout the developing world, the Lord is raising up Christian laborers for His global harvest. Many of these workers are sent to difficult and gospel-deprived mission fields as evangelists and church planters. Walt has the privilege of training these national believers to fulfill Christ’s Great Commission. After seminary, Walt served as a pastor in Outreach at Scottsdale Bible for 11 years. He was then sent to Southeast Asia as a church planter among an unreached people group. Walt completed his doctorate and now trains national workers at schools and missionary training centers in many countries in Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Affiliated with Scottsdale Bible since 1992.
Agency: Community Ministries International (CMI)
Birthday: July 2
Email: walteredman2@yahoo.com
Elizabeth Hirmiz
Elizabeth was born into an Orthodox Assyrian family of believers in Baghdad, Iraq. Growing up, her mother was a wonderful example of a believer in her life teaching her how to pray and read God’s Word. Her ministry began as a Sunday school teacher for children and blossomed through serving at a young women’s Bible study. After serving for three years, Elizabeth went to Lebanon to study for a bachelor’s degree at Baptist Theological Seminary. Due to government struggles, all Iraqi’s were asked to leave and she moved to Jordan where she worked with Campus Crusade for Christ. Because she was not able to finish seminary in Lebanon, Elizabeth prayed for God to bring her an opportunity to continue. Upon moving to Jordan and by God’s grace, she enrolled as a bachelor student at Jordan Theological seminary. Affiliated with Scottsdale Bible since 2007.
Agency: Undisclosed
Birthday: November 29
Email: beth_farah2007@yahoo.com
Erika Potter
Erika completed her studies at Phoenix Seminary in International Missions. After several summer internships in Central Asia and the Middle East, Erika is now a career missionary ministering to women in a sensitive country. Affiliated with Scottsdale Bible since 2009.
Agency: Undisclosed
Birthday: December 27
Email: erikapotter@hotmail.com
Willy and Marilina Vega
Willy and Marilina Vega have been serving in a creative access country in South East Asia as Scottsdale Bible field workers for over seven years through their partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Their main area of ministry is Bible translation. They facilitate the translation of the Bible by coming alongside and training the local translators. They are also involved in various language development and multilingual education projects among the people group they serve. Willy and Marilina are originally from Argentina, where they were sent into ministry through Scottsdale Bible’s sister church, La Iglesia de la Puerta Abierta. Affiliated with Scottsdale Bible since 2000.
Agency: Wycliffe Bible Translators
Birthdays: Guillermo—June 28
Marilina—January 13
Timoteo—September 20, 2005
Anniversary: March 11
Email: guillermo_vega@wycliffe.org; marilina_vega@wycliffe.org
