Location: Croatia
Hometown: Timpson, Texas and Knoxville, Tenn.
Commissioned: 2008
Elaine’s home church, First Baptist Church of Knoxville, Tenn., has partnered with the Croatian Baptist Union to support the
Pastoral Center in Čakovec,
Croatia. Through this partnership, Elaine coordinates several ministries. She will serve on the staff of Lighthouse, a residential home for at-risk youth. She will also minister to youth, provide support to Baptists in the village and teach English.
“I think it's important to work toward healing the brokenness, suffering and warfare in the world,” Elaine said. “Many of my non-Christian friends tease me about assuring my place in heaven, but I try to explain to them that, for a Christian, service isn't about earning rewards but about caring enough to try and give other people a better life, both spiritually and physically.”