news around the world

IM serves churches, pastors, and people by helping them fulfill their role in establishing churches beyond North America so unreached peoples can know the joy of a relationship with the living God. To find out more about the ministry of IM, visit www.IMINC.org

Annual Board Meeting Produces New Workers, New Projects

Antioch, TN—The IM, Inc. board met April 25, 2022, at the National Office Building in Antioch, Tennessee. Board members attending in person?included?Jeff Nichols (TN), Rodney Yerby (AL), Darren Walker (NC), Will Harmon (AR), Cameron Lane (AR), and Mark Price (OH). Present via Zoom were Janice Banks (TX), Casey Cariker (OK), and Rick Cason (GA).?Directors Clint Morgan, Rob Conley, Neil Gilliland, Curt Holland, and Danny Gasperson also attended in person, while Directors Don Matchett and Kenneth Eagleton participated via Zoom.

The board enthusiastically approved three two-year interns. Jacob and Hailee Voltz will serve in Bulgaria and Tyler Justice will serve in France.

The board reluctantly accepted the resignation and notice of retirement of Dr. Neil Gilliland, effective December 31, 2022. Board members expressed their appreciation for Gilliland’s many years of faithful service. General Director Clint Morgan recognized Neil’s accomplishments, both in our denomination and in the greater Kingdom, saying, “Neil’s dedication and service in Africa as a missionary, his time on staff in the home office, his work with student ministries, and his multifaceted speaking opportunities have endeared him to thousands of Free Will Baptists. IM has been greatly honored to have Neil on our team. We will always count him as a member of the IM family.”

Neil reported Hanna Mott, who has served as ETEAM coordinator for ten years, tendered her resignation, also effective December 31, 2022. Morgan stated, “I have been impressed by Hanna’s ability to make every ETEAM member feel special. We have been privileged to have her on our IM staff and pray God’s richest blessings on her future.”

CFO Rob Conley presented a clean audit to the board and described the financial condition of IM, Inc. as “very good,” indicating a record income of $8.7 million in 2021. The board approved the 2023 framework budget of $8.85 million.

The board welcomed David Brown, director of the Free Will Baptist Foundation. Brown informed them the Foundation awarded IM, Inc. ministries $346,500 in grants for 2022: Hope Alive Church (Japan)— $150,000 for building project; Bangladesh— $100,000; Village of Hope, an IM, Inc. partnership—$10,500; and The Pop Willey Scholarship—$50,000. The Pop Willey Scholarship Fund, benefiting FWB international students, will award grants to international students pursuing ministry-related studies in North American institutions.?The board expressed their gratitude with hearty applause.

The board approved a one-year assignment for Josh Provow to Shumen, Bulgaria, concluding June 2023. This extended his time in Bulgaria after he concluded his six-month term in Svishtov in June.

The board adjourned due to illness and reconvened on May 19, 2022. All board members appeared via Zoom. IM directors also participated via Zoom.

Dr. Kenneth Eagleton and missionary Jaimie Lancaster delivered stirring reports of God working among IM Global Partners (Bangladesh, Brazil, Central Asia, Cuba, India, Ivory Coast, Pakistan, Panama, Russia). According to Dr. Eagleton, Ivory Coast continues to lead in the number of baptisms, contributing to a total of 229 baptisms (as of May 19) this year among partnership countries.

Bangladesh records 37 Free Will Baptist churches and continues to train leaders as well as translate and publish portions of the Bible. Pakistan, numbering 50 works in three provinces, recently sent two families to work in areas of the country without any Christian presence.
The IM board approved two new IMpact projects: IMpact Bangladesh Conference Center and IMpact Pakistan Ministry Van. Learn more at iminic.org/impact-projects

Interns Approved

Antioch, TN—During its annual meeting in April 2022, the IM Board approved three young adults (below) for two-year internships: Jacob and Hailee Voltz and Tyler Justice.

Jacob (TX) and Hailee (TN) received appointment for a two-year stint in Bulgaria. Jacob’s heart for the world expanded during participation in both ETEAM and CMP (student ministries sponsored by IM). As a result, he enrolled at Welch College as a business major with a minor in intercultural studies. Hailee enrolled at Welch as a biology major with the intent to pursue a medical career. Her involvement in CMP led her to focus on international ministry. Hailee and Jacob met at Welch and married in 2018.

Tyler (NC), approved for a two-year internship in France, graduated from Welch College in 2021 with a degree in international business. He served in France on ETEAM 2017 and CMP 2021, which solidified his interest in helping the French hear the gospel message. His focus will center on strengthening live-streaming of services; recording, editing, and posting YouTube content; and supporting Dennis Teague’s basketball camp ministry.
Interested in hearing from these or other interns and career missionaries? Contact IM at 877-767-7736 to schedule a stateside missionary for your church, camp, or group.

New IMpact Projects Designated

Antioch, TN—During its annual meeting the IM Board approved two new IMpact projects, one each for the newest partnership countries.

Bangladesh Word of Life churches, now affiliated with Free Will Baptists, plan to build a six-story conference center. IMpact Bangladesh Conference Center allots $165,000 to assist these churches in acquiring land and contstructing the ground floor of the building during their first phase of the project. The long-term goal is for the center to sleep 200 people, providing shelter for persecuted Christians. The center will also provide a base for Bible translation into local languages; a recording studio for newly translated Scripture; ongoing training of church planters; and a retreat/conference center for women, youth, and men’s events.

Pakistani Free Will Baptists’ ministry, headquartered in Lahore, extends across more than 1,200 miles. The funds for IMpact Pakistan Ministry Van ($29,500) will allow ministry to the 50 churches and house churches scattered throughout three provinces, delivering Bibles and Christian literature, as well as transporting training and evangelistic teams. The van will also be used to deliver supplies to Afghan refugees receiving help from FWB churches.

Funds are only disbursed once the project goal is met. IMpact projects receive designated funds via the GIVE tab on iminc.org or mail.

Snapshots Around the World

France—FWB churches in France gathered at the St. Nazaire church (above, left) the Monday after Easter for a joint service. Steve Riggs spoke and baptized Fanch, a lady from the Chateaubriant congregation. Almost 100 people attended and enjoyed a meal and fellowship following the service.

Bulgaria—On April 25, 2022, Tim and Lydia Awtrey left Svishtov with three tons of food for war-torn Ukraine (above, center). Accompanied by a Ukrainian refugee, they spent three days distributing food and medical supplies to seven villages and a hospital in the region of Mykolaiv.

Kenya—On Easter Sunday, April 17, 2022, Samburu congregations throughout Sesia gathered (above, right) for a joint celebration. The group celebrated the Lord’s Supper and Eddy Simmons ordained Francis Lekarkaraule, the first Samburu pastor in Sesia.