FOREIGN MISSIONARIES
Tanzania
Ted and Kim Rabenold - Ted and Kim Rabenold began their work in Tanzania, East Africa in 1991. They have been involved in many different projects since their arrival to Africa. Some of these projects include: construction of a Bible Institute, Vo-tech school, health center, the building of over 20 local churches – together with national Christians – water systems, evangelism, women‘s outreaches, agriculture and livestock projects and programs impacting local people, facilitating church planting endeavors, as well as leadership training, and development of Tanzanian nationals so they can train other nationals. Many things have been accomplished with God's help in the Rukwa Valley since the Rabenolds moved to Kapenta at the end of 2001. It took vision and hard work. Ted sees himself as a "starter." He prayerfully sees what could be "there," begins a project, then encourages and readies others to take over and administrate; thus freeing him to begin new projects. As of 2011, the Rabenolds seek to continue their efforts of inspiring, equipping, and educating Tanzanian men and women so that ―they" can impact other Tanzanians. The need is greater than ever to strengthen local nationals and help them to see their true potential. Ted and Kim are thankful for the opportunity to help equip the people of today to impact the next generation! As humans God made us both physical and spiritual. There is hope for the future when we address both of these areas. The Gospel has Power to impact lives and we hope that local Rukwa Valley people can say that Mat-thew 5:16 is true of us and our leadership team: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father who is in heaven.” For more information check out their website!! www.reachingtherukwa.org/
New Zealand
Barry and Laurie Smith - The Smith family are involved in Church Planting and evangelism in Hamilton, New Zealand - on the North Island. They last visited Bible Baptist church in October 2006. They will be returning to the USA on furlough beginning in January 2012. Their prayer requests are: • That they may continue to draw near to God and trust fully in Him • Hamilton Bible Church to grow and to reproduce itself in another community • More opportunities to effectively declare the Gospel • More people to respond in saving fait • Continued growth in disciples being made • National leadership to be developed • Their team to continue to strive together for the faith of the Gospel .
India
Gospel for Asia - Bible Baptist Church has supported a Gospel for Asia missionary in the Garo Megha-laya Region of India – the very northeast. National missionaries are raised up and sent out to areas of the world still unreached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Visit www.gfa.org/regions/region/garo-meghalaya-region to learn more about this region. Here is a closer look at the GFA activity in the Garo Meghalaya Region over the past 3 months: • 40 people received Christ • 50,000 Gospel tracts were distributed • 25 new villages reached with the Gospel • 2 missionaries joined the ministry • 2 new mission stations established • 1 church building dedicated • 24 Jesus Wells installed-transforming villages both physically and spiritually, by providing pure water. Reaching the unreached in the 10/40 window - The10/40 Window is a section of the world located between latitudes 10 degrees and 40 degrees north of the equator. It covers the Middle East, North Africa, Central and Southeast Asia, and holds two-thirds of the world's population. The window also contains the world's most unreached people groups, and most of the world's governments who oppose Christianity. The 10/40 Win-dow bears the world's greatest physical and spiritual needs. www.gfa.org/
Ukraine
Bob and Judy VanSant - In 1977 God placed a burden on their hearts to work full-time with the deaf. Bob and Judy (along with three small children) moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee to attend Tennessee Temple University. They immediately began taking Sign Language classes and working with the deaf. In 1982 Bob graduated with a BRE. The family also grew. Now there were five children. In 1994, Bob took a mission trip to Ukraine with Pete Rice (P.R.A.Y. Ministries) to Sim-feropol, Ukraine. Bob went as the sign interpreter for Ronnie Rice (Pete's younger deaf brother). During the two weeks the team was in Ukraine, many deaf were saved. On the plane ride home, the Holy Spirit again began to work on his heart as to who was going to carry on the work they had begun. Bob called Judy from the airport in New York and told Judy how God was working on his heart. Judy said she had also felt God leading in that direction while he was gone. After 18 months and 160 churches, the needed support was raised. Bob, Judy and their two youngest children were headed to Ukraine to reach deaf souls for Christ. One of the biggest blessings was that they were able to keep in contact with one of the interpreters from the team - who had kept in contact with some of the deaf in Simferopol. When Bob and Judy stepped off the train in Simferopol, Ukraine, 12 deaf people were standing on the platform - they had been waiting for almost two years for a church to attend. At present the Lord has provided so that they average 100 to 110 on Sunday (that is counting deaf and hearing). Several of their men preach on a regular basis. To date, there have been 6 churches or ministries and a Bible College started in the state of Crimea. To God be the glory, GREAT things He hath done! They have their own website at www.bobandjudy.net
Ireland
Dennis and Traci Jacob - Dennis and Traci have been church planters in Galway Ireland since 1988. God has blessed them with six children; the three oldest live in the USA, while the three young-est live alongside them in Ireland. Dennis and Traci‘s first trip to Bible Baptist Church was in 1987. They visited BBC while raising support for their call to the mission field, and have been supported by BBC ever since. After many years of hard work, the church they have planted in Ireland – Galway Bay Baptist Church – is on the verge of calling their first national pastor. On their return in January, the Jacobs will be assisting the congregation in this process. Prayer Requests: • The members of Galway Bay Baptist Church, as they seek the Lord‘s direction for calling their first pastor. • Liam O‘Brien – a possible candidate for pastor. • Dennis and Traci, as they seek wisdom and discernment for the Lord‘s direction as they move forward with their mission. • Their son Sean and his family that will be moving to Missouri to work toward their calling in Bangladesh. • Their daughters Erin and Megan as they seek to serve the Lord. .
Paraguay
Rich and Beth Donaldson - The Donaldson‘s began their missionary service in Iquitos, Peru. Their 14 year ministry in Peru included administrating the camp, teaching at the Bible Institute and church planting. In January of 2001 they transferred to the country of Paraguay where they have been involved in a church plant that began with the Alcaraz family. From May of 2002 until the end of 2007 they held services in their home. In 2005 God provided a property nearby on which they began a building project for the church. In 2007 they began using the building as they continued to make progress on the construction as God provided funds to do so. Their family has grown over the years and they continue to have an important outreach to kids whose parents are not saved. They have those who have been faithful over the years, some who have come and gone and returned, and those who have not returned. They thank God for allowing them to serve Him in Peru and now in Paraguay for the past 26 years.
Restricted Areas
HOME MISSIONS
Martin & Lucille Eaton – Martin & Lucille Eaton have been serving the Lord in a building ministry for nearly 34 years. They have been in ministry for over 45 years. The first 11 years Martin served as a pastor. Recently, they have merged their mission agency Baptist Missionary Builders (BMB) with Baptist Church Planters, Grafton, OH as their new building minis-try. When Bible Baptist Church had a great need for a new sanctuary, Martin and his wife answered the call to construct the building. The work was complemented with volunteers from within the Church. The addition of the sanctuary here at Bible Baptist is where we worship today. Currently, they are assisting First Baptist Church in Caldwell, New Jersey with their new addition. Martin & Lucille have three daughters, and seven grandchildren. The oldest two granddaughters have just started college this fall. Types of Assistance Given to Churches They assist churches in building structures with an average size of seven thousand to ten thousand square feet. In addition to working with their hands, they supervise volun-teer help. The men and women are encouraged to assist with the building project of the church to drive nails, and to work as much as they can on the building. On Saturdays, as well as Tuesday and Thursday nights, they schedule volunteer help. Usually they ask for several individuals to assist them at a time, telling them the specific job—whether it‘s hanging sheetrock, painting, etc. That way the volunteers can assist in the area of their ability. For more information check out their website! www.bcpusa.org
North Carolina
Larry and Joyce George – In 1992, as they were working out the details to incorporate the ministry, Larry and Joyce George began to pray for a name. They wanted a name that would explain what they were doing. Their pastor at the time, suggested ―Siloam Missionary Homes,‖ but they weren‘t too crazy about the name; mainly because it was so hard to pronounce. It sounded like ―shalom‖ which means peace. Feeling pressured to make a decision, Larry and Joyce wrestled over the name, and while driving to church one Sunday evening, Larry prayed, ―Lord, tomorrow we have to have a name for the missionary homes. Please give me a name during tonight‘s ser-vice so that I will know it is from you.‖ As Larry sat in church that evening, the Pastor said to the congregation, ―Tonight I want you to turn your Bibles to John 9:7. It reads, ‗and said unto him (Jesus talking to the blind man), Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which is by interpretation, Sent). He went his way therefore and washed, and came seeing.‖ Larry knew immediately this would be the name for their mission. Larry realized the Holy Spirit had placed the name Siloam into his heart through his pastor. He felt the need to be obedient, and submit to the Lord‘s choosing of the name. In John 9:7, the account of the blind man sent by Jesus to go wash in the pool of Siloam seems to indicate it was near the Temple. The wonderful thought was when the writer said it was from Siloam that water was brought in a golden vessel to the Temple during the feast of the Tabernacles. Our Lord probably pointed to it when He stood in the Temple and cried, ―If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. (7:37)‖ So, the next time you hear Siloam Missionary Homes, it means ―sent‖ and is also a place of physical and spiritual healing. We pray every day that the Lord will do this for our road-weary missionary families and everyone who visits Siloam Missionary Homes. www.siloamhomes.org
Massachusetts
Ken & Karen Hoffmeyer - Ken served as the AWANA Commander of Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, Michigan for nine years. In 1992 God called Ken and Karen to become the AWANA Missionaries in the New England area. There are currently over 130 churches using the AWANA program in the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island area. AWANA is a Bible-based, Christ-centered youth program committed to ministering to children. Our weekly clubs promote an atmosphere filled with fun and excitement. AWANA forges a partnership between its headquarters staff and local churches around the world. We provide the necessary materials and training; all that's needed are churches ready to get involved. The AWANA program is divided into various clubs. Cubbies for preschoolers, Sparks for kids in kindergarten, first and second grades. Truth & Training is AWANA‘s third through sixth grade program. There are also youth ministries, Trek 24-7 for junior-high and Journey 24-7 for high school. The goal of AWANA is that all children and youth throughout the world will come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Our vision is to be a strategic partner with churches and ministries in a global effort to ensure the opportunity for all children and youth to be evangelized and discipled in Christ. Our mission is to work with our ministry partners in creating and disseminating integral programs, tools, and training that equip leaders to evangelize and disciple children and youth for Christ. www.awananortheast.org