The strength of the Baptist Bible Fellowship International has always been MISSIONS (Fred Donnelson called it ‘the strong right arm’). We don’t do everything right and we have many weaknesses. But one thing we do right is MISSIONS.
The BBFI started with 19 missionaries. Currently, there are over 800 in 98 countries. There are more than 16,000 churches planted by BBFI missionaries around the world outside the U.S. Currently, through 65 years of existence, BBFI churches have given $1,078,040,254 to missions through the BBFI.
It is MISSIONS MORNING at Baptist Bible College Fellowship Week 2015. It honestly is my favorite morning. Honor was given for 30 years of ministry to Greg & Nina Hunt in Taiwan and Canada and Bob & Janice Marshall in Wales. Honor was also given for 50 years of ministry to Dean & Delores McClure in Brazil and Jerry & Shari Piercey in Ethiopia and Kenya.
Also, an invitation was given to attend the Global Meeting of the BBFI in March 2016 in Seoul, Korea. I plan to attend this meeting.
David Freeman, missionary to Nepal, spoke to us. He shared the impact of the earthquake on his country. An individual will match all funds given up to $50,000. Please consider giving now to Disaster Relief. When the Indian Monsoon hits the country in a couple of months, conditions will severely worsen. Our church, Faith Baptist, raised $600 on Sunday.
There are 14 missionary candidates who have surrendered to be a missionary through the BBFI. Today is their approval date. I love seeing people who are ‘sold out’ for Jesus and the Gospel.
I envy their pastor (in a good way). Each missionary is recommended by their pastor. Nothing thrills my heart more than seeing my ministry so impact people’s lives that they surrender to be a missionary. My brother, Dick Burdine, is a missionary to Cambodia. Two of my children have been missionaries (Suriname & Mexico). My major at BBC was missions (in case Jesus called me to be a missionary). I love missions.
It breaks my heart. These new missionaries are ready to be on the mission field and need financial support. I wish our church could support every one of them. But right now we can’t. But my prayer is one day I will be able to attend one of these meetings and say to every one of them, we will support you.
So with all that said, I want you to meet these missionaries. I’m going to share a short bio for each. I will update this article with any new info I have. Pray for them when you read this. Contact them if you can support them. You can also contact the Missions Office for further information. (Note: TEAM missionaries intern for 1-3 years with a career missionary with a desire to be a career missionary.)
T. J. & Kiberly Gritts are missionaries to Spain. Their sending church is Seminole Baptist Temple in Springfield, MO.
Janice Hickey is a missionary to Ecuador. Her sending church is First Baptist Church of Meadowview in Misquite, TX.
Jaron & Nicki Rogers are missionaries to Nicaragua. Their sending church is First Baptist Church in Webster, TX.
Jonathan & Anna Saliba are missionaries to Colombia. Their sending church is Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Katie Bishop is a TEAM missionary to Taiwan. Her sending church is Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Michael Cox is a TEAM missionary to Mexico. His sending church is High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Lu May is a TEAM missionary to Thailand. His sending church is Friendship Baptist Church in Wichita, KS.
Rebecca McMurphy is a TEAM missionary to Thailand. Her sending church is Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Josh & Erin Taylor is a TEAM missionary to Honduras. Their sending church is Calvary Bible Baptist Church in Westerville, OH.
Michael Todd is a TEAM missionary to Peru. His sending church is High Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO.
Joseph Isip is a Chaplain to the US Army Reserves. His sending church is Calvary Baptist Church in Bellflower, CA.
Nathanael Logan is a Chaplain to the US Army Reserves. His sending church is Seminole Baptist Temple, Springfield, MO.
Courtney Merchant is a Chaplain to the US Army. His sending church is Grace Baptist Temple in Bloomington, IN.
There was also a missionary going as a Creative Access missionary to an area that is not open to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Names and the location are withheld.
Baptist Bible College celebrates 65 years of ministry in 2015. As a 1982 alumnus, I am pleased to celebrate this event at my alma mater. These have been some of my thoughts of the Tuesday, May 5 morning session. Also see #fellowshipweek15
Other blogs from Fellowship Week 2015: The Elephant in the Room (Monday PM). Three Keys to Church Leadership (Tuesday AM), Two Evangelism Strategies (Tuesday PM).
Please share your thoughts.