Western District Global Missions

04/17/2026

We are excited to welcome the Lugo family, missionaries to New Zealand, back home in the Western District. They are currently on deputation, raising the support needed to return to the field and continue the work God has called them to do.

Desi and Rachel Lugo met in Bible school (CLC) and were married in 2003. They are ordained ministers with the UPCI and have faithfully served in multiple ministry roles across California, Missouri, Delaware, and Louisiana, from Sunday school to assistant pastors. Desi also earned his Master’s in Theological Studies from UGST in 2015.

In 2021, they answered the call to missions and served in Vanuatu, where they taught in the Bible school, developed curriculum, and helped strengthen churches and discipleship efforts across the island.

In February 2025, the Lugos were appointed Intermediate Missionaries to New Zealand. They are targeting the city of Dunedin on the South Island, where there are only two churches among a population of over one million. They are excited to plant a church, return to pastoral ministry, and help train the next generation of leaders.

We’re excited to hear the great reports from the field and are believing God for powerful moves right here in the Western District as well.

03/14/2026

We are excited to welcome Reverend Jonathan Follmer, missionary to Sweden, to the Western District from March 17 to April 5. We look forward to hearing how God is using him and his family to reach people in Sweden and beyond. Please keep them in prayer as God continues to provide partners in missions.

02/11/2026

We are excited to welcome Missionaries Justin and Morgan Wright, along with their children, to the Western District as they deputize with us from February 10 – March 1!

Married in 2012 and blessed with two daughters, the Wrights faithfully served for years in their local church in children’s ministry, bus ministry, media, choir, guest services, and more. For nine years, they led as Children’s Pastors, seeing many baptized in Jesus’ Name and filled with the Holy Ghost.

In 2019, God began stirring their hearts for foreign missions. After seasons of prayer, preparation, and multiple AIM terms in Bangladesh, the Lord clearly confirmed their calling. Since 2021, they have faithfully served on the field through church planting, Bible college teaching, TESOL, evangelism, home Bible studies, and leadership training. Morgan has also helped launch new Sunday School works and assisted with Ladies Ministries and the Bangladesh Network of Prayer.

In October 2024, they were officially appointed as Intermediate Missionaries to Bangladesh. Upon returning, they will launch a Bangladesh Home Missions initiative with a vision to plant churches in new areas — believing for the promised one million-plus soul revival in that nation!

Western District, let’s welcome them and partner together for revival in Bangladesh!

07/31/2025

We’re excited to have the Nash family, Missionaries to French Polynesia, in the Western District!

Matthew and Onnalisa Nash, along with their children, have been involved in many areas of ministry.

In 2020, they went on their first AIM appointment to Botswana and Zimbabwe, where they taught and preached in various churches and taught classes at the Bible school in Zimbabwe.

In November 2021, they served as AIMers in Fiji for nine months, followed by a second AIM/AMP term in January 2023 for fifteen months. During their time in Fiji, they taught in the Bible school, ministered across the nation, and supported the local work in multiple capacities.

During these missionary experiences, God placed a burden on their hearts for the unreached nation of French Polynesia. 🇵🇫

Now, as appointed missionaries to French Polynesia, they are pioneering the first UPCI church in the nation. Their heart is to embrace the local culture, build meaningful relationships, and see this new work flourish and grow.

Let’s cover the Nash family in prayer and support as they follow the leading of the Holy Ghost to reach this unreached nation!

07/01/2025

We’re excited to have Roger and Vicki Betterley, missionaries to Malawi, in the Western District! Malawi Fire - United Pentecostal Church of Malawi

With a rich history of church planting, pastoral leadership, and evangelistic ministry, the Betterleys bring a powerful testimony and a deep burden for the people of Malawi. After years of serving in the Pennsylvania District and visiting Malawi multiple times, they are now fully appointed Missionaries and are working alongside the National Church to help lead this nation into even greater revival.

Malawi is on track to become the first African nation with one million members in the United Pentecostal Church and the Betterleys are right in the middle of what God is doing!

Learn more about their ministry and support their work at:
https://betterleysinmalawi.com

05/30/2025

This is a great couple worthy of your missions support!

03/28/2025

We are honored to welcome Missionaries Richard and Andrea Carver to the Western District from April 8th to 27th!

Brother Richard Carver was born and raised on the mission fields of Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, and Fiji. His early years of ministry were spent as an AIMer in Fiji, where he pastored a church, helped establish the National Headquarters, and taught at the Bible school for ten years. Following this season, the Carver’s returned to Australia to continue AIM work for another six years. In 2007, they returned to his birthplace, Papua New Guinea, where they continue to serve faithfully.

In 2012, Brother Carver was appointed General Superintendent of Papua New Guinea. Since then, he has overseen the establishment of a National Headquarters and a Bible School complex, and the church has experienced remarkable growth and development nationwide.

Brother and Sister Carver have been involved in AIM ministry since 1993. They received their missionary appointment in 2012 and were granted Career Appointment in 2022. The Carvers are blessed with three children: Laura (22), Timothy (20), and Hannah (14).

The Western District is excited to support their vision for Papua New Guinea!

Please join us in giving a warm Western District welcome to the Carver family.

11/05/2024

11/04/2024

We are honored to welcome Missionaries Stephen and Angelica Merritt to the Western District from November 12-24!

The Merritts have a God given vision for sustainable revival across Portugal. Over the next decade, they’re committed to planting 10 new churches and training 100 ministers.

The Merritt’s are believing God to reach 1/10 of 1% of Portugal’s total population over the next 10 years. That’s a 10,000-soul harvest!

The Western District is excited to be a part of helping their vision for Portugal come to pass!

Let’s rally behind them with our prayers and encouragement as they work toward seeing lives transformed in Portugal and across Europe.

Please join us in giving a warm Western District welcome to Stephen and Angelica Merritt!

08/27/2024

🚨 The wait is almost over! West Coast Mission Fest is just days away, happening this Friday and Saturday! We can't wait to see you there. Follow the link for all the details—this is an event you absolutely don’t want to miss! 🚨

If you're passionate about Global Missions, this is your moment. Mission Fest is coming to the Western District, offering a rare opportunity to gain invaluable insights, connect with like-minded individuals, and be inspired by leaders who are dedicated to making a global impact.

Don’t let this extraordinary event pass you by—register now using the link below. If you have any questions or need additional information, we're here to assist you.

Join our Tribe in Cali!