Joanne Oftedahl teaches and serves as Student Missions Advisor at Immanuel Bible College, Cebu Philippines. She preaches, teaches, and helps provide resources for evangelism and discipleship in local churches of Cebu and neighboring Islands.
First Mission
Joanne’s first mission’s experience was a two-year assignment to the Philippines. She recalls this as a fantastic time of growth in faith gained while serving in different ministries. During that time she taught in Bible College, conducted children’s and youth ministries, outreach and discipleship in secular colleges, ministry to patients in hospitals, evangelism seminars for nursing students, preaching and teaching in local churches.
Becoming a Missionary
At age sixteen, Joanne sensed God’s calling and she committed her life to Him; wherever He may lead. During the following two years, God continued to draw her closer and gave her a passion for missions. During her years at North Central Bible College, God confirmed His call to missions and put a special love in her heart for Asia. Joanne has served in the Philippines for 25 years.
More Missionaries
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark and Beth Barnard work in Iquitos, Peru directing a base with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). They also oversee Youth with a Mission Peru on a national level.
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew and Elora work in Summit County, Colorado, which is located near Denver. It is a community ignorant to Christianity, with a focus on 'new age' and eastern religions.
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick and Olivia are located in Tallinn, Estonia to launch a new church for the young generation
Gloria Biffert
Togo
Gloria Biffert
Togo
PAThs based out of Lomé, Togo represents 32 countries (29 African, and 3 Western) Three quarters of our students hold executive positions in their National Church in Africa. More to come!
Aaron Smith
Thailand
Aaron Smith
Thailand
River Valley 500. Our focus is equipping local Christian leaders (for Venture and with our local church) in hard to reach (tough) places in SE Asia with resources to help them share the Gospel, plant churches, and build the Kingdom of God.
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris and Julie are campus missionaries with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at the University of Minnesota.
Ian Hall
United States
Ian Hall
United States
Ian and Sheila equip Romanian churches in Europe. They teach evangelism, and minister to the needs of Romanian nationals on many levels of care and outreach.
John Konkel
United States
John Konkel
United States
John focuses on apostolic work on the University of Minnesota campus (most recently with fraternities) and is an associate pastor at Sojourn Campus Church in Minneapolis. Jolene is currently seeking strategic direction on how to reach the U of M arts community as an independent choreographer.
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
River Valley 500. We serve under Dareth & Thida Ly in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 2 years. They have been in Cambodia since the mid-90s working with children and young adults. They help run 3 schools and provide a place (The New Dream Center) for children from the floating village to live who want to continue their education past 6th grade. By living at The New Dream Center, these children are able to attend the junior high and high school across the street and have access to additional English and computer classes through Dareth & Thida’s ministry. They also hold a Sunday church service at The New Dream Center. In the late 70’s, after the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge killed roughly a 1/4 of the population of Cambodia. Anyone with a higher education or held a position of leadership were killed. Families were separated and taken to working camps, where they endured extremely long, hard days working in rice fields. Many were killed just to set an example of what would happen if you disobeyed and many others died from the harsh working conditions, long days and lack of food. This event has had a huge impact on the Cambodian people as they continue to deal with the effects of such trauma from PTSD to the lack of knowledge of what a healthy family unit should look like. They deal with a struggling economy, widespread corruption, the highest HIV rate in Asia and some of the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the world. They have prayed that God would use them; that he would reveal His plan for their lives and in February of 2016, He did just that. God has called them to be missionaries to Cambodia. Never in their wildest dreams did they think this is what He would have in store for them. God has given them a calling and theyre simply trying to be obedient servants; vessels to be used by Him to share His glory and truth to the people of Cambodia.
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark and Beth Barnard work in Iquitos, Peru directing a base with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). They also oversee Youth with a Mission Peru on a national level.
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew and Elora work in Summit County, Colorado, which is located near Denver. It is a community ignorant to Christianity, with a focus on 'new age' and eastern religions.
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick and Olivia are located in Tallinn, Estonia to launch a new church for the young generation
Gloria Biffert
Togo
Gloria Biffert
Togo
PAThs based out of Lomé, Togo represents 32 countries (29 African, and 3 Western) Three quarters of our students hold executive positions in their National Church in Africa. More to come!
Aaron Smith
Thailand
Aaron Smith
Thailand
River Valley 500. Our focus is equipping local Christian leaders (for Venture and with our local church) in hard to reach (tough) places in SE Asia with resources to help them share the Gospel, plant churches, and build the Kingdom of God.
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris and Julie are campus missionaries with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at the University of Minnesota.
Ian Hall
United States
Ian Hall
United States
Ian and Sheila equip Romanian churches in Europe. They teach evangelism, and minister to the needs of Romanian nationals on many levels of care and outreach.
John Konkel
United States
John Konkel
United States
John focuses on apostolic work on the University of Minnesota campus (most recently with fraternities) and is an associate pastor at Sojourn Campus Church in Minneapolis. Jolene is currently seeking strategic direction on how to reach the U of M arts community as an independent choreographer.
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
River Valley 500. We serve under Dareth & Thida Ly in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 2 years. They have been in Cambodia since the mid-90s working with children and young adults. They help run 3 schools and provide a place (The New Dream Center) for children from the floating village to live who want to continue their education past 6th grade. By living at The New Dream Center, these children are able to attend the junior high and high school across the street and have access to additional English and computer classes through Dareth & Thida’s ministry. They also hold a Sunday church service at The New Dream Center. In the late 70’s, after the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge killed roughly a 1/4 of the population of Cambodia. Anyone with a higher education or held a position of leadership were killed. Families were separated and taken to working camps, where they endured extremely long, hard days working in rice fields. Many were killed just to set an example of what would happen if you disobeyed and many others died from the harsh working conditions, long days and lack of food. This event has had a huge impact on the Cambodian people as they continue to deal with the effects of such trauma from PTSD to the lack of knowledge of what a healthy family unit should look like. They deal with a struggling economy, widespread corruption, the highest HIV rate in Asia and some of the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the world. They have prayed that God would use them; that he would reveal His plan for their lives and in February of 2016, He did just that. God has called them to be missionaries to Cambodia. Never in their wildest dreams did they think this is what He would have in store for them. God has given them a calling and theyre simply trying to be obedient servants; vessels to be used by Him to share His glory and truth to the people of Cambodia.
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark Barnard
Peru
Clark and Beth Barnard work in Iquitos, Peru directing a base with Youth with a Mission (YWAM). They also oversee Youth with a Mission Peru on a national level.
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew Collver
United States
Matthew and Elora work in Summit County, Colorado, which is located near Denver. It is a community ignorant to Christianity, with a focus on 'new age' and eastern religions.
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick Puccini
Estonia
Nick and Olivia are located in Tallinn, Estonia to launch a new church for the young generation
Gloria Biffert
Togo
Gloria Biffert
Togo
PAThs based out of Lomé, Togo represents 32 countries (29 African, and 3 Western) Three quarters of our students hold executive positions in their National Church in Africa. More to come!
Aaron Smith
Thailand
Aaron Smith
Thailand
River Valley 500. Our focus is equipping local Christian leaders (for Venture and with our local church) in hard to reach (tough) places in SE Asia with resources to help them share the Gospel, plant churches, and build the Kingdom of God.
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris Manthey
United States
Chris and Julie are campus missionaries with Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at the University of Minnesota.
Ian Hall
United States
Ian Hall
United States
Ian and Sheila equip Romanian churches in Europe. They teach evangelism, and minister to the needs of Romanian nationals on many levels of care and outreach.
John Konkel
United States
John Konkel
United States
John focuses on apostolic work on the University of Minnesota campus (most recently with fraternities) and is an associate pastor at Sojourn Campus Church in Minneapolis. Jolene is currently seeking strategic direction on how to reach the U of M arts community as an independent choreographer.
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
Brian Klancke
Cambodia
River Valley 500. We serve under Dareth & Thida Ly in Siem Reap, Cambodia for 2 years. They have been in Cambodia since the mid-90s working with children and young adults. They help run 3 schools and provide a place (The New Dream Center) for children from the floating village to live who want to continue their education past 6th grade. By living at The New Dream Center, these children are able to attend the junior high and high school across the street and have access to additional English and computer classes through Dareth & Thida’s ministry. They also hold a Sunday church service at The New Dream Center. In the late 70’s, after the Vietnam War, the Khmer Rouge killed roughly a 1/4 of the population of Cambodia. Anyone with a higher education or held a position of leadership were killed. Families were separated and taken to working camps, where they endured extremely long, hard days working in rice fields. Many were killed just to set an example of what would happen if you disobeyed and many others died from the harsh working conditions, long days and lack of food. This event has had a huge impact on the Cambodian people as they continue to deal with the effects of such trauma from PTSD to the lack of knowledge of what a healthy family unit should look like. They deal with a struggling economy, widespread corruption, the highest HIV rate in Asia and some of the highest rates of child sex trafficking in the world. They have prayed that God would use them; that he would reveal His plan for their lives and in February of 2016, He did just that. God has called them to be missionaries to Cambodia. Never in their wildest dreams did they think this is what He would have in store for them. God has given them a calling and theyre simply trying to be obedient servants; vessels to be used by Him to share His glory and truth to the people of Cambodia.
