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.

International Missions Board Votes to Restructure Funding System

Antioch, TN—In a historic act, the Board of International Missions voted unanimously this week to implement a new funding structure. This action is a result of more than two years of research, study, and planning.

“We are thrilled with this decision,” said board chairman Danny Williams. “Free Will Baptists are committed to the Great Commission and the way we fund our missionary effort is nothing more than a tool to help us reach people and plant churches. We believe the new plan will be a better tool than our current overburdened and complex system.”

“The most basic component of the new funding system,” according to General Director James Forlines, “is the Global Evangelism Fund.” This undesignated fund will be set up to underwrite the basic costs to keep every Free Will Baptist missionary on the field.

“No longer will we ask missionaries to travel all over the country to raise their own funds for their own accounts,” Director of Development Barry Simpson rejoiced. “Now, all of us will work together to help all of our called and approved missionaries get to, and stay on, their fields of service.”

Highlights of the plan include:

• An undesignated Global Evangelism Fund established to pay all the costs of keeping all missionaries on their fields.

• The Global Evangelism Fund will be underwritten by contributions to the World Missions Offering, church giving, and individual undesignated contributions

• Every FWBIM missionary will also have a designated ministry and project fund to underwrite the cost of field ministry.

• Each missionary’s ministry and project fund will be underwritten by a limited number of strategic partner churches (or groups of churches).

• Any designated contributions to a missionary will be placed in the designated missionary’s ministry and project account.

• An annual analysis of ministry and project accounts will be conducted and reconciled as follows:
  -Any deficit in underfunded accounts will be offset by funds transferred from the Global Evangelism Fund.
  -Any surplus in overfunded accounts will be transferred into the Global Evangelism Fund.
  -A Board-enforced limit on the percentage of income allocated to administrative expenditures.
  -The plan will be implemented January 1, 2010.
  -All designated funds received prior to implementation will be used as designated.

In advance of implementation of the new funding system, the IM board has directed the staff and missionaries to undertake a campaign to inform Free Will Baptist people of the details and implications of the new system. “Our friends and supporters can expect to see information in receipt letters, in ONE Magazine, on the International Missions website and in special communications to pastors and churches,” explains Mark McPeak, director of communications.

Randy Wilson, vice-chairman of the International Missions Board says, “We believe this plan is needed to help us broaden the base of support so we can send more missionaries and work with our maturing national churches.” Wilson adds, “The Board is excited about a plan that can include every Free Will Baptist and allows all of us to support every one of our missionaries.”

The Board prayerfully asks all Free Will Baptists to help make the new funding system a success.

EIGHT MISSIONARIES APPROVED

Antioch, TN—The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions met April 23-25 in Antioch, Tennessee. After interviews with the candidate committee and the full board, three couples and two single men were appointed to missionary service.

Photos: First Row (from left) Paul and Chrissy Collins; Neil and Mandi Morgan; David and Kendra Dodson.

Second Row: Caleb Dement; Casey Jones

Paul and Chrissy Collins of Jennings, Oklahoma, were appointed as career missionaries to Panama where they hope to engage in planting a new church. Paul graduated in 2005 from Hillsdale FWB College with a degree in missions and currently pastors Silver City FWB Church. Chrissy is a 2007 graduate of Hillsdale with a bachelor’s degree in ministry and leadership. The Collins have three children.

Neil (Sand Hill FWB, Coward, SC) and Mandi (Horse Branch FWB, Turbeville, SC) Morgan and David (Calvary Fellowship, Fenton, MO) and Kendra (New Life FWB, Lewisburg, TN) Dodson were appointed to career service in Uruguay.They hope to form a ministry team in conjunction with national Christians to begin a new church plant.

Both Neil and Mandi are graduates of Free Will Baptist Bible College. Neil received his degree in Missions in 2004. Mandi, a 2003 graduate, majored in English and is certified to teach high school. Neil recently received TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification from Columbia International University. The Morgans are expecting their second child in August.

David Dodson graduated from FWBBC in 2002 with a degree in pastoral training. He received his M. Div. from Mid-America Theological Seminary in 2006. Kendra received her degree in elementary education from FWBBC in 2003 and is pursuing her Master’s at Missouri Baptist University. The couple has a son.

Casey Jones of Wagoner, Oklahoma, was appointed to a two-year term in creative access ministry. A 2008 graduate of Hillsdale, he hopes to pursue career missionary service.

Caleb Dement of First FWB, O’Fallon, Missouri, is a 2008 graduate of FWBBC with a degree in missions. He was approved for a two-year term teaching English in Tokyo, Japan.

Missionary Leaders Meet

Antioch, TN—Free Will Baptist International Missions hosted the four regional directors, the NGO director, and eight field chairmen in the national offices building in Antioch, Tennessee, for three days of strategic meetings with Mission staff April 23-25. IM Board Chairman Danny Williams and Vice-chairman Randy Wilson also attended the meeting.

“The regional director/field chairmen meeting is designed to strengthen communication, promote fellowship, and provide a sense of unity,” explained Steve Lytle, director of field operations.

While the group addressed a variety of issues, the majority of the meeting focused on working through questions concerning and the implications of the proposed restructured funding system. “We wrestled with some challenging issues over the course of the three days,” stated Regional Director Jeff Turnbough. “Deliberations were constructive and, in the end, we are moving together with unity of purpose.”

On Monday evening, April 28, the leaders met with the Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions prior to the board’s annual meeting. Missionary leaders provided their input to the board concerning the restructure proposal.

celebrating 50 years in brazil

Campinas, Brazil—Free Will Baptists arrived in Brazil 50 years ago to preach and establish churches. To commemorate this, a celebration was held in Campinas, where it all started. On Friday evening and Saturday morning (March 21-22), over 400 people from 19 FWB churches gathered to celebrate the past and the present, and the challenges of the future, in line with the theme—Celebrating the Fruits.

Pastors from each of the three main areas of work preached: Lucas Lima (First FWB Church – Campinas), Flávio Grossi (First FWB Church – Barbacena), and Jeancarlo Achê (FWB Church – Jaboticabal). Kenneth Eagleton presented a PowerPoint reminding everyone of the faces, events, and church buildings from the past. Jim Sturgill showed our current 25 Brazilian FWB churches and missions with a PowerPoint of the church buildings, pastors, and congregations. He also featured the four FWB Bible institutes in Brazil. Choirs and special music were interspersed with a skit and other art forms.

Dave Franks (first FWB missionary to Brazil), all missionaries to Brazil past and present, all Brazilian pastors present, and all lay preachers who are in charge of mission works were recognized with presentations and gifts. The celebration served as an opportunity to bring the far-flung churches together.

Visit the Eagletons page on the International Missions website for more information and photos.

Côte d’Ivoire Free Will Baptists Celebrate 50 Years!

BONDOUKOU, COTE D'IVOIRE—On Saturday, March 22, more than 1,000 people gathered in the professional soccer stadium in Bondoukou to celebrate 50 years of God’s blessing. A specially-appointed committee planned the event which included a time of singing and worship, a historical overview, a message from retiring missionary Jerry Pinkerton, and special recognitions.

Several hundred worshippers formed a procession from the city center to the stadium. Many were adorned in outfits made from the commemorative cloth designed specifically for the “Cinquantenaire” (50th Anniversary).

The celebration was attended by several dignitaries including the regional governor and local mayor. A special tent was set up for current and former missionaries as well as Free Will Baptist pastors. Another tent was designated for elders and special guests.

The national church expressed great appreciation to the missionaries who have served in the country and prepared a special framed certificate for every current and former missionary. Free Will Baptist International Missions also honored missionaries as well as ordained and licensed pastors.

According to Director of Field Operations Steve Lytle, “The event was moving, well organized, and beautifully hosted. It was a tribute to the faithfulness of our pioneer and current missionaries. And, it provided a wonderful affirmation of the capability of our national leadership.”

After the celebration, the entire crowd moved across the street to the Free Will Baptist church where all were efficiently served a delicious meal by the Ivorian women’s group.