Jeff Thompson is the founder and CEO of Mercy Projects (formerly Eastern European Outreach), a faith-based organization serving at-risk children in Ukraine, Armenia, Kosovo, and former Eastern Europe.
Jeff and his wife Paula are from southern California where they lead the ministry from their Murrieta office. Their exciting story is detailed in the book “Leaving The American Sector” where they share about their missionary journey.
Jeff left home at 21 to smuggle bibles behind the Iron Curtain. He returned home after one year to marry Paula, and together they moved to Berlin to continue the ministry to persecuted believers behind the Iron Curtain.
After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, God opened the doors for them to preach and teach in Russian prisons as a partner with the Russian government Ministry of Interior. During the years of prison ministry to Russian teens, Jeff realized they must reach at-risk children before they end up in prison.
Today Jeff and Paula are passionate advocates for at-risk children working primarily in Ukraine with their all Ukrainian staff in child and family development.
Jeff also serves as an ordained missions pastor at Calvary Chapel Murrieta and Paula leads their involvement with local at-risk young people through Safe Families For Children. Jeff Thompson and his wife Paula have been married since 1980 and are parents of four children and ten grandchildren.
“Our vision, in the beginning, was to share the Bible and Christian literature with people trapped behind the Iron Curtain. Along the way, however, God showed us the many needs of orphans and widows, prisoners, and street children. From war refugees in Kosovo to children living in the radioactive shadow of Chernobyl, we have desired to minister God’s love for each one.”
Jeff’s missionary career has given him unique insight into the issues and needs of orphans and children at risk. He shares that, “Our calling is to share the gospel and serve the poor, the widow and the orphan, no matter what part of the world they live in.”