Elaine Collins

Matt and Elaine Collins

Matt and Elaine Collins
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Matt and Elaine Collins
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Matt and Elaine Collins' roots in the Church of God are deep, very deep.Elaine, the fifth generation of her family in the Church of God, says, "I was born in it and born again in it."One of Matt's ancestors, a minister, participated in the necktie debate of the early years.So, it is not surprising that they have answered the call to full-time missionary service.Nor is it surprising that they have been called to serve cross-culturally.Matt's sister and her family are missionaries to South Africa with another organization.Though born in the United States, Elaine spent many of her early years in Africa with her missionary parents, Joel and Neelie Kerich.
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Elaine began her personal walk with God when she first moved to Kenya at age seven."When I attended boarding school, Jesus became my personal Savior and Lord."Through many experiences of moving and being away from family, she learned the astounding fact that God is always there and always reliable, even when no one else is reliable.

Matt and Elaine met at Anderson University, where they earned bachelor's degrees in sociology and history, respectively.Elaine subsequently earned a master's degree in library science from Indiana University.Matt recently completed a master's degree in business administration from Anderson University.They have lived in Anderson, Indiana, since college.

Although Matt and Elaine have always been drawn to living and working overseas, Elaine was not interested in becoming a missionary.Then she heard God asking, "Will you do whatever I ask you to do?"She responded, "What are you going to ask me to do?"But, thinking about the many difficulties in life, she asked herself, Do I want to go through them with God or alone?As Matt and Elaine searched for God's direction, the invitation to go to Kima International School of Theology (KIST) came.The school's needs were a precise fit for their preparation and interests.The KIST setting offers a secure community where both parents can serve effectively while remaining closely involved with their young children, Eva, Alastor, and Owen.

At KIST, in Kenya, East Africa, Matt acts as the business administrator, overseeing the daily operations of the school or, as Matt says, "managing cows and budgets."As KIST librarian, Elaine supervises student librarians in providing an important study environment for students.

On February 19, Matthew and Elaine Collins were appointed by Global Missions of Church of God Ministries as new missionaries-elect to Kenya.Their assignment in Kenya will be at Kima International School of Theology (KIST).Matt will be director of operations at KIST, where he will work with the principal and accounts clerk to oversee the daily operations of the campus as well as manage financial accounts.Elaine will serve as the school librarian.They will be busy raising support for their mission between now and early spring of 2005, when they are scheduled to depart.

Matt and Elaine are both graduates of Anderson University (AU).Elaine also has a master's degree in library science from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).Matt will complete a master's degree in business administration from AU in May 2004.Both come from missionary families.Matt's sister and brother-in-law are missionaries with another mission organization.Elaine, daughter of Church of God missionaries Joel and Neelie Kerich, grew up in the United States and Kenya.