Gala Celebration

July 7-9, 2000

Rejoicing in the goodness of God to ABWE and the ministry of Wendell and Ruth Kempton over the past 30 years.

Wendell Kempton became president of ABWE in 1971, at which time 338 ABWE missionaries served in 11 countries. By the spring of 2000, the mission family had grown to 1,102 serving in 50 countries.

Board members, missionaries and national leaders from around the world, family and friends of the Kemptons, and other guests attended the celebration.

Dr. Harold T. Commons, now almost 95 years of age, detailed the beginnings of ABWE [ABEO as it was first known]. He said, "We thank God for the women who launched this mission. For the first seven years, the mission was guided by godly women headed by the first president, Mrs. Lucy Peabody. We were a feminist movement before there was such a thing. This mission would never have gotten off the ground without those valiant soldiers of the cross."

Dr. Commons, president from 1935 to 1971, closed his historical perspective by saluting Wendell Kempton with the words, "Hail and farewell." To president-elect, Michael Loftis, he said, "God speed, and step on the gas."

Dr. Kempton thanked Dr. Commons for his gracious example in stepping down and letting him lead. Now Wendell Kempton is stepping down to be free to preach the gospel and raise up a new generation of missionaries.

Veteran missionaries reported: Paul Schlener from The Port of Two Bothers, Amazonas, Brazil, Dr. Larry Armstrong, Rev. Jay Walsh, Dr. Viggo Olsen, Dr. Russell Ebersole (Far East)

Greetings were given from national leaders, Dr. Mariano Leones and Dr. Antolin Zamar (Philippines), and Dr. Geza Kovacs (Romania). These men thanked God for what He has accomplished in co-operation with ABWE.

The speakers at this celebration-Dr. Arthur Woolsey, Dr. Joseph Stowell, Dr. Howard Hendricks, and Dr. Charles Ware-are men of God who impacted Wendell Kempton's life.

"To God be the glory; great things He hath done."

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