History

The ministry of Praying Pelican Missions began unofficially in 1971, when Pastor Lloyd Stanford became Pastor of Queen Street Baptist Church in Belize City, Belize.  Pastor Lloyd’s ministry and reach within Belize is unparalleled, and Praying Pelican Missions is honored to serve with Pastor Stanford as part of our staff.  Pastor Stanford is now the Director of Missions for the Caribbean Baptist Fellowship, and he oversees a region that includes 23 countries.

Matt Pfingsten (Founder, President) officially started Praying Pelican Missions with his brother, Jason in 2003, after taking family missions to Belize in prior years and being personally connected to Pastor Stanford.  Matt graduated from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, and worked for Wells Fargo and Charter Communications before entering full time into ministry. Matt's travels and missions have led him to Central and South America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the South Pacific. Matt and his wife Gina have two children, Isaiah and Jada, and three dogs at home! They live in Duluth, Minnesota.

Praying Pelican Missions expanded to Jamaica in 2007, and now annually serves over 100 communities between the two countries, making it the USA’s largest provider of mission trips to Belize and Jamaica.  The Praying Pelican Missions Staff now includes 6 Belizeans along with a part and full-time team of 45 people, and will begin leading mission teams to Mexico, Central America in 2010.