Missionaries: Gary and Gwen Bistritan


Gary spent most of his childhood years in rural towns in Saskatchewan. He received his education from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Alberta Bible Institute (now Gardner Bible College), and Anderson School of Theology.

Gwen was also born in Canada. She grew up on a farm near Camrose, Alberta. She received her post high-school education from Alberta Bible Institute, Camrose Lutheran College, and Anderson School of Theology.

The two were married in July 1977 and have three children: Randa, Kelty, and Jared. All three Bistritan children were born on Guam. Their experience growing up has been quite different from their parents. They have grown accustomed to eating rice with their meals, having only two seasons, and being a minority, as their fair skin and blond hair make them.

Commissioned as missionaries to Guam in June 1985, the Bistritans began pastoring the church in Guam in January 1986; in 1993 their assignment was expanded to include church planting in Micronesia.

Their goal is for local pastors to be trained and financially supported by the churches of Guam. Gwen oversees the worship services at both of the island's churches as well as local Bible study groups. Gary devotes much of his time to outreach ministry and related communications, overseeing various ministries and outreach events in the Micronesia area.

For the past eight years, they have also been using small home groups and one-on-one discipleship to help the church and young Christians grow to maturity. Because personal relationships are more important than events in this culture, this method is proving fruitful.