1998 New Missionaries

Brian & Debbie (Fellenger) Beverly

Church: Northside Baptist, Charlotte, NC
Children: Bethany (6), Brandon (4), Benjamin (1)

COUNTRY: North America

Brian: I was born into a Christian family in northern Virginia. From birth I had a heart defect which, on several occasions, almost took my life. I was saved at the age of five, during evangelistic meetings at our church. My parents were appointed as missionaries with ABWE in 1976, and in August 1978 we arrived in the Philippines. Soon after our arrival, I had a freak accident with wire that took the sight in my left eye. God used that event and the successive five operations to focus my attention on music. I attended Liberty University where my major was youth ministries, and I traveled with YouthQuest singers. I have served as minister of Youth and Music for eight years. In February 1996 I surrendered to God's call into full-time evangelism. We work with local churches in music, drama, youth work, choir clinics. We plan to travel to ABWE fields to minister to missionaries and local people.

Debbie: I was born into a Christian home as the sixth of seven children. My father was a lay preacher and pastored two churches in Ohio. My mother died suddenly when I was only seven. My fondest memory of her is when she showed me from her Bible how I could be saved, and I prayed to receive Christ. Immediately God gave me a desire to see others saved. I surrendered my life to God in the spring of 1985 during a chapel service at my Christian school. That year I enrolled in Liberty University. Brian and I met while we were involved in an evangelistic outreach. We were married June 11, 1988. I have helped Brian in his ministries over the years, but my greatest joy is being a mother and home maker. This step of faith to full-time evangelistic work has made us more dependent on Christ.

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David & Loralee (Fuhrmann) Beverly

Church: Calvary Baptist, Grand Rapids, MI
Children: Rachel and Nicole (5), David (4)

COUNTRY: Philippines

Dave: I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home where I was constantly exposed to God's love. When I was six, my Sunday school teacher shared the message of salvation with me again, and I realized that I needed to be saved. The biggest influence in my spiritual growth came at age 11 when my dad and mom were appointed with ABWE to the Philippines. During the years I spent there, God burdened my heart for missions, and I came to love my Filipino brothers and sisters. At Cedarville College I began to prepare for medical missions, but through missions trips and wise counsel, I realized God wanted me in church-planting and leadership development. I continued my education at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary and met my wife there.

Lora: I, too, grew up in a Christian home. When I was six, my family started attending Calvary Baptist Church. One of my first Sundays there the message was about heaven and hell. After church, my mom talked to my sister and me, and we both accepted the Lord. During high school, I participated in three missions trips. On the last one, in Kingston, Jamaica, I asked the Lord to show me if missions was what He wanted for my life. I felt God calling me to a Third World country. When I had to return from Baptist Bible College because of lack of finances, I couldn't understand why. Then I became our pastor's secretary, and met Dave; I understood God had other plans for me.

Our married life has included finishing a seminary degree and interning at Calvary Baptist with our three small children. The Lord has confirmed many times that He wants us in foreign missionary service.

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Timothy & Andrea (Wyant) Blazer

Church: Northland Baptist, Grand Rapids, MI
Children: Robert (infant)

COUNTRY: Brazil

Tim: My parents David and Susan Blazer are ABWE missionaries to Brazil, where I was born. They were church planters and camp administrators, and their commitment to God was a great influence in my entering missions. At the age of six at children's camp, I accepted Christ as my Saviour. When I was nine I dedicated my life to full-time service. I attended Fortaleza Academy in Brazil. When I returned to the USA materialism hit me. I wanted cars, big bucks, and a grand lifestyle. During my freshman year at Cornerstone College I re-dedicated my life to the Lord. The following semester I attended a chapel service which focused on missions, and realized the Lord had used my childhood experiences to prepare me for foreign missions. I have a tremendous burden to reach the lost.

Andrea: My father grew up in a family of Satan worshippers, and I saw what it cost him to give up his family, and his good engineering job to follow Christ. My parents served with Baptist Mid-Missions among the Cree Indians in northern Canada, and later in Brazil. We children were a vital part of our parents' ministry. My dad led me to the Lord after we studied the life of Noah during family devotions. I wanted the faith in God that Noah had. During a missions conference when my family was on deputation, I was touched by the work of three single women missionaries in Japan. I dedicated my life to the Lord for His service, but lost sight of my commitment. During my first year at Cornerstone College the Lord touched my heart through a chapel service focusing on foreign missions. I didn't make the choice to be a missionary. God called me, and I obeyed.

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William & Renee (Frederick) Crowe

Church: Calvary Baptist Church, Lakeland, FL
Children: Ashley (17), Chelsea (13)

COUNTRY: Italy

Willy: I was raised as a Roman Catholic and decided to become a priest when I grew up. When I was 15, my oldest brother, Steve, shared the Lord Jesus with my mother and me. Soon after, God led my entire family to a Baptist church where we all made professions of faith in Christ. After a tour in the Marine Corps, I met Renee and we were married in 1979. We attended Spurgeon Baptist Bible College. We didn't have money for tuition, and some days we didn't have groceries. But someone would give us food or the money needed. Our children watched as God supplied our needs. Since 1995 we have served at Calvary Baptist Church. After hearing a missions presentation, we knew God wanted us to work for Him in Italy. God confirmed His call when we read in our daily devotions, "I must see Rome" (Acts 19:21).

Renee: I was raised as a Roman Catholic and was taught that keeping the ten commandments and observing holy days would get me into heaven. As a sophomore in high school, my friend, Carol Carson, invited me to a Youth for Christ Bible study. I attended faithfully, but no one asked if I was a believer. The next summer I attended a Bible conference in Ocean City, NJ where the message was from John 3:16. That evening, I asked the Lord to save me. Five years later the Lord brought my husband and me together. At a missions conference in 1989, we dedicated our lives to the Lord. When Willy graduated in 1995, we thought he would be a pastor. For two years, we prayed and waited. At our church missions conference, God used ABWE missionaries Jim and Lori Spoto to call us into full time missions. We are eager to serve God in Italy.

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Greg & Sherry (Jeffries) Davidson

Church: Grace Church, Des Moines, Iowa
Children: Ryan (18), Jason (16), Ashley (10), Joshua (8)

COUNTRY: Peru

Greg: I grew up in a home with parents who tried to get me to go to church, but I rebelled. At 18, I moved out so I could do whatever I wanted. I married at age 20, but my life went downhill. By age 31 I had lost my wife, my family, and my home. The verses in James 1:14, 15 are so true: my sin crushed me and brought hurt to the people I love the most. I was invited to a Bible study where I heard that Jesus suffered and died to forgive my sins. That evening my Lord saved me. I began to read His Word. My marriage to Sherry was restored and we regularly attended church. A year later I started formal Bible training and taking foreign mission trips. Because of the desire God has placed in our hearts, we believe fervently that we are to take the Gospel to those who have not heard.

Sherry: I was raised a Roman Catholic, and we attended church every Sunday. I continued to attend after marriage, although Greg wasn't interested. I knew I did not have a personal relationship with God, but was not sure how to have one. In my late twenties, my father died unexpectedly, my grandmother died, and my marriage ended. I lost my house, my identity, my security. While watching a TV program I heard that I was lost and destined to an eternity apart from God. I got on my knees and asked God to forgive and save me. God restored my marriage, and has done so much for us. We feel like the servant Jesus spoke about: "To whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required" (Luke 12:48). On a missions trip to Peru last year, we saw people who had never heard the gospel. We want to take the light to them.

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Jim & Natalie (Ensley) Eaton

Church: Grace Baptist, Laurel, MD
Children: Seth (13), Kelsey (11), Brynne (8)

COUNTRY: Germany

Jim: I was six years old when my parents went as ABWE missionaries to East Pakistan. I trusted in Christ as my personal Saviour when I was 11. Returning to the States for furlough at 16, I found adjustment to American life difficult, but God used that to focus my heart on Him. During my sophomore year at Baptist Bible College of Pennsylvania, I sensed the call of God for gospel ministry. After Natalie and I were married, I went to seminary, completing my studies by taking my family to Cape Town, South Africa for a one-year internship.

That year in South Africa proved pivotal: I discerned God calling me to a pastoral role. We also began to see an emerging cross-cultural ministry in the suburbs of the United States. The Lord led us to Grace Baptist in Laurel, Maryland, where we served for five years. In January I was asked to consider a need in Germany. We believe God opened the door, combining pastoral ministry with church planting and theological training.

Natalie: I grew up in a Christian family with parents who pointed me toward Christ. We were faithful to a wonderful church, where I was saved through AWANA at age nine. Attending a Christian high school and Christian college had a great impact on me. During those years I met Jim, and we determined together to serve the Lord. We loved the work in Laurel, but recently the Lord gave me a restlessness that perhaps He had something else in mind. We were not expecting this call to Germany, but are excited about the unique opportunity to work among American military personnel.

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Dr. Russell & Melody (Hofer) Ebersole IV

Church: Community Baptist, Montoursville, PA
Children: Christopher (18), Sara (13), Daniel (10), Stephen (8), Nathaniel (7)

COUNTRY: Togo

Russ: I grew up as an MK in the Philippines, so my interest in missions started early. When I was five my mother led me to the Lord. I became interested in medicine because of the influence of Dr. Link Nelson when I was in boarding school at Malaybalay. As a teenager I made a commitment to medical missions.

I studied premedicine at Wheaton College, where I met Melody who also had a heart for missions. After college, God allowed us to wait for six years before miraculously opening the door to the Armed Forces Medical School and subsequent pediatric training. We have spent 14 years with the US Navy, including three years in the Philippines. During four years of private practice, we prayed God would not let us get comfortable. We attended ABWE's Medical Missions Interface and now believe God desires us to take a step of faith into medical evangelism.

Melody: I was born into a Christian Mennonite home where, like Hannah, my mother promised God, "If you will give me a child, I will give that child to You." My mother read to me from a Bible story book everyday; I actually thought I was Jewish like the characters in the stories. When I was six, my best friend asked if I was a Christian. I didn't know, and asked my parents. Together, they explained the plan of salvation, and I prayed to receive Christ. A short time later I heard a missionary speak and had a yearning to be a missionary when I grew up.

As a teacher, a mother, and a Navy wife, God has allowed me to lead people to Christ and to disciple women and children. Now my yearning for overseas missions is being fulfilled.

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John & Cindy (Fink) Heath

Church: Langhorne Terrace Baptist, Langhorne, PA
Children: Joshua (10), Tyler (8), Dylan (4), Cady (3)

COUNTRY: Ghana

John: I was led to Jesus Christ under the ministry of Dr. Ted Martens in Trenton, NJ. He showed me that it is necessary to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and that I needed to be born again. Soon after my salvation, I wanted to be involved in full-time Christian work, so I attended Liberty University to pursue studies in missionary aviation. I turned away from missions and worked as a commercial airline pilot for many years. Flying was my "god," but I was not content. After a struggle surrendering to God, I burned my license, thinking He didn't want me to fly. Soon I received a letter from a man who said he was praying I would use my flying to serve God overseas. At a missions conference at Colonial Baptist Church in Cary, NC in 1994, God rekindled the desire to be used in missionary work.

Cindy: I "asked Jesus to come into my heart" many times during my school years, but lived in fear thinking that I not prayed the right words. God drew me to Himself, and while a student at Word Of Life Bible Institute in New York, He showed me that I had been placing the emphasis on what I was doing, rather than on what Christ had done. On November 29, 1983, I accepted Christ as my Savior. During a missions conference at WOLBI, I made myself available to the Lord. The following summer, I went on a missions trip to Liberia. That set a fire in my heart for the African people. Shortly after the trip, I met John and God began leading us toward the goal of becoming missionaries using aviation skills to assist in church planting.

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Elizabeth (Beth) Isbell

Church: Charity Baptist, McLean, VA

COUNTRY: Central & Eastern Europe

I was raised in a Christian family and attended a small Baptist church in central New York. My dad made sure we were there whenever the doors were open. I accepted the Lord when I was seven during evangelistic meetings. I have always been interested in serving the Lord, but never thought God would call me to the mission field as a single person. I worked in office jobs, and became a paralegal in a large corporation. I had a condo, a good job, and a successful life style.

During summers as a camp counselor at Camp BaYouCa in Central New York, director Russ Warner modeled servanthood and commitment. Pastor Tom and Janice Kesinger also counseled and encouraged me.

In 1994, my church offered to pay the way for volunteers to go Odessa, Ukraine. I jumped at the chance to travel and serve, even though I didn't know where Ukraine was. I thought the purpose of that two-week trip in April 1995 was to assist in building the Resource Training Center. But the Lord actually took me to Eastern Europe to open my eyes to the needs of missionaries and nationals serving in the former Communist countries. From May 1996 to June 1998, I served in Hungary as secretary to regional administrator Michael Loftis. I was able to do jobs that gave other missionaries time to work in national leadership. I am eager to return full-time. I find confidence in Psalm 37: 3-7. As we "delight ourselves in the Lord," He gives us "the desires of our heart."

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Aaron & Deborah (Murdock) Karr

Church: Lewis Memorial Baptist, Huntington, WV
Children: Zackary (6), Caleb (4)

COUNTRY: Ghana

Aaron: I grew up in a broken home and was often fearful that something bad was going to happen. When I was 12, my dad took me to a Baptist church where I heard for the first time the great news that Christ died for me. I received Christ as Savior, and later surrendered to serve Him at Word of Life camp. I went on to the Bible Institute, where my ministry was open air evangelism. I spent a summer working with street kids in New York City, drawing sketches and doing rope tricks to attract an audience. God burdened me for lost young people. Since graduating from Tennessee Temple University, I have served as a youth pastor. God gave me opportunities to direct city-wide evangelistic basketball tournaments, and lead missions teams to Canada and Barbados, to train youth in evangelism. God confirmed His call while I was reading 2 Timothy 4:5, "Do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry."

Debbie: I was raised in Costa Rica, but we were on furlough in the USA when, at the age of five, I realized Jesus died for me. Even though I was a shy child, I stood in front of strangers and prayed to receive Christ. While at college, I surrendered to full-time service while my dad was preaching. I knew God had given me the ability to work with children, so I began serving Him through Sunday School, AWANA and VBS. Later God broadened my experience allowing me to work with teenagers, direct preschool ministries and VBS, and lead MOPS, a ministry to young mothers. When we started to pursue missions, I was frightened for my young children. One day Zach fell and cut his chin, requiring many stitches. God showed me He could take care of my children anywhere.

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Don & Nancy (Merkh) Loose

Church: Fellowship Baptist, Mt. Laurel, NJ

COUNTRY: Paraguay

Nancy: A child can have no greater blessing than being reared in a Christian family. My oldest brother helped me realize I was responsible for my sin and could blame no one else. God drew me to Himself and I received Christ. As a 12-year-old, a trip through Europe and a missions film at New Life Island opened my eyes to the needs of the world.

When I was 16, I battled cancer through surgeries and chemotherapy, and learned to trust God. Opportunities for growth at Cedarville College also helped me depend upon God, and learn to "Set (my) mind on things above, not on earthly things..." (Col.3:2).

Don: The Father blessed me with a Christian upbringing. Believing parents trained me in the Scriptures so that I received salvation as a child. My high school Spanish teacher, Mrs. White, had been a missionary in Latin America, and was one of many people whom God used to encourage me Christian service. I studied at Columbia Bible College and Biblical Theological Seminary where I was taught the importance the Bible places on evangelism, discipleship, missions.

Nancy and I knew each other as children, but met again when I was starting seminary. Since our marriage we have worked in our church, most recently helping to revive a nearby church that was about to close.

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Richard & Chloe (Harley) Mitchell

Church: Grace Baptist, Muncy, PA
Children: Douglas (37)

COUNTRY: To be determined

Dick: At the age of 19 while attending a youth rally, I realized my need to trust Jesus as personal Saviour. I accepted Him and was baptized at First Baptist Church, Curwensville, PA. My growth as a Christian was slow for many years, but after moving to Muncy and sitting under the preaching of Pastor Graham Freeman, I began a closer walk with Lord. The Lord allowed me to serve Him as a teacher, deacon, treasurer, and by singing in the choir. I studied via video with Liberty University, and in 1995 received a BS in Church Ministries planning to work in the church after retirement. In May of 1997 we sold our home in Muncy, PA, and moved to Harrisburg to serve the Lord with ABWE. I am an engineer who for the past 10 years has worked for Nabisco. Whenever you eat an Oreo¨ cookie, remember to pray for the Mitchells.

Chloe: I trusted the Lord and was baptized at the age of nine. My mother faithfully took my brother, sister and me to First Baptist Church, Curwensville, PA where we were taught God's Word. I married my high school sweetheart, and the Lord has given us 40 wonderful years together. In 1971 my husband and I were involved in planting and organizing Grace Baptist Church of Muncy, PA. I served on the Women's Committee, choir, teen girls Sunday school teacher, Ladies Missionary Fellowship, special music, and volunteer secretary. Don and Polly Taber, ABWE missionaries in the Philippines for 40 years, often stayed in our home. They were influential in our decision to apply to ABWE. I currently work in secretarial and administrative roles at ABWE Headquarters.

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Erin Nelson

Church: Calvary Baptist, Quincy, IL

COUNTRY: Chile

I had the privilege of growing up in a Christian home where I was saved at an early age.

Missionaries often visited our home, and I wanted to be one of them when I grew up. During high school I put missions on the back burner. The death of my grandfather and two friends drew me back to the Lord.

I started at Faith Baptist Bible College, then transferred to Baptist Bible College. I went to Kenya, East Africa for a six-week missions trip, working with local people. I saw decisions for Christ, but was most impressed by the love and dedication of the missionaries with whom I worked. My greatest desire was to help them.

I graduated from BBC with a degree in Bible and English. For one year I taught at an inner-city outreach school in the Philadelphia area. I was challenged teaching English to kids who love Ebonics. Most of the students were unsaved. Some were in drug rehabilitation; some were parents at 14 years of age. God used this experience to show me the great need for teachers. My goal is to work at a mission school, and not only teach MK's, but minister to them and help them grow closer to Christ.

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Ruthanne Raiche

Church: Campus Church, Pensacola, FL

COUNTRY: Togo

At five of age, I asked my mother about illness and death. She told me the plan of salvation, and led me to the Lord. When I was 14 my family moved to Pensacola, FL so we children could attend a Christian school. Our church raised funds for the Karolyn Kempton Memorial Christian Hospital in Togo. During that time, seven young women from the church went into nursing, but I decided to study Home Economics. In my junior year, ABWE missionary, Ron Washer, spoke of the needs in Togo, and I felt I, too, should become a nurse.

After completing my Home Ec. course, I worked in the A BEKA book office for five years, paying off my school bill. In 1993, just before entering nursing school, my mother died. God used this event to get me moving. I checked with mission agencies only to find they were no longer accepting American nurses. Then Dr. Bob Cropsey, at that time ABWE's International Director of Medical Enlistment, visited the college and spoke of the need for missionary nurses in several ABWE hospitals. In the spring of 1998 I worked in the Togo hospital for seven weeks. I saw the desperate need to train national nurses, and loved it when children followed me along the trails. I hope to train as a nurse anesthetist, and return to Togo to work in the hospital and with children.

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Stephen & Gretchen (Vander Lugt) Root

Church: Willo-Hill Baptist, Willoughby Hills, OH
Children: Geoffrey (16), John (13), Phillip (12), Dana (9)

COUNTRY: Ghana

Steve: As a child I attended Rockford Baptist Church in Michigan. Although my mother did not always have a car she put my three sisters and me on the Sunday school bus so we could attend church. I accepted the Lord while I was in fourth grade. When I was 13, my father was killed in a car accident; this brought big changes into my life. Men from the church tried to help me, but I withdrew from religious activities. In 1981 Gretchen and I were married. During the early 1990's I was transferred to the Cleveland area where we joined Willo-Hill Baptist Church. We were attracted to missions through short-term ministry opportunities. We recently spent two years in Papua New Guinea where I worked in maintenance, construction and administration.

Gretchen: As an infant, I was given up for adoption by a young mother who knew she couldn't care for me and wanted something better for me. Psalm 139:15,16 talks about God knowing us before we are born, and says He has a plan for our lives. I was adopted by a Christian couple who could not have children. My dad is a pastor and I grew up in a Bible believing church, attending Sunday school and Christian school. I accepted Christ as my Savior when I was a little girl.

In February 1994, we made a trip to Jamaica with a team from our church. In those ten days, we saw great needs. From June 1996 - June 1998, we served at Goroka Baptist Bible College, in Papua New Guinea We are excited about where God will send us next!

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Mike & Mary Lou (Rundle) Rummey

Church: Shenstone Baptist, Brantford, Ontario

COUNTRY: Romania

Mary Lou: Around the age of seven I knelt with my mom and accepted Christ as Saviour after a crusade held at our church. Later. On March 8, 1987 I made a commitment to the Lord to do whatever He wanted-with two conditions: I would not go to Bible school, or university. I learned never to say "never" to the Lord. I attended Torchbearer Bible School in Germany, and received a B.Ed. at university. I teach in Central Baptist Academy, Brantford, and have seen children and parents come to Christ. In 1995 ABWE missionaries to Romania, Doug and Sharon Martin, visited our church and home, and the Lord began directing us toward missionary service.

Mike: As a child I reluctantly attended Sunday school a few times. One morning, the teacher spoke of hell and sinners. I repeated a prayer after him, and felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off my body. When I told my friends, they thought I was crazy.

I lacked spiritual encouragement, and tried to fill my life with racing, money, and drug and alcohol abuse. These did not satisfy, and I became depressed and suicidal.

My brother, Jonathan, invited me to visit him in Florida for Christmas 1989. I noticed the brother I loved dearly had changed. I wanted to talk him out of being a Christian; instead, Jonathan shared the gospel with me. I told my brother God could not love a sinner like me. But God seemed to say, "You can stop running; you've found what you have been looking for." I went to Bible College and married Mary Lou in 1994. We formed a friendship with the Martins and Doug told me he was going to Romania to train national leaders. I realized that was something I could do, too. We feel God's call to join the ABWE Romania team.

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David & Valerie (Hite) Smallman

Church: Northland Baptist, Grand Rapids, MI
Children: Adam (7), Ryan (4)

COUNTRY: Brazil

Dave: I am an MK from Brazil and was raised in a godly home. At bedtime devotions when I was seven, I trusted Christ as Savior. We left Brazil when I was in eighth grade. I went from a mission boarding school to a public high school with 500 in my class.

During high school I got into things I should not have, but my life regained focus at Cedarville College. When my father spoke at the annual missionary conference, I knew God was calling me into full-time service. Valerie and I both dedicated our lives at that time.

For eight years we were active in our local church. But I knew I needed to make a career move into missions. After returning from a two-week trip to Brazil in 1994, I knew NOW was the time. When you start to obey God, it is as if someone steps on the gas pedal. We sold our home to attend Grand Rapids Seminary. Acts 6:4 defines what we hope to do: devote ourselves to prayer, and to the ministry of the Word.

Val: I grew up in Lorain, OH, and lived in the same house all my life. I came along many years after my siblings, and my parents called me "a special gift from God." At almost five, the pastor explained the gospel, and I received Christ as Savior. I was so excited I wanted to tell others and even led a girl in my kindergarten class to the Lord. At 12 years old, I promised God that I'd do anything He wanted, but didn't think I could be a missionary. When I met Dave at Cedarville, I was fascinated that he had grown up in Brazil and asked, "Weren't you afraid of the sharks?" Dave assured me there were no sharks in the Amazon. So, the little American girl married the jungle man, and God is leading us both to Brazil.

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David & Catherine (Farrelly) Smith

Church: Central Baptist Church, London, Ontario
Children: Andrew (15), Joel (13), Hannah (8), Matthew (6)

COUNTRY: GAP Ministries

David: My grandparents went to Jamaica as missionaries in 1927, and my parents joined them when I was one year old. I was saved at the age of five while our family was furloughing in Canada. We were traveling home from a meeting where someone had responded to the invitation. My sister and I wanted to know if we could be saved, too. Our parents explained the gospel, and we both trusted Christ. In 1970 the Lord called my parents to Australia, so most of my teen years were spent there. We moved back to Canada in 1977, and the Lord directed me to London Baptist Bible College. I gave my life for missionary service during a conference where Dr. Don Jennings spoke. After marriage and graduation, we served as assistant pastor for two years, then as church planting missionaries in Britain for 13 years. The Lord has called us to return to my roots and work in Jamaica. We want to plant churches and train Jamaicans to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Cathy: At seven, I trusted Christ as my Savior after a Sunday school lesson. When I was ten, my desire was to be a missionary. I held a Bible club and led my best friend to the Lord. But during my later teen years, I rebelled against God and my parents, and left home. The Lord used tragedy and disappointments to bring me back to a right relationship with Him at 20 years of age. I enrolled at London Baptist Bible College and met David. We both realized the call of God on our life to serve as missionaries. We were married in 1982 and served at North Broadway Baptist Church for two years before beginning overseas service.

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Norman & Susan (Strutz) Smith

Church: Campus Baptist Church, Ankeny, IA

COUNTRY: Japan

Susan: I became a part of God's family at the age of six. Raised in a Bible-believing home, I was able to grow in the Lord. My missions-minded mom encouraged me to participate in many ministries. At 13, at a missions conference, I made a decision to allow God to use my life however He saw fit. God led me to study at Faith Baptist Bible College. He took me to Japan on a Missionary Apprentice Program, gave me a job at FBBC, gave me a ministry with international students at Campus Baptist Church near Iowa State University, allowed me to meet and marry Norman, and gave him the desire for missions. We are ordinary people led by God, one step at a time.

Norman: I was saved at age seven after attending evangelistic meetings. Although I struggled throughout my high school and early college years, I always remembered that God had a plan for my life. I attended Mississippi State University and received a BS in horticulture and an MS in botany. Fortunately I attended the Broadmooor Church where I was taught Bible doctrine and learned about missions. After receiving my Master's degree, I went to Iowa State University to pursue a Ph.D. I planned to get a good job and give God a tithe of my earnings. During my first summer in Iowa, however, I met Susan and transferred to the seminary at FBBC. I love to teach, and desire to serve God in any way He asks.

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Raymond & Lori Smith

Church: Parkway Community, Fairfield, CA
Children: Amy (13), Jennifer (11), Brent (8)

FIELD SELECTION: Australia

Ray: My parents are ABWE missionaries Chuck and Elsie Smith. I was born in Brazil, and saved when I was five years old; that is, I "asked Jesus into my heart." When I was nine, my father and I reviewed many Scriptures for assurance of salvation, and I realized I was secure in Christ.

Lori: I received Christ when I was in fifth grade. My Sunday school teacher said you had to have Jesus in your in heart. I thought that was a good ticket to heaven. One thing that made a difference in my life was my involvement in AWANA. All that Scripture you memorize stays with you when you are an adult. Dewey Bertolini, the youth pastor at Calvary Baptist Church, Burbank, CA, taught the Word of God in a way that made it come alive for me. He made me realize Christianity isn't a game you play on Sunday, then live however you want through the week. I began to read my Bible and talk to God on a regular basis.

Ray and Lori recently became aware of the need for Christian workers in Australia when they read an article called "Australia, the Mission Field the World Forgot," in the Spring 1998 issue of The Message. The article stated that only 2-3% of Australians know the Lord. Most claim no religion at all! The missionaries in Australia asked Christians to pray that the Lord would send workers to that land. Ray and Lori feel God is calling them to Australia.

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Richard & Carol (Pfantz) Stowell

Church: Emmanuel Baptist, Mechanicsburg, PA
Children: Wesley (33), Ramie (31), Torrey (18)

FIELD SELECTION: USA

Dick: I never heard the gospel as a child. When I was 28, next door neighbors invited us to Walnut Ridge Baptist Church, Waterloo, IA. The Sunday school teacher spoke about the Rapture, and I thought, These Baptists are as goofy as people say they are. But we returned, and I was saved. Pastor David Moore influenced me greatly as a new Christian. Through a job transfer we moved to Marshalltown, IA where Dr. Glen Jaspers pastored Fellowship Baptist. God used him to challenge me to full-time ministry. After graduating from Maranatha Baptist Bible College, I pastored first in Port Huron, MI. I have been associate pastor for 14 years at Emmanuel in Mechanicsburg. In 1992 my daughter and son-in-law moved to Kauai, Hawaii to serve in a Christian school. We visited several times and saw the spiritual needs among Caucasians, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Korean, and native Hawaiians.

Carol: At age two, I was adopted by a German Lutheran family. I was sent to Sunday school regularly and occasionally attended church. A few years into our marriage, I became confused: I had a good husband who provided well, and two healthy children, yet something was missing. I began searching for God, reading everything I could find. In July 1971, I read a book by Eugenia Price and was drawn by the author's confidence in a personal knowledge of Jesus Christ. That day I accepted Christ as Savior.

When God gave us a burden for Hawaii, I reasoned, "Everyone likes Hawaii. And my daughter and grandchildren live there." God tested our sincerity by moving them to Rochester, MN. It was a scary thought that God would call middle-aged people into missions. The Lord has given me a promise, "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand hold me" (Psalm 139:9,10).

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Gary & Mary Jane Strange

Church: Gray Road Baptist, Indianapolis, IN
Children: Julia (24), Sarah (21), Katherine (18)

COUNTRY: Trinidad & Tobago

Gary: In 1989 we both had good jobs and were making good money. Then I lost my job. A dear friend asked if I was saved. I had never heard this question before. After a puzzled moment I answered, "Sure, I'm a Roman Catholic." She said, "You don't understand. Have you been born again?" I responded, "I don't know what you're talking about." She gave me a tape series by Dr. Charles Stanley that the Holy Spirit used to convict me, and I placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I thought everyone would be happy about my salvation, and never dreamed we'd have to leave the Catholic church. But after the Christmas Mass in 1994, we realized we couldn't stay. I began studying at the multi-cultural Baptist Bible College of Indianapolis. Following a mission trip to Guyana in 1997, my wife and I committed ourselves to serve the Lord as missionaries.

Mary Jane: I listened to Dr. Stanley's message over and over, but because of my Roman Catholic background I was confused. With Gary's help I began to understand why what I was hearing was different from what I had been taught. As we both grew in the Lord, Gary felt the Lord was calling him into ministry. I encouraged him to be patient and continue his education so he would be prepared when God clarified His call. But when Gary started talking about leaving the country, I panicked. I wanted to work for the Lord in my comfort zone. On a retreat last fall I realized that I had not turned total control of my life over to the Lord. When I did that, God gave me peace about our becoming missionaries.

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Paul & Laurel (Watkins) Timblin

Church: Salem Baptist, Winston-Salem, NC
Children: Bethany (2)

COUNTRY: Ghana/Togo

Paul: I was raised in Germany, the son of missionaries Paul and Sandy Timblin. I was led to the Lord by my father during family devotions when I was five. At a Word of Life camp in Munich, when I was 12, I dedicated my life to the Lord when a missionary pilot gave his testimony. As a child I wanted to fly fighter jets. But when God led me into missionary aviation, He seemed to say, "You can keep your dream; just go from high and fast, to low and slow."

I attended Word of Life Bible Institute, then enrolled in the aviation program at Piedmont Bible College. Laurel and I were married after graduation in 1996. We knew God wanted us in full-time missions, but didn't know where. In January 1998, I met Don Trott and learned of ABWE's need for missionary pilots.

Laurel: I was born in Liberia, West Africa, to BMM missionaries Chick and Joan Watkins. On our first furlough, when I was eight, my dad led me to the Lord. As an 11-year-old on the mission field I taught Sunday school and VBS, but Christ didn't mean much to me. In boarding school, I could spout Bible verses, but got in serious trouble during my senior year.

My dad was a pilot, and I flew with him, even though I spent much of the time with my head in airsick bags. I also hated getting shots, or anything to do with medicine. During my senior year of high school I dedicated my life to the Lord for full-time missionary service, determined to stay far away from airplanes and alcohol swabs. I attended Piedmont Bible College and married Paul-a pilot. I also felt God wanted me to get more training-in nursing.

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Stephen & Lourdinha (Araujo) Veness

Church: Emmanuel Fellowship Baptist, Vernon BC
Children: Joy (20), Beverly (18), Nancy (17)

COUNTRY: Brazil

Stephen: At age six I was saved at a Don Holiday Crusade in my hometown. I enjoyed going to church, but when I was 12 my two brothers dropped out of church and enticed me to leave, too. For two years I struggled and nearly followed them. The summer when I was 14, I attended Sunnybrae Bible Camp. Walking along the beach, I pleaded with the Lord to do something in my life. Verses I had memorized flooded my heart including John 15:16. I started Bible school, but quit after a year. My mother said, "You told me God called you to Brazil. Why don't you go now?" So I did, continuing my Bible training in Brazil. There I met Lourdinha. In 1978 we began our church planting ministry. We want to continue living among the people and winning them to Christ.

Lourdinha: I praise the Lord for missionaries who left their homes in North America to present the gospel in Brazil. Through their ministry my parents became Christians, allowing me to be born into a Christian home. My mother took me to every meeting at church. When I was nine, my dad asked me if I was a Christian. I answered yes. But he continued, "Why do think you are a Christian?" I responded, "Because you and mom are!" My father explained that I had to ask Jesus to be my Savior. I told my father I would accept the Lord that night at church. Then I ran to my cousin's house, telling her I was going to ask Jesus into my heart that night. She replied, "If you do, I will too."

Many tricksters have come to Brazil deceiving people. They draw large crowds, but Brazil needs the real gospel.

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Paul & Rachel Weber

Church: Grace Baptist Columbus, IN
Children: Andrew (3), Jonathan (1)

COUNTRY: Australia

Paul: I trusted in Jesus as my Savior at five years of age. Although I believe I was truly saved then, I was raised in a home that believed a person could lose his salvation. As a result, every time I got away from the Lord, I felt I needed to be saved again. After many such occasions, I simply gave up on God.

I went into the Marine Corps and was sent to Okinawa. I was lonely and wondering about life. A fellow Marine invited me to church. I used every excuse I could think of not to go: no good clothes, no Bible. Just to get him off my back, I went. On my second visit I responded to the invitation. I was shown the truth about eternal security and settled the issue once and for all. Immediately I got involved in ministry. I realized I wanted to preach to those who had never heard.

Rachel: My dad was a pastor and my mom knew how to pray. I often saw her praying through a set of file cards. When I was four, I came home from Sunday school and could not stop thinking about Jesus death for me even though I was bad. I told my mom I wanted to get saved. In case I didn't understand, she went through the plan of salvation, then prayed with me. At eight I learned I was supposed to tell people about Jesus, but my whole world was Christian. I didn't know who to tell. I asked a friend in my Christian school, "Are you saved?" When she replied, "No," I led her to the Lord. When I was ten we went to a revival where I saw a film on the Second Coming. I realized many people are not ready for Christ to come. I felt God calling me to take His Word to them. Since then I have been preparing to serve Him as a missionary. I spent a summer in France when I was 15 and attended Tennessee Temple University where I earned a BA in Missions.

We feel the Lord is leading us to work with youth.

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David & Jodi (Chaney) Wilson

Church: Bridgewater Baptist, Montrose, PA
Children: Lauren (11), Lindsay (8), Matthew (7), Mitchell (4)

COUNTRY: Australia

David: I am a third generation pastor, born into the home of a godly pastor and wife. When I was five my family attended camp and I realized my need of a Savior. My parents' consistent example of faithfulness to God gave me a solid foundation for a life-long commitment to ministry.

We often had missionaries in our home. I remember one woman who worked on the Amazon. She impressed me so much that I wanted to go back with her-right then! During my teen years, under the influence of my youth pastor, God began to direct me into full-time service. I attended Baptist Bible College of PA and pastored three churches in 13 years. Recently I have been touched by these statistics: "The United States has 7% of the world's population, and 95% of the full-time Christian workers." That doesn't seem fair. We were also struck by what we read in The Message about the forgotten mission field of Australia. We hope to join the ABWE team there.

Jodi: My roots are in Western Maryland, where my parents brought up our family of six in the church. I was saved at seven under the ministry of evangelist John Carrara, at Calvary Baptist Church, Cresaptown. The teen group, its leaders, and my pastor, Richard Seefried, steered me toward spiritual matters, and got me involved in serving through music. I attended BBC where I graduated in 1985 with a degree in Music Education.

Becoming a missionary wasn't always MY plan, but a recent missions trip to Australia changed that. God has blessed my life too much to reject to His call.

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Tom & Nancy (Price) Wolf

Church: Memorial Baptist Columbus, OH
Children: Lyndsey (14), Tara (12), Chelsea (8), Morgan (4)

COUNTRY: Cape Town, South Africa

Nancy: As a child I was always in church. Once when we had evangelistic services, I saw people walk forward and enter a room. I wanted to know what was going on, so I went, too. I accepted Christ as Savior at six, but my faith did not become real until high school. I met Tom, who challenged me by asking what I believed. In preparing my answers, I gained ownership of my faith. We were married shortly after graduation.

We attend Memorial Baptist in Columbus and have been guided by pastor Thomas and Sue Wright. In January 1996, we went with a team to Papua New Guinea to facilitate a spiritual enrichment week for the missionaries. I had held missionaries up on a pedestal. That week I realized they are real people. When we returned, I nagged Tom about going into missions. He replied, "If God is calling us into missions, He will tell me." I stopped nagging and just prayed.

Tom: Statistics show that 85% of people come to know the Lord before the age of 15. God graciously saved me at the ripe age of 20! God used Nancy at a time when she began to get serious about her personal relationship with the Lord. After our marriage we went church hunting and found a church that talked about being born again. At home in my room after a morning service, I was saved. We began receiving Bible training and working at everything in the church, from picking up communion cups to teaching and being a deacon. We developed a mission statement for our family.

A businessman and a homemaker in our mid-thirties with four daughters must appear unlikely candidates for a missionary call. We find several examples in scripture, however, of other unlikely servants who surrendered for service. We have been given so much, and want to use our lives for the Lord.

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David & Melanie (McKinney) Woodard

Church: Calvary Baptist, Montgomery, AL

COUNTRY: Peru

David: When I was six, my dad and I were on our way to a church where Dad, who is a layman, was to speak. I asked him how I could get saved and right there in the car he led me to the Lord.

In my home I had many opportunities to see missionaries. I was afraid of missions at first, because I didn't want to go to another country. As a teenager I surrendered myself to the Lord. In September 1989, I moved from New York to Virginia to teach. I had many opportunities to serve in the local church there. While I was there I met Melanie. Five years later the Lord moved me again, this time to Melanie's home town in Alabama. Currently we teach at Calvary Christian Academy in Montgomery. Last summer we went to Peru for a month. The Lord burdened us for the people of that country. In the spring of 1998 we sensed the Lord's call on our lives to the mission field.

Melanie: I began attending a Christian school in second grade. After a profession of faith and years of doubting, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior at age 14.

The Lord began speaking to my heart about missions when I was young. During high school I met many missionaries both at school and church. My sophomore year at Pensacola Christian College I surrendered to the call of missions. In 1992 after graduation, the Lord opened the doors for me to serve in Lima, Peru, for a two-year term. My husband and I met in Virginia when I returned to the States for Christmas, 1993. The following year David and I both accepted teaching jobs in Montgomery, Alabama and were married in 1995.

After visiting Peru together and praying for God's direction, we are eager to follow His leading.

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David & Janice (Ridlen) Zimmer

Church: Bible Baptist, Kokomo, IN
Children: Amanda (10), Stephanie (7), Amber (5)

COUNTRY: Togo

David: When I was five my Sunday school teacher presented the gospel, and I accepted Christ as my Savior. I attended Christian school and AWANA, and during my teen years I was involved in youth ministry and leadership. I attended Baptist Bible College of PA to study for the pastorate. After graduation, I did a summer internship, then waited for God to open a door. My home church offered to make me the church custodian. One day I argued with the Lord, "Here I am doing this, when I want to be a pastor." God seemed to reply, "If you're not willing to clean toilets for me, how can you hope to serve as a pastor?" To support the family, I went to work in a hospital. That led into nursing, and eventually to a night supervisory position where I learned all areas of the hospital.

In November 1997, God gave me the opportunity to go to Haiti with a church group. That experience showed me the possibilities of medical missions. God knew what He was doing all along.

Janice: I was saved at the age of five. One Sunday night after church I went home, but could not sleep. I kept thinking about the message our pastor had given about heaven and hell. I asked my mom to come to my room and she led me to the Lord. I jumped out of bed and ran to tell my father and brothers. From second grade through high school I attended a Christian school. I hadn't planned to go to college, but after my senior year in high school some friends and I decided to go to the Teen Leadership Conference at Baptist Bible College of PA. I decided to become a student at BBC where I met David. After our marriage we committed our lives to God.

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