Missionary profile: Michael and Tamara Hudson

The following missionary profile was published in Engage Magazine on April 10, 2012. 


Michael and Tamara Hudson, missionaries in the Romania District, are serving through youth mentoring, church planting and church development. Michael is the theological education coordinator, and also assists with finance, literature development and church planting. In November 2011, Tamara was appointed the district superintendent -- the first woman in Europe to hold this position in the denomination. Hailing from Canada, both are ordained elders in the Church of the Nazarene.

They previously co-pastored the Nazarene church in Brampton, Ontario, Canada (2007 - 2009); before that, they served as missionaries in Albania for nine years (1996 - 2005) and Romania for two years (2005 - 2007.) They returned to Romania in 2009. They have three daughters: Julia, 16; Emily, 14; Elena, 10.

Engage: How did you first recognize God’s call to be involved in missions?

Tamara: I was called to be a missionary at age 9 when a missionary visited my home church.  I clearly felt the Lord was telling me, “You are going to be a missionary when you grow up.” I was able to be involved in various ministry and mission experiences including youth teams and Youth in Mission. These experiences confirmed the call of God to cross cultural ministry.

Engage: Please share a story of a significant event or moment that has happened in your current assignment.

Tamara: Last fall 13 people were baptized in the Blessing Church in Bucharest, including our own daughter, Elena. What a joy it was to participate in that occasion and to baptize our youngest daughter.

Engage: What is your favorite aspect of what you do in your present assignment?

Tamara: Our ministry is about investing in people. We love to spend time teaching and equipping others for ministry. We love to spend time praying, worshipping and serving together with our Romanian brothers and sisters. The most significant moments in ministry often occur around a dinner table or over a cup of coffee.

Engage: What are some of the challenges that you face in carrying out your work?

Tamara: The work load is sometimes difficult to handle and finding balance in life and ministry can be challenge.

Engage: How do you maintain a close relationship with God and your family in the midst of the demands of missionary service?

Tamara: Personal prayer and devotions is essential. We have developed family traditions (dinner table prayer and activities) which help us learn and grow together. We take time to play and have fun together on a regular basis.

Engage: What are the rewards of what you do?

Tamara: Seeing young people called and equipped to answer the call of God in their lives.

Engage: What are some aspects of the culture where you live that you have come to love or embrace?

Tamara: We have learned to love Romanian food and all the time it takes to prepare it together with friends. We also love the history of the country and love to visit old castles and fortified churches. 

Engage: What do you like to do for fun?

Tamara: We enjoy outdoor activities, especially hiking in the mountains.

Engage: What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

Tamara: One of my first student jobs was handing out rain coats at Niagara Falls in Canada.

Engage: What advice would you have for others exploring a possible call to missions, or embarking on their first missionary assignment?

Tamara: The call of God is what keeps us firm when challenges come. Be sure of His call and stay close to Him. Apart from Him we can do nothing!