David & Dennise Rhoads Missionaries to Papua New Guinea

Our Family

Our family consists of myself (David), my wife Dennise, and our three girls; Megan, Kara and Rachel. We all went to Papua New Guinea in 1995. We are now returning as full time career missionaries. My job is to do maintenance work at the Goroka Baptist Bible College, and Dennise is always ready to give me a hand whenever I need it. We are able to live on the college campus, which is a great help.

I was saved when I was 9 years old, growing up in Wisconsin. I moved to California when I joined the Air force in 1983. I met Dennise at church, and we were married within the year.

Dennise was saved when she was 16 and is a native of California. She has been a dedicated wife and mother. She genuinely loves the Lord, and I believe it is evident in her daily life. She will be wife and mother in PNG as well, and as you can imagine, that's not as easy to do there as it is here. She will also be coordinating and planning the youth work we will be doing. She is far more organized than I am, which is a great help to me, and makes us much more effective in our ministry.

Megan, our oldest daughter is currently a college freshman. She was saved when she was 5,in 1990. She likes sports, particularly volleyball. She is an "A" Student, and generally likes school. She is attending The Master's Bible college here in California.

Kara is a high school Senior. She was saved at the age of 9 in 1995 when we were in PNG. She also enjoys sports, particularly volleyball and basketball. She is also an "A" student and will be attending the "New Tribes" missionary school in Goroka. We would also like her to be involved with us in the youth ministries in PNG. Lord willing, she will be going to college at Master’s with Megan next year.

Rachel is currently in 8th grade. She was saved when she was 5 years old in PNG like her sister, Kara. She loves volleyball and soccer. She is also an "A" student and will be attending school with her sister, Kara, in PNG. We trust that being involved in missions at a younger age will give her a heart for missions when she is older.

All of us are excited about what the Lord has called us to do. Being foreign missionaries may not be glamorous, but being in the Lord's will is always the best place to be. Please take a minute of your time and pray for us as we continue to serve God in PNG.

Our Mission

Our Christian Ministry in Papua New Guinea

"I Must Work the Works of Him That Sent Me, While it is Day: The Night Cometh, When No Man can Work." (John 9:4)

It is our desire to spread the gospel message to the people of Papua New Guinea (PNG). The Bible tells believers in Jesus Christ to spread the gospel to all nations (Acts 1:8). This is the great commission. In an effort to respond to this call, we will be helping in a practical role as well as a spiritual role in the country of PNG.

First, the practical part. The "Goroka Baptist Bible College" was established by ABWE missionaries in PNG, to give Christian nationals a thorough bible education so they would be able to take the good news of eternal life to the people of their country. However, the missionary teachers that teach at the college spend much of their time doing maintenance. This time could be better spent in their ministries. Unfortunately, all too often maintenance problems take up this valuable time. That's where we come in. David's primary job will be to take on the maintenance responsibilities at the college. This will allow the other missionaries to be more effective in their ministries. After spending 1 year in PNG in 1995, we know first hand the maintenance needs at the Bible College. What is really needed at this point is a full-time maintenance man at the college and that is the position that we intend to fill. We understand that this ministry is somewhat "behind the scenes", but it is also very necessary.

Second, and just as important, Dennise and I have always enjoyed being involved in youth ministries. We feel that God can use us in PNG to share his love with the children of this primitive island nation. There are countless opportunities to have youth groups, Bible studies, and Sunday school classes for all age groups. It has been estimated that 85% of the people who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are under the age of 15. We both feel that this is where we can best be used by God. We are both looking forward to the opportunities that God has provided for us in PNG.