Remembering an Extraordinary Mission Builder: How Doris Helton Helped Change the World
Frontline YWAM missionaries are MBI’s heroes. Despite the inherent difficulties they sometimes face, they’re unceasing in their devotion to sharing the love of Christ and making a practical difference in the lives of those they serve. We aim to provide the services they need to thrive in their calling.
We recognize another invaluable hero—the Mission Builder volunteer who selflessly spends their time and skills to help meet the practical needs of global YWAM missionaries.
One of MBI’s most ardent volunteer heroes went to be with her Lord and Savior in March of this year. Doris Jane Helton (along with her husband Vic) spent her retirement serving YWAM locations around the world. Doris’s obituary reads:
“Upon retirement, Doris and Vic fulfilled their desire to go on short-term mission trips. After serving a few times with Wycliffe Bible Translators, they discovered an organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). They realized that God was calling them to downsize so they could travel for longer periods. They moved to a townhouse and accepted YWAM assignments worldwide, staying up to 6-7 weeks at each location.
“Doris and Vic served with YWAM for 15 years. They enjoyed the experience of living in different cultures and often expressed how blessed they were to be able to serve in this way. They both loved to travel, and their mission work plus personal travels took them to over sixty countries on six continents and to more than twenty YWAM bases.”
Here are just a few precious remembrances offered by some of the YWAM missionaries and locations privileged to have received Doris and Vic’s out-of-the-ordinary volunteer service:
David Adegbami and family, Nigerian YWAMers serving at YWAM Belize:
“It was exactly fifteen years ago when the Lord brought you and Dad to our lives and ministry while we were serving with YWAM Belize. When you returned home, you told us that God said He brought you to Belize for the second time to get to know us. Ever since you and Dad adopted us as your son and daughter and our children as your grandchildren.
“You have also aided our ministry in numerous ways. The first medical team you and Dad brought us in 2013 opened the doors for many medical teams. We are also proud that God has used you and Dad to encourage us to establish a high school.”
Angie Stiner, YWAM missionary:
“Doris, you taught me so much and loved me unconditionally. There are so MANY memories! Budgeting, cooking, recipes, lunches, family vacations, buying a car, buying a condo, praying for me to get married, how to love my husband and respect him, job hunting, dinners, grocery shopping, doing haircuts in the kitchen, living upstairs and so much more. You encouraged me and supported me with YWAM, even while I was in my darkest hour. God used you in every way in my life. I have so many gifts from you to cherish and hold in my heart forever.”
Guy and Marylin, YWAM Saint Lucia:
“May Doris’s exemplary life resonate in our hearts. Her faith anchored her journey, buoying her work as a mission builder at YWAM Saint Lucia and many other locations. Doris nurtured the world around her with unbound generosity and hospitality, a testament to her noble character. As we mourn, let’s find solace in knowing she enriched countless lives, motivating us to live purposefully, echoing her spirit of selfless service.”
Ann-Sophie Kitok-Aboneka, YWAM missionary:
“I met Doris (and Vic) for the first time in YWAM Saint Croix. Doris helped out in the kitchen and made sure we ate healthy. I remember Doris as a very gentle, sweet, loving lady. The second time we met was in Sweden, as Doris and Vic came to serve as mission builders. The third time we met was in Hong Kong, where I served with YWAM. From then on, Doris and Vic became my supporters in the mission field until I started studying at the University in Sweden.
“I have been so blessed and touched by Doris’s life and how willingly she has served in different contexts. How gentle and kind-hearted she always was. I loved her sense of adventure and curiosity. Doris, may your memory live until many more generations.”
And we say, “Well done, Doris and Vic. Well done.”
In honor of Doris’s life and service, her family asked that memorial donations go to missions/YWAM via MBI, Helton’s supporting organization.
In Doris’s memory, we’d like to ask you this: Would you like to be a hero in someone’s story? If you want to be a volunteer hero, please visit our webpage at www.MissionBuilders.org and explore the excellent service opportunities available.
Dawn is a team player and cheerleader by nature. She loves to see people become all God intends them to be. So it comes as no surprise that Dawn’s responsibilities at MBI’s home office closely parallel what she does as point person and team player with MBI’s Leadership 13 ministry.
come on! Once individuals understand how to integrate their gifts into their ministry’s team dynamic, they are better able to participate in building cohesive, successful relationships.”
Recent Comments