8.25.23

Marc and Penny’s paths crossed in Jerusalem in 1972 where Penny was serving as an au pair for a missionary family. Marc and 2 friends were traveling to 3 continents on a planned vision trip to explore missions and Israel was one of their stopovers. In the 3 weeks they were there, Marc and Penny met only 3 times, but an attraction was sparked and a correspondence between them followed as they journeyed on. Fast forward…because of God’s grace & faithfulness in their lives, they have been married for 50 years and are still on the move together. Along the way, the Lord gifted them with 3 precious sons, 3 amazing daughters-in-law and four grandchildren to do life with and be their teachers.
 
In 1976, Marc and Penny joined Operation Mobilization. During their first year in London, they heard about a Bible smuggling team in Vienna, Austria. For the next 6 years we travelled into Communist countries of Eastern Europe with Bibles, books, and the Jesus Film in vehicles with hidden compartments. It was there that God taught them how to pray fervently and go forward even when afraid (Phil.4-6-8). In 1983, they returned to the OMUSA headquarters in NJ. In 1987, they helped relocate the home office to Tyrone along with the Hicks family and others. After 14 years in Tyrone (several of those years at Grace), they launched overseas again. Marc and Penny joined one of OM’s ships for 8 months of challenging ministry (and some seasickness) around the southern half of Africa. Moving to the U.K., from 2004-2012, they had the privilege of team-teaching a 2-week discipleship course called Leadership Matters for OM teams worldwide. They saw many lives transformed, leaders equipped, and developed friendships. Marc continues to teach this course and other courses online and in person with a team of teachers.  Penny’s role is a little more fluid as she volunteers locally and is involved with OM’s Freedom Challenge outreaches on behalf of those caught in human trafficking. They have enjoyed 47 amazing years with OM and have more to come! 
Marc and Penny have gladly been a part of the Grace family now for 10 years since returning to the US in 2012. “We are grateful for these rich, transformative years together. We especially have appreciated Gary’s practical teaching and vulnerability, often illustrated in his own life struggles, the priority of a worshipping community and the call to all of us to flourish as we join Jesus in what He is doing in our local area and beyond. We are thankful for the encouragement and support we have received from the Grace family in our journey with Jesus and you!”