In 2024, several OMS missionaries were promoted to glory. We now honor and remember those who served with distinction for 10 years or more.
Pearl Akers served with OMS for 46 years. Beginning in 1967 as the print shop manager, for 15 years, Pearl ensured the quality of prayer letters, OMS Outreach, and other printed materials. In 1982, she transitioned to Finance— handling vendor payments, missionary expense reports, and field budgets. Appointed as the assistant treasurer in 1988, she supervised receipting and electronic donations. Beyond her official roles, she contributed greatly to the upkeep of the OMS World Headquarters. After retiring in 2004, she continued serving in
Finance through extended missionary service until 2013.
Harold Brown participated in an OMS Men for Missions crusade in Haiti in 1967, where God touched his heart for missions. Later that year, OMS commissioned him and his wife, Mary, to begin full-time service in Haiti, where they ministered for 25 years. In 1992, they moved to Russia to begin OMS’ ministry there. In 1998, OMS assigned Harold to serve as the international regional director for Europe, Asia, and Africa. During that leadership tenure, Harold helped start the Into Africa initiative in 2001, which greatly increased OMS’ ministry in Africa. The Browns retired in 2004, but Harold continued serving OMS faithfully until his passing.
Lyonie Gorsline and her husband, Frank, were called to missions in 1965 and joined OMS in 1968. They served in Brazil through evangelistic youth camps and student music groups. In 1972, they transferred to the OMS World Headquarters to lead career guidance and youth ministries. After a brief time away for other ministry roles, they returned in 1995. Lyonie served as an administrative assistant to Frank, the director of International Link( now Embark). She retired in August 2006 after 22 years of OMS ministry.
27