TODA TRIBU
Samuel & mikaela
Church Planters
who we are
Mikaela was born in San Francisco, California. When she was just eight months old, her parents moved to Brazil as missionaries with the International Mission Board (IMB). Over the years, she lived in five different countries and became fluent in both English and Spanish. Mikaela is the oldest of four siblings.
Samuel was born in Otavalo, Ecuador, and moved with his family to Colombia when he was about two years old. He grew up in a Kichwa community and is the oldest of two brothers. Samuel speaks English, Spanish, and Kichwa.
Samuel and Mikaela met in Bogotá, Colombia, where Mikaela’s parents were serving as missionaries among indigenous communities displaced by violence. Samuel first became friends with Mikaela’s father, and years later he met the rest of the family—including Mikaela. The two began dating and were married in 2012.
They lived in Colombia for six years before God called them to move to the United States. They settled in Nashville, Tennessee, where they served for another six years at Judson Baptist Church. In time, God placed a new calling on their hearts—to serve as church planters in New York City. Their mission is to reach the Hispanic and Kichwa communities in Queens with the love of Christ.
The Kichwa people, originally from Ecuador, come from regions such as Imbabura, Chimborazo, Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Tungurahua. In recent years, many have migrated to the United States, especially to New York City. Today, over 100,000 Kichwa people live and work in this vibrant city, continuing to cherish their language, culture, and identity.
Their church reflects this beautiful diversity. It is a place where the Kichwa community—and people from all tribes and languages—are welcome. Samuel and Mikaela love Jesus deeply and desire to share His love with everyone they meet.
Their ministry is guided by Psalm 22:27:
“All the ends of the earth will remember
and turn to the Lord.
All the families of the nations
will bow down before you.”
They hold fast to the vision that all families, from every tribe and nation, will be worshiping the Lord together.