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 Women’s Center Dedicated

Bondoukou, Côte d’Ivoire—On Saturday, March 7, Women of the Good News in Ivory Coast, dedicated a new women’s center. The multiuse facility is designed to provide safe housing for schoolgirls from villages in the Bondoukou area as well as serve as an area for meetings, conferences, and retreats.

Nearly a thousand women converged from across the country to attend the momentous ceremony. All women in the Ivorian Free Will Baptist churches contributed to building the center. Free Will Baptist Foundation supplemented their donations with two grants totaling $100,000.

Representatives from the Foundation, WNAC, and IM (Clint and Lynette Morgan and Danny and Jackie Gasperson) traveled from the States to join local dignitaries and the Ivorian national association leaders.

IM Emphasizes Digtal Media

Antioch, TN—The IM Leadership Team (IMLT) determined it strategically important to increase the Mission’s communications focus on digital media and decrease the emphasis on the printed page. “Restructuring is nothing new to the world of organizations, businesses, and, yes, even mission agencies. In the realm of missions, the demand for change is constant,” stated General Director Clint Morgan.

The role of communications manager was dissolved and all communications consolidated under the department of church development. As a result, Deborah St. Lawrence, who served IM for almost 22 years, is no longer full-time at IM. “This was a tough decision for the IMLT,” Morgan stressed. “Not because it didn’t make sense, but because we knew what it meant for one of our team members.”

Morgan stated, “For over two decades, Deborah has waved her ’magic wand’ over IM publications and made them better. We extend our thanks to Deborah for her work at IM and in the Free Will Baptist denomination.” Deborah continues to serve IM as a freelance contractor for IM’s content in ONE Magazine.

ETEAM 2020 Canceled

Antioch, TN—In early April, Director of Mobilization Danny Gasperson announced, “After much fervent prayer, wise counsel, and careful research and deliberation, we made the difficult decision to cancel ETEAM for 2020 due to the high risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

Gasperson went on to say, “This decision was not easy to make. We value the opportunity ETEAM provides for us to interact with our wonderful high school students, but we love you too much to put your health and welfare at risk. We have delayed making this call as long as possible in hopes this crisis would pass quickly but unfortunately, that has not been the case.”
Students have three options:

1. Choose to participate in ETEAM 2021. Students selected for ETEAM 2020 will be given first priority for next year’s teams. Support raised this year will be applied to next year’s trip. Although students will need to submit a new application and references so records will be current, the application will receive first consideration. Destinations may change, but placement is secure as long as eligibility remains intact.

2. Choose to withdraw from the program and request a refund for the support raised. Students will only receive money they personally gave for their trip. Money donated by others will be returned to donors. By withdrawing, students forfeit their automatic selection for 2021’s ETEAM, though they may still apply for ETEAM 2021.

3. Seniors, graduating in 2020, have two options.

A. Remain with ETEAM 2021 and follow the guidelines of Option 1 above. Seniors choosing this option will be designated as student leaders of their assigned teams and assist adult team leaders.

B. Participate in either a CMP or THP trip. Seniors need to complete the appropriate applications for the program selected but will be given special consideration in the selection process. The student’s ETEAM account will be transferred to the CMP or THP account.

“We will be happy to work with students to help them make the best selection for their circumstances,” Danny asserted. “If a student fails to notify us of his or her decision by the application deadline for 2021, we will default to option 1. Anyone with questions, concerns, or needing help should not hesitate to contact me or ETEAM Coordinator Hanna Mott.”

They may be reached via email: danny@iminc.org or hanna@iminc.org.

Snapshots Around the World

Japan—Miriam Bishop (above) completed Japanese language school in February. 

Brazil—Nine young people were baptized in three churches in Brazil the first week of March. Pastor Elizeu Cantelmo at the First FWB Church in Araras baptized three students. Pastor Walter de Almeida at the Jardim Palmeiras FWB Church in Uberlândia baptized one youth. Pastor André Castro at the Nova Cidade FWB Church in Barbacena baptized five young people.

Japan—Miho Higashi shared her testimony on February 3 before Donnie McDonald baptized her at the Good News Chapel in Tokyo. Mr. Oshima, attending services for the first time after Rusty Carney’s invitation, heard the testimony. Rusty led him to the Lord and Mr. Oshima made a public declaration of faith February 11.

Spain—In the midst of the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, missionaries must find creative ways to minister. Tim and Kristi Johnson placed a sign on their balcony with an encouraging Scripture verse for those passing by to see.

Bulgaria—Josh and Lydia Provow adopted a Bulgarian four-year-old boy March 11. Pavel (Paul) had been abandoned at birth. (Pictured above, left, with his new family)

Brazil—On March 8, Clóvis and Cristina Leandro held a service celebrating International Women’s Day in the yard of their home in Boa Esperança in Alagoas, Brazil. Approximately 85 people from the community attended and three people made salvation decisions.

Japan—Hope Alive, a bilingual church plant in the greater Tokyo area of Japan, commemorated its first anniversary in January. Outreach activities—music meet ups, English Bible studies, community events, and children’s ministry—are meeting needs in the Tokorozawa area. Almost weekly, someone new was introduced to the gospel and accepted a Bible. In addition, the congregation celebrated six baptisms during the year.