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.

E-TEAM 2015

Antioch, TN—Eleven teams of students deployed to assist missionaries and national workers in nine countries in June. Team leaders arrived for training on June 9; student training began June 11.

After days packed with music and mime practice, learning to make balloon animals and paint faces, Bible and cross-cultural training, teambuilding skills, and much more, the teams departed for approximately ten days of ministry.

Teams served in Chicago, Illinois; Cuba; France; Haiti; Hokkaido, Japan; Jaboticabal, Brazil; Kazakhstan; Limeira, Brazil; Panama; Spain; and Tokyo, Japan. All teams returned to Nashville for debriefing and closing ceremonies July 1.

E-TEAM is a cross-cultural summer ministry opportunity for students completing grades 10-12.

Alpedrete’s Journey Off the Map

Alpedrete, Spain—The Alpedrete Church’s VBS theme “Journey off the Map” explored Bible lessons demonstrating how Daniel and his three friends followed God. During the daily opening assembly, a mission’s moment focused on the hospital in Doropo, Côte d’Ivoire, founded by missionary Dr. Laverne Miley. Dr. Miley (performed by Anthony Edgmon as pictured below) visited one day, giving students more insight about the hospital.

Forty-four children (18 from unchurched families) filled the off-the-map territory during the week, with an average of 38 kids per day.

Eight volunteers team-taught the Bible class, snack time, craft time, and music time. Four other people served as the director, mission’s moment leader, decorations coordinator, and “Mike”—who visited at the end of each day to remind the kids of the truth discovered that day. Four teens led the groups to each activity and ran the store where children bought prizes with the coins they earned for good behavior and participation.

During the week and in the closing service, children and adults contributed offerings to help with the much-needed renovations of the Doropo hospital and purchasing more equipment. Anthony Edgmon wrote, “We were thrilled to collect over 650€ (over $700) to help our Free Will Baptist brothers and sisters in Christ who work at the Doropo hospital. We were also thrilled to have several of the children and some of their family members who don’t attend church visit for the closing program. Pray these children and their parents will rely on Christ as their Guide and Savior."

General Director Publishes First Book

Antioch, TN—General Director Clint Morgan, well known for interjecting African proverbs into sermons, speeches, and ordinary conversations, published his first book in July. Fittingly, African Proverbs: Wisdom Without Borders features 30 African proverbs and their application to everyday life.

The beautifully illustrated book, published by Randall House, contains art reminiscent of the African savannah. Books may be ordered from International Missions (www.fwbgo.com).

Costa Rica Leadership Matters Course 2015

Costa Rica—The 2015 Leadership Matters Course (LMC) in Costa Rica was held May 10-23. The training team arrived Thursday, May 7, to invest two days in pre-course preparation.

The course venue was the La Montaña Christian Camp, close to San Ana, Costa Rica. Located in the mountains in a tropical cloud forest, it is a two-hour drive from the capital city of San José. The sponsoring mission was Christian and Missionary Alliance of Canada. Ten people formed the training team. Jeff Turnbough served as lead trainer.

The 28 participants (pictured above) represented 14 countries, eight nationalities, and eight mission organizations.

Brazil Leadership Workshop

Ribeirão Preto, Brazil—The fourth Leadership Workshop, sponsored by the Alliance of Free Will Baptist Churches of Brazil, occurred July 3-4, 2015, at the Marincek FWB Church in Ribeirão Preto. Leaders discussed the family—its biblical definition and the challenges to the family the Church faces. “It was a valuable time of reflection and sharing of experiences, preparing our church leaders to deal with the increasing disintegration of the family,” stated Kenneth Eagleton.

Two additional Free Will Baptist churches joined the Alliance, bringing the total to eight. During the workshop, the women held a Women’s Conference with Rejane Eagleton as the speaker.

Snapshots Around the World

States—Lázaro and Ariadna Riesgo (pictured below, center) arrived in the United States July 10. After four days in Miami, Florida, with family and friends, they landed at Nashville International Airport July 14, in time to attend the National Association in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The couple, serving as educational specialists for Latin America, will be based in Nashville, Tennessee. In the midst of all the changes, Lázaro says, “In His lap there is peace and joy.”

Brazil—To reach a larger number of students, the Bible institute in Campinas established decentralized teaching points. The newest class at Marabá FWB Church in Araras attracted 12 students for an Old Testament Survey series of classes. Though more demanding on professors (teaching the same class multiple times in multiple locations), it allows a greater number of Free Will Baptist people to be trained.

Panama— The FWB Church in Colón, Panama (pictured below), celebrated its 39th anniversary over the weekend of June 12-14. Situated near the Caribbean Sea entrance to the Panama Canal, Colón is the capital of Colón Province.

Japan—Ken and Judy Bailey arrived in the States July 1. They will serve as missionaries-in-residence at Hillsdale FWB College in Moore, Oklahoma, for the 2015-16 school session.

Bulgaria—Trif and Vanya Trifonov and their three children (Deborah, Monika, and Stefan) arrived in the U.S. June 29, and spent two months visiting churches and building relationships with supporters. Stefan found time to compete in Music and Arts competition in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he won his category.

Japan—On June 14, baby Yuki was dedicated at Kamifukuoka Christ Church. His grandparents and aunt (all believers) were able to attend the service. Heath Hubbard provided the introduction, Josh Crowe brought the message, and Ken Bailey performed the dedication ceremony. After the service, everyone enjoyed a fellowship meal.

Panama—Efraín González, pastor of Las Tablas Church in Panama, baptized four people June 28 (below).

Bulgaria—Seven children from the Svishtov English clubs joined missionary kids and New Life Church children to learn about Jesus throughout a week of camp. Amy Postlewaite said, “God allowed us to have some meaningful, gospel-centered conversations with some of the parents who were in attendance as well.”