Before he ever set foot on the mission field, Randy Marshall’ s life was shaped by headlines, deadlines, and the hum of a newsroom. For five years, he worked as a newspaper reporter in northern Colorado, covering county government, business, the local university, and religious news. In the fast-paced world of journalism, God was quietly preparing him— not for a bigger story, but for a greater one.
Randy grew up in a Christ-centered home, watching his parents live out their faith through prayer and reliance on God. He chose to follow Jesus at a young age, but it wasn’ t until high school that his relationship with Christ deepened into something personal and transformative. His passion for missions also developed early, inspired by stories from an older cousin serving overseas.“ God helped me overcome significant fear through the empowerment of his Spirit,” Randy recalls. That breakthrough became the foundation for a life characterized by bold obedience.
Years later, while Randy and his wife, Shelley, sat in church, a missionary with Cru shared about serving in the former Soviet Union through a pioneering initiative called CoMission. This collaborative effort united more than 80 evangelical Christian organizations to equip former communist educators to teach a Christian
ethics curriculum in public schools. A short video played. When the lights came on, Randy and Shelley turned to each other and said,“ Let’ s go.”
That moment of surrender launched a new chapter.
Today, Randy serves as the field director for Ukraine and the team leader in Kyiv. His days include leading English clubs at a university, guiding Discovery Bible Studies and life groups, and partnering with Cru Ukraine and a local Nazarene church to make disciples and share Christ’ s hope.
The skills he once developed in the newsroom— listening intently, observing carefully, and communicating clearly and compassionately— now benefit him in ministry. They help him to build trust, nurture relationships, and speak truth into the lives of those eager for hope.
“ God uses the ordinary to do the extraordinary,” Randy says.“ All experience is useful on the mission field. Sometimes the less qualified we feel, the more fully we depend on him.”
So, who can serve as a missionary? Maybe even a reporter— especially one willing to follow the Author of the greatest story ever told.
photos, page 13: Randy and Shelley Marshall serve in leadership and through English ministries and Bible studies in Kyiv, Ukraine.
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