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.

Profitable Year-End IM Board Meeting

Antioch, TN—The Board of IM, Inc. met in a year-end session December 11-12, 2019, in the Antioch, Tennessee, office.

Candidate shepherd Neil Gilliland brought five couples and two single adults to the board for interviews. “Praise the Lord,” IM Board Chairman Jeff Manning exulted. “He’s still calling people into His harvest, and humble servants are still answering that call.” Following interviews, the board:

• Appointed David (Kentucky) and Myriam Reeves (France) as career missionaries to France. David and Mimi recently completed their two-year internship and will continue working with the JPENSE team in France.
  

• Approved Ken and Jayne Cash (North Carolina) as two-year interns to Bulgaria.
  

• Approved Adam and Carol Duncan (Missouri) to work with our partner ministry, Jungle Kids for Christ in Ecuador. They will serve as short-term interns as a counselor and nurse, respectively.
  

• Approved Walt Schorsack, Jr. (Oklahoma) as a two-year intern to Japan.
  

• Approved Sam and Lauren Riggs (Tennessee) as two-year interns serving in Spain.
  

• Approved Annabelle Ellis (Tennessee) as a two-year intern to Tokyo, Japan.
  

• Approved Joshua and Bethany (Tennessee) as two-year interns with The Hanna Project in Spain.
  

• Extended Victoria Little’s internship status for one year. Victoria recently completed her internship in Kenya and will use the next year to assist IM’s mobilization department with College Missions Programs (CMP), developing discipleship programs, recruiting, and investing in the lives of college students interested in missions.
  

“I am truly thankful,” General Director Clint Morgan expressed, “for an amazing board that comprehends the urgency of the task and the necessity of sending out qualified missionaries.”

The board approved a budget of $10.5 million for 2020 including operational ministries, IMpact projects, The Hanna Project trips and projects, and potential new candidates.

All board members (Jeff Manning, chairman, NC; Jeff Nichols, vice-chairman, TN; Mark Price, secretary, OH; Janice Banks, TX; Casey Cariker, OK; Will Harmon, AR; Cameron Lane, AR; Darren Walker, NC; and Rodney Yerby, AL) participated in the meeting.

Snapshots Around the World

Japan: The Iriso Christ FWB Church in Tokyo, Japan, begun by Fred and Evelyn Hersey, celebrated its 50th anniversary in November (below). Pastor Kiyoshi Kojima and his wife Miho lead this congregation.

Brazil: Three adults and a child were baptized Sunday, October 27, at Marincek FWB Church in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil.

Bulgaria: Jonathan and Amy Postlewaite secured a new meeting space in Pleven, Bulgaria, for services and other events. The space was dedicated November 24 with a good attendance. The crowd included several believers with no church home, one family from the village of Odarne, and at least seven not-yet-believers.

India: Carlisle Hanna reported many people were immersed in October and November.

Côte d’Ivoire: The Tiassalé congregation has a new roof on their building. Funds for the World Missions Offering provided the roofing after the congregation built the church.

Spain: THP workers in Southern Spain hosted a community Thanksgiving event on Wednesday, November 27. They fed many immigrant families.

France: Joel and Lydie Teague and David and Mimi Reeves hosted an English-speaking Thanksgiving party at their new church plant in La Haie Fouassière, France, on November 30. Forty-five people, most of them not-yet-believers, attended the outreach event.

Japan: Mrs. Ouga, an elderly lady in the Abishiri church in Japan, hosts a monthly “Curry Club” in her home for neighbors (below). Nathan Snow conducts a Bible study during the time. One neighbor, a 93-year-old woman, has begun attending church as a result.

Côte d’Ivoire: The women of Yopougon FWB Church in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, held a three-day retreat October 31 through November 2 to refresh, strengthen, and encourage believers.

Japan: A young lady was baptized at the Hope Alive church plant in the Tokorazawa area of Tokyo, Japan, December 1.

France: Jonathan and Michelle Chereau began a new children’s ministry—English story time with activities—as a way to reach families in the community around the St. Sébastien church.

Samburu: Eddy and Amanda Simmons returned to the States in December for a 10-month stateside assignment. In their absence, Jackson leads the ministry and disciples men. Frances and Leodip are leading four worship groups. Eunice continues discipling women and children.

Côte d’Ivoire: The Nassian Free Will Baptist congregation celebrated 50 years of faithful ministry in November 2019. The church, begun by Frank and Marie Cousineau, is pastored by Pastor Edmond Kouadja.

France: The St. Nazaire church hosted a Thanksgiving service and meal Sunday, December 1. Around 90 people, 15 more than the 75 they’d prayed for, stayed for the meal.

Kazakhstan: Kazakhs have a complete translation of the Bible in their heart language (above). IM played a small role in providing both the initial translation (2011) and this updated version. Some funding for this revision was provided through gifts to the World Missions Offering. Having Scripture in the language of the people means anyone has access to read it and understand.