The Team
Pastor Chris Connell
On staff at RFA since 2002, Chris serves as Missions and Evangelism Pastor. Chris is ordained as an Assemblies of God Evangelist and also serves with Way of the Cross Ministries in the area of missionary evangelism. Pastor Chris and his wife, Amy, have 3 children; Olivia, Ethan, and Isaac.
"Tech" Carpenter
Tech is a newly appointed missionary to Venezuela. He has served in youth ministry at RFA primarily working with high school guys. He has also served in tech ministry for the past 7 years. Tech has assisted in leading multiple international trips to Latin America including Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guatemala.
Muriel Pawlik
Muriel is married, has two daughters and five grandchildren. Previously she has offered her skills as a dental assistant traveling with various teams on mission trips to Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Belize, and the Dominican Republic. This is her first trip to South America and she is so excited and open to what God is going to do on this trip. Muriel attends Faith Assembly of God in Winterville, NC, but feels extremely blessed to be traveling to Venezuela with this team from RFA.
Chad Richards
Chad is married to Meagan, lives in Grantsboro, NC and attends Cornerstone Assembly in New Bern. He first learned about Pavia last year when his church raised funds for the Pavia Project. This will be Chad's first out of country mission trip. God confirmed the call to go on this trip for he and his wife in a powerful way and it was then they knew they were meant to go. "I can't wait to work with this team and help the people of Pavia in any way that I can. I know we are all going to experience a powerful move of God."
Meagan Richards
Meagan is married to Chad, lives in Grantsboro, NC and attends Cornerstone Assembly in New Bern. She is the children's care coordinator for children ages 5 and under at her church. This will be Meagan's first out of country mission trip. She first learned about Pavia last year when her church raised funds for the Pavia Project. It was after this she began to feel God calling her to Pavia and its children. She is most excited about working with the children and teachers of Pavia. "I feel so blessed that God has chosen to send Chad and me to Venezuela with this great group of people. I feel God has something amazing in store and I cannot wait to share His love with the people of Venezuela."
Scott Smith
Scott, his wife Charity, and their 5 children, Malachi, Moriah, Micah, Matthew, and Merci are currently itinerating Missionary Associates to Venezuela. For their first two-year term, they will be working alongside missionaries Chris and Angela Nelson working primarily in the city of Pavia at Mi Casa de Oracion or My House of Prayer. They will also be coordinating with the Nelson's in reestablishing Latin American Child Care (LACC) in the country of Venezuela. The Smith's believe that reaching the hearts of children will ultimately transform the country of Venezuela for the glory of Jesus.
Seth Reavis
Seth is entering his second year at NC State majoring in Sports Management. He feels called to go into the field of sports to become a coach and mentor to kids and youth when he graduates. This is Seth's second mission trip, both of them being to Venezuela. "The first trip was an amazing, life-changing experience, and I feel called to go back again this summer and am very excited about it."
