Our History
Graduating from Rhema Bible College in 1985, founders Russ and Wendy Tatro, left careers in public administration and education to obey a missionary call. After a year of training in Guatemala, the Tatros arrived in their nation of calling, Liberia, West Africa.
In Liberia, the Tatros were assisted by a small group of American missionaries in pioneering Bible schools. The small missionary team began making disciples and enjoyed three years of unusual growth and fruit. Never did they imagine that the multiplication was God's mercy being poured out upon a nation about to experience civil war.
During the following two years, the missionary team relocated to neighboring Sierra Leone where, again, the Lord brought great fruit and many disciples were made. In 1993, as missionaries were being deployed to pioneer new works, Russ saw the need to provide these missionaries with oversight, assistance, resources, and training. So, Living Word Missions was established with a US headquarters in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Having served hundreds of missionaries with administrative services, medical treatment, housing, conferences, training, and resources for over 12 years in Oklahoma, the US Office relocated to Massachusetts in 2005.
On June 1, 2006, Russ suddenly went home to be with the Lord, leaving big shoes to fill. The Lord made it clear, however, that the work was to continue, informing us that, “Assignments don’t die, they are redistributed.” Wendy assumed direction of the ministry and now serves as the International Director of Living Word Missions. She is assisted by a great team of missions-minded individuals.
Today, after 33 years of missions ministry, Living Word Missions is more focused than ever before on closure of the Great Commission as seen in Matthew 24:14. "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come."
We currently function in two realms of ministry:
