Steve and Gayle King

Steve and Gayle King have been missionaries since 1989 with Baptist Mid-Missions which is located in Cleveland, Ohio.

They were commissioned and sent out by Hope Baptist Church in Hanover, PA, where they are charter members.

Before becoming missionaries to the Ivory Coast, they both taught in a Christian School ministry (10 – 13 years) and were active in their local church in various ministries. They first entered the Ivory Coast in 1991, working with English-speaking Liberian refugees. In 1997 they began ministering with Ivorians who speak French. Through evangelism and discipleship among these French speakers, souls were saved and in 1999 Grace Baptist Church in San Pédro was organized. Originally, Steve served as the pastor of this baby church in their home. As Steve and Gayle partnered with nationals and missionaries, the church became indigenous in 2003. The Ivorian pastor is now being supported by the tithes and offerings of the church, and they have already sent one member of their church out as a missionary.

It was also in 1999 that the Kings began teaching in the Baptist Theological Institute (ITB - Institut Théologique Baptiste). The first commencement took place in May of 2005 with five full-time graduates and one with a two year degree. Steve has shouldered much of the administrative work at the Institute. But now an administrative council composed of missionaries and nationals has been organized to direct the future planning of the school. The next commencement will occur in 2009.

Gayle focuses on ministering to the wives of the students and other women's and children's ministries. She also teaches classes and does administrative work for ITB.

Steve and Gayle are presently living and working in San Pédro, Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.