In 2006, I had the opportunity to go on a short-term mission to the Philippines which turned out to be a life-changing experience for me as much as for the people that I went to help. At the time, I was working as a water and wastewater engineer and had a comfortable life in Canada.  When I experienced firsthand what life was like for Filipino children living in a garbage dump site, my heart broke and I knew I had to do more to help.  To see children so malnourished and digging through the trash hoping to find a few bites of food or scrap metal for their family to sell was a stark contrast to the conditions I was used to back home.

Since then, I have had the privilege to serve in many different countries on medical missions, food distribution missions, and other ministry activities. I have prayed for surgical patients in Bolivia before and after they received life changing surgery.  I have talked about Jesus with tribal communities in the Amazon Jungle where tourists dare not venture.  And through it all, I continue to thank God for bringing me outside of my comfort zone so that I can build His Kingdom and help His people.

God has blessed me with the spiritual gifts of leadership, administration, and charity.  Over the years, I have had the opportunity to serve in Executive Pastor roles at two large multi-site churches, and more recently I was serving as International Operations Director and then Interim Executive Director at a Christian charity providing health care in developing countries.  I’m grateful God has given me these spiritual gifts and work experience to serve Him. 

Now, I am thankful to be starting an exciting new adventure as Executive Director of Latin America Mission. In this role, I intend to honour the long history of LAM while finding new methods to fulfill the Great Commission. Jesus directed his disciples, and all of us, to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.”  We remain faithful to the holistic understanding of the Christian mission as represented in the legacy and heritage of the Strachan family and of those who came after them. Their work is a powerful gospel testimony, a legacy we celebrate to this day!

David Phillips will be transitioning to the role of Operations Director and has committed to mentor and coach me over the next year.  Thanks to David for all you have done and will continue to do for this great ministry.

I appreciate the support of my wife, Leanne, and our daughters, Lily and Jasmine, as I begin this next season of Kingdom work.  We live on a small farm near Arthur, Ontario, Canada and continue to look forward to the day when every nation bows down and declares Jesus as their risen Savior.  Please pray for LAM as we work to make this a reality.

In His Service,

Chris Ferris