International Missions
1. Brian and Natalie
Brian and Natalie work among the a 99.98% Muslim people-group through part ownership in a consulting, import/export company; currently meeting with seekers that live in the following regions found on maps in your Bible (Bithynia, Pontus, Galatia, Asia and Cappadocia. Praises: People are starting to seek out their own copy of God's Word through internet, newspaper, and radio advertisements. Requests: "Pray that we will be able to get the seekers in Pontus and Bithynia to meet together. Pray that they will come to Christ and do church together in their local towns. There can be severe repercussions to individuals who give their lives to Christ." Family: 4 children attending International School.
2. Marci
Marci serves the particular people group of her region as a school teacher. Request : quick adjustment to the culture and acquisition of the language; opportunities to make friends and contacts.
3. Charles and Amy Cross
Charles and Amy serve in France through the Greater Europe Mission. Charles is responsible for directing approximately 35 GEM missionaries across France by communicating vision and strategy as well as pastoral care for these missionaries. In addition, much of the work both Charles and Amy are involved in is support and encouragement for existing evangelical churches and promotion of church planting. The Crosses have 3 daughters and 1 son. They are currently residing in the CFBC Mission House while on stateside assignment.
4. Ron and Margie Carothers
Ron and Margie serve as Mobilization Consultants for the Middle America Region of the International Mission Board.
5. Steve Edwards
Steven serves in outreach ministries to local children and their families through the Community Center in LaCarpio, Costa Rica. The Community Center is one of 2 facets of the Excelencia Familiar – Costa Rica Mission. The other area of ministry is a children's home in Coronado for orphaned and abused children.
6. Bob and Bev
Bob and Bev currently serve in Richmond responsible for recruitment and training for those going to or serving in this region. There are approximately 449 million people and 4 major religions in this region...Islam, Judaism, Christian Orthodoxy, and Druze. There are evangelical Christian groups living and working among the various people groups. Family – 2 married daughters and 5 grandchildren
7. Landon and Nelda Jones
Landon and Nelda serve among Brazilians in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Landon is a seminary teacher at the Sao Paulo Baptist Theological College. Nelda is a Bible study leader, church and home worker. With a population of approximately 180 million, Brazil is about 80% Catholic mixed with African spiritist sects. It has an evangelical Christian population of about 1.8 million, with 1 million being Baptists who meet in approximately 6,000 churches. Requests: "Pray for the Baptist Mission in Balneario Sao Jose. It is in an emerging middle-class neighborhood. About 60 people attend regularly. We are in need of more family units and trained Sunday School leaders. Also, pray for the students and faculty of the SP Baptist Theological College. The graduates go on to serve as pastors, missionaries, and church leaders for the Baptist churches in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and around the world. The Jones have 2 adult daughters.
8. Barbara Rivers
Barbara serves in Guayaquil, Ecuador among the Guavas Mestizo through religious education. Predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. 15% are evangelical Christians. There is a large group of Mormons and Jehovah Witness. People are open to the Gospel and many pray to receive Christ, but commitment is best seen in their willingness to be baptized. Vision : to win and disciple 500,000 persons to Christ in Ecuador in 5 years. Requests: "Ask the Lord of the harvest, to send out workers into His harvest field; that each church would plant ONE new church each year; that each believer would win and disciple FOUR more disciples each year, resulting in a new work.
9. Karen Wright
Karen serves in Chile among the Central Chilenos as church planter. This involves working with local churches who are interested in starting new work, training people in methods and mentoring those who are working in new areas. Karen also leads a group of university students in evangelism and missions projects. Predominant religion is Roman Catholicism. Baptists have been in Chile for 100 years, but only about 15% of population is evangelical Christians. The percentage among upper middleclass and upper class is much smaller. Chilenos respond to relational evangelism. The barrier, even after accepting Christ, is making a commitment and breaking with the traditional religion. There is a strong class system in Chile, with lines which are often difficult to cross.
10. Sam and Lisa Paris
Sam and Lisa serve among Venezuelans in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. Currently on stateside assignment. Requests: "Pray for our 19-year old daughter who will be staying in Venezuela to continue her university studies. Pray for this separation; no matter when and where it happens it's a challenge. Pray for her adjustment to beginning her studies, for her safety and health and for her continued growth and maturity in her faith and relationships here (Venezuela)." Sam and Lisa have one son and one daughter.
11. Chris and Amanda McMaster
serve in Jackson, Michigan at New Tribes Bible Institute. The McMasters train people to be church planters in approximately 20 different countries. Chris teaches Bible classes and works with single guys. Amanda's primary focus is discipling ladies, married and single. Once trained, they will work with unreached tribal groups in various parts of the world. Predominant religion: Animism (belief that every area of life is impacted by spirits and spiritual forces) although many tribes have a mixture of Islam, Catholicism, etc.