Since 2000, when we delivered aid in a transit van, Living Word has supported Pastor Ovi Starlici and his wife, Carmen, who pastor several churches in gypsy communities around the main village of Halchiu, just outside Brasov. Pastor Ovi has pioneered a thriving church in Halchiu as the main congregation, which is growing numerically and in strength. Living Word, along with others, have regularly provided him with the means to continue this work. The Halchui church now has its own building, which acts as a centre for the emerging congregations in the other villages. Pastor Ovi has a strong children’s ministry and humanitarian aspect to his work. Living Word continues to provide financial and mentoring support for the team in Halchiu.

Tony Sheard has visited Pakistan on a number of occasions, to support the work of “Great Joy in the City Ministries”, based in the Youhanabad area of Lahore. He has preached in churches, been a speaker at conferences, and is now a teacher at their Chosen Academy Bible School, via online Zoom link.

Living Word support the work of Fra Neale, who is a long term missionary on the island of Mindanao. She has successfully pioneered and developed ten churches in the mountain area near to Ozamis, establishing a church building in each location. Tony and Julie have visited twice, and observed the work in person, together with teaching and preaching, and providing general encouragement and support both in person and remotely, to this distant area of the Far East. They have also visited and support the work of Mercy in Action, who operate out of Cebu, rescuing street children, and Julie Sheard has served on their board.