It’s time for change.  The Leister family has been living in Kenya over 13 years.  In that time Josh and Rachel were married in Kenya followed by all four of their children being born in Kenya.  Their heart is to invest their lives and resources into others with intentions of revealing a powerful and loving God who is here with us now.

In obedience to God the Leisters are now transitioning their ministry base to the United States.  Saying good-bye to the friends and family in Kenya is difficult but totally worth it when following Jesus.  Their location will change but their heart for ministering from their home to foreign nations will not change.

The Leister family has a simple approach to their cross cultural life in a majority nation…

…Their vision is Jesus

…Their mission is to daily glorify God in all that they do

…They accomplish this in the power of the Holy Spirit

HISTORY

Joshua and Rachel moved to Kenya in September of 2007.  At that time they were single adults in their 20’s with interest for one another.  As a trained nurse, Rachel was moving to Kenya to help Josh’s parents take care of orphaned children.  She was committed for a year in Kenya.  Josh on the other hand was taking a break from his Paramedic training in the USA to help his parents settle into their new home in Kenya.  His plan was for a short visit and then to return back to school in Portland, OR.

After 4 short weeks God’s plan began to materialize for Josh and Rachel.  They both knew their paths were intertwined forever and Kenya was their new home.  Getting married a few months later in Eldoret, Kenya was the first step on God’s adventure.  They later moved to Kisumu, Kenya for Josh to train as a Clinical Officer(similar to physician assistant) allowing him to provide much needed medical care to vulnerable people in the country and open doors into other regions of East Africa.  Finally graduating from Lake Institute of Tropical medicine in Kisumu and becoming a Registered Clinical Officer after 4 years of grueling medical training, Josh serves as the medical advisor for Tumaini Children’s Home and has volunteered full-time in various medical capacities in Kenya.

Amidst the challenges of cross cultural living and ministering Josh and Rachel have had 4 beautiful children born in Kenya(Tekoa-10yr, Eliza-8yr, Samuel-6yr, and Emmanuel-4yr).  Rachel works hard every day homeschooling and training their children up in the way they should go.  Inside and outside the home the Leisters are attempting to grow in family ministry allowing each of their children to reflect Jesus as only they can.  Together the Leister family loves to worship Jesus, make disciples and see God’s original intention realized on the earth.

Now living in the US, the Leisters have accepted a pastoral position at River City Church in their home town.  They remain a family on mission and are ready to continue with God on His journey.  Though living in the US they will continue to be active in ministering to and in Kenya through multiple avenues as well as in the US.  The adventure continues…