PUC Alumns Accept God’s Call to Become Missionaries

In the spring of 2006, Ted and Nikki Mamoulelis met at Pacific Union College. Nikki was surrounded by friends in the cafeteria when Ted approached her, stuck out his hand, and introduced himself. Nikki was so shocked by his introduction that she didn’t catch his name at first. Ted sat down and only talked to Nikki as if no one else was sitting at the table. When he left, there was no exchange of phone numbers, emails, or other means of contact. Nikki and her friends were left wondering, “Who was that guy?” since none of them had seen him around campus. With the table filled with sophomores, juniors, and seniors, they found out he was a freshman.

Nikki never had or wanted to date someone younger than her, but after meeting Ted, she wanted to find the man God wanted for her. After graduating in 2009, Nikki married Ted, the “yin to her yang.” Later, they had two daughters, Sophia, 12, and Anastasia, 5. Living in Meridian, CA, Nikki believed their family's mission field was at home, wherever they were. That changed in May 2023 when Nikki and Ted felt God’s call to be missionaries.

With the desire to obey, they searched throughout the year for a place to serve. In December, they found Adventist Frontiers Mission (AFM). After applying, Nikki and Ted picked some countries they thought would be a good fit for their family to serve. They started having in-home interviews the following March, where AFM suggested four countries that would pair well with their personalities. After the interview, the Mamoulelis did a three-day prayer and fast to see where God wanted them to go.

During this time, they had been hosting a high school exchange student from Europe. She overheard Nikki and Ted discussing Croatia as an option to serve. Knowing it is a catholic country, she spoke from experience and said they should go and show the Croatian people how to have a personal relationship with Jesus many were missing. From getting to know the student and hearing her experiences, they felt God leading them to Croatia.

The application process was extensive; in addition to a one in-person interview at their home, they spent hours filling out forms and tests. In April 2024, they attended orientation, learning more about AFM, fundraising, and accepting Croatia as the place to serve.

Currently, they are continuing to raise money, get rid of their things, and fix their home. Although, at times, this process has been long and stressful, Nikki said they always remember that God called them to do this and will get them through any challenge.

This journey of becoming full-time missionaries has shown the Mamoulelis how real God is. “When you actually surrender your life to His plans, He teaches you,” said Nikki. “The journey He takes you on, the trials He gives you to strengthen you and your faith. We can see how He is using every experience and trial we face to train us for the mission field. It's mind-blowing.”

She expressed how God’s plans are much more amazing than we can imagine. “We can look at trials head-on, knowing that they are placed there by our loving heavenly Father who is holding our hand and teaching us through it,” Nikki continued. “He uses this time to teach you that you can step out of that boat and walk on the water when He calls.”

Accepting this mission also brought mixed feelings for the family, which Nikki said they still feel today. While she and their youngest daughter are always ready for a new adventure, Ted and their eldest daughter are more resistant to change. Nikki said, “At the end of the day, it’s an exercise in surrendering your life to God’s call, regardless of how you feel.”

After summer training, the Mamoulelis plan to embark on their new adventure this fall. Though they won’t have a church support group, Nikki said they will be there as long as God wants them there. As they prepare for their mission to Croatia, they train in faith and fundraising.

To show their family support, they ask for your prayers. To support them in other ways, you can donate to their monthly sponsorship through Adventist Frontier Mission. They welcome you to come along on their journey by subscribing to their Epistle to receive updates during this mission and by following their YouTube channel, Mamoulelis Missionaries.

If you would like to put together a care package and let them know you are thinking and praying for them, you can do so by sending packages to AFM:

Adventist Frontier Missions
Mamoulelis Family
PO Box 286
Berrien Springs, MI 49103