Buerger, John & Ellen

John and Ellen Buerger met while attending college in Omaha, Nebraska, and married in 2001. After John finished seminary in 2007, they adopted their eldest daughter in 2008. In 2012 John began serving on the pastoral staff of New St. Peter's Presbyterian Church in Dallas, Texas (2012–2019). During this season of ministry God laid it on the Buergers' hearts to adopt another little girl from Bulgaria. Thus began a series of events leading to the adoption of their second daughter and a call to serve with MTW in Bulgaria for three years in the areas of theological higher education and church renewal. 

The Buergers are excited that God has recently opened up doors of opportunity and a call to plant a new international church in Lisbon, Portugal. Believing strongly that the Church historically always benefits when theological education, pastoral ministry, and community development are held closely together, John also envisions using his experience in theological education at the Martin Bucer Seminary in Lisbon, helping to equip future Portuguese pastors in biblical, systematic, and philosophical theology, while Ellen hopes to come alongside families with special needs children. Please pray that the Lord's grace will be made known in both their ministry and their weakness.