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.

Crowe's Resign From International Missions

Antioch, TN—The Board of Free Will Baptist International Missions voted to accept the resignation of Josh and Alicia Crowe from missionary service to Japan during a late-night session Sunday, July 17. The Crowes submitted an official letter of resignation to FWBIM on July 16. “While we understand that returning to a designated system of giving is a last resort, our hearts break as we watch our account rapidly decline each month,” wrote the couple. “After spending this year earnestly seeking the Lord’s direction about this issue…it is with very grateful, yet broken hearts that we officially submit our resignation from missionary service.”

Appointed in 2007, Josh and Alicia departed for their first term in Japan in 2009. Initially, they worked with the Miharashidai Chapel in Hokkaido. They began their second term in Tokyo, working with Pastor Kojima to initiate a bimonthly English worship service called Hope Alive.

“We are all sad to see Josh and Alicia, our beloved team members, leave Japan,” stated Regional Director Dale Bishop. “We know they love the Japanese people and desire to see them come to Jesus. They have faithfully given their hearts and lives to serve God and His Kingdom and have sown much seed. It is with great anticipation that we look to God to see how He will continue to guide them as they honor His heart for the nations.” 

“Of all the blessings God has shown our family through the years, working with International Missions to bring the gospel to the unreached people of Japan is one of our most cherished,” said Josh and Alicia. “We cannot begin to list the ways the board, leadership team, and support staff have shown us love and encouragement as we live and work on the frontlines. This country and its people are close to our hearts and, because of IM, we’ve been given the opportunity to share our lives with them.”

“It is always tough to see a missionary couple resign,” remarked General Director Clint Morgan. “Yet, in all this, we have confidence the Crowes have heard God’s voice in this matter, and we pledge our ongoing prayers and moral support for them. They have served faithfully, and for that, we and the people of Japan are eternally grateful.”

Josh and Alicia have three daughters: Ruby, Ellie, and Josie. The family returned to the States in August, and settled in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Their resignation was effective September 1.

Gainer Honored at National Association

Antioch, TN—Following General Director Clint Morgan’s report to delegates at the FWB National Convention on Wednesday afternoon (July 20), Mirial Gainer was honored for her service in Japan (pictured below). After more than 40 years of ministry, Mirial retpurned to the U.S. to care for her aging mother. Miss Gainer retired June 1, 2016.

Mirial began her career as a member of the 1972 Good News Team to Hokkaido. After nine months of working with missionaries in France, Mirial returned to Japan as an associate missionary. She ministered at the Hokkaido International School and Hokussei University, becoming a tenured professor of English. During those years of teaching, she was actively engaged in assisting FWB churches in the Sapporo area as well as supporting the ministries on the eastern edge of the island in Abashiri and Bihoro.

After 20 years as an associate missionary, in April 1997, Mirial was appointed as a career missionary. She taught English as an evangelistic outreach. She engaged in evangelism and Bible teaching, worked in Sunday school, and performed a variety of other ministries to reach the people of Japan with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In 2001, she moved to Tokyo and continued to teach, evangelize, and train short-term missionaries in friendship evangelism. She also demonstrated how to use teaching English as a means of reaching men and women with the gospel. She labored alongside Ken and Judy Bailey in the Shiki area in the work that became the Kamifukuoka FWB Church. In 2006, Mirial returned to Hokkaido and ministered for more than a decade in Miharashadai Chapel and Koinonia Church. 

Director Morgan concluded his tribute by saying, “Mirial, thank you for being His hands and voice for the glory of God among the Japanese people.”

The assembly rose in a standing ovation for her service and thanksgiving for the difference she made in lives in Japan.

Missionary Account Balances Posted Monthly

In each issue of ONE Magazine, International Missions posts a news item listing deficit and underfunded accounts. This information will additionally be posted in the News section of www.fwbgo.com, as well as in NewsBeat (a newsletter sent to donors with their receipts).

“Please respond to these needs as the Lord leads you,” said Clint Morgan, general director. “Each of these individuals is laboring with the Body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission. People in India, Uruguay, Spain, France, Japan, and other countries around the world may never hear the good news of salvation in Christ ‘except they be sent.’”

Snapshots Around the World

Spain—Forty-two children were “submerged” in the Word during Alpedrete’s VBS program July 11-15. Each child received a copy of the Gospel of John at the closing program. Five families attended church July 17 as a result of their children’s participation in VBS.
 
Bulgaria—Twenty-five children attended the five-day Bible club outreach in Butovo (a village near Svishtov) in July. Each child received a Gideon’s Bible.

Côte d’Ivoire—Leaders and pastors of the Ivorian national association gathered for their national convention July 26-28 in Agnibilekrou. Regional Director Kenneth Eagleton attended the associational meeting. He also visited churches and leaders, spoke in various venues, helped officiate a wedding, and worked with leaders to establish 2017 projects for IM. 

Bulgaria—The Hanna Project sent a team to Svishtov, Bulgaria, June 17-27. Team members Allen Lewis, Casey Lewis, Kathryn Wescott, William Wescott, Dorothy Moore, and team leader Darren Walker (all from NC) and Holly Petty (IL) renovated the children’s wing of the local hospital, painting patient rooms, hallways, and the nursery. They also provided 22 new twin-size beds with mattresses, pillows, blankets, and sheets; six new cribs with mattresses, blankets, and sheets; and 12 new tables. Hospital administrators expressed their thanks with a permanent plaque.