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Partners in Mission

An Interview with Nancy Raatz, Missionary to Moldova

WIM: Nancy, we wanted to visit with you because of the way you and your husband work as a team in ministry. How did this sense of teamwork develop?

Raatz: We both had a heart for ministry when we were dating. At the time, we attended different churches, but he wanted me to go to church with him where he was a youth leader in the youth group. It happened gradually, but it was while we were both leading a small youth group that a sense of teamwork began to develop. We were youth pastors for seven years, and in that role I led the worship and he preached. We shared the load. When it came to the point where God was moving us to change churches and positions, we felt it was important that we both heard from God and each had a clear confirmation of the next step in our lives.

Later, when Andy was senior pastor, I was involved in the things he was doing. When the children came, my role changed somewhat, but I was always active in ministry in some way.

WIM: Did you fall naturally into these roles?

Raatz: Yes, I always fell naturally. We’re both natural leaders, but he is the male head of the household, and I respect that. We did have a lot of learning to do because, as husband and wife, we do disagree.

WIM: You mentioned stepping back from things somewhat when you had children. Was there ever a time when you felt “in the shadows?”

Raatz: No, I can honestly say there has never been a time when I have felt like that. I’ve felt pretty comfortable with whatever role I’ve taken. We had about six years of little children — during our first term in Moldova, I home-schooled, had a little one in diapers, and tried to learn the language. At that time, I realized that that was all I could do.

I’ve struggled more with coming to the place where I understand that God has something for me beyond my family. This is not to diminish my family at all, but God does have other things. It is so easy to get out of balance — we can be completely absorbed by home, children and their needs, or we can allow ministry to swamp us so that we neglect our families. As women in ministry, I believe we need to find that balance. I feel like I can be in ministry, giving my time to minister with my husband, and still invest quality time in my home and children.

WIM: It seems that you are finding that place of balance.

Raatz: Yes, God is developing that!

We have many aspects of ministry that we undertake as a team together. Moldova is a male-dominated society. We decided to coordinate a pastors’ group to mentor, coach, and develop leadership skills. The “catch” was that the pastors had to bring their wives. The women were so excited to be invited to something involving leadership as it is not common for them in Moldova. Some of the women in the group are comfortable, others are not, but many are learning to be.

WIM: Tell us about your newest ministry project.

Raatz: The ministry gripping my heart is Project Rescue. This is really my ministry, although Andy and I work together in it.

Moldova has the largest number of women trafficked into prostitution per capita than any other country. The numbers are huge. Women are tricked or bribed into prostitution by someone who promises them a better life. They usually go willingly, but once they discover they have been deceived, they are locked up, intimidated by threats of violence to themselves or their families, and held captive.

Through a series of events, God spoke to my heart, asking, “What are you going to do?” I didn’t think I was qualified, so I made a lot of excuses. But He spoke clearly and directly to me, “You are the one to lead this.”

I wondered, How is this going to work? How can Andy and I partner in ministry here, when these women have been abused by men? Yet, here we are, working together. He is the one who represents the ministry to the Moldovan church (because he is a man in a male-dominated society). He supervised the purchase of a house and is heading up the construction. Once the house is finished, I’ll hire the staff and take over the daily operations. It is something we’re doing together, although I am taking the lead in this ministry project.

WIM: How has God shaped you and Andy into a unique team?

Raatz: Our sense of teamwork develops as Andy allows me to be who I am, and I do the same for him. That ability has come with time — it wasn’t an immediate thing. We’re learning to allow each other to work in the gifts God has given us, and to enjoy the things we each enjoy. For example, Andy enjoys hunting. As an outdoorsman, his time in Montana is paradise. He needs time to go hunting, and I need time to do my scrapbooking.

We do discuss things and we do dream together. We’ve learned that even in our dreaming, God directs us, but He does so in different ways. Typically, God speaks to me first about a change or transition in our lives, and that’s probably because I need some time to think things through. But Andy only needs the word from God, and he’s ready to go. When we appreciate differences such as these, it makes teamwork easier.

WIM: Is there anything else you’d like to share about making husband and wife teams work in ministry?

Raatz: I think husbands and wives need to allow each other to be who God has made them to be. We need to be ourselves, becoming the persons God has wired us to be. That’s what I love about Assemblies of God World Missions. If you want to be full time in missions work, you can be full time. If you want to be a wife and mother in support of your husband and family, you can be that. We are empowered to seek God about our sense of call, and prayerfully follow His leading.

As women in ministry alongside our husbands, we will not always agree. But instead of pushing ahead, we can come to a place of agreement. That’s part of being a team. And God will use us as we minister together.

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