Michael moved as a missionary kid to Africa when he was two. He was saved when he was eight. Michael served alongside his parents in numerous church planting. First, on the field in Zimbabwe, and then in South Africa. He enrolled in Afrikaans speaking primary school in third grade to learn how to speak the Afrikaans language and graduated from Afrikaans speaking high school. Upon graduation, Michael came to the States and attended Bob Jones University and then transferred to Purdue University where he earned a BS in Management. Upon Graduation he worked for three years as a manager for the Saks Fifth Avenue Company. He is currently working towards a Masters in Theology.

Heidi grew up on the West Coast as a preacher’s kid. She was saved when she was ten. Upon graduating from high school, Heidi attended Baylor University and then transferred to Polk Community College to be closer to her parents who had moved to Florida. Heidi earned her AA degree and worked as a home health aide for two years and as an administrative assistant for two years with ASPECT.

The Blackwells: Michael met Heidi on a blind date arranged by his grandmother! They were married on December 30, 1995. The year 2000 was busy as the Lord called Michael & Heidi to Christian service in January and in July they were appointed by ABWE for missionary service to South Africa as short term missionaries. Their first son Tyler Joshua was born in August 2000.

In the spring of 2002, Michael completed a 1½ year Camp Director internship at High Point Camp in Geigertown, PA. In July 2002 they then moved South Africa and served as Camp Director for Paardeberg Mountain Retreat and also helped start Swartland Baptist Church. During their time in South Africa their second son Eric Caleb was born (January 2003).

The Blackwells have returned to the States in to raise support as career church planting missionaries to South Africa. January 2006, they had their third child – Natalie.

Please continue to pray for them as they minister & present their ministry in South Africa to 10 different churches in the next two months. They need to reach 85% of their monthly support to attend Field Preparation Seminar which is required by ABWE before they leave for the field. It is their revised goal to be at 100% by April 2007!

PLEASE PRAY THAT THEY HIT THIS TARGET!