About Us

Stokes Testimonial…

Seth was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He and his family later moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to live with his grandparents, and it was there that he grew up. His sister and brother are both married with children and serve as missionaries overseas. Seth attended the University of Pittsburgh for a time before transferring to New Tribes Bible Institute when God led him into missions. Later, while taking classes through the Western Pennsylvania Theological Institute (WPTI), he was “set up” with his future wife, Nicole.

Nicole was born in Quito, Ecuador, while her parents were serving as missionaries there. When she was five, she moved with her parents and younger brother to Bogotá, Colombia, where they began a church plant. After eight years, their ministry with the Colombian church came to an end, and the Terranova’s moved back to Point Pleasant, New Jersey, where Nicole began attending public school. Nicole later attended Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, where she was “set up” with her future husband, Seth Stokes.

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Seth and Nicole both acknowledged their need for a Savior at a young age—around five years old. Although Nicole was a missionary kid, she did not begin to live out her faith personally until she was about fifteen. She became very involved in her youth group and continued growing in the Lord throughout her college years. She graduated with a major in international business and a minor in missions.

Seth grew up in the church. His grandfather pastored a Baptist church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where Seth served into his teenage years. Much like Nicole, Seth faithfully attended church but did not begin living out his faith in God personally until he was nineteen.

During this time, he began attending another church. Through its fellowship, the preaching of the Word, and his personal study, Seth felt led to leave the University of Pittsburgh and begin his biblical studies at New Tribes Bible Institute. He continued his theological studies through his local church for more than two years at the Western Pennsylvania Theological Institute.

While attending the institute and preparing to pursue missions, Seth met Nicole, who was attending Geneva College. They married and spent six months ministering in their local church while growing in their marriage. In January 2012, they began attending the New Tribes Missionary Training Center in Missouri. They graduated in May 2013 with degrees in cross-cultural studies and linguistics.

Seth was ordained in 2015 after he and Nicole had been on deputation for about a year. At that time, their church encouraged them to serve in Papua New Guinea, where they ministered for nearly two years. Later, under the guidance of their home church’s pastoral team, they moved to Vanuatu. It soon became clear that God had formed a special connection between the Stokes family and the Tiale people, whom they have now served for ten years.

From the beginning, their emphasis has never been on a particular location but on the need to reach unreached people group(s). Following Paul’s ambition in Romans 15:20, their desire is to reach those who do not yet know Christ and share the gospel with them in their heart language.

During their years of ministry, God blessed Seth and Nicole with the birth of their daughter, Selah Joy, in May 2024.