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Unsung Heroes: Tom and Nancy Westpetal, Missionaries to Russia

Currently serving in their fifth missionary term, Tom and Nancy Wespetal have spent their missionary career alternating between Russia and Ukraine, investing themselves in theological training and medical outreach. The Wespetals first entered Russia in 1995, shortly after the fall of Communism opened Russia to the world. 

Tom was burdened upon finding that the only “Russian” theological textbooks were merely translations from other languages that did not address Russia’s unique challenges. In response to that need, he wrote the first advanced Hebrew grammar in the Russian language. He also wrote an advanced Greek grammar — the first work to compare the Russian Bible translation with the original language. 

Tom’s five completed and two in-process textbooks are transforming biblical scholarship in the post-Soviet world and laying the groundwork for a rigorous higher education program for Russian-speaking pastors. 

Nancy pioneers and engages in medical evangelism throughout Russia and Ukraine. The team she leads in Ukraine has a mobile medical clinic that partners with local churches to reach Ukrainians with health and salvation. Nancy also teaches seminars in both countries on medical education. Her heart remains burdened for tiny, far-flung Russian and Ukrainian villages, full of people yet unreached with the gospel.

The Westpetals share God’s passion for Russia and Ukraine as they continue their decades-long labor of serving post-Soviet people. 

—Republished from the March 2017 edition of WorldView, AG World Missions’ monthly magazine.