| Matthew and Crystal Blake |
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| Matthew and Crystal Blake and Family |
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In August 2001 Matthew and Crystal Blake were appointed as career missionaries to Europe. God has called Matt to be a minister of the gospel. "Through my experiences, He has given me a passion for what He is doing around the world. Now He has opened the door and allowed my wife and me the desires of our hearts." Matt and Crystal go, not as "expert Americans," but as a brother and sister in Christ who desire to minister God?s transforming grace.
Matt was born in Salem, Oregon, and grew up in a strong Christian home. Early in Matt's life, he learned of Jesus' love and his need for Him. While in junior high school, he began to sense that God was leading him into a life of ministry. God confirmed His call through Matt's experiences on the mission field as a MK in Germany, his work with CoMission in Russia, and as a GO-Net volunteer in the Czech Republic. God also used Crystal's desire for mission work and Matt's growing relationship with Him to seal the call.
Crystal (Bailey) grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa. She invited Jesus into her life at her parent's bedside when she was four years old. In junior high school, Crystal began attending a Wesleyan church, which "changed the course of her life." During a concert of prayer at a youth camp, she asked God to give her direction for her life. He answered me clearly, "MISSIONS." Crystal has been on several short-term mission trips within North America, to Poland, and to the Czech Republic as a teacher. "These are places I have gone, but I also believe God puts us all in missionary situations wherever we live." Her desire is to "walk beside people and help them see Jesus, so they can have a personal relationship with Him."
Both Matt and Crystal are 1997 Indiana Wesleyan University graduates. (They met in philosophy class.) Matt earned a B.S. degree in Christian ministries, and Crystal earned a B.A. degree in English education. Matt graduated with a M.Div. degree from George Fox Evangelical Seminary in 2002.
Matt and Crystal have three children, Joshua ('00), Abigail ('02), and Jakob ('05).
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV).
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