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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.

Turnbough Accepts CEO Position of ITA

Antioch, TN—Dr. Jeff Turnbough (pictured below, left), director of field operations, received a unanimous request from the council of International Training Alliance (ITA) to serve as CEO of the organization. During its December meeting the Free Will Baptist International Missions (FWBIM) Board voted to allow Jeff Turnbough “to serve as CEO while retaining his responsibilities with FWBIM as regional director of Europe and candidate shepherd, understanding that 40% of his salary compensation will be provided by ITA.”

International Training Alliance is a consortium of evangelical mission organizations begun in 1995. FWBIM has been a member since 2005. Other member organizations include General Baptists, Christian and Missionary Alliance, OM, Wesleyan Global Partners, Wycliffe Bible Translators, World Horizons, TentMakers USA, and Caleb New Zealand.

“Most mission organizations,” explains Turnbough, “do a good job of training workers in Bible, theology, methodologies, and cross-cultural missiology. We have not done as well with practical leadership skills: management, relationships, communication, public relations, personal life management, basic leadership skills, etc.”

ITA addresses these key areas through the Leadership Matters Course (LMC)—time-tested, practical knowledge presented in workshop format with ample opportunity for trainees to practice and develop skills. LMC training grew out of the Townsend Institute, a training program Wycliffe used with its missionaries.

More than 30 FWBIM personnel have benefitted directly from the courses. Jeff and Susan Turnbough serve as senior trainers, as does IM missionary Robert Bryan. Jeff and Robert have worked to translate the course into Spanish and French. More than 2,300 individuals from over 200 mission agencies have participated in the 75 courses held in at least 20 countries. Nine courses planned for 2015 will benefit workers in Cameroon, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Germany, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Turkey.

“We are honored to have Jeff chosen for such a significant role,” emphasized Director Clint Morgan. “His gifts and competencies qualify him to lead the LMC training program. We are blessed he can continue serving IM while also serving ITA and the greater Kingdom.”

Jeff will assume leadership of ITA January 1, 2016.

Photo: Jeff Turnbough, left; Mark McPeak, right.

McPeak Resigns to Pursue Entrepreneurial Goals

Antioch, TN—Mark McPeak (pictured above, right), director of advancement since February 2012, tendered his resignation from Free Will Baptist International Missions, effective December 31, 2014. Previously, McPeak served as director of communications (April 2005-April 2008) and deputy director of stateside operations (April 2008-February 2011) for the Mission.

During his tenure at IM, Mark helped develop strategies for communications, development, missionary stateside assignment, and other dimensions of the Mission’s stateside and home office operations. He led initiatives, provided focus, and supplied a strategic viewpoint in discussions. McPeak is leaving International Missions to pursue other business opportunities.

“I am truly sorry to see Mark leave. He is my good friend and brother. An African proverb comes to mind: Between true friends, even water drunk together is sweet. Mark is that kind of friend to me.” General Director Clint Morgan stressed, “I value his wisdom, marketing and business insight, and godly character. I am confident he is pursuing God’s heart and will, and wish him many blessings in his new path.”

Mark explained, “I was absolutely certain God led me to IM and have enjoyed every moment of my time here. As certain as I am that I was led to IM, I am equally sure it is His plan for me to leave.”

Through the years, Mark’s market research and business strategy acumen have proven vital to the Mission. He will continue to focus on these strengths as he engages in a joint-venture company to be launched in 2015.

Board Decisions 2014

Antioch, TN— The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions met December 9-11, 2014, in the Antioch, Tennessee, offices. Throughout the three-day session the board celebrated all God has done through the Mission in 2014, heard reports from the various departments, acted on proposals, and conducted general business.

The Mission’s financial outlook and budget occupied many hours of discussion and prayer. After much deliberation, the board adopted a 2015 budget of $6,255,000. Board members expressed great encouragement at the possibility of finishing 2014 in the black. “Except for 2012, which was full of anomalies,” stressed Chief Financial Officer Rob Conley. “It has been seven years since we’ve seen this possibility.”

The board approved “seconding Dr. Jeff Turnbough to International Training Alliance (ITA) to serve as chief executive officer while retaining his responsibilities with Free Will Baptist International Missions as regional director of Europe and candidate shepherd, understanding that 40% of his salary compensation will be provided by ITA.” The council of International Training Alliance, our partner organization, unanimously voted to invite Jeff, IM’s director of field operations, to be the CEO of the organization. General Director Clint Morgan presented this to the IM board and recommended joint employment.

“With Jeff’s transition and Mark McPeak’s recent resignation,” Clint Morgan stated, “we will see a bit of reorganization and revamping of roles in the office. While we will not seek to fill either of these director positions immediately, thankfully we have capable staff on hand to fill holes their absences will create.” Curt Holland, who was hired as cross-cultural ministries consultant for a 90-day period, will remain on staff and oversee short-term ministries for both IM and THP. Sam McVay, currently associate director of advancement, will serve as director of church relations.

All board members (Danny Williams, chairman, AL; Janice Banks, OK; Nelson Henderson, AR; Jeff Manning, NC: Greg McAllister, CA; Tom McCullough, MI; Jeff Nichols, TN; Robert Posner, TX; Mark Price, OH) were in attendance.

Snapshots Around the World

South Korea—Monday, November 3, 2014, Clint Morgan, Jeff and Susan Turnbough, Dale Bishop, and David Outlaw departed for South Korea to attend an international missions summit. The six-day event (November 4-9), organized by the Free Will Baptist Convention of South Korea, brought Korean international missionaries in from China, Pakistan, Indonesia, and Kenya. Leaders discussed ways for Free Will Baptists in the United States and Korea to collaborate in reaching Asia and other areas of the world with the gospel.

France—Four young adults were baptized Saturday, December 6, 2014, in France. Cyprien, Joel Teague’s best friend and extreme sports champion, became a Christian over a year ago. Marie and Agathe both accepted Christ in recent months as a result of the JPense events initiated by the Teagues. Timothée attends the St. Sébastien church. Many unchurched friends and family members attended the event. “Some were skeptical as they came,” wrote Lydie Teague, “but left wanting to read the Bible or come back for a JPense event.”

Bulgaria—Trif and Vanya Trifonov sponsored an international Christmas celebration in Varna, Bulgaria, December 4. Around 80 people from nine countries, mostly non-Christians, gathered in a restaurant. Various nationalities told how Christmas is celebrated in their home countries. They sang Christmas carols and brought traditional greetings. Trif explained the true reason for Christmas, read Scripture, and emphasized that the message of Christ’s birth transcends culture.