Get to Know the Ober Family

Ministry Description

Our trip came about because Seaside camp would like to have a mural on one of their buildings, and Morgyn is an artist who would like to travel and use her artistic gifts for God's glory. Bailey is also an artist, which makes her a great painting partner for her sister. Word of Life in the Philippines has a great Bible Basketball camp, and Jonathan runs ESports events. With this combination, we will be able to use the already established program structure at W.O.L. and Jonathan's experience with ESports to run some campus and camp events. Jonathan will work alongside those in the Philippines to demonstrate how ESports events can be used for discipleship and outreach.

Our first week will be doing campus ministry in Manila with W.O.L. and Cru personnel. The next two weeks will be spent at the Seaside camp painting the mural (and anything else they can get painted during that time) and running weekend ESports events. After that time, we will spend a few days experiencing Filipino culture before taking a side quest to Cambodia. This will be the first time for the family to visit Leigh's parents' ministry and be present for the dedication of the church and discipleship center they have been working towards for years. Her parents have spent the last 15 years serving in Cambodia, and recently moved back to the US. This dedication will be the culmination of years' worth of work. It will also launch a new aspect of the ministry that will continue on in the years to come.

Learn more about the ministry in the Philippines.

About Jonathan

Jonathan grew up in Lancaster County and bounced between living with his mom and dad after they were divorced when he was young. While living with his grandparents for a time, he attended church, Sunday School, and Bible camps. Yet, there was a disconnect between what he heard at church and experienced at home. Through some rough ups and downs along with some typical rebellion, God was faithful and drew him back to the Lord with a renewing of his heart and a new perspective on His plan for his life.

Over the decades following, he recommitted his life to Jesus, got baptized, and plugged into church ministry, serving as a small group leader in a student ministry for around 20 years. Here he led and assisted with multiple mission trips to the Dominican Republic, New York City, and a few other places.

For the last 3 years he has worked on staff for FamilyLife, been involved in Cru's Nerd Culture and Gaming ministry, and works part-time at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology as the Director of ESports. While serving in these ministries, he has cultivated the skills that lead to incorporating the gospel and evangelism into Virtual Reality, his Twitch/YouTube streaming channels, and within the ESports community at Stevens. He is also a part of Cru's Torn Veil Tavern Discord, the GoGame Movement, and a few other places that use technology and gaming to bring the gospel to people all over the world as gamers of peace.

This trip to the Philippines is his first overseas trip in many years, and the first one that he is planning to use video gaming as the primary vehicle to share the gospel and love of Jesus.

About Leigh

Leigh grew up in a Christian home, attending a Christian school and being a part of Calvary Church in Lancaster PA, where the family still attends. She holds a BSE in English Education and a Masters of Divinity in Leadership Studies and Christian Apologetics. She serves as a teacher and writer in the women's ministry and a coach in the student ministry at Calvary Church.

Morgyn (18) desires to travel and do art using her God-given gifts for His glory in whatever way He leads after high school. Her favorite art forms include pottery, performing, and painting. This trip to the Philippines will provide her with an opportunity to use her skills and gifts for His glory as she paints a mural on one of the buildings at the Word Of Life Seaside Camp, as well as any other painting projects they may have for her. She is also an avid reader.

Bailey (16) enjoys sketching, reading, and playing video games. Sea creatures and unique animals are one of her favorite areas of study. She loves learning about them and may be interested in how to better care for them and their environments in the future. This trip may provide an opportunity for her to engage with and learn about new and different animals and fish native to the Philippines. She will be also be helping her sister with the painting and her father with the ESports events.

Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Contact Information

Address:
Jonathan Ober
Word of Life Philippines
PO Box 600
Schroon Lake, NY 12870