British missionaries Martin & Ruth Harrison have a new role at Reach Beyond. As joint regional directors for the Europe and Eurasia region, they now oversee our mission workers, ministry projects and local partners in this vast area of the planet. We asked them a few questions about this new direction.
Q. What excites you most about stepping into this new leadership role?
MARTIN We are excited to lead such a committed team of mission workers! We want to see these people thrive in their ministry and see more people mobilised to join them. Ruth and I are also excited to learn what God is doing in the region. As more people arrive in Europe - many from unreached places - we want to explore how Reach Beyond can respond to the challenges and opportunities this brings to share the reason for the hope we have.
Q. Is this a part of the world you are excited about?
RUTH Yes! We have been serving in this part of the world since 2012 when we returned from our time in Ecuador. And of course, it is a part of the world we live in ourselves! We love the diversity of languages, cultures, people, and opportunities to share Christ with others.
Q. What kinds of projects are you now responsible for?
RUTH Our fantastic team are engaged in a whole variety of different projects. We have committed medical professionals in Central Asia, developing better ways to access medical care from birth right through to end-of-life care. We have people engaged in community development and refugee response in Greece. And there are people serving in creative media, television and radio in Croatia and other countries in the region that we can’t name for security reasons.
Q. Does this role mean more travel? Is that something you enjoy?
MARTIN Yes - we both love travelling to new countries, meeting people from other cultures, trying new foods. In particular we are honoured and humbled by meeting and serving alongside believers in some parts of this region who live with the daily reality of being persecuted for their faith.
Q. What lessons from your past ministry experiences will you bring into this role?
RUTH We have learnt many lessons over the years. Martin led the community health and development ministry in Ecuador. We were both part of a team tasked with training ‘global south’ Christians for mission. Both of us have gained experience in pastoral care through Reach Beyond and church leadership. And we have made many visits to Central Asia and Europe that will help us as we get established in this new role.
Q. What do you see as the biggest challenges ahead?
MARTIN Recruiting more people into mission is always a challenge. There are so many opportunities but the workers are few. And as ministry doors continue to open, there’s always a danger that some may close as countries become more restrictive about freedom of religion. This is a significant challenge in Central Asia for local believers as well as mission workers based there.
Q. It sounds like you’ll be busy! What do you both enjoy doing to recharge?
MARTIN We love to go walking in the Yorkshire Dales and further afield when we have the opportunity. We have an allotment, and both of us love growing food to eat and flowers to enjoy or share with others. I like to cook and go cycling. Ruth loves to birdwatch, especially if she can have a good cup of coffee in hand too!
Q. How can we pray for you both as you take on this responsibility?
RUTH Please pray for wisdom and discernment as we take time to learn more about the region we are leading. Pray for our team members, their ministries, our ministry partners, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for supporting and growing the work. Thank you!
