What does it take to communicate the gospel cross-culturally to an isolated, monolingual people group? Having lived among the Joti people of Venezuela for 12 years, Steve and Sharon Sanford can answer that question from personal experience.

The Sanfords joined the Joti missionary team in 1994. The team’s tasks included language and culture study, Bible translation, curriculum development, medical and literacy work, and, finally, Bible teaching. What a joy it was for the team to finally present the gospel for the first time to the Joti people in the only language the Joti understood! Nearly everyone in the village put their faith in Christ.

When missionaries were ordered to leave tribal areas in 2005, Steve and Sharon had to leave the Joti people. The Sanfords transferred to Ethnos360’s Wayumi program in central Pennsylvania. There for 17 years they used their experiences as church planters to bless and challenge the many participants who attend the Wayumi programs each year seeking to learn more about cross-cultural church planting.

In January of 2024 Steve and Sharon moved to Sanford, FL to assume the role of CEO of Ethnos360.

The Sanfords have three married sons. The two oldest, along with their families, are currently serving overseas with Ethnos360. Their youngest serves in Michigan as a missions pastor.