Ron & Bernadette Gartner
Refuge Ministries was founded in the hearts of Rev. Ron and Bernadette Gartner in obedience to the Lord in 1980. It started as an inner city mission work in Milwaukee, WI. From there the work expanded and continues to expand. Refuge Ministries has always been called to help the poor and hopeless. We feed people spiritually by planting churches, preaching Evangelistic Crusades, teaching Pastors and leaders conferences and personal ministry. To meet physical needs we do feeding programs, clothing and medical distribution. In 1998 God led us to establish a Children's Home in Chihuahua Mexico. In the future we hope to establish more Children's Homes and Orphanages and plant more churches in poor areas of the world.
In 1985 the Gartner's moved to El Paso, TX. where they made their headquarters and began to work in Juarez, Mexico. They started the first church with one family. It has since grown and five other churches have been started along with a Children's Home and a Bible Institute that is currently equipping 40 students for the work of the ministry. Our churches all have national pastors and operate under a religious association and the Children's Home operates under a civil association. The Children's Home takes in children who have been abandoned or abused by their parents.
Many of these little ones have never known a loving home or family. Since coming to the home many of our children have come to know Jesus and have been healed of emotional wounds. It is a blessing to see these children pray and worship God with all of their hearts. Some of the children have been able to go back to their families as their parents have been set free from alcohol and drugs. Some of them do not even know where there parents are and will probably be with us until they become adults. We nurture them in the spiritual and physical. Most of our children come emotionally wounded, but soon they are filled with joy and love as Jesus fills their lives.
In 1991 Ron & Bernadette moved to the Philippines for one year. During that time they saw many people come to the Lord, many people healed, and many churches planted to further the Kingdom of God.
Ron continues to make trips to the Philippines to give oversight to the 11 churches, 1 Christian School, 2 Campus Ministries and plans for a Bible School. All of these are in Southern Mindanao, an area contested by the Muslims. There are thousands of rebels fighting in this area. There is much civil unrest such as kidnaping and assassination. The Muslims desire is to take this area and declare Islamic law over it so the Gospel will not be able to be preached. Our desire is to see the Kingdom of God advance in this area. This will be done by planting more churches and raising up more disciples for Christ.
Ron has been leading short term mission teams to Africa since 1995. The ministry there consists of Pastors and Leaders Conferences and Evangelist Crusades. Refuge Ministries has also fed and clothed AIDS orphans in Kenya.
At present we are looking to expand to help AIDS orphans in other nations of Africa. There is such great need in Africa due to the AIDS crisis. We want to do all that we can to help.
Use this address To send us a tax deductible LOVE GIFT.
About Refuge Ministries and the Gartners - Current Newsletter
Past Newsletters - Mexico Children's Home - Email Gartners
Africa - Philippines - Mexico