How did Jeff and Joy end up in PNG?

Jeff & Joy at a weekend retreat for the high school kids at Numonhoi Christian Academy (October 2003).

Jeff

Jeff was raised in the Pittsburgh, PA area and came to know the Lord at age 14. It was at Tennessee Temple University that he was introduced to missions. During his sophomore year, he felt the Lord leading in that direction. The summer after graduating from college, Jeff (engaged to Joy at the time) went on a summer missions trip to Brazil. It was during that summer that Jeff made a decision to enter into tribal missionary work with New Tribes Mission.

Joy

Born in Chattanooga, TN and raised in a Christian home, Joy (since the age of nine) grew up in Northwest Indiana. She met Jeff while attending college. It was as this time she gave serious consideration to mission work. During the summer of 1983 Joy, too, went on a summer missions trip to Bolivia. The Lord used circumstances that summer to assured her that she could and should do tribal type missionary work.

In March of 2002, it became apparent that because of a degenerating back problem, Joy could no longer function well concerning the tremendous amount of physical labor required to live at the tribal location of Malaumanda. In an interesting turn of events the Lord opened doors for them to be involved in a new ministry at New Tribes Mission's field headquarters/school located near the town of Goroka. There, Jeff and Joy served as boarding home parents for Jr. and Sr. high school kids whose parents are involved in many aspects of reaching tribal people all over the country of Papua New Guinea. Jeff also served as the Dorm Coordinator for all the dorms at the school. Aside from providing guidance and counsel in the dorm setting, Jeff and Joy were involved in teaching Bible classes, chapel services, sports programs, Bible studies and other youth oriented programs. Jeff was also heavily involved in administrative/leadership duties regarding the school and boarding home ministry.

In 2004 their son Grant had a very difficult year with his health causing Jeff & Joy to have to step out of the boarding home ministry after the first quarter of that year. Jeff & Joy continued with their other responsibilities after moving out of the dorm and living in a house on the mission center. Because Grant’s health continued to deteriorate Jeff return to the USA with Grant in March of 2005. A proper diagnosis at Mayo Clinic enabled Grant to begin a recovery program to where he could function in normal health once again. However, because of the health concerns at the time, the Ryders packed up their household goods and returned to the States permanently in June of 2005.

After a furlough year in the Pittsburgh, PA area. Jeff & Joy accepted a position at New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, WI in July 2006. Jeff and Joy were Deans of the Married Students, and Jeff also oversaw the Evangelism Program and taught several classes through the spring semester of May 2009.

Sensing the Lord’s direction again Jeff & Joy moved back to the Pittsburgh area where they presently reside. Jeff is a representative with New Tribes Mission in the Western Pennsylvania area while also functioning on the pastoral staff of their home church.

At present Their children, Jordan (May 31, 1986), Grant (April 28, 1989), and Lindsay (April 24, 1991) live with them in the Pittsburgh area. Jordan and Grant have both graduated from New Tribes Bible Institute and desire to continue the training with NTM with the goal of a future missionary career. Lindsay graduated from high school in May of 2009 and is considering several options for further education.

You can be a part of Jeff and Joy's work. They can be helped by your prayers and interest and financial support if you are led to help in that way. It is a trying and stressful ministry at times and they would deeply appreciate your involvement in their lives.

Their e-mail address is Jeff_Ryder@ntm.org