MISSION STAFF

The Outreach Foundation employs several mission staff who serve in geographic areas with which they are familiar. Many years of field experience make our mission consultants experts in a variety of ways. They help facilitate specific projects in these regions, guide groups to visit with our international partners, and provide information and other assistance to congregations seeking to become more involved in mission.

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CHARLES AND DIANE WONNENBERG
DALLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA, USA

Charles and Diane Wonnenberg joined The Outreach Foundation as missionaries to the USA among Native Americans in 2005.

Following their assignment in Mozambique as Presbyterian Church (USA) missionaries helping to facilitate the evangelistic mission efforts of the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique, Charles and Diane are now serving through a unique partnership established by The Outreach Foundation, the Presbytery of South Dakota and Dakota Presbytery, a non-geographic presbytery comprised of Native American congregations.

Charles and Diane describe their call this way: “As bearers of the glorious Gospel, we gladly answer the call to share the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and to encourage the church to fulfill its mission. Despite faithful work by the Dakota Presbytery and the Presbytery of South Dakota, many people, young and old, are crying out for the redemption and restoration that only knowledge of God’s love in Jesus Christ can bring. We find this is especially true in isolated rural areas without church fellowships and on the nine American Indian reservations in South Dakota.  Alcoholism, broken homes, domestic abuse, poverty, crime and the highest unemployment levels in the nation are staggering indicators of need.”

Charles and Diane now lead a mission fellowship based in Dallas, South Dakota, where they extend the outreach and evangelism work of the Dakota Presbytery to areas of need. At the heart of this work is a vision to proclaim the Gospel, to strengthen and equip existing Native American congregations toward a mission vision, and to encourage discipleship through Bible study and leadership training.

Their plans for the ministry includes weekly Bible studies and ministry in Dallas, bi-weekly or monthly Bible studies on reservations, revival services, seminars on evangelism and mission, leadership training in targeted areas, and development of curriculum materials to enhance mission awareness and response for use in congregations on or near Native American reservations.

The Wonnenbergs’ ministry is being guided by Native American leaders and by a steering committee comprised of representatives from Dakota Presbytery, Presbytery of South Dakota and The Outreach Foundation.