MK Joey Bir accompanied his parents to Paraguay as a young eightyear-old lad. He started preaching when he was 17 years old. He is fluent in Spanish and intimately knows the culture and mindset of Paraguay. Following his studies at Jackson College of Ministries, Bir returned to Paraguay as an associate in missions and became the national youth president, pastor of the church in Luque, and Bible school teacher. In 2003 he married Cristina Nuñez, an Argentine, raised in Paraguay. In May 2007, Joey and Cristina Bir received their appointment as UPCI missionaries to Paraguay. He now serves as the treasurer for the UPC of Paraguay, director and teacher for the Bible school, and pastor of the church in Lambaré.