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

Tom Willey, Jr. With the Lord

Bronson, FL—Thomas H. Willey, Jr., 90, passed away at home in Bronson, Florida, January 31, 2023, surrounded by his children (Kathleen, Thomas, Elsbeth, and Laura) and wife of 44 years, Ethel.

Tom was born in High Point, North Carolina, July 13, 1932, to pioneer missionaries, Tom and Mabel (Pop and Mom) Willey. At age 13, Tom fell and was impaled on a wrought iron gate. The fall caused severe injuries, slicing his jugular vein. At one point, he had lost so much blood his medical team recruited inebriated, homeless men in Havana to donate blood for a fee. Through a multitude of miracles, and against all odds, Tom survived.

After graduating from Welch College, Tom married Emma Ruth in 1955. The couple moved to Cuba and taught at the Free Will Baptist seminary. While visiting the U.S. in 1960, the Bay of Pigs invasion occurred, and the Willeys were encouraged not to return to Cuba.

In 1962, the young family moved to Panama where Tom served as a bush pilot, and their ministry expanded into the rural areas of Panama. Though the couple lost an infant son and a 13-year-old daughter (Alicia), who died of cancer, they had two surviving children, Kathleen and Thomas, before Emma Ruth died from cancer herself. Tom continued serving with IM, Inc. until 1975.

Tom married Ethel in 1978. The two met while Ethel worked as a personal assistant to Tom’s mother Mabel. Settling in Miami, Florida, Tom worked as the executive director of the Miami office of World Relief. After retiring in 2003, the couple moved to Bronson, Florida.

Services were held at Iglesia Bautista Libre Ebenezer in Miami February 6, 2023. A graveside service and burial at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn North Park Cemetery followed. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations be made to Free Will Baptist International Missions at iminc.org/give or Haven Hospice at beyourhaven.org/donate.

Panama Free Will Baptists Celebrate 60 Years

Chame, Panama—Panamanian Free Will Baptists celebrated 60 years of organized ministry during their annual convention January 7-8, 2023 (a year late due to COVID). Attendees gathered on the seminary campus in Chame.

Business was conducted Saturday (pictured above), culminating in the elections of a new president and executive committee. Saturday evening, the group celebrated 61 years of ministry with music and presentations from various churches. A video recalled the history of the work. Former missionaries (Steve and Judy Lytle and Stan and Brenda Bunch), representatives from IM (Clint and Lynette Morgan, Kenneth Eagleton, and Jaimie and Tammy Lancaster) and national workers past and present were honored.

The recognition of current and former alumni and professors highlighted the important work of the seminary. Kenneth Eagleton reflects, “The seminary has had a huge impact on our work in Panama. Several of the current pastors, seminary teachers, and other leaders were trained at this school. At IM, we are convinced of the strategic nature of training local leaders for the sustainability, strong doctrinal base, and denominational loyalty of our leaders and churches. For this reason, we continue to partner with the Panamanian Association to ensure the continuity of this strategic ministry.”

Sunday morning offered adults a choice of three seminars and an activity for children before the main worship service.

Driscolls Approved for Career Missionary Service

Antioch, TN—December 20, 2022, the IM Board announced the approval of Brenton and Debbie Driscoll as career missionaries to Bulgaria. The couple will work in the Varna church while Brenton pursues intensive language learning.

The Driscolls have a strong passion for the people of Bulgaria, Debbie’s native country, where less than 1% of people have heard a concise presentation of the gospel.

Snapshots Around the World

Bulgaria—“Praise God for a great turnout for our discussion on God versus Science—An Artificially Created Conflict by Professor Todor Velchev,” Lydia Awtrey wrote. More than a hundred people filled city hall for this meeting.

Uruguay—January 29, Pastor Ismael de Olivera baptized three new believers (above) at the Cristo es el Camino FWB Church in Rivera, Uruguay.

Pakistan—A Christian security officer at an airport was threatened with a blasphemy charge after reprimanding a man for allowing an acquaintance’s vehicle through the security check without a pass. In security footage, he is allegedly seen saying he will contact the Mullahs, accuse her of blasphemy, and they will cut her up in little pieces. Kenneth Eagleton urges, “Pray for this officer and other Christians who risk their lives daily in this Islamic country.”

France—Matt Price and two men from the Nantes church (Fadoumi and Aymeric), traveled to Togo January 6-14 to investigate the possibility of holding a pastor training conference there later this year.

Cuba—Ten people were baptized (above) at the Good Samaritan FWB Church December 17, 2022.

Brazil—January 21, the First FWB Church in Campinas, Brazil, hosted a time of training and fellowship for everyone involved in some aspect of leadership. Thirty-five people attended.

India—Partners in India held a two-day continuing education training course for pastors in January. The group is working to complete a building for a training center.