Missionary

Travis + Karlene Brubaker

The More You Know

Hello! We are Travis and Karlene Brubaker. We’ve been married for over a decade and are blessed with four amazing children, ranging in age from 1 to 10. We’ve been serving with YWAM since 2010, and throughout the years, God has given us a deep passion to walk with others in their journey toward freedom and help them understand their role in the Great Commission. We’ve seen how past wounds and hardships can sometimes hinder people from stepping fully into their calling. Many love Jesus deeply, but life’s pain can keep them from moving forward. Out of this conviction—and Karlene’s heart to see healthy, thriving missionaries and ministers—the Lord led her to pursue a degree in marriage and family therapy. We’re honored to serve on the Cross Cultural Leadership Development Team, using the tools God has given us to provide counseling, debriefing, and training. Our desire is to see YWAM missionaries equipped and empowered to run their race well and bring the hope of Jesus to the nations.

Travis – Probably the book of Psalms because of its variety. There are psalms of praise, lament, contemplation, and everything in between. It’s a great go-to no matter the situation.

Karlene – Romans is my favorite book of the Bible because of its emphasis on transformation and renewal. Romans 12:2, in particular, speaks to me with its call to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. The book also offers wisdom on how to live as a believer in a fallen world, including loving others and overcoming evil with good (Romans 12:9-21).

Travis – Many different kinds! It depends on the situation. Sometimes, I enjoy researching the original Greek and Hebrew meanings of words since our English Bibles don’t always capture the full meaning—and I get to pretend I’m a scholar. But if I were locked in prison and had to choose just one, give me the ESV!

Karlene – It depends on where people are in their faith and what they’re trying to accomplish in their Bible reading. I prefer the NLT for someone reading the Bible for the first time because it’s written in a way that’s easy to understand. For deep Bible study or word study, I prefer the ESV because it’s a more literal translation, compared to the “thought-for-thought” style of the NLT.

I believe knowing what different translations offer is a great way to connect with people—understanding the “why” behind their questions helps them feel seen and heard. Teaching people how to read the Bible and gain deeper revelation is such a needed and exciting part of discipleship!

Travis – My first time traveling outside the USA was during my DTS outreach to Azerbaijan. Since it was my first experience in another culture, that trip will always hold a special place in my heart. Also—the food! Oh my gosh, the fooooood.

Karlene – Nepal! During my time there, our team had more opportunities than anywhere else I’ve been to share the gospel, pray for the sick, and encourage those who were struggling. Everywhere we went, people stopped us to ask about our beliefs. We had the privilege of introducing Jesus to individuals who had never heard of Him before. One of the most memorable experiences was witnessing my first physical healing while praying for a girl who had wounds all over her head. After two hours of prayer, we saw over 70% of her scalp healed before we had to leave, trusting God with the rest!

Travis – I was young and searching for purpose! My aunt, who served with YWAM for 20 years in the Middle East, provided the practical direction I was looking for at the time.

Karlene – My little sister inspired me to pursue missions. She did a DTS in 2009, and I came to visit her during that time. I was in a crisis of faith, but after hearing testimonies of how God was working in and through YWAM both in the US and globally, I was filled with hope. I decided to do a DTS in 2010, and during that time, God healed me from significant emotional pain and allowed me to be part of others’ healing journeys. I realized that I didn’t want to do anything else with my life—I just wanted to follow God and share the great hope found in Jesus with the world.

Travis – I did my DTS in January 2010 at YWAM Colorado Springs. It really demystified missions for me—beforehand, it felt like something reserved for elite, eccentric people living in huts in the jungle that nobody could relate to. Instead, I met relatable, amazing people who simply said “yes” to God.

Karlene – I completed my DTS in February 2011. The DTS experience shaped my understanding of missions by revealing that God desires a relationship with His children—not just distant converts. I discovered that even the newest Christians have testimonies that can profoundly impact someone’s life. Before my DTS, I felt inadequate to share the gospel. However, during my DTS outreach, I learned that my only responsibility as a missionary is to be obedient to God and trust Him with the outcome. He is always faithful!

Travis – I’ll never forget my family being in the Middle East working with ISIS/Syrian War refugees and a woman who had been living in a tent for 4+ years gave my 1 year old son a t-shirt his size. There was so much generosity from someone who had so little and was like watching a modern version of the story of the widow’s offering from Mark 12.

Karlene – Yes, I worked with both Palestinians and Israelis during my DTS and FCM. God was so strategic in teaching me how to love people caught in conflict. I quickly discovered a deep passion for conflict resolution. I had to continually go to God to keep my heart soft toward both Palestinians and Israelis. Everyone wants to choose a side, but that is not God’s heart. He teaches us how to love all people.

Another transformative experience was taking and pioneering the School of Supernatural Missions (SSM). During this time, I received incredible freedom from fear and learned my authority in Christ. In one of the SSM schools, we ministered at a refugee camp in a closed nation in the Middle East. We witnessed miraculous healings and had the opportunity to share about Jesus openly and pray in His name. God opens doors in amazing ways!

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