Reaching the Nations at Home: ESL Outreach in Houston

Sometimes the mission field to reach the nations isn’t across an ocean — it’s in our own backyard.

At least, this is the case for Navigator Bill Voisin and his wife, LesLee. After two decades of being missionaries in Latin America, the Voisins are now reaching a new international community — in Houston, Texas. Working with The Navigators through The La Vida Network and Nations Within ministries, Bill and LesLee are using ESL (English as a Second Language) classes to meet needs and shine the light of Jesus to a global audience.

Life as Missionaries in Venezuela

Growing up, Bill split his time between Mexico and Texas, attending two years of high school in Mexico. Because of his bicultural and bilingual upbringing, he developed a heart for Latin America and a desire to return one day.

Moving back to Texas for college, Bill was introduced to The Navigators as a freshman — kicking off a decades-long journey with Navigators ministries. After he graduated, Bill started to work for the Navigators Collegiate ministry in Texas, and during his summers, he would help with summer programs in Mexico.

When Bill and LesLee got married, there was a new Navigators ministry in Venezuela being started. Because of Bill’s Latin American background, they were chosen to be part of the launching team. In 1975, they packed their bags and trusted the Lord as they entered into full-time missions.

“I had originally planned to go back to Mexico and work in agriculture — what I got my degree in,” Bill says. “But God changed my course. We went back to Latin America to plant a different kind of seed.”

In Venezuela, Bill and LesLee started working with university students in Caracas. Many of their students came to know Christ, and as they graduated and moved to the other side of the country to work in the oil industry, the Voisins realized that they wanted to follow them to continue doing Life-to-Life^® discipleship with the relationships they cultivated. Heading to Maracaibo, they got involved with a local college ministry and continued to help their young disciples grow.

“Many of them got married, and the only examples they had were their fathers who came home drunk and beat up on their family,” Bill recalls. “So we helped them walk through different phases of their lives, guiding them through life and discipleship and biblical principles.”

Bill and LesLee spent over 20 years in Venezuela before the government announced that foreign missionaries were being expelled from the country. Unable to return to their home, the Voisins had to step into a new chapter of their international ministry: teaching ESL in Houston.

“God was gracious,” Bill says. “We have over 55,000 Venezuelans living here in the Houston area, and right now, some of our key connections are Venezuelans. God brought the mission field to us.”

Using ESL to Create Cross-Cultural Bridges

In Houston, the Voisins have made it their mission to reach the nations through their diverse neighborhood community.

Houston is known for being one of the most multicultural cities in the United States, with the tagline: “Visit Houston and you’ll see the world.” 44 percent of Houston’s population is Hispanic, and almost 30 percent is foreign born — making the city a prime location for forging intercultural relationships.

Upon arriving in Texas, Bill and LesLee kicked off their new ESL outreach ministry. Though their focus is the Hispanic community, they’ve also been able to reach ethnic groups and immigrants from across the globe.

“ESL opens the door to reaching distinct populations regardless of religious backgrounds,” BIll says. “Currently, I am involved with Buddhists, Muslims, and even secular folks from Russia.”

Leading groups twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays with a team of six volunteers from their local church, Bill and LesLee use teaching ESL as a pathway to sharing the gospel and building holistic relationships. Bill uses a program — material published by NavPress called English in Action — that goes through the Bible, while his wife leads a group of international women to read through portions of the Bible.

“We go through the Bible, and we teach them the story of God,” Bill says. “Many of them have become Christians and are now attending local churches.”

Beyond teaching English, the Voisins have been able to show God’s character and love by meeting the present needs of their community and building friendships. From helping with legal problems to assisting couples with finding jobs or inviting families over for dinner, their ministry is personal and relational as they are actively involved in each other’s lives.

“We want to find out where they have a need and show them how God can meet that,” Bill explains. “Many people don’t understand the gospel immediately, but they do understand someone helping them. So we minister through real life situations, and that opens the door to present the gospel.”

A Global Impact

For Bill and LesLee, reaching their neighbors in Houston is reaching the world. As they watch their friends’ lives being transformed for Christ, they’ve seen the impact of spiritual multiplication as these new disciples spread light to their networks, sharing the gospel with their families and homes around the globe.

“God has brought the mission field to us — it’s on our back door,” Bill says. “You could work with any people group here; there’s all kinds of opportunities to reach out. So we’re going to the nations right here in our home.”

Discipleship Tip:

Whether you feel called to go overseas or be present in your home community, you can reach the nations wherever you are. Consider your neighbors and the city you live in — are there unreached people groups in your backyard? Pray about how you can expand your circles and get involved in your community, inviting others to know Christ, make HIm known, and help others do the same^®.