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.

Chitré Church Celebrates 10 Years

Panama—The Good News Free Will Baptist Church in Chitré, Panama, celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2015. Stan Bunch, David Beltz, Derek Terry, and Zach Williams (all of Missouri) attended the four-day celebration. Representatives from churches around the country joined in the celebration, some traveling as much as four hours to participate.

Stan Bunch and his wife Brenda were appointed as career missionaries to Panama in 1983. They began the Good News Church during their final years as missionaries to Panama. They initiated English classes, a hospital ministry, and a ministry to university students to start the new church.

Stan also mentored several local pastors and their families. After 28 years, the Bunches resigned from the Mission to begin serving Free Will Baptists in Missouri, where Stan is promotional director for the Missouri State Association.

The Bunches began a history of replication in Panama that continues. Good News has mothered several other churches and is still planting new churches. Stan and Brenda instilled the principle of Philippians 3:17 into the DNA of the church: “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.”

Trip participant Zach Williams stated, “The example set by Stan and Brenda and the Good News Church is an example for all our Free Will Baptist churches to follow.”

Panama Convention News

Chame, Panama—The annual convention of the National Association of Free Will Baptist Churches in Panama met January 9-10, 2016, on the campus of the seminary in Chame, Panama.
Convention highlights include:

• A Friday evening preconvention seminar for pastors by Pastor Gabriel Pérez.
  

• Three simultaneous seminars (workshops) supporting the convention theme “My Family, My Responsibility.”
  

• Separate activities for the children.

• Former missionary Steve Lytle’s sermon from Deuteronomy 6 (D6) yielded a number of people committing to disciple their families.
  

• Panamanian men initiated the creation of a men’s organization, much like Master’s Men, and elected three men to oversee
  the effort.

• Regional Director Kenneth Eagleton met with the executive committee establishing International Missions’ primary partnership role in 2016 as training leaders at the seminary.
  

Two Former Missionaries With the Lord

Antioch, TN—Two women who ministered in France and have long battled health issues died recently. Mrs. Billie Sexton (pictured below, left), 81 years old, was released from her earthly struggles December 20, 2015. She and her husband Don (deceased December 1997) served in France 1971-1979. Due to health problems, the Sextons did not return to France after their second term. Instead, they became avid and active missionary representatives traveling throughout the States to raise awareness and funds for missions. Their efforts live on in Tennessee through the Don and Billie Sexton Walk-a-Thon that raises thousands of dollars annually.

After years of declining health and battles with Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, cancer, and other ailments, Miss Dawn Sweeney (pictured above, right) passed away on January 5, 2016. The 57-year-old served in France from 1983-1991. After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, she resigned to pursue treatment. Although her health continued to decline, Dawn sought to serve others and share the gospel in a variety of ways over the years.

Snapshots Around the World

Bulgaria: Twenty-five ladies (pictured below) attended the first women’s conference sponsored by New Life Church in Svishtov, Bulgaria, January 22-23. About half of these women do not know Christ. The women enjoyed making crafts, fun time laughter, and hearing Bible lessons emphasizing how they can have peace in stressful times.

Bulgaria: Jonathan and Amy Postlewaite and daughters, Anna and Jonna, left Svishtov, Bulgaria, February 9, for a six-month stateside assignment. They plan to begin a new work in Pleven, less than 50 miles southwest of Svishtov, upon their return to Bulgaria in the fall.
 
France: Steve Riggs returned to France in February after almost a year of stateside assignment. The Riggs work with a church plant in Châteaubriant, a town with no other evangelical witness.

Bulgaria: Tim and Lydia Awtrey concluded a 12-week Bible study for seekers in January. Of the five women attending, all want to continue studying the Bible. One woman said she was ready to accept Christ as Savior.
 
Japan: Dale and Sandra Bishop arrived in the States in March for a six-month stateside assignment. The Bishops, working as missionaries to Japan for more than 40 years, serve primarily in Hokkaido. As regional director for Asia, Dale also oversees the work in South Korea and India.

Côte d’Ivoire: In December, at least 17 people were baptized in Free Will Baptist churches in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. Eight believers were baptized in Angaye (Doropo). Pastor George Tah baptized three young ladies in Bouaké. Pastor Samuel Kaibio of the Shalom FWB Church (Angré) in Abidjan baptized six people.

Uruguay: Saturday, December 12, the Melo Church celebrated its 25th anniversary. The church began in a home and eventually moved to its present location. Pastor Julio Figueroa and his family have served the congregation for seven years. A full house and 95-degree temperatures provided a “warm” reception. Free Will Baptist churches from Rivera and Montevideo were represented as well as several local congregations. The service was a celebration of the work done in the past as well as anticipation for the future.