We both grew up in good Christian homes and attended Bible believing and preaching churches. This is something the people of Australia, for the most part, do not have. People often as us, "Why Australia?" The answer is quite simple, because Jesus loves Aussies and wants them for His own. "We love Him because He first loved us" and "God so loved the world" should be good enough reason for any Christian. Not every Christian can go, but every Christian should have a part in going. Our part is hands-on. What's your part?
Simeon grew up in Decatur, IL going to Central Baptist Church under the preaching of Pastor David Brown. Growing up in a Christian family and going weekly to a strong Baptist church heavily influenced his life. He received Christ as his personal Savior as a child in that church. Later on, his family moved to the Knoxville, TN area. The Holy Spirit began to move Simeon toward missions. In his senior year of high school, an Australian pastor came and spoke at the church, and Simeon surrendered his life to missions. He attended Crown College of the Bible, where he double majored in Missionary Studies and Bible. Shortly after graduation he married Brettnay and started planning their lives together.
Brettnay grew up in Harrisonburg, VA. She was blessed to be raised in a Christian home, and she accepted Christ as her Savior as a child. From the time she was a little girl, she knew she wanted to marry a man who was in full-time Christian service. Brettnay graduated from Crown College with a major in Secondary Education with an English emphasis. She also received a TESOL certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). Simeon and Brettnay were married on July 12, 2014, and the Lord began working in their hearts, increasing their burden for the country of Australia. On November 25, 2016, God blessed them with a sweet daughter, Eden. They are grateful for God's call on their lives, and have expectant hearts to see how God will use their family as they follow His will!