Being A Mom And A Missionary - Bobbie Scudder | Theology, Things & Stuff #029

J. Christopher McMichael was privileged to be raised in a Christian home, attending church his entire life. He surrendered his life to the Lord as a child while at a summer Baptist youth camp in the mountains of Tennessee. As a teenager on his first missions trip, he began to recognize the call of God to ministry. He earned a degree in earth sciences from Tennessee Tech University and enjoyed a successful career as a geologist in geotechnical engineering and mining. In 2007, he and his wife Manda were installed as the pastors of Engrafted Word Church while continuing to consult as a geologist for the next thirteen years. Today, Chris’ focus in solely on the church and world missions. After authoring six books and learning the ins and outs of book publishing, he launched Petra Press Publishing in 2023, with the goal of helping pastors and ministers publish their God-inspired work with the highest standard possible. Chris and his wife have three children they love raising in Tennessee.

Ben Weaver serves at Engrafted Word Church, where he was born and raised, overseeing the recording, editing, and publishing of Theology, Things & Stuff. He graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Video Production and a minor in Audio Production. Ben enjoys photography, audio mixing, and videography, and runs a small photography business on the side. He met his wife, Jessica, at church, where they dated, were married in the spring of 2024, and now continue serving together.

Bobbie Scudder is a missionary serving in Kampala, Uganda, alongside her husband, Brett Scudder. Raised in Carthage, Tennessee, Bobbie later attended Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, where she met Brett. The two became active members of Engrafted Word Church in 1995 and were married there in 1999. Over the next seventeen years, Brett and Bobbie faithfully served in nearly every area of ministry at their home church. Together, they ministered as Elders and Youth Pastors while also serving as Sunday school teachers, children’s ministry workers, jail ministers, and in many other helps ministry roles. Their lives became a testimony of faithful service and God’s promotion of those who are willing to serve wherever needed. In 2002, the Scudders welcomed their daughter, Emma, and in 2005, their son, Ethan, completed their family. While raising their children and serving faithfully in ministry, the Lord began preparing their hearts for missions abroad. In 2010, during a mission trip to Honduras, the Spirit of the Lord began dealing strongly with Brett and Bobbie about leaving their home in Tennessee to serve Him on foreign soil. Later that same year, on August 29, 2010, the Lord confirmed His direction through their pastor, Chris McMichael, who told Brett, “As a bona fide fisher of men, you’ll have to cast a far net.” From that moment forward, the Scudders set their hearts on reaching the nations with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In August 2012, Brett and Bobbie answered the call of God and moved to Uganda, East Africa, where they continue building the Kingdom of God and serving the people of Kampala through missionary work and ministry. Though serving overseas, they have remained connected to Engrafted Word Church, the church that helped shape and send them into the mission field. They were officially ordained and commissioned by their pastors, Chris and Manda McMichael, and continue to maintain relationships with a broader network of ministers who provide fellowship, accountability, and ministry support.