John Poe
John had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home. During a church revival service, at age 5, John asked his parents how to be saved. However, it wasn't until his first year at Piedmont Bible College that he realized he didn't have a personal walk with the Lord. In the fall of of his freshman year, John decided to stop trying to earn his salvation and fully trusted Christ for the first time. During his childhood John had the chance to meet and interact with many missionaries. God used these early experiences to give him an interest in missions. During his time at Piedmont, the Lord used godly speakers, mission conferences and mission trips to confirm God's calling and to give him a burden for lost souls around the globe. John spent a summer on a mission trip working with several missionary families in Peru. This trip opened his eyes to Peru's great spiritual needs. He returned to Piedmont for his senior year with a new vision and a plan to serve the Lord in Peru. John graduated from Piedmont with a BA in Bible and was then ordained in 1999.
Debbie Poe
Debbie grew up in a home where ministry was important. Her grandfather and father worked together in ministry and started several city "rescue missions." Debbie was blessed with the opportunity to attend Christian school. She had heard the Gospel her entire life but didn't apply it to her own needs until she attended a summer camp her senior year of high school. After trusting Christ, her grandparents encouraged her to take one year of Bible at Piedmont Bible College. That one year turned into four as the Lord worked in her heart giving her a desire for service. She planned a summer mission trip to Scotland where she worked with a single lady missionary. God used that trip to confirm His calling in her life for missions. Debbie graduated from Piedmont with studies in Bible and missions.
Our Life Together
John and Debbie met during their time at Piedmont. God showed them how they could work together to serve the Lord on the mission field to reach others with the Gospel. After graduating from college they were married and soon joined Baptist Mid-Missions. After one year of language school they arrived in Peru where they spent nearly 14 years as church-planting missionaries. A health crisis in 2014 brought them back to the states. In 2016 they transitioned to ministry with EBI in Sebring, FL where they continue to serve.
Elizabeth Grace
Elizabeth trusted Christ as her savior in August of 2014 during our furlough at a church revival service. After seeing the tremendous blessing that nurses and healthcare workers were to her mom, Elizabeth is now working as an ER nurse. Elizabeth married her childhood sweetheart from one of our supporting churches, Josiah Forbes, on March 18, 2023. She now resides in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Olivia Joy
Olivia made a decision to trust Christ when she was eight years old. Her school teacher led her to the Lord! Olivia is now in college preparing for a career in Speech Pathology. Like most young people, Olivia enjoys hanging out with her friends, and browsing on her phone. She also loves to read and enjoys cooking. Olivia looks forward to working with children with communication disorders in her future.
