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NORCROSS, Ga. – Thirteen missionaries have been consecrated by The Mission Society for service in Europe, Africa, the world at large, and areas that cannot be disclosed for security reasons. 

Bishop Joao Carlos Lopes, president of the College of Bishops of the Brazilian Methodist Church and a Mission Society board member, spoke during the May 8 service at Simpsonwood Chapel. Staff and board members of The Mission Society joined family and friends of those consecrated at the service.

“The Holy Spirit has blessed each missionary with skills and abilities to meet felt needs in a spectrum of mission fields worldwide,” said the Rev. Dick McClain, president and CEO of The Mission Society. “These missionaries will serve diverse areas of the global church as Christ's hands, feet and spirit of compassion.”

The new missionaries are Denny and Cindy Heiberg of Gainesville, Fla.; Steve and Suzanne Buchele of Georgetown, Texas; Johnny and Amy Winkle of Atlanta; and three couples and a single missionary who will minister in undisclosed locations.

The Heibergs have served in pastoral ministry for 22 years within The United Methodist Church in Kentucky and Florida. Their mission focuses upon maximizing effectiveness of cross-cultural witnesses through pastoral care and discipleship; Global Outreach Seminars in strategic cities worldwide; improving effectiveness in mobilizing churches to become more missional through discipleship; and empowering pastors and strategic church and community leaders to enable movements of disciple-making.

The Bucheles are returning to Ghana following two years of ministry there. Suzanne Buchele, who holds a master’s degree in mathematics and a Ph.D. in computer science, will work at Ashesi University College. Steve Buchele will serve in a pastoral role, as short-term mission team coordinator and managing a guesthouse.

Following a year of ministry service in Kazakhstan with The Mission Society, Johnny Winkle earned a master’s degree in world mission and evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary before joining The Mission Society staff as director of advancement activities. Amy Winkle earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and master's degrees from Asbury Theological Seminary and Columbia Theological Seminary. She will pursue a degree in Hebrew and Jewish studies at Oxford University as her husband ministers to students and in local churches.