Our Missionaries


Our missionaries are normal people from all walks of life who have dedicated their lives to serving and following Jesus wherever He calls them. Want to meet them? Check out our Missionary Directory.

Jo and Vivian Overly

Jo and Vivian Overly

Missionaries to Taiwan

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Ministry Description

Taiwan is a country desperately in need of the love of Christ. Taiwanese people are some of the most intelligent, kind, and sincere people you will ever meet. The island has many traditional religions focusing on idol and ancestor worship. However, they have openness toward the gospel and a genuine curiosity in understanding different cultures. Together, Vivian and I, serve the many who are ensnared by the religious and cultural trappings of Eastern Asia religion.

Taiwan has set a goal to become a bilingual nation by the year 2030 and as a result, many are looking for a place to learn English. Word of Life Taiwan primarily uses our short-term immersion school, SYME as a platform to create biblically solid post-high-school students while teaching English and Theology. Students come into class and are greeted by a loving staff of Christians who build relationships and teach them about Jesus. Many of our students enter in without a faith in Christ and leave so fired up for God that they go on to attend Bible College and come back to Taiwan as Christian Workers. Others come lukewarm in faith and leave stronger and bolder in what they know.

We are excited about this opportunity to be able to lead the ministry of SYME in Taiwan. The Lord has uniquely led and shaped us both to be able to serve Him effectively in this ministry. We have seen God bring so many to himself through SYME and are anticipating how He will use us to further His Kingdom here in Taiwan.

God is doing great things here in Taiwan. We welcome you to join us in what He is doing here, whether it be through prayer, finances, or even short-term missions.

About Jo

From a young age, I have had the opportunity to learn about God. My father has been a pastor and missionary my whole life. However, although I had many opportunities to put my trust in Him from a young age I did not. I walked through my middle school and high school years living for myself and my own desires. In my first year of university, I was challenged by a friend to make a decision to follow Christ. I remembered back to my years of attending church, family devotions, and bible classes in school and was deeply convicted of my sins. I made a decision to trust Christ with my life in December of 2014. Since this decision, I have gone on to Bible school and developed a deep intimate relationship with Christ. In my second year of Bible School, I decided to do a missionary internship in Taiwan. The internship provided me with many opportunities to grow in my relationship with Christ through service to Him. I was baptized in Taiwan in 2018 to show those around me my dedication to Christ. In 2020, I married the love of my life whom I met at Taiwan SYME. I have been blessed immensely during my life and thankful that God has been so faithful to me.

About Vivian

I grew up in a family that does not know God and because of this, my family does not know how to show real love. Before knowing Christ, I felt I was not loved and I did not have any confidence. I was filled with fear and always wanted to please others. During my university years, I met a friend who was different than the others. He had peace and joy that I had never seen before. After a difficult time in my life, I gave that friend and call and asked him to meet. He prayed with me and took me to church. I learned about a God who loved me for who I am. I learned about true joy and peace. In October 2015, I placed my trust in Christ and became the first Christian in my family. The following year I was baptized. In 2017, I had the opportunity to join SYME to study the Bible and ministry. This program gave me a good biblical foundation and allowed me to meet many other Christians. I am thankful that God came to me and gave me the love I was searching for. I pray every day that my family can come to know the love God has for them.

Life Verse

Lamentations 3:22-24 "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”