In 1987, Dirk founded Arise & Shine Evangelistic Association (ASEA) in the Philippines. In 1993, ASEA expanded to London, England. An old pub was purchased, renovated and renamed “The London Outreach Center,” and is an evangelistic outreach to the greater London area. In 2002, the Wood Family launched out to establish an ASEA base in Cape Town, South Africa.
In 2013, when she was just 22 years old, Jessica Tomlinson moved to Scotland as a missionary. She serves at Overtoun House, a refuge for women in crisis, where they can receive hope, healing, and restoration! Jessica desires to reach out to the women and children of Scotland and together discover the calling that God has placed on their lives, discovering who they are in Him and to set them in motion to walk in all that God has for them.
In 2003, Cheri opened Challenge Farm in Kitale, Kenya. Today, Challenge Farm is “home” to over 170 children. 24/7 care is provided for the once orphaned and abandoned children. Hot meals, medical care, counseling, education and technical and agricultural training are provided through the generous gifts of supporters and the child sponsorship program.
Working with Arise and Shine Evangelistic Association since 1988, Steve and Tina Same spent the first 5 years in the Philippine Islands proclaiming the Good News. In 1992, they relocated to London, England, and joined ASEA’s pioneering effort. They now serve in urban street ministry, operating out of ASEA’s “London Outreach Center,” a fully renovated former English “pub,” where they evangelize among the city’s 11 million people.
The Lawsons were serving in Thailand before COVID, but while stuck in the States with no way of returning there, they asked the Lord how they could reach the nations, build community, and make disciples here. The Lawsons have moved to Mobile and are now seeking to make their home, family, and community a place where international students, refugees, and people from every nation can belong.