Tim and Heida Norton serve the LCMS as evangelistic missionaries to the Maninka people in Guinea, West Africa. The Maninka are a widespread people group found throughout West Africa. They are the second largest ethnic group in Guinea with 2 million people. Many continue to practice their traditional beliefs of spirit worship. Less than one percent identify themselves as Christian, and as such, they are an unreached people group.

In 2003, after language training, the Nortons moved to a city in northern Guinea, to start church planting. Tim works in small villages outside the city, teaching literacy and the oral presentation of the Bible. Ten villages have participated in these oral presentations. The Nortons also work with forming local leaders who have taken on some of the responsibilities of evangelism in the area. A large future project will be translating Luther's small catechism and other materials into the local language.

Tim was born in Long Beach, California. His father served as a pastor and his mother as a teacher in the LCMS. Tim graduated from Concordia University in Portland, Oregon, with Director of Christian Education (DCE) certification. Heidi (Muhly) was raised in Lodi, California, where she attended St. Peter Lutheran Church. She graduated from Concordia University in Portland with a degree in elementary education.

Pray that the Gospel will reach the Maninka people through the mission team's oral presentation of the Scriptures. Pray especially for the young leaders of the emerging church, that they would be able to hold fast to their faith amidst persecution. Pray for the translation of key materials, so that the local leaders will be well equipped to carry out God's mission. Pray also for peace and political stability in the entire region.