Mark and Valerie Zechin
As missionaries for over thirty years Mark and Valerie have been influencing Central Europe by demonstrating the love and goodness of God. In 2012 they moved to Slovakia to work with the Roma Gypsy population. Through evangelism and church planting they are raising up Roma Gypsy pastors and churches.
Since 1993 Mark has planted several churches in the Republics of Czech and Slovakia. Mark also cooperates with other ministries; speaking in Bible Schools, seminars, conferences and holding crusade evangelisms.
Valerie has founded the Jireh Center in Slovakia bringing hope, provision, education and services to Roma Gypsy children and their families. (See www.jirehproject.org)
Roma Gypsy families are rejected by the majority population and often live in impoverished ghettos without basic services such as water, sewer and electricity. Their children attend segregated schools and adults face an unemployment rate of 95%. With a life expectancy that is 15 years less than the white majority, they desperately need God’s hope and an opportunity to experience the love and goodness of Father God.