Missionary Profile


Meet the Achilles family and learn about their missionary work.

John and Christa Achilles

Q: How long have you been in this specific mission field?

A: We have been working with Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC) and college students for over 18 years in our current role working with the 6000 international students at The University of Texas.
 

Q: How long do you plan to serve your present location?

A: Our commitment is open ended and we will continue to pursue international students at UT until the Lord leads us elsewhere.
 

Q: What other fields or ministries have you served and for how long?

A: University of Oklahoma for 9 years; Austin Metro/Texas Catalytic Director 3 years; Director The Forerunner Project 3 years; Russia Partnership Coordinator 3 years.
 

Q: Describe in a short paragraph the specific mission work you do. Tell us about the people to whom you minister.

A: We work with international students at The University of Texas. There are approximately 6,000 international students at UT representing over 100 countries. Many of these students come from very hard to reach areas and countries that we would not normally have access. We are pursuing the nations of the world by reaching their best and brightest whom have come here to study. These students are so open to the Gospel and we have the tremendous opportunity to reach them here in the US. Our prayer is to see them trust Christ and use their time in the US to equip them to go back to their home countries walking with the Lord and able to influence their country with the Gospel of Christ.
 

Q: What are the goals for your ministry in the coming year?

A: Our desire is to continue to build on our relationships with students from the Middle East and South Asia as well as the increasing number of students from Central and South America. We will continue to leverage our relationships and the services we provide these students to help them understand the Gospel. We will also pursue deeper involvement in students lives as they trust Christ, disciplining them, preparing them to return back to their home countries.
 

Q: In what ways, other than financial, can The U partner with you?

A: We are always in need or prayer. Please pray not only for our ministry, but also for our family as we raise our 4 children to love God and to be influencers to those around them. We are also always looking for places that we can take students for getaways to places such as beach houses, lake houses, ranch retreats, ski resorts, etc...