Don and Sharon Ikerd had been missionaries to Kenya, Zambia, and South Africa for 28 years before his death in 2008. They were the first United Pentecostal Church missionaries in Zambia. The Ikerd's had been privileged to be in many astounding celebrations on the foreign field. The most life-changing event took place in South Africa when they had the first multiracial conference at the end of apartheid. Lives were ever changed, and the church made history.