Ministry Focus
Nancy teaches English as a Second Language and English pronunciation to immigrants in the greater Boston area. She also teaches citizenship. She integrates Bible stories with language classes and sends prayer requests to the other teachers and volunteers every morning requesting prayer for refugees and Muslims. She also visits refugees in Lebanon, Jordan and Kenya. Her particular focus is working with local churches, as she hopes to mobilize the church by offering seminars in the Bridges class to equip Christian volunteers to witness to immigrants in their own neighborhoods. Over the past 10-15 years, Massachusetts has witnessed an influx of immigrants and refugees. English is the vehicle of opportunity to help new Americans become successful workers, parents and community members. In 2012 the immigrant population in Massachusetts was 948,061 or 14.4 percent of the State's population. Women frequently are the last family members to learn English, as they are not part of the working world, or, when they are working, work at jobs that do not require language skills. Lack of English holds them back from attaining economic and social stability. Nancy recognizes that women have a unique place in the family and community, and seeks to offer immigrant and refugee women the means to realize their potential through English literacy proficiency.
Faith Story
At the age of 25 Nancy moved into her neighborhood where a woman, who would become her best friend for forty years, shared the message of the Gospel with her.
After reading "Mere Christianity" she was convicted of her need for a Savior, and gave her life to the Lord. Nancy lost her best friend to cancer recently and was able to share the story of her coming to Christ with everyone attending the memorial service.
Education
R.N. Henry Heywood Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Gardner, MA
B.S. in Health Care Administration, Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
M.A. in Public Administration, Suffolk University, Boston, MA
WAYS TO SUPPORT
Nancy by making a financial donation using a Credit Card or by Direct Debit (ACH).
Learn more about where this ministry happens
In colorful communities and along scenic highways, diverse people and landscapes span coast to coast
Iconic American traditions include Thanksgiving dinner, jazz music and the Super Bowl. They meld with eclectic examples of multicultural heritage: numerous local Chinatowns, family-owned taquerias and even cowboy boots, which originated among the nomadic Huns of eastern Europe.
The nation's landscape shows just as many contrasts — sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, open plains and vast deserts, rugged mountains and winding canyons, and abundant rivers and lakes.
The ideals of life and liberty that founded the United States have made the country one of the world's most prosperous, though not without dark chapters and present troubles. Crime, discrimination and ethics violations make regular headlines, and many people live below the national poverty level.
Families view education as essential to the pursuit of happiness, if not also a path to wealth and power for the most ambitious. Yet Americans also demonstrate a charitable spirit of generosity toward neighbors and nations in need.
Freedom of religion grants opportunity for all faiths, but Christianity holds particular influence in country's history and daily life.
Your participation with Missions Door supports ministry in the United States among college students, including many international students, in collaboration local churches. It also enables social outreach, church planting and leadership development in a wide variety of communities — among Native Americans and other cultural groups, and in urban and suburban settings where growing and changing demographics create new opportunities for the Gospel.
Cultural Snapshot
Aside from the Native American, Native Hawaiian and Native Alaskan populations, nearly all Americans and their ancestors immigrated to the United States.
Faith Fact
In a 2013 survey, 56% of Americans said that religion played a "very important role in their lives” — a larger number than any other wealthy nation.
Country Profile
Population: 320 million
Major Religions: 47% Protestant, 23% unaffiliated, 21% Catholic, 6% other
Languages: 82% English, 11% Spanish, various others
Literacy: 99%
Poverty: 16%
Ministry service area:
City
Ministry location:
Massachusetts, United States