Donald and Cheryl Cox are global missionaries with the Church of the Nazarene serving in the JESUS Film Harvest Partner office in Olathe, Kansas.

Since 1975, the Coxes have served in Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. In September 2002 they began their work in the JESUS Film Harvest Partners office in Olathe, Kansas. While in the field, their ministry included teaching in the seminary, administration of finances, the Child Sponsorship program and presentation of workshops.

When Don was five years old, he stated a desire to be a missionary. At the age of 14, when Jesus became his personal Savior, God reminded him of this desire and confirmed His call on Don’s life. Don shares the following, “these 32 years in the mission field have been marvelous as God has led me and kept me in the center of His will.”

As a junior in high school, God began talking to Cheryl about being a missionary. She used many of the excuses that Moses had used but through a period of six months, there was a deep inner persuasion that this was Gods will for her. While singing in a missionary service in her senior year. the words of the song translated into a personal “yes, Lord. Here I am.” Cheryl shares the following, “God has been all that I needed in this wonderful journey of faith and missionary service.”

Don and Cheryl have an amazing story of God’s protection while serving in Ecuador. The story was released in the missionary book, Shouts at Sunrise, in 2006. 

The Coxes have four sons, Paul, Matthew, Michael, and Philip.

Kidnapped Nazarene Missionary Rescued

Weekly Summary for the week ending January 5, 1996
Prepared by the Nazarene News Service of the Church of the Nazarene Communications Division, Kansas City, MO 64131

Nazarene missionary Don Cox says he was frightened, but he knew others were praying for him. The 51-year-old missionary was rescued from kidnappers early Christmas Eve, according to Jack Stone, general secretary. Stone said Cox was rescued by SWAT units of the Ecuadorian police from a jungle area outside Quito. The police reportedly apprehended or killed all of the kidnappers in the rescue effort. Cox was not injured.

Cox had been abducted from the Nazarene seminary in Quito on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 10. His abductors demanded a ransom of $500,000, which was not paid.

The Church of the Nazarene worked closely with Ecuadorian police, the U.S. government, the U.S. Embassy, and a Christian organization which has consulted with other mission organizations affected by kidnappings. Cox is believed to be the first American missionary to have been kidnapped in Ecuador.

Cox said he was held on an elevated platform in the rain forest outside Quito. He said his captors were friendly, but he was still concerned. "I was scared to death because of the uncertainty of the situation," said Cox. "Each night I prayed, `Now I lay me down to sleep...' believing that it might be my last. I was prepared to meet Jesus, but I was concerned about the separation from my family and my work that was unfinished."

Cox was flown to Chicago on Christmas Day where he was reunited with his wife, Cheryl, and sons, Paul, Matthew, Michael, and Phillip.

"We are grateful to God and to those who gave of their time and talents to gain the release of Rev. Cox," said Donald D. Owens, chairman of the Board of General Superintendents. "This was quite a Christmas present for Rev. Cox and his family, as well as for all of us in the Nazarene family around the world."

"I want to express my extreme thanks for the prayers and faith of Nazarenes around the world," said Cox. "Under the circumstances, my faith and prayers seemed limited, but I knew others were praying."

Cox is the first missionary of the Church of the Nazarene to be kidnapped. He and his wife have been missionaries for the denomination since 1975.