1976 – 2022
1976 – 2003 GMU/AVANT
2003 – 2022 SAT7
God, in His infinite wisdom, chose Dennis and Cindy Wiens to serve Him and His Church to bring glory to Him for these 45 years.
Dennis was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but raised on the mission field in Mali Republic. Cindy was born in Omaha, Nebraska, while her father, Harold Burkholder, was founder, president, and professor at Grace Bible Institute, later known as Grace University. They both attended Grace Bible Institute from 1971-1976. In 1997, Dennis and Cindy were honored as Alumna and Alumnus of the Year.
In 1976, they were married and joined Gospel Missionary Union. The next year they moved to Centre Missionaire in Albertville, France, for 1 year of language study. Dennis later went on for further education at Covington Seminary in Georgia for his Masters in Missions degree in 1993.
For 27 years, they served in Mali under Gospel Missionary Union (later known as Avant). During that time, they were involved in a wide variety of ministries, including Bible school education, field leadership, urban church planting, dorm parents, guest house management, the Jesus Film Project, and radio. Seeing the powerful impact media could have on people, Dennis started the Media Task Force, putting up over 60 small-watt solar-powered radio stations in Mali. He also headed the Maghreb Partnership, a ministry to North African countries.
In 2003 they were invited to join SAT-7, a new media venture in the Middle East. Dennis served as Vice President for Ministry Partnerships in the USA for 18 years.
Together, Dennis and Cindy also worked to raise stewardship awareness to help people designate resources for the Kingdom’s impact.
Some special experiences during their ministry were to “pick up two very special souvenirs”, as Cindy puts it. In France in 1978, their daughter, Brooke, was born, and two years later, in Africa in 1980, they were blessed with daughter Brynden. Both are extraordinary ladies today serving the Lord, Brooke teaching ELL in Kansas City and Brynden serving at Echo Lake Bible Camp in Alaska.
Their lifelong verse is Psalm 37:4-5 – “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (ESV)
Presently, Dennis and Cindy are attending Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Liberty, MO, where Dennis is an adult Bible class teacher and prayer coordinator. Cindy is involved in the Care Ministry and Social Committee. They are both involved on the Missions Team.
In retirement, Dennis will still be involved in volunteering at SAT-7, producing the Unconventional Ministry Podcasts, and offering consultation to Mali Media. Cindy will volunteer at SAT-7, enjoy friends, cooking, and being involved as a Youth Friend in the public schools. They will also enjoy traveling together.
Since retirement, Cindy became involved in a new ministry, Thrive, which ministers to women who serve in global ministry. Their goal is to come alongside each participant with encouragement, understanding, and love so they can return to their ministry and thrive! They provide spiritual resources and authentic one-on-one relationships with fun activities at retreats in different parts of the world to replenish these women as they invest in Kingdom work. Cindy had the privilege of serving with Thrive Ministry in Thailand in 2024, will soon be in Sicily in 2024, and in Australia in 2025.
Dennis and Cindy say, “We’re so thankful for the faithfulness of our FEBC churches who have supported, prayed, and encouraged us over these past 45 years. We look forward to the opportunities and open doors God has for us as we transition into retirement. To God be the Glory!”
On behalf of the Commission on Global Partnerships and the FEBC we give glory to God and recognize Dennis and Cindy for their 45 years of service to the Lord.
May God continue to bless!
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