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.

Eagleton Named Regional Director

Antioch, TN—The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions voted to appoint Kenneth Eagleton (pictured below with wife, Rejane) as regional director for Latin America during the December 4-7, 2012, meeting. The position was vacated when Stan Bunch resigned from missionary service in Panama in February of this year to take on the role of executive director of the Missouri State Association.

Director of Field Operations Jeff Turnbough commended Eagleton to the board citing his extensive intercultural service in both Côte d’Ivoire and Brazil, love of preparing others to lead, and vast training in biblical, intercultural, and medical studies.

Initially appointed as associate medical missionaries to Côte d’Ivoire in 1984, the Eagletons evacuated from Côte d’Ivoire with other missionaries in October 2002 as a result of an attempted coup d’état on September 19, 2002, and the resulting civil war.

After 18 years of ministry in Côte d’Ivoire, in April 2003 Kenneth and Rejane received permission to transfer to Brazil. Kenneth is the son of Ken and Marvis Eagleton, pioneer missionaries to Brazil. His wife Rejane is Brazilian and was saved as a result of Free Will Baptist missionary work. She received her American citizenship earlier this year. Married for 37 years, the couple has four sons and four grandchildren. Full article at fwbgo.com.

Panama Poised to Write New Chapter

Antioch, TN—Director of Field Operations Jeff Turnbough enthusiastically endorsed Panamanians’ announcement in early October that they are ready to write the next chapter in the book of Free Will Baptist history in Panama. “We needed to work through a host of details and insure Mission personnel and Panamanian leaders were on the same page,” Jeff said, “but we are setting the stage for a strategic and historic changing of the guard in Panama.”

“Leadership in Panama is mature and capable,” affirmed Steve Lytle, tenured missionary to Panama. “We give thanks to God for his faithfulness and blessing on our united efforts over the past 50-plus years. It is a good time to work in Panama.”

In consultation with missionaries and Panamanian leaders, Mission leadership has agreed to keep missionaries in Panama until January 2015. According to General Director Clint Morgan, “At that time, during the annual national convention, the Mission will officially hand over the work to the national church.”

Turnbough emphasized, “This is a new chapter in our on-going relationship with the Panamanian church, not the end of the book. We will return, at their request, to teach in the seminary and help with specific projects. We look forward to partnering with them to send workers to unreached peoples.”

Full article at fwbgo.com.

Panama Seminary Graduates Two

Chame, Panama—The seminary’s third graduation was held Saturday, December 1, 2012, at 4:00 p.m. with around 80 attending the festivities. Not only did two young ladies graduate from the three-year program, but three people also completed the yearlong Bible program. Another 12 people received certificates for completing the first level of the Saturday extension program. 

The speaker was Pastor Rolando Delgado, pastor of First FWB Church in Panama City and a part of the seminary since the first year in 2008.  He teaches homiletics, hermeneutics, and apologetics.

More news can be found at fwbgo.com/news.

Encouraging Year-End Board Meeting

Antioch, TN—The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions met December 4-7, 2012, at the National Office Building in Antioch, Tennessee. Throughout the three-day session the board heard reports from the various departments, acted on proposals, and conducted general business.

According to General Director Clint Morgan, “The board meeting this year was extraordinarily encouraging. We are truly privileged to have board members of this caliber. Each item on the agenda was handled with open hearts and minds, seeking to discern the best course of action. I believe we are unified in spirit and will continue to move forward together to reach the unreached. One thing for sure, I feel a whole lot better today than I did last year after the board meeting. Collectively, we can say praise the Lord and press on in anticipation of what He has in store for us.” 

On December 4, the candidate committee interviewed and approved Chris and Tori for a two-year term with The Hanna Project (THP). The couple will be mentored by Director of Field Operations Jeff Turnbough to smooth their transition to career missions service.

The candidate committee also met via SKYPE with Jacob and Sarah. The couple has been approved to serve as university English teachers in Asia with a partner organization. They requested and received affiliate status from the IM board.

A representative of a partner organization that sends English teachers into Asia made a presentation of the work they are doing. He invited board members to accompany him to Asia in May 2013.

The board approved six THP projects for 2013. Humanitarian and educational needs will be met in Bulgaria, Japan, Tajikistan, Côte d’Ivoire, Mongolia, and Panama.

Director of Advancement Mark McPeak recognized and thanked Heath and Joni (Thomas) Hubbard for their diligence, perseverance, and grace since approval as missionaries. Joni served with excellence as student services coordinator for six years. Over the last eight months, Heath has filled in as development manager in the office. “The Hubbards’ exemplary service is even more remarkable in light of their story. This time last year Heath and Joni had said their good-byes and packed their bags, ready to leave to begin their missionary careers,” McPeak explained. “At the eleventh hour they were told they could not leave and would need to go back on the road with their young family to continue raising funds. They responded with heavy, yet humble, hearts, doing all they were asked with great attitudes.” Heath and Joni plan to leave for Japan in mid-January 2013.

The board agreed that global fluctuations and Mission-centric adjustments indicate time for a strategic planning session. The board voted to extend the April board meeting by one day to meet with Mission and field leadership.

Rob Conley, director of financial operations, announced Cheri Ham’s promotion from financial operations supervisor to financial operations manager. “Cheri has carried a heavy burden through multiple personnel transitions and is a highly valued team member,” Rob said. “We are thrilled to validate her efforts through this promotion.”

The board voted to approve a $6.7 million budget for 2013. Although this reflects a half-million dollar increase from 2012, it is less than the initial framework budget adopted in April 2012 and approved by the National Association in July.

“The board’s decisions make it apparent that they are truly concerned about the well being of our IM personnel and the national brothers and sisters where we serve,” Morgan stated. “They see the big picture and are willing to take the bold steps necessary to move our IM ministries to the next phase.”

All board members (Danny Williams, AL; Jeff Manning, NC: Mark Price, OH; Nelson Henderson, AR; Rob Morgan, TN; Greg McAllister, CA; Tom McCullough, MI; Brad Ransom, OK; Janice Banks, OK) were in attendance.