John & Bethanna Kortie

The Korties came to the mission field in September 2015 and are currently serving on two different American Indian reservations in Arizona, the Tohono O’odham (“pronounced like Gotham without the G”) and Gila River (Akimel O’odham) Nations. They have various ministries which include preaching, coming alongside native pastors, nursing home ministry, Bible studies, discipleship and generally getting involved in the lives of the people.

John was saved at 11 years old, and writes the following:

“I was convicted of my sin, and the speaker asked if anyone wanted to put their trust in Christ. I had a rocky start to my walk with Christ, growing up in the Methodist church without much doctrine. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I came to understand the doctrines of grace and knew they were true. It was what I had always read in the Bible in my own devotions, but didn’t know what they were called. I began attending Reformed Baptist churches in the various states where I lived and ended up at Grace Baptist of Taylors, South Carolina. God used that church to really grow me in doctrine and service.

My wife’s name is Bethanna. She is truly my helper in all the ministries God opens up for me. She ministers to ladies through Bible studies and to the churches in playing the piano. She also teaches Bible club to the kids in Chuichu every Sunday. One of her gifts is hospitality. She loves to open our home to guests—for meals or longer stays. Please take her up on that gift!

We have 3 children, all who are married and living in South Carolina. We also have 1 grandson and love this stage of life!”

John’s sending church is Grace Baptist Church of Taylors, in Taylors, South Carolina, USA.