Meet Equip's Missionary ...

Dennis and Betsy Steinmetz

Dennis Steinmetz grew up in Collins Center, NY. Because of his nursing career and a dislike for the cold weather he made his way south to NC where he became a born again Christian in 1993 when he was 44 years old. Soon afterwards he joined Central Church of God in Charlotte and in 1995 met Betsy Faggart. The two were confident there was "no danger of any attraction between them," and became friends as they enjoyed Bible study and fellowship with other singles at church. In 1996 Dennis went on his first short-term mission trip to Belize. He returned home so full of passion for evangelism and the people of Belize that he declared that as soon as his youngest daughter (then 14 year old Jayce) graduated from High School he intended to move to Belize as a missionary. Betsy recalls that at the time she'd wished she were his sister or something so that she could go to Belize with this man whom she had grown to admire so much. Later that year the Lord revealed to Dennis and Betsy that He had chosen them for each other, to be partners for life. In June of 1997 they were married ~ one month after a short-term mission trip to Belize where both Dennis and Betsy served on the team.

In June of 2004 Dennis and Betsy joined Equip, Inc. and were appointed as missionaries to Belize.  In July of 2006, after a decade of waiting and praying, Dennis was thrilled to finally move to Belize with his wife and 4 children:  Caleb, Elizabeth, David & Daniel.  The first year they made their home in a small, somewhat primitive house between Punta Gorda and Big Falls in the Toledo District of Belize.  Dennis began working with the local pastors.  Betsy joined a K’ekchi ladies’ Bible study and a ladies’ prayer group. Their first neighbors, a K’ekchi Mayan family by the name of Rax have since become trusted friends. 

 In the fall of 2007, after the arrival of Rachel, the family moved to a larger cement home nearby where they are very thankful to have 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and fewer scorpions! Dennis is currently a volunteer High School teacher at Toledo Christian Academy.  He is also working with Pastor Arcenio Salas at the Church of God in Punta Gorda.   Periodically he does blood pressure and glucose screenings at various churches and visits some folks for follow up and continued ministry at their request or when the Holy Spirit leads him to. 

When Betsy joined Maria Coc’s Bible study for K’ekchi ladies, four women attended regularly.  Now on Tuesdays there are often a dozen or more ladies hearing the word of God and singing worship songs in K’ekchi because Betsy is able to provide transportation for women who are unable to walk to the meeting.  She is glad to be able to assist Maria in her ministry this way and she values the growing relationships with these ladies.

Sadly, in the past 3 years the Steinmetz’s have seen very little hunger for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Many people claim to be Christians but they walk contrary to God’s word and seem uninterested in learning the truth.  The “hand out mentality” is strong.  As in America, teen pregnancy, alcoholism and materialism are widespread.

“It’s all about relationships.”  ~it’s not just a cliché.  The Steinmetz’s felt like outsiders for a very long time.  Now they are very thankful to see some evidence that they have earned people’s trust and they are being accepted by some of the folks in the community.  They are thankful for the friendships that have grown and for the lessons they have learned. They pray that the Lord will continue to order their steps as they seek to help the people of Belize to become better acquainted with the God who would be their Savior, Lord and Provider.