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.

Panama Seminary Property Paid Off

Chame, Panama— International Missions made the fifth of five $50,000 payments to New Tribes Mission for the seminary property in Panama in October 2010. The property (pictured below) has proven a wise investment, serving not only to educate young people for effective ministry, but also providing a retreat, conference location, youth camp, and general meeting space for Free Will Baptists in Panama.

Currently, 11 students are enrolled. Three students are schedule to graduate with their three-year diploma on January 8, 2011.

IM Ambassadors Celebrate Five-Year Anniversary, Set WMO Goal for 2011

Antioch, TN—Ambassadors for Free Will Baptist International Missions gathered in Antioch September 13-14 to celebrate the five-year success of the ambassador program and plan WMO initiatives for 2011.

During a celebratory dinner on September 13, Director of Development Barry Simpson honored seven five-year ambassador veterans: Earnie Deeds, Galen Dunbar, Fred Hersey, Norman Richards, David Shores, Henry VanKluyve, and Rodney Yerby.

Simpson stated, “The Ambassador team is the driving force behind the success of the WMO. Since the inception of the program, their influence has tremendously impacted the funding of global evangelism.”

Since the program was established in the fall of 2006, the WMO has experienced ever-increasing momentum. Through the combination of the Go10: Walk for the World project and the 2010 WMO, Free Will Baptists came incredibly close to raising one million dollars for overseas evangelistic efforts in 2010. This led the ambassador team to set the 2011 World Missions Offering goal at $650,000.

The 2011 ambassador team members and the states in which they will promote the WMO are Jimmy and Janie Aldridge—Alabama, Florida; Earnie and Jean Deeds—Arkansas, Oklahoma; Galen and Barbara Dunbar—South Carolina; Fred and June Hersey—Alabama, Georgia; Tom and Nancy Hughes—Arizona, Idaho, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Northwest District; Mark and Deanna Price—Kentucky, Ohio; Norman and Bessie Richards—Arkansas, Kentucky; David and Pat Shores—Illinois; Jim and Vicki Sturgill—West Virginia; Henry and Virginia VanKluyve—Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee; Earl and Debbie White—West Virginia; and Rodney and Mary Yerby—Alabama.

JCrois Urges Hardcore Discipleship

France—JCrois (I Believe), the annual youth event in Nantes, held October 30-31 “was one of the best” according to Dennis Teague. God’s hand was evident in every detail, from early completion of preparations to the record attendance. Dany Hameau, the president of the Federation of Evangelicals in France, was the featured speaker. He delivered straight-forward teaching from the Sermon on the Mount, reinforcing this year’s theme, “Being a Disciple Hardcore.”

At least 10 people renewed their commitment to the Lord or accepted Christ as Savior on Sunday. The event is designed to encourage Christian young people in their faith, give them the tools to defend what they believe, and create opportunities to evangelize friends.

Snapshots Around the World

Spain—The Alpedrete congregation participated in a baby dedication service on Sunday, October 17. Sixty-one people filled the standing room only service.

Uruguay—Carlos Silvera was ordained to preach on Saturday, October 30. After serving several months as interim pastor of the Central Church in Rivera, he has been elected to pastor the church.

Brazil—The São José FWB Church in Campinas hosted a baptismal service for 23 people (17 from São José and six from Ouro Verde Mission) on Saturday, October 16. Four were married adults and the rest were adolescents, teens, or young adults.

Brazil—Hundreds of children heard the gospel during vacation Bible schools in Campinas in July. The First FWB Church had 90 children participate and São José FWB taught 520 children. The parents of one child accepted Christ as Savior during the closing program at São José and have faithfully followed through in the weeks since.

Panama—The Chitré FWB Church welcomed over 100 people, 48 of whom were unchurched couples to their “Cena de Amistad” (Friendship Dinner) on Saturday, August 21. A trailer for Fireproof was shown to promote a series of lessons/meetings on marriage. The movie Fireproof was shown August 24, with weekly follow-up sessions.

Bulgaria—The room for children’s ministry at the Good News FWB Church in Svishtov was woefully small for the number of children present each week. In October, a dilapidated storage room was renovated to provide a vibrant classroom for the eager students. The new classroom was unveiled on October 24. Funds for the renovation were supplied by First FWB Church in Washington, NC.

Côte d’Ivoire—The congregation in the village of Kouafo held an evangelistic campaign on August 27 and dedicated a new church building on August 28. The evangelistic campaign resulted in more than 50 people responding to the Christian film and preaching. Of those, 18 people have professed Jesus as Savior. Pastor Daniel Miazan and others from the Zanzan FWB Church in Bondoukou are discipling these new believers. A pastor is being sought for the church.

Brazil—More than 150 people celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the First FWB Church in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, on September 19. The pastor, Martin, recently resigned.

France—The St. Sebastien Church sponsored a vision retreat for the entire congregation September 25-26. The two-day retreat was designed to encourage believers; strengthen the bonds of unity; and provide productive, strategic planning for the coming year.

Brazil—The Ouro Verde FWB Church in Campinas, Brazil, hosted a buffet dinner for couples on Sunday, September 12. The event drew about 60 people, including unsaved friends of church members. Kenneth Eagleton spoke on “Resolving Conflicts in Marriage.”

Spain—On Sunday, September 5, Jhon Fredy Agreda, pastor of the Villalba FWB Church, baptized two people: Roberto and Patti.  

Panama—Paul and Chrissy Collins graduated from language school August 13 in Costa Rica. The family of five settled in Chame, Panama, for a few months of orientation and cultural adjustment. They plan to relocate early in 2011 and begin a new work in Santiago.