news around the world Free Will Baptist International Missions 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 Free Will Baptist International Missions, visit www.fwbgo.com.

Women Distribute Christmas Joy

Almaty, Kazakhstan The Joy of Christmas Team, comprised of nine members of Women Nationally Active for Christ and two missionaries, were privileged to literally place hundreds of Bibles in the hands of Central Asia’s children. The children—mostly poor, diseased or handicapped, and/or orphaned—were wide-eyed, expectant, and dressed in their best. Ear-to-ear smiles spread across their faces as they eagerly but patiently waited to receive their gifts—gifts provided through Women Active for Christ groups across America.

Through drama, song, storytelling, crafts, and visual aids, the story of Christmas was shared again and again—in a TB hospital, an AIDS hospital, boarding schools, orphanages, a blind association, individual homes of the severely handicapped, and even in churches where the poor were invited to come.

The women logged 16,000 air miles, battled sleep deprivation, trekked dozens of miles in the snow, packaged over 900 gift bags, and broke into teams to distribute them across the city. Bags contained a Bible and other Christian literature, a toy, some candy, and needed toiletry items.

More than $41,000 was funneled through the Christmas Joy Project and sent to Kazakhstan ahead of the team to purchase gift items. Thousands more bags were assembled by Bible Mission workers and distributed in other, less accessible Central Asian countries.

Awtrey’s Commissioned, Depart

Stockton, California The Discovery FWB Church in Stockton, CA, hosted the commissioning service for Tim and Lydia Awtrey, Saturday, February 3. The 6:00 p.m. service attracted almost 250 people.

Dean Long, chairman of the State Missions Board; CA State Director of Ministries Randy Williams; and Charles Harris, pastor of Turlock FWB Church, gave greetings. Numerous musical selections by the church choir highlighted the evening’s events.

Pastor Matt Upton preached a challenging message. Utilizing the story of Zacchaeus, he told the missionary couple he wanted to hear “rumors like those spread about Jesus. I want to hear you are in the houses of sinners, not sitting comfortably with a handful of Christians.”

Kevin Kellum, Discovery’s missions pastor, delivered the charge to the church. Tim’s grandfather, Floyd Moss, prayed for the family and their ministry in Bulgaria. IM General Director James Forlines followed with the charge to Tim and Lydial and commissioned the couple for ministry in Bulgaria. The church family gathered around to lay hands on the couple as Wendell Walley (President of California Christian College) led the commissioning prayer. Tim, Lydia, Yanna, and Alex departed for Bulgaria on March 3.

A Strategic Retreat

Hokkaido, Japan Nine Japan missionary families gathered for five days of spiritual and physical refreshing January 25-29.

Field chairman Nathan Snow commented, "In our effort to win the war (against spiritual forces), retreating should not only remain an option, but should probably be a consistent part of our battle plan."

Missionaries assembled at a youth hostel well known for tasty meals and comfortable accommodations. Skiing, snowboarding, and playing board games provided physical exercise and fellowship. A six-part video Bible study entitled "God is Closer Than You Think" offered spiritual invigoration. "Pray for us as we return to our battle stations," says Nathan.

Read more about the work of Free Will Baptist International Missions in Japan.

Save-A-Life II

Côte d’Ivoire A 40-member team led by The Hanna Project Executive Director Mike Cousineau ministered in the northern portion of Côte d’Ivoire February 13-21. The group divided into teams performing surgeries, examining eyes and dispensing glasses, operating health clinics, and sponsoring soccer camps. The various health services were advertised in advance of the team’s arrival and many people pre-registered for them, some traveling many hours to receive help.

Ivorian pastors accompanied health workers and coaches for evangelistic outreach of the groups gathered for the clinics. Missionaries Jerry and Carol Pinkerton, Verlin and Debbie Anderson, Alice Smith, and Clint and Lynette Morgan provided logistical aid and participated to varying degrees. Teams performed over 50 surgeries, dispensed more than 900 pairs of glasses, and distributed 15,000 hygiene and 6,000 first-aid kits during the seven days. Approximately 20,000 people hear the gospel.

According to Clint Morgan, "Literally hundreds responded to the call to follow Christ. in one case, the chief of the village stood and stated his whole village would become Christian." Ivorian pastors and lay people will follow up on each decision and provide discipleship for the converts.

The Hanna Project’s Save-A-Life II stated objective was to provide help through first aid kits, instill hope through proper training and understanding of first aid and simple hygiene, and bring healing through proper medications and surgeries.

Village Outreach

Chitré, Panama The Good News FWB Church in Chitré, Panama, sponsored an evangelistic campaign in the small, mountain village of El Capurí on February 2-4. The team showed two evangelistic films, presented several personal testimonies, and preached a gospel sermon.

Located two hours from Chitré, the town is accessed by a steep, rugged road. An elderly member of the community indicated this was the first evangelistic outreach the town has received.

The members of the Good News Church began praying for the village over a year ago, following the conversion of a young man from the village. The church team hopes to return on a monthly basis, with a long-term goal of planting a church in the village.

Secrets of True Love Shared

Alpedrete, Spain The fledgling church in Alpedrete, Spain, sponsored a Café y Algo Más (Coffee and Something More) at the Hotel Sierra Real on Saturday, February 10. Drawing on Valentine’s Day, the theme was “Secrets of True Love.”

“Almost every seat was filled,” wrote Kristi Johnson. According to Anthony and Lea Edgmon, of the 36 attendees at least 13 were unbelievers. Two Christian couples, interviewed about their marriages, shared biblical insights into overcoming difficult times and how God has blessed their marriages.

Celebrate With Us

Antioch, Tennessee According to Communications Director Mark McPeak, IM will host a celebratory banquet during the National Association of FWB in Little Rock, AR. Stateside missionaries and multimedia presentations will highlight what God is doing around the world at the banquet slated for 5:00 p.m., on Tuesday, July 17. Guests will hear current stories from our fields while sharing dinner with members of the Mission family.

“We could not do what we do without the support of so many people,” says General Director James Forlines. “This celebration is an opportunity for us to enjoy a delicious banquet meal, and then hear and see what God is doing through Free Will Baptists. I wish everyone could be there.”

A limited number of seats are available. Tickets may be purchased ($30 each) during pre-registration for the National Association, or by contacting Kiley Hawkins (kiley@fwbgo.com; 615-760-6120).