Bio

It all began in March of 2001, when a young college freshman decided to spend his spring break serving on a short-term mission trip to Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was during those fateful ten days that Troy discovered three unknown passions of his life:

  • to love and serve the people of Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • to consume as many battered sausages that he came across
  • to pursue and woo the  heart of young feisty gal, (ahem, Miss Noelle Polyniak) who also happened to be on that very same mission trip.

By the end of his short-term mission trip, Troy made an important decision. He decided to tackle the first two passions, and enlisted himself in service to the R.O.C.K center, a Christian organization that worked with the children and youth of Belfast. The following September, he would move to Belfast, Northern Ireland and serve as intern for the next nine months of his life. During that year, he lived in the renowned Shankill Estate working among children and youth who had been conditioned to “hate” and left with no hope for the future. He worked in school assemblies, kids clubs, scripture unions, and many other venues, proclaiming that Jesus Christ is love and through Him is hope. He also ate many, many a battered sausage.

Shortly before, as well as during his time as in intern in Belfast, Troy announced his undying love to his Jersey princess, Noelle. After a good nap (a story for another day), she returned her feelings to him and committed to pursue a relationship with him even as he served overseas in Northern Ireland. The two wrote letters to each other, almost every day, and within months, Troy was convinced that she was indeed his one and only.

The courtship was difficult, as they were apart, but Noelle was able to make a visit to him while she was on another short-term mission trip to Northern Ireland. It was then, that Troy whisked her away to Belfast Castle and proposed marriage. Without having to take a nap, she enthusiastically answered, “YES!” They were married, May 31, 2003.

It was their dream, after they were married, to move to Belfast and permanently serve there together. Although they attempted to attain a ministerial visa to move to Belfast, shortly after they were married, their plans fell through. A visa was hard to attain and they were beginning to wonder if the Lord was closing the door to Northern Ireland for a season. It was then that the pastor of Noelle’s home church offered them the position of youth pastors of his church. They eagerly accepted the position and for the past 6 years have served in their wonderful church in New Jersey, Lamb of God Fellowship.

It was just where the Lord wanted them as He strengthened their young marriage as well as began their little family: Silas Lynn was born in January of 2007 and Olive Pearl was born in November of 2008.

Although, it was the Lord’s will for them to serve in New Jersey, Belfast was always in their hearts. They frequently visited their friends at the R.O.C.K. Center and took their youth group on two mission trips to Northern Ireland in 2005 and 2008. The dream of living there and serving as missionaries to Belfast never faded.

Early of 2009, Troy and Noelle began to feel a fire stir in their hearts to serve as full-time missionaries in Northern Ireland. They sought the Lord and the counsel of others as they began to press on in this call. They realized it would be no easy task to raise funds for missions during an economic crisis as well as uproot their new family to be replanted in a foreign country. However, they knew that it was the Lord who had put this in their hearts and it was time for them to be obedient and say “YES” to His calling.

Currently, Troy and Noelle are living in Northern New Jersey, with their adorably cool children. They are working on raising support to serve in Belfast as well as positioning their lives in a way, which prepares them for their move there. Troy is working construction and Noelle works as a part-time nanny. Both are still involved in their church’s youth ministry.

They are eager to share their heart for Belfast to anyone who lends an ear and they are grateful for the prayers of those who are supporting them through this journey.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”