Darlene Brett

I, Darlene Helen Brett, have been "retired missionary" since my husband, David Alan Brett, died in 2011.  We had been in full-time ministry for our entire marriage.(43 years)  At the start we were on the staff of Teen Challenge in Brooklyn, New York.  Then we directed a new Teen Challenge ministry in Long Branch, New Jersey.  From there we moved to New Zealand (David's native home) where we began a youth rehabilitation center called Teen Haven.  After 2 1/2 years we returned to the USA and were youth pastors in a church in Elizabeth, New Jersey for a short time before accepting a call to Youth With A Mission in Scotland, starting up the first Discipleship Training School in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae.  A short 4  years later we returned to Elim  and David was asked to become a teacher of evangelism for one semester of each year.  We had 2 young children at the time, so while David taught, he also travelled with senior mission students to various countries..Grand Cayman, Scotland, Africa doing outreaches and practical help.  After 4 years, we spent another year back in Scotland, added another child.   We moved to Florida to serve as Mission Directors in David's fathers church for another 4 years, added another child and then back to New Zealand in 1988.  David was pastor of two churches, one for 4 years and one for 2 years.  I did office work for him when he was on overseas mission trips to China as well as mothering 4 children living at home, the youngest who is a special needs young man who is now living in a group home not far from where I presently live.  I did a mission trip to the Philippines a couple of years ago. I continue to be actively involved in a prayer team who minister at the altar after services at the church.  I attend and help serve tea and coffee at a weekly bible study group of women.  I will be 70 years old in 3 months.