Bob & Karin

Bob and Karin served 23 years in pastoral ministry in Canada — the last 13 of them in Calgary — before following God's clear call to pastor an international church in Malaysia in January 2009. They loved the challenge of an international church, and met and served with people from across the globe who chose to make Penang International Church their home for however long they lived in the city.

Three years into their time in Penang, Bob's eyes were opened to a unique opportunity. Among the many migrant workers in their city were many Rohingya people from Myanmar, who have been called the most persecuted people group in the world by the UN; the vast majority now live in refugee camps in neighbouring Bangladesh, or have been trafficked to other Southeast Asian countries. Seeing this situation led to the beginning of a ministry to many Rohingya on the island that is now a decade old, and it is encouraging to know of so many others who have relocated to Penang specifically to work among the Rohingya in these last ten years.

They are heading to a large city in South Asia to work among a diverse group of business people, local believers, NGO workers and embassy staff. The discipleship needs and the desire for leadership there are huge. Please pray for them as they enter this new opportunity for ministry and influence — pray for God's empowering Spirit to work both in and through them.

They count it a privilege to be part of the C&MA and to be connected to churches who faithfully pray for and support them. Bob and Karin's children live in Airdrie, Calgary and London, Ontario — and they have five of the best grandchildren in the world.