In 1954 at the age of 22, Darrell and Louise and their baby David arrived as missionaries in the Belgian Congo, Africa. For ten years they lived in the deep jungles of the Belgian Congo as “jungle rats,” in a mud and stick house with dirt floors. Jonathan and Deborah were born there. Thirteen churches and seven Christian schools were established, and 36 national preachers trained.
 
In 1964 they were evacuated from Congo after the destruction of their mission outpost and the burning of all the churches and schools. 20 preachers were murdered, hundreds of national Christians were massacred, the sister of Louise’s sister-in-law was martyred, and the survivors were driven into hiding in the jungles.

The door to the Congo stayed closed, so the Champlins were led to the jungles of Surinam, South America in 1965. They entered a mission field where none of the previous three missionary families had lasted more than a year. Their fourth child, Ethan, was born that same year. Since 1965, the ministry has grown to 9 churches, 11 chapels, a Bible institute, 2 clinics and many evangelistic outreaches in villages and towns over a 150-mile area.
 
Since 1977, the Champlins have represented Independent Faith Missions. In 1983 they began teaching missions classes in Bible colleges across the United States. Dr. Champlin currently serves as President of IFM.