Lois June Mast

Lois was born on July 8, 1961 in Darby, PA to parents Paul and Nancy Michener. Lois grew up alongside her four siblings in Norwood, PA. Her parents faithfully raised her at Collingdale Gospel Chapel, nurturing in her a deep love for God's Word and the Church that carried her through the rest of her life. In 1979, she graduated from Interboro High School. In 1983, she graduated with a bachelor's degree from West Chester University in special education. She was very involved in campus ministries throughout her college years. She made great friendships in these ministries, including her future sister-in-law, and looked back on these years fondly. During her college years, she worked at Melmark, as a care provider for people with disabilities, developing a great love for children with special needs. Lois taught at Norwood Elementary School in the six years directly after her graduation. She went on to get her masters in elementary education at West Chester University.

Many students over her long teaching career remember Lois with love. Her teaching style and lesson plans were always creative, engaging, and empowering. Every child who went through her classroom learned both academic and life lessons that they would remember for years because of the fun, individualized attention she gave them. In 1989, Lois moved to Nyankunde, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) to spread her love for the Word of God through missions.

She taught missionary kids in a two-room school house there. While working in the DRC, she met her husband Bert Mast. They got married on April 2, 1994 in Zaire, later celebrating with relatives and friends in Pennsylvania and his home country of Canada. Their daughter Yoanna was born in Zaire. After conflict there became too dangerous for them to stay, Lois and Bert evacuated to the USA and then relocated to Chavuma, Zambia. Their son Joshua was born in Zambia. The family spent a year and a half helping at Sakeji Mission School, and starting in 2012 they spent a year and a half at Rift Valley Academy. During her time at RVA, her entire second grade class made professions of faith by the end of the year. In Lukolwe, Zambia, where Lois and Bert spent their longest portion of time in Africa, Lois was deeply invested in the spiritual, personal, and academic growth of the local women and youth. She spent the majority of her time creating curriculum and teaching women and children about the Word of God. She was frequently asked to speak at women's conferences in the Northwestern Province of Zambia. To this day, children who went through her programs remember her with much fondness and gratitude for the heart she poured into them. Lois' purpose, creativity, and care has touched the lives of many across Zambia. After almost two decades in Zambia, Lois and Bert moved back to the US in 2013. They spent 3 years in Mechanicsburg, PA working alongside the people at Mechanicsburg Christian Fellowship. After a year of wrapping up full time ministry in Lukolwe, they moved to Lincoln, NE in 2017. Since then, Lois poured her time, skills, and passion into Hollywood Heights Bible Chapel. She made youth group fun each week. She spent countless hours helping to renovate the chapel basement after a flood, making it the welcoming building it is today. Even though they moved away from Zambia, Lois and Bert never gave up their missions work there. Until the end, Lois continued to create curriculum for youth and to find creative ways to motivate children to learn the Word of God. Lois' family describes her as purposeful, fun, competitive, creative, and lively. In describing her as a child, her aunt used the word "radiant".

Lois brought energy into every room she entered, often creating unique games and ways to engage with people. Her purpose was to equip people to live life well and with meaning. Lois is survived by her beloved husband Bert Mast and her two children Yoanna McClintock and Joshua Mast, and her daughter-in-law Hannah Mast. She is survived by her siblings and their spouse Steve Michener, Susan (Bruce) Milley, Pete (Susan) Michener, and Beth (Craig) Smith. She is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Nancy Michener.

In lieu of flowers, donation amy be made in Lois' memory to Sunday school work in Africa, at Lukolwe Mission, Zambia.

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