Janie Burkhalter '78

Sometimes a young girl’s curiosity about science and “how the world works” can lead her on a path that would surprise everyone but God. For Janie Kirkland Burkhalter, what began as a teenager’s keen mind and inquisitive nature has grown into a humble woman’s servant heart. In 1974 Janie arrived at McMurry as a wide-eyed freshman “slime” with a winning smile and a natural ability to make quick friends. She was active in intramural sports and was a swashbuckling T.I.P. sailor. By 1978 she left McMurry with a Bachelors Degree in Natural Science.

Janie worked for four years at the Pantex Plant near Amarillo in Research and Development.  She met and married Rick Burkhalter in 1981.   Rick became a pastor in the United Methodist Church in 1990 last serving at St. Matthew United Methodist Church in Lubbock, TX.  They have three children, a son and two daughters.  After staying home to begin her family, Janie began teaching .  She taught Chemistry for 10 years at Coronado H. S. in Lubbock.

Up to this point her life seemed to follow a path that was laid out like a scientific “principle” that was somewhat predictable and had anticipated results. She wasn’t expecting the “hypothesis” God was about to propose for their future. In 2005 at a “Pastors to Missionaries” Conference in North Carolina their hearts answered a call to the ministry that would radically change their lives.

Rick and Janie were drawn to minister to the needs of the men and women who were taking the good news of the gospel to the unreached people throughout the world. The eyes of their compassion were opened to the strain and the weariness worn on the shoulders of those who contend for souls around the globe. They knew that for all the good things they had accomplished in the past, none would compare to the ministry He was opening before them – the charge to minister to those who minister to the world.

In March of 2006, out of that revelation, came the birth of “Timothy International”. The purpose of their ministry is four fold.

To pastor missionaries and pastors.
To hold up the arms of those that give tirelessly.
To encourage a  freshness and deeper intimacy with our Lord Jesus Christ.
To promote missions to advance the Kingdom of God.

Since June, 2006 they have served full time in this new ministry.  This call has led them on a path that winds from their front porch to the front porches of missionaries in the farthest parts of the world. They have taken pastors into their own home in Grandview, MO and ministered to their spiritual, physical, and emotional needs. They nurture and pray for these men and women of God until they are ready to take up their cross and sword and re-enter the mission field. But some of the people who need their support the most are not able to climb on an airplane and fly to Missouri for restoration but their need is no less great. That is when Rick and Janie climb on an airplane and fly to them, ministering restoration and encouragement in the home of the mission pastor.  They have been privileged to minister to God’s servants from Uganda, Kenya, Peru, and the US.

“On Rick's first visit to Uganda, he saw the need for ministry to the missionaries.  They are so serious about their calling and the vast need for their services that they sometimes put their own spiritual needs aside.  Often we put our service to God before our love for Him.  It's never intentional, but the pace of the work can steal our first love before we know it is happening. The director of the field had already seen the need for a pastor to the missionaries and he approached Rick about the possibility of becoming an international pastor to the Ugandan missionary field. This confirmed what the Lord had already spoken to Rick earlier in the year, therefore he agreed to serve as International Pastor. He and Janie have served in this position for the last three years.” www.timothyinternational.com

Last year at the Northwest Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church we visited with several pastors and extended the invitation to come spend some time with us in Missouri.  One family made arrangements to come expressing a great need.  Later in the summer this pastor called and said he was quitting the ministry.  He had endured all that he could of a hard appointment and was just going to go get a job somewhere.  We asked them to please come spend some time with us and they drove up the next day.  After spending four days with someone listening, caring, praying for and encouraging them,  they left with a renewed since of their calling.  They returned to their church and continued in the calling that God had given them.  “Pastors and missionaries are just people and need to be ministered to just like everyone else.  God allows us to be His arms of love and encouragement when they need it.” – Janie Burkhalter

Janie and Rick said the scriptures that they stand on are Acts 14:22 and Acts 16:4.  “Our calling is to keep the pastors and missionaries in good spiritual health so they can continue in all that God has called them to do.”

“I love to reflect back from time to time and see how God has directed my life.  When He led me to McMurry College I was a small flower bud that was just beginning to grow.” Janie said. “ McMurry gave me a safe and positive environment to blossom.  I was surrounded by godly people that influenced my life in a very positive way.  I am grateful for His wisdom in leading me there.”

You can read more of what God is doing through the Burkhalter’s and the ministry of Timothy International by logging on to their website www.timothyinternational.com.