news around the world

IM 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 IM, visit www.IMINC.org

Maternity Ward at Doropo Renovated

Doropo, Côte d'Ivoire, West Africa—When Dr. LaVerne Miley arrived in Doropo with his family 59 years ago, people had no access to medical care in the northeastern corner of Ivory Coast, Africa. That part of the country also had no known Christians and was steeped in spirit worship.

Construction immediately began on a medical clinic, funded by American Free Will Baptists. In the meantime, Dr. Miley treated patients under a tree. The clinic was built and thrived as a rural hospital with a good reputation throughout the country. Decades later and still staffed by Free Will Baptists, the clinic and hospital have ongoing needs for repairs, updating, and expansion of its buildings and equipment.

The maternity wing saw the most recent renovation. A small inaugural program was held February 1. The quality care women receive at the hospital and the growth of the population have led to a sharp increase in the number of deliveries performed there. In 2019, 928 babies were delivered at the hospital. The prior two years, medical personnel delivered 716 (2017) and 811 (2018) babies demonstrating an average annual growth of approximately 14%.

Dr. Kenneth Eagleton, a former physician at the hospital, wrote, “We are certainly grateful for all who have contributed to the IMpact IC Miley Project, established to help with renovations to the hospital facilities and upgrades in the medical equipment. Your contributions make it possible for women to deliver children safely, newborn lives to be saved, and patients to hear the gospel while in the hospital. We have been able to help BERACA (the NGO that manages the hospital) construct a new infirmary and now renovate the maternity. Upgrades to the hospital will continue as the Lord provides the funds.”

Meeting medical needs softens the hearts of the peoples of the region. Nearly six decades since the hospital opened, this area represents some of the most fruitful growth of FWBs in the country.
To give online, visit pushpay.com/g/imimpactprojects and choose “IMpact Ivory Coast Miley Project” under the fund dropdown menu. Checks may be mailed to IM, Inc. (P.O. Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002) with “IMpact Ivory Coast Miley Project” on the memo line.

IM Shifts Personnel Roles

Antioch, TN—Clint Morgan recently indicated several IM staff members transitioned to new roles. Director of Member Care Neil Gilliland’s position expanded to include mobilization. Effective immediately, Neil will lead ETEAM (high school students) and CMP (short-term college teams and college interns/overseas apprentice) programs.

Danny Gasperson will focus full-time on the role of director of THP. Danny said, “I am looking forward to devoting all my time to THP to continue providing help, hope, and healing to
hurting people. I want to see THP grow and expand our influence in the world.”

Clint Morgan affirmed, “When we hired Danny, we knew his passion was THP. Now that THP is his main focus, we greatly anticipate seeing what God will do through him.”

Leslie Nichols, who served as assistant to the mobilization director, transitioned laterally to college (CMP/OA) coordinator. Neil Gilliland expressed, “Leslie has a passion to engage with college students, moving them toward being true disciples of Christ.”

Snapshots Around the World

Bulgaria: Trif and Vanya Trifonov and members of the New Life Varna congregation ministered to children in the village of Nevsha, hosting an Operation Christmas Child shoebox party. About 30 children and 15 adults heard the gospel. The mayor agreed to talk about opportunities to begin a children’s club. Jonathan and Amy Postlewaite (pictured below), along with members of their church in Pleven, Bulgaria, shared Christ’s love in children’s homes in Pleven. The Operation Christmas Child parties took place with a fence separating them. Children in nine homes sang, received shoebox gifts, and heard the gospel.

Côte d’Ivoire: Initially scheduled for the last week of August, political instability and COVID-19 restrictions postponed the gathering of the National Association of Free Will Baptist Churches in Ivory Coast. Fifty-eight delegates and observers registered for the association business sessions at the Agnibilekrou Church, December 16-17.

Côte d’Ivoire: The week of Christmas, Pastor Konoté Palé held a three-day evangelistic campaign in the village of Barrièra, Ivory Coast, 12 miles from Doropo. Gospel films and preaching led several people to make decisions for Christ. On Sunday, January 10, their first regular service had mostly children and young people in attendance. Dr. Kenneth Eagleton requests, “Pray this new mission church might reach the adults in the village. Pray for Pastor Konoté as he disciples the new believers.”

Antioch, TN: Don Matchett, director of church relations, reported, “Our goal for the World Missions Offering (WMO) was $650,000, and we made it to $595,636.81 by the end of 2020. Thank you for giving to the 2020 WMO.” The 2021 goal is $1 million and is scheduled for April 25.
However, churches and individuals may set other dates and give throughout the year.

Côte d’Ivoire: During the final weeks of December and first few weeks of January, a number of believers followed the Lord in baptism in Ivory Coast, West Africa. On Tuesday, December 22, Pastors Alexi Hien (Bougou) and Edmond Kouadja (Nassian) baptized 62 people representing a dozen or so congregations in the Bougou area. Pastor Silas Noufé, from Bouna, officiated the baptism of nine people on Sunday, December 27, at the FWB church in Bouko, between Bouna and Doropo. Pastor Jean-Daniel Doli baptized four people in the Doropo area. Eight people from the village of Ondefidouo were baptized on January 18 at the Providence FWB Church in Bouna, Ivory Coast, by Pastor Silas Noufé, president of the National Association of Free Will Baptist Churches.