CHE GRADUATE LEADS STUDENT TO CHRIST

Gouméré, Côte d’Ivoire—According to a communication from Debbie Anderson in Gouméré, Côte d’Ivoire, a recent graduate of the CHE (Community Health and Evangelism) training had opportunity to put his training into practice. Koffi, a maintenance worker and long-time member of the Gouméré FWB Church and CHE team member, accompanied Verlin Anderson to deliver a letter to a pastor on Sunday, February 13. The pair picked up a college student who was on his way home—a small village they would pass.

During the trip Koffi utilized his CHE training and his personal testimony to lead the young man to Christ. When the student returned to college he stopped in Gouméré to visit Koffi and confirm his commitment. The young man lives in the Abobo area of Abidjan. The pastor of the Abobo FWB Church will follow-up with this new convert.

BRAZILIAN CHURCH OPENS CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORE

Belo Horizonte, Brazil The FWB church in Belo opened a Christian bookstore in the church’s neighborhood four days before Christmas. The bookstore offers opportunities to meet people and discuss spiritual things. It also offers the church more visibility among their neighbors.

Kenneth Eagleton, missionary pastor of the church, indicates there are no other Christian bookstores on their side of town. Belo is home to more than four million people. The bookstore was opened without secured funding for lengthy operation. Kenneth and Rejane would like to see the bookstore become self-supporting soon.

VILLALBA YOUTH DONATE TO FOOD BANK

Villalba, Spain On Sunday, February 13, the Villalba youth Sunday school class had a Valentine’s party. Prior to the party the young people worked odd jobs to raise money. They used the money to buy food items to donate to a sister church with a social outreach ministry. “They bought a lot of food!” exulted missionary Jeff Turnbough.

Following their church services, the youth took the items they had purchased to the other church, met with church leaders, and prayed for God to bless the ministry.

CARNAVAL CAMPS WELL-ATTENDED

Brazil Christians in Brazil gathered for family retreats and camps during Carnaval (the Brazilian version of Mardi Gras). The Uberlândia camp was planned by the new Brazilian pastor, Rui, and had over 100 in attendance.

More than 180 people attended the retreat in São Paulo state. Bobby Poole indicated one person was saved and several made decisions during that camp gathering.

NINE CHURCHES, ONE MISSION HOST CHILDREN'S CRUSADE

Pinar del Rio, Cuba Nine churches and one mission work hosted a children’s crusade in the Pinar del Rio province February 9-13. The Thursday-Sunday events involved 16 crusade teachers and 27 helpers.

A total of 1,660 individuals attended at least one service. Children who did not regularly attend church outnumbered the churches’ children. At least 578 children made a profession of faith during the four-day crusade.

NORTH KOREA STILL NUMBER ONE

Santa Ana, CA Open Doors International, an evangelical mission group, has released it annual World Watch List. North Korea tops the list as the world’s worst persecutor of Christians. It is believed tens of thousands of Christians suffer in North Korean prison camps. According to Open Doors, at least 20 Christians were shot or beaten to death in 2004.

The following countries fill the other top-ten spots on the World Watch List consecutively: Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Laos, Iran, Maldives, Somalia, Bhutan, China and Afghanistan.

Free Will Baptists have or support ministries in countries rounding out the top 50: Cuba (26), Russian Federation (27), Tajikistan (28), Chiapas province of Mexico (31), India (34), and Nepal (35).

Open Doors estimates 200 million Christians throughout the world suffer persecution for their faith. Pray for those worldwide who face interrogation, arrest, torture and death because they are unwilling to deny Christ.

MISSIONARY RESIGNS TO CARE FOR PARENTS

Antioch, TN Lynn Midgett has submitted her resignation from the Board of FWB International Missions. Lynn has served in Spain since 1984. Growing concern for her parents’ health needs was cited as the main reason for her resignation. The recent changes in the Spain field strategy made the transition feasible at this time.

Steve Lytle, director of field operations, said, “We at Free Will Baptist International Missions are grateful to Lynn for her years of service in Spain. We praise the Lord for the lives she has impacted for the kingdom."

CUBAN SEMINARY GRADUATES EIGHT

Pinar del Rio, Cuba Eight students graduated from the new missions program at the Cedars of Lebanon Seminary in Pinar del Rio, Cuba, the end of February. Graduates will target the eastern part of the island nation. Free Will Baptist works have traditionally centered in the Pinar and Habana provinces in western Cuba. The eastern side of the island has very few evangelical works.

Eddie Bowerman entered Cuba at the end of January to teach a missions course. He and his missions students rejoiced that he was able to take 45 missions books through customs.

Ribeirão Preto, Brazil Luciano Saes de Oliveira graduated from the Bible institute in Ribeirão Preto with a Bachelor’s degree in theology on February 11. 2005. Bobby and Geneva Poole teach in the institute.

Villalba, Spain The Nehemiah Project has received another delay from the Glapagar city officials. The city sent a letter to missionary Jeff Turnbough with a list of five more things they want done before considering the request for a building permit. Jeff rejoiced over the spiritually mature response of Villalba church members to this new roadblock. “God will give us the permit when He knows we are ready to move forward,” a member affirmed.

NORTH INDIA CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

Sonapurhat, West Bengal, India North India Christians gathered for their annual conference March 17-20. IM th general director, pastor Gary Fry, Cameron Lane, and videographer Brian Ellison attended the conference. Over 3,000 Christians from North India, South India, and Nepal were present for the meetings.

On March 26, the four men traveled to Nepal and visited three of the 10 FWB churches in the Hindu nation. Representatives from six other churches also met with them.

Forlines, Lane, and Ellision also traveled into South India to meet with leaders, visit the churches, and tour the Volena Wilson Bible Institute in Tamil Nadu.

PRAYER SUMMIT 2005

Dickson, TN Eighty-three people from 12 states gathered March 31-April 2 for the second Prayer Summit at Camp Garner Creek Retreat Center.

Dr. Charles Shepson challenged attendees with his honesty and scriptural insight during plenary sessions. Three seminars were conducted, and IM staff member Doug Little discussed with attendees how to plan and incorporate a prayer calendar in the local church.

The primary emphasis of the retreat, however, was active, informed prayer. Attendees were guided to pray for the world, FWB missionaries, the nation, churches represented, and personal needs.

FRENCH BOOKSTORE CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY

Nantes, France The Christian bookstore in Nantes, France, celebrated its second anniversary in April.

According to Patsy Vanhook, from April 9-16, balloons and refreshments encouraged shoppers to enter the store. A contest for children was also promoted. Children were invited to illustrate the true meaning of Easter.

CUBAN PASTOR FACES DIFFICULTIES IN SPAIN

Colmenar Viejo, Spain Pastor Juan Carlos, who has begun a new work in the Colmenar Viejo pueblo, indicates he and his family are experiencing pressure on several fronts. The same company employs several members of the family. Each one is experiencing unprecedented work loads. It appears the company owners are unhappy about “supporting” evangelical Christians. On a recent Sunday Juan Carlos worked until 2:30 p.m. He then taught Bible institute classes to believers at 4:00, taught Sunday school at 5:00 and preached at 6:00 p.m.

The Cuban pastor also paid more than $1,000 for paperwork to certify his Cuban university degree in Spain only to have the Spanish Ministry of Education reject his request.

Eleven believers signed a paper requesting charter membership in the new church on March 13. Juan Carlos believes God is blessing their efforts in spite of the difficulties.

NANTES OUTREACH YIELDS DECISIONS

Nantes, France Alain Stamp, a French evangelist, spoke in the Nantes FWB Church March 10-12. “The house was full Friday and Saturday night,” wrote Patsy Vanhook. In addition to the evangelist’s messages, there were short theatrical presentations and choir performances. Patsy indicated salvation decisions were made as a result of the services.