RALPH V. HARVEY
Last update: June, 2018
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Birth: Ralph was born in Salem, NJ on March 8, 1938
Marriage: To Verna (Morse) born in Meadville, PA on July 28, 1940; married in Meadville, PA on March 9, 1963
Education:Public Elementary and High School (1955), Bob Jones University (1962)
Profession: Worked several years in family construction business.
During college worked in an art gallery.
Served with Avant Ministries (formerly Gospel Missionary Union) as missionary in
Europe1964-2002.
Since 2003 Avant Ambassador
Family:
Ralph Jr. (born in Elmer, NJ, 1964): Computer Systems Analyst for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
in Harrisburg since 1988. Unmarried. Ralph is actively involved in his church.
Richard (born in Vienna, Austria, 1966): Richard returned to Austria as a missionary with Gospel Missionary
Union in 1991 and served in that capacity for three years until his marriage to Martina. Martina (born 1963) is an
Austrian teacher and speech therapist. They were married in 1994 and live in Laakirchen, Austria with their four children,
Julia (96), Benjamin (98), Michael (01) and Doris Joy ('08). Richard and Martina are actively involved in a church
founded by Avant. After his marriage, Richard worked ten years with severely handicapped Austrians in a day care center.
He is presently employed as Parts Manager in a new-car dealership.
Rebekah (born in Linz, Austria, 1969): Becky married David Pallmann March 20, 1993. They reside in Lake
Elsinore, California. Becky is a stay-at-home mom who homeschools. Becky also writes a cooking blog:
www.goodcookbecky.blogspot.com David is a leading software specialist in web-based computing with advanced
Microsoft accreditation (Architect) and a recipient of the cherished MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He has
written several computer books. They have three children,
Susan (97), Debra (99) and Jonathan (03). David and Becky are involved in their local church.
Mission Work:
During their 38 years of missionary service in Austria (1964-2002), the Harveys served in eight cities
including the provincial
capital of Linz, where Ralph operated a youth center and drug rehabilitation ministry (69-79). A Trans World Radio report
recognized it as one of the most effective in Europe. Ralph founded and operated a printing and publishing ministry 1972-1991,
producing millions of pieces of literature for Austria and Eastern Europe (smuggled through the borders). He edited and
published a German youth magazine Salzstreuer and a Christian Workers Manual
KANN. He has written numerous articles in both
German and English for church and mission publications. His first book, Rabban Gamaliel, about a Jewish Rabbi named in
scripture, was published in 2006 and is now available for Kindle Readers on Amazon. A 500-page digital autobiography titled
Chips and Crumbs relates personal and missionary experiences. His most
recent book (digital) is Images of the Creator Should be Creative!
Ralph served 10 years on the Board of Directors, Black Forest Academy in Germany. He founded the Austrian Bible Institute in
1984, teaching, serving as Business Manager, and as member of the Board for 14 years.
He served many years as Field Director for Austria and Eastern Europe
Ralph worked with one of the Bible Institute graduates to establish an Austrian national youth organization in 1987. In the
first three years, the organization established 60 Austrian clubs and trained over 250 leaders. In addition to solid biblical
teaching, the program includes camping, canoeing, rafting, climbing, rope courses, crafts and much more. Other European
nations took notice and in 2001, the First International Training Camp for Youth Workers was conducted in Slovakia with nine
participating nations. JUROPA is now established in 17 European nations with thousands of trained workers.
Ralph served as Chairman of the Public Relations Committee for the Austrian Association of Evangelical Churches. In this
capacity, Ralph helped to develop an Internet Portal and assisted churches and Christian organizations in creating websites.
Ralph has frequently been invited to speak in churches, conferences, camps and evangelistic meetings. His Chalk Talks with special
lighting effects and hi-tech multimedia shows, using four computer-driven slide projectors and a video projector have been
seen by thousands.
The Harveys worked with refugees living in Austrian camps, organized the collection and distribution of many truckloads of
relief goods (medicine, food, clothing, bedding, tents, tools and literature) to impoverished and war-torn countries of Eastern
Europe. They were instrumental in raising over $100,000 for Kosovo refugees during the 1999 crises. In 2000, they helped
build a church in Kukes, Albania.
Verna has always been much involved in ministry. In addition to children's and women's ministries, she cooked for the
Bible Institute, in camps, conferences and for other functions.
Retirement Ministries:
AVANT AMBASSADORS
A number of missionaries who left their fields of ministry for retirement, physical reasons, due to political upheavals or for
other reasons, but who are still willing and able to serve, have joined the "Avant Ambassadors." Some Ambassador ministries are:
Representing missions in churches, schools, conferences & camps
Recruiting workers in colleges and universities
Participation in or leadership of short term mission teams and projects
Assistance in opening new fields
Promotion and fund-raising for special mission projects
Assisting with candidate orientation, personal encouragement of new or inexperienced missionaries, helping them raise
support, mediating with pastors and churches in their behalf
Training in the use of multimedia - PowerPoint, digital video and website development
Available to Avant as emissaries when special counsel, guidance or mediation is needed on a field
Conducting seminars on various subjects
Pulpit supply
Assisting churches in setting up mission conferences
MULTIMEDIA
Ralph has created multimedia on various subjects and for many occasions. Here are some subjects:
Albania and Kosovo
Youth Work in Europe
"Apples in a Seed" - Four Decades of Ministry in Austria-
The Demise of the Iron Curtain
Turkey The Seven Churches of Asia Minor
Anabaptists The Other Side of the Reformation
Only in America!
Christmas in Austria
Austrian Scenery
Austrian Balconies and Window Boxes
CHALK TALK EVANGELISM
Ralph does Chalk Talks for all occasions. Here are some subjects:
The Little Tannenbaum (a Christmas story), Isaiah 40 and Ecclesiastes 12
The Big Apple, Psalm 127:1-2
What are ships made for? Romans 6:12-13, 23; Eph. 5:18; James 4:7; Acts 27
Lights and Colors - Black and White, John 1
The Frog-Prince, Luke 19:1-10
Values and Influence, Romans 14:1-5
The Intelligent Fool, Acts 5:29-42
The Question Nobody Asks, Judges 6:12-13
The Golden Rule, John 13:33-35
Joe Nah! The disobedient prophet
INTERESTS, HOBBYS and INVOLVEMENTS
Photography
Sailing
Raising puppies for The Seeing Eye
Repairing and restoring small boats
History (esp. church history in Europe and early America)
Writing blogs, articles and books
Web development (see below)
Political involvement (Tea Party)
Verna also does stamping
and belongs to a local garden club
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