Lowell & Claudia Wertz have been missionaries to Africa since 1980. Before leaving for Africa, Claudia taught mentally handicapped children for 7 years and Lowell obtained his Master of Divinity degree with a specialization in World Mission.
In 1980 they became missionaries at the invitation of the United Methodist Church in the Congo (Zaire). Claudia started a training center for women and Lowell served as a radio technician, pilot, printer, and pioneered using the "Jesus" movie for village evangelism.
Lowell is an ordained United Methodist minister and an elder in the Tanganyika-Tanzania Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in Africa.
In 1990 they evacuated their mission station twice -- both times under gunfire.
In 1993 they founded Joy in the Harvest mission organization. The Wertzes reside in the strategic location of Kigoma, Tanzania near the countries of Congo, Burundi, and Rwanda. These three African countries have experienced brutal civil wars in recent years.
They have an exciting ministry. It includes helping the poor, assisting refugees, providing vocational and apprenticeship training, evangelism, church construction, and women and youth ministries. Claudia has a hospitality ministry which includes running two guesthouses for visitors from the USA.
Lowell and Claudia have been married since 1972. They have two adult children who were both born and raised in Africa. Katherine and her husband Adam are serving in the Middle East. Luke is a senior at Asbury College and is a computer programmer.