David and Erika Sterken, of Grand Rapids, MI, are appointees to Croatia, through SEND International. They will focus largely on the camp’s growing ministry to Third Culture Kids. They will also serve the local church by building relationships through various programs designed to make an impact in the community and throughout Central Europe.

David accepted Christ as a child. He has been blessed several opportunities to travel and work abroad and, as the son of an MK, especially enjoyed the opportunity to student-teach at Faith Academy in the Philippines. Most recently, he taught for two years at a Christian school for international students in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2005, David returned to the US to study at Moody Graduate School (where he met Erika). He looks forward to using his background in elementary education and his experience with camp to serve the Lord.

Erika started her travels at a young age, thanks to her dad’s Air Force career. She grew up believing what she learned about Jesus’ saving work, and in college she devoted her life to God. She has always envisioned herself going overseas, and now her growing faith and her marriage to David have made her excited to use her gifts—and especially her experiences as a Third Culture Kid—for God in an international context.

David and Erika look forward to heading to Croatia as soon as God allows.