Andy and Susanna Widman

Church planting among the Shan people in Thailand

Andy and Susanna Widman are seeking to minister for the Lord in Thailand with OMF through church planting and ministry among the Shan people.

Andy was born in 1978 in Toledo, Ohio, and was raised in a Christian home as the oldest of four children. He accepted the Lord as his savior at the age of five and promptly led his three-year-old sister to salvation. From that time forward Andy has grown in his faith. During high school Andy received his missionary call while working at a local pet store. As he was confronted with the secular lifestyle of his co-workers, Andy began to realize that people's lives and futures were more important than animal care. This realization soon blossomed into a cross-cultural call and he has pursued that end faithfully since then.

Andy met and married Susanna while attending Toccoa Falls Bible College, where God strengthened his desire for missions. In 1999 he graduated with a degree in biblical languages. Following Bible college, Andy completed an MDiv degree through Gordon-Conwell Seminary. During his years at seminary Andy was able to further study Buddhism and the great need for the Lord among Buddhist peoples. He was also able to travel to Thailand with OMF's Serve Asia short-term program. This trip solidified the call to Thailand and instigated significant interest in OMF International.

Susanna was born in 1978 in Palmetto, Florida. She is the youngest of four children born to a pastor and a homemaker. She grew up on a small fisherman's island off the Gulf coast of Florida. At the age of five Susanna accepted Jesus as her savior after being convicted of arguing with her brother. She has grown in the Lord ever since. During her freshman year at Toccoa Falls Bible College, Susanna received her missionary call while attending a required missions course. She vividly remembers tears streaming down her face as the instructor spoke about the humanity and weaknesses of missionaries. She then realized her willingness to go wherever the Lord might lead her cross-culturally. Susanna met and married Andy during her remaining time at Toccoa and they have strengthened each other in their goals towards missions.

Shortly after Andy's return from Thailand and their decision to serve the Lord in that country, Andy and Susanna were blessed with the birth of their son Samuel.