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.

Ivorian Pastors' Retreat

Koauafo, Côte d’Ivoire—Thirty-five pastors and a few wives gathered April 10-13, 2018, for the annual pastors’ retreat in the village of Kouafo-Akidom in northeastern Ivory Coast. Leaders invited Kenneth Eagleton, IM’s director of field partnerships, to serve as the retreat speaker. Pastor Thomas Appiah, the Ivorian association’s missionary to Ghana, was also present.

Deliberate times of prayer punctuated teaching sessions on spiritual gifts and discussion of ministry-related issues. The group celebrated the Lord’s Supper and feet-washing as well.
Kenneth and his wife Rejane served 18 years as missionaries
in Côte d’Ivoire prior to the civil war in 2002.

Sarah Mayhew With the Lord

Antioch, TN—Former missionary to Côte d’Ivoire Sarah Mayhew joined her Savior May 23, 2018. Her family surrounded the 91-year-old as she transitioned to life eternal.

Appointed to missionary service in July 1963, Sarah and her husband Archie (deceased October 26, 1997) departed for language school in Lausanne, Switzerland, in September 1964 and arrived in Ivory Coast a year later.

The Mayhews began efforts in Bondoukou, planting a church that continues to serve the community. They moved frequently, filling in for other missionaries on stateside assignment. Later the couple focused on village evangelism, beginning churches in Tanda and several other villages. Discipleship and developing local leadership became priorities for the prolific evangelistic couple.

They began a youth center/reading room ministry in Tanda, working with high school students.
Once the couple returned to the States (1981), Sarah served beside her husband in the pastorate. They were married almost 53 years.

General Director of International Missions Clint Morgan wrote, “What an absolutely great woman of God! She and Brother Archie were shining examples of dedicated ministry during their time in Côte d’Ivoire.”

Pastor Tim Rolen officiated a memorial service June 9, 2018, in Hughson, California.

Snapshots Around the World

Japan: Representatives from Japan Free Will Baptist churches gathered April 28-29, 2018, at Koinonia FWB Church in Nopporo, Japan, for their annual meeting. Three messages from Leviticus, fellowship, and breakout sessions highlighted the two-day gathering. Pastor Keiichi Kimura was installed as the new executive secretary for the association.

Japan: Judy Bailey (pictured above with the children) rejoiced in the graduation of 22 preschoolers from her Mommy and Me classes at Kamifukuoka Christ Church in Tokyo, Japan, early this year. The children, who moved to a traditional Japanese kindergarten, represent 20 families who need Christ. A new class with six moms and children began in April.

France: The JPense event on April 27 attracted around 170 people, including a number of nonbelievers. Joel Teague's message shared the truth of the Word of God.

Brazil: The Marincek FWB Church in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, held its annual mother-daughter banquet Saturday, May 12. Around 80 people registered for the event.

Bulgaria: Josh and Lydia Provow and their children bought a house in Shumen in May. They began living in an apartment in June while the house, which will serve as both a home and a meeting place, is renovated.

Japan: Two churches in Hokkaido each baptized two new believers Easter Sunday. Two boys were baptized at the Koinonia Church and a mother and her daughter were baptized at Miharashidai.

Spain: The Alpedrete Church hosted an evangelistic event called Café Concierto (Coffee Concert) May 19. A guest Christian songwriter (pictured above) wove his testimony through the songs, delivering a message of hope and salvation to 76 people, including 18 unchurched people. The church youth group served coffee, tea, croissants, and cinnamon rolls to the guests.