Interview with OMF’s Retiree Care Coordinator, Pam Kaczmarczyk

Pam Kaczmarczyk grew up in a Christian home with parents who loved Jesus. As a teenager, she accepted Christ as her Savior, joined a youth group, and taught “Good News” clubs. The light of Christ filled her life, and God was guiding her steps before she even knew what her life would look like.

“The Lord changed me. From the inside, there was a huge difference.”

As an adult, Pam developed a hunger for missions while attending monthly OMF prayer meetings with Walter and Helen Jesperson, missionaries who had served in China. God opened the door for mission work a few years later when her church commissioned her to Taiwan.

Ministry in Taiwan

Home Assignment 1991 at Servants of Christ Church, Federal Way, Washington, USA

For the next fifteen years in Taiwan, she grew to love the culture, the language, and, most of all, she fell in love with the relationships formed throughout her ministry. God showed up time and time again through various opportunities such as serving factory workers, a variety of churches, the people living in her home, and the girls at the local detention center. Pam’s favorite ministry, though, was teaching the English Bible to local women.

During Bible studies, women from different walks of life would get excited to discuss the passages together, and Pam felt rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit while having several studies going simultaneously. As God had been moving her to teach the Bible, He had also been giving her strength and love, allowing her to enjoy being with these women as they jumped into God’s word.

“When you’re a missionary, you think, ‘Well, God, this means you have to really take care of me,’ and He does. He is faithful.”

Longing for Something New

Ed and Pam, Summer of 2021

After unexpectedly being brought back to the states in 2001, God was still at work in Pam’s life. She continued working in ministry stateside until she met Ed. They were married and she began teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) professionally at the local college where Ed was also working as the electrician, but her heart began to long for something different: “Oh Lord, I would love to work at a Christian organization where I could talk about you.”

God heard her heart’s desire. When Pam expressed her interest in working for a Christian organization, OMF’s Retiree Care Coordinator at the time, Jolene Lampinen, had been preparing for retirement and told her about the position. Pam shadowed her for a year and was accepted for the role in 2021.

Blessed by God’s People

Pam currently works to oversee retired missionaries, advocating for them by giving them information about practical matters and checking in with each retiree to discuss their needs. She also helps people while they are considering retirement by walking them through what steps they need to take. Yet some of the brightest moments for Pam are learning from their stories of God’s goodness. God has continued to shine on her life through the joy of getting to know the individual retirees:

“These missionaries have been a blessing to me. Ever since I met the Jespersens I’ve been going to OMF prayer groups, and I feel as much at home with the retired missionaries as I did with the Jespersens. The retirees are the salt of the earth. They are such blessings to all who meet them, and I believe if we honor retirees, God will honor our mission.”

Pam noted that the retirees stay busy pouring their lives into the Kingdom of God by continuing to use their gifts for what they love. Some are Sunday school teachers, some write books and mentor missionaries, some preach, and the list goes on. They are shining with the light of Christ, and God continues to provide for His people financially, emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

God is Always Near

On and off the mission field, God’s hand is over His people. He continues to give us purpose and provision in each stage of life. Seasons may come where challenges present themselves, but our God is faithful.

“God provides. He provides for these people, and he provides for me. He does take care of those who serve Him.”

How You Can Pray

• Pray for Pam as she seeks the wisdom of God to continue guiding her in her daily work.
• Pray for the health of retired missionaries: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

Author Bio

Ariel Coleman is an undergrad at Barclay College dedicated to sharing stories of God’s love and goodness. The youngest of three, she was raised in Idaho, where she grew into faith and developed a passion for intercultural ministry. She enjoys reading, playing piano, and watching movies in her free time.