Dr. Sharon Ann Rahilly
Church: Emmanuel Baptist, Xenia, OH
Phone: 937-766-2657
Email: rahillys@paco.net
COUNTRY: Central & Eastern
Europe
My parents were Baptist Mid-Missions missionaries in Liberia,
West Africa from 1945-1960, then served as home missionaries
and in the pastorate. I made a profession of faith when I
was five years old, but began to wonder how much I truly
understood. At age 16, I made certain that I truly was saved.
Since that day, I have had no doubts.
I attended Faith Baptist Bible College majoring in Bible
and Christian Education. Following that, I went into nurses'
training receiving a B. S. in nursing and working full-time
as a nurse. I obtained a M.S. in nursing and Ph.D. in Health
Education. I taught first at a secular school, then at Liberty
University, and Cedarville College.
I took teams to Haiti, and to the Karolyn Kempton Memorial
Hospital in Togo, I was overwhelmed as I touched down in
West Africa and realized God had brought me back. In my four
trips to Togo, I came to appreciate ABWE's strong emphasis
on evangelism and church planting, using medical missions
and other means to help accomplish that goal.
As God leads, I hope to work in health education and nursing
education in various countries. Showing compassion speaks
to people and opens up areas for the gospel.
David & Dennise
(Longest) Rhoads
Church: Pine Grove Baptist, Santa Maria, CA
Children: Megan '85; Kara '86; Rachel '90
Phone: 805-938-0552
Email: ddrhoads@juno.com
COUNTRY: Papua New Guinea
Dennise: As a little girl I went to church occasionally.
I learned there is a God and I should be good. When I was
15, neighbors gave my mother the book The Late Great Planet
Earth. She responded to the call for salvation printed in
the book. My mother told us we needed to be saved, too. I
believed what she said and thought that saved me. Six months
later an evangelist came to our church and explained that
salvation must be a personal experience. I accepted Christ
as Savior.
David: When I was nine years old
my family started attending a Baptist church where, for
the first time, I heard terms
such as "born again" and "saved." When
the pastor came for a visit, my sister and I accepted the
Lord together.
Following in my father's footsteps, I joined the Air Force.
Shortly after Dennise and I were married, we began talking
about missions. We thought if you were willing that was all
there was to it. Our pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church
in Racine, Wisconsin suggested we get some Bible training
first. Money was tight and the family was growing. We weren't
able to go to Bible school, but were involved in AWANA, teaching
Sunday school, and other church ministries.
In 1993 ABWE missionary, Dr. John
Bullock, told about the Limb & Brace Department at
Memorial Christian Hospital in Bangladesh that manufactures
artificial limbs. I am a
machinist and thought God could use me in a technical support
role on a mission field. In 1995, we went under ABWE's Assistant
Missionary Program to Papua New Guinea for one year doing
maintenance at the Goroka Bible College and now will return
full-time.
We are grateful to God who calls both learned men and fishermen,
Ph.D's and GED's into His service.
Buddy & April (Lyon) Robinson
Children: Seth '95
Phone: 850-505-4964
Email: buddyandapril@juno.com
COUNTRY: Romania
Buddy: I was a "military brat." In my 34 years,
I have lived in 36 homes. At the age of four, I heard a missionary
story and thought, I'm just like the child in that story.
I need to be saved, too. Throughout my teens I struggled
with assurance of salvation. In my freshman year at Pensacola
Christian College, the doubts came again. I talked to Dr.
Grubbs, a dean at the college. He asked, "In what are
you placing your trust?" I realized the trust I had
placed in Christ as a child was what mattered, not my feelings.
Since that time, God has allowed me to serve as music director,
youth director, and elementary and college speech teacher.
April: I was four when I accepted Christ as Savior while
my mother and I were riding in the car. There were periods
of doubt as a teenager, but these doubts were resolved when
I realized I did not have anything to do with providing my
salvation. God even gave me the faith to believe in His Son.
We often had missionaries in our home. I can still sing
the Bengali chorus missionary Gene Gurganus taught me. In
college I made two short-term trips to Mexico. I became a
speech teacher and have been able to help many students going
into the ministry.
In the summer of 1997, we talked to Buddy's brother, Bobby,
and family who are missionaries in Brazil. They asked why
WE weren't going to the mission field. We mentioned our plan
to help other missionaries, but the real reason was insufficient
faith to go to the mission field. Our hearts were pricked.
If God could provide for Bobby, couldn't He also provide
for us? In January 1999, God called us into full-time missionary
service.
After working with refugees from Bosnia now living in America,
we were burdened for people in Eastern Europe.
Dr. David & Sharon
(Waala) Ronan
Church: Faith Baptist, Wilmington, DE
Children: Kristina '87; Stephen '88
Email: DRonan@aol.com
COUNTRY: Asian Theological education
Dave: I was reared in a Roman Catholic family. After high
school, I enrolled in the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed
aboard a naval vessel anchored off the coast of Beirut, Lebanon.
During that time, I read a gospel tract that convicted me
of my sin. When I returned to the USA, friends invited me
to a Baptist church. With fear and trepidation, I entered
this non-Catholic church. That day, I met genuinely converted
Christians. A young woman sang a song that pierced my heart.
I wanted God to mold my life as the song suggested. I trusted
Christ that morning.
Ten months later, I was sent to Okinawa, Japan. I met missionaries
who encouraged me to consider full-time missionary service.
I wanted to be an attorney, but God was changing my heart.
I sensed a God-given desire to give my best efforts to influence
people living overseas into God's kingdom. I surrendered
my life to God a few months after arriving in Japan. I met
Sharon a little later, and we were married in Okinawa.
Sharon: I was reared in southern Japan by missionary parents.
One evening during family devotions, I trusted Christ as
Savior. Even though I was only three years old, I was well
aware of my sin. When I was eight, I knew God was working
in my heart to give me a burden for missions. As a teen,
I doubted the sincerity of my call because I didn't want
to be accused of being influenced by others. Yet God did
not take away my burden for the people of Asia. The hardest
choice was not surrendering to missions, but staying focused
on full-time service.
We have served as church planters in Japan since 1986. Dave
has also been active in ABTS/GRBSEP (Asia Baptist Theological
Seminary/Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary Extension Program).
We hope to support the church planting process by developing
national and missionary leaders in Southeast Asia.
Wayne & Susan
(Robb) Royce
Church: Waneta Lake Baptist, Wayne, NY
Children: Sherri '84; Joshua '87; Craig '90
Phone: 607-522-4731
COUNTRY: South Africa
Wayne: Although I grew up in a Christian home, I never knew
Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. One afternoon in February
1986, I was reading the Bible, I confessed my sin and put
my faith in Jesus Christ.
An evangelist came to our church
and challenged us to consider if we would be willing to
go anywhere God asked us to serve
Him. I said, "Yes," but forgot about it. Two years
later, we moved to New York. Missionaries who came to our
church encouraged us to go to Bible college. We took that
advice and graduated in 1993. As missionaries presented their
needs, I said to the Lord, "If you would count me worthy,
I will go."
Susan: I came to know Christ as my Savior on Christmas Eve
in 1985. I had a nice home and a new baby, but something
was missing in my life. At work, I met Nancy, a quiet, gentle
woman who loved the Lord. She showed me from God's Word that
a Christian was someone who trusted in Christ for salvation.
She discipled me and we began attending a Bible-believing
church. I had never even opened a Bible before and was awed
by God's Word and what it said to me.
After Bible school, we served in
the pastorate for five years. Wayne has had a passion for
missions for a long time;
mine has been more of a progressive calling. My concern was
for our son, Craig, who has multiple-handicaps. I told the
Lord that if WE were to go into missions, He would have to
put that desire in MY heart as well as in my husband's. God
gave me the verse in Isaiah 12:2, "I will trust and
not be afraid."
Wayne attended a men's retreat where Don Trott spoke. Don
encouraged us that having a child with special needs need
not deter us from missionary service. Our daughter, Sherri,
took part in ABWE's EXPEDITION program for teens during the
same time we were in Candidate Seminar. We hope to begin
a legacy of missions in our family.
Jeffrey & Julie
(Titus) Sanders
Church: Grace Baptist, Cedarville, OH
Children: JoHanna '94; Jacob '97
Phone: 937-766-9762
Email: sandersj@cedarville.edu
COUNTRY: Philippines
Jeff: I was born near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Feeling
that something was missing in their lives that living in
the country might fill, my parents bought a farm. Some people
came to buy a colt and ended up inviting us to their church.
I accepted Christ in Sunday school when I was 11. Early
in my spiritual journey, I was drawn to a life of full-time
ministry. My college choice was a diversion as I went to
Penn State University to study biology. God redirected me,
and opened doors to Cedarville College.
At Cedarville, I met my wife, and was influenced by men
of God such as Bill Commons. Following a three-year position
at Cedarville College, we went to Baptist Bible Seminary
of Pennsylvania where I earned a Masters of Divinity degree.
We completed our pastoral internship at Grace Baptist in
Cedarville, Ohio, and stayed on as Associate Pastor of Christian
Education and Youth. I led teams to England and Ireland,
and later to the Philippines. All the while, God was drawing
us into missions.
Julie: The pivotal point in my life came when my parents
were saved. As my family grew in the Lord at Barcroft Bible
Church, my mother led me to accept Christ when I was seven.
Early input from an active missions program at church and
regular Child Evangelism Fellowship stories fed my interest
in full-time ministry.
During high school, I made a public decision to give my
life to God's work. Cedarville College was key in equipping
me as a believer and broadening my vision for ministry. Cedarville
offered the opportunity to go on a short-term experience
to Chile, where ABWE missionary, Wanda Locke, challenged
me with what it was like to be a woman with an international
influence.
When Jeff returned from the Philippines,
he asked how I would feel about going there. I replied, "I've been
praying if God wants us in missions, He would speak to you
while you were away." We hope to be part of the program
Helping Asians Reach Asia. |
 |
Thomas & Susan (Woodward)
Scriven
Church: Westfield First Baptist, Westfield, NY
Children: Elizabeth '75; Thomas '78; Rebecca '79
Phone: 716-326-7353
COUNTRY: Europe
Thomas: I attended church as a child, but was never confronted
with the gospel message. At 19, I was seeking for something
more in life. One Saturday I attended a youth rally where
an evangelist spoke on John 3:16. For the first time I understood
the verse meant God loved me personally and Jesus died for
my sins. On the way home, my sister and her husband (who
was a new Christian himself) explained salvation more fully
and I accepted Christ.
I was first exposed to missions in college prayer band where
I saw the need to pray for those serving in other countries.
It is now our desire to follow the Lord in His harvest field.
Susan: Our pastor told the children a story each Sunday
morning. Pilgrim's Progress convicted me of my need of Jesus,
and I accepted Him as Savior at the age seven.
When I was a teen my family began attending First Baptist
Church of Westfield. Pastor Charles Bierman's teaching challenged
me to follow Christ more closely.
At the end of high school, I met my husband who had recently
accepted Christ. We attended a Christian college together
and were married after a year. When Tom completed his training,
we went into the pastorate, first as an assistant, then as
pastor in Cherry Creek and Cassadaga, New York. Each time
a missionary spoke at our missions conferences, I felt burdened
that I would like to do that. Reid Minich and Gene Thomas'
stories of God's working stirred my heart. Missionary to
the Gambia, Ruth Wood (a friend from childhood) has also
been a beacon of faith and courage.
After a recent trip to England and France, I came home with
a burden I could no longer squelch. The look of emptiness
and purposelessness on the faces of the young people haunted
me. Who will tell them of Christ and His love?
Dennis & Bonnie
(Cox) Slothower
Church: Harmony Grove Community, Dover, PA
Children: Brock '76; Andrea'78
Phone: 717-292-3340
COUNTRY: Trinidad & Tobago
Dennis: As a child, I had nothing against church; we just
didn't go. In the background, however, was a great-aunt who
was outspoken about her faith, and grandparents who quietly
loved the Lord. Then God brought Tim Wiseman into my life.
He witnessed before his fellow workers and we became friends.
He invited me to church and on January 5, 1984, Tim led me
to Christ.
Missions is stressed at our church. At this year's missions
conference, ABWE missionaries, Bob and Jo Fry, shared their
ministry in Portugal. We invited them to eat with us and
learned ways we could serve. I sensed this was God's invitation
for us to join ABWE.
Bonnie: I grew up believing that being good would get me
into heaven. When we started going to Harmony Grove Church,
I heard something so different it was hard for me to believe.
I sat under the teaching of the gospel for a year before
on December 24, 1984, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
We have been busy in our church;
Dennis is a Board member and worked in the sound room for
12 years. I teach 3rd grade
Sunday school, and both of us work with the 3rd and 4th grade
Olympians. At our missionary conference, my heart was drawn
to the work on mission fields, but I had so many "What
ifs?" What about our house? What would I do in missions?
The Frys settled that worry when I said my expertise was
working with children and computers-two areas needed on mission
fields.
Our desire is to reach out to others with the gospel and
to help them realize their need for a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ.
Stephen & Marla
(Williams) Smith
Church: Calvary Baptist, Yucca Valley, CA
Children: Trista '85; Tamara '87
Phone: 760-366-2368
Email: sdmksmith@juno.com
COUNTRY: South Africa
Steve: With the last name of Smith and having been born
in Salt Lake City, Utah, it is not hard to believe I was
reared as a Mormon. At the age of 15, I questioned some leaders
who told me to stop reading the Bible and start reading the
other books they use.
My cousin, John Willert, (the only other saved member in
my family) invited me to Word of Life basketball marathons
and I listened to Pastor Art Ramey preach for several months.
On July 1, 1979, when I was 19, the blinders were removed
from my eyes. I asked God to save me and make me His child.
As we grew in our Christian lives,
we considered missions, but were afraid of where God might
send us. We prayed for
missionaries, and the Holy Spirit seemed to say, "When
are YOU going to be broken for lost people?"
Marla: One of the biggest influences in my young life was
my aunt, Nebie Hopper. She told me Bible stories and took
me to church. When I was seven, the Lord tugged at my heart
and I accepted Him at Calvary Baptist Church in Compton,
CA. I thank God for AWANA which helped me grow in my Christian
life. During my teen years, my youth pastor, Ken Ramey, made
it a joy and privilege to serve the Lord Jesus.
Three years ago, as a family, we
stepped out in faith to serve the Lord. In January1999,
Steve and I took a missions
trip to Chiclayo, Peru. I don't like the thought of leaving
my "comfort zone," my dogs, and the trees I planted,
but I know the verse in Romans 12:1 is true. Serving the
Lord is our "reasonable service" and leads to the "perfect
will of God."
Jerry & Sue
Ann (Bradley) Thomas
Church: Highland Park Baptist, Chattanooga, TN
Children: Lisa '73; Nathan '74
Phone: 413-624 7946
Email: Jerroldtsr@aol.com
COUNTRY: Intercultural Training Center
Jerry: I had passed my 30th birthday before I was confronted
with the claims of Christ. The birth of my son showed me
unconditional love, and Pastor Ernest Clark and the people
of Sunrise Valley Baptist Church, in San Jose, California
reached my soul
A few years after my salvation, I began experiencing an
increasing level of frustration, even though I was active
in many church ministries. God led us to Northwest Baptist
Seminary and Grace Seminary for training.
In 1988, I began teaching at Tennessee Temple University.
I have taught over 60 courses in addition to administrative
responsibilities. I imagined I would stay on at TTU until
the end of my ministry, but last summer my eyes were opened
as I taught a module in the Far East
After considerable prayer, we applied to ABWE to serve in
theological training. This may include teaching modules in
countries where theological teachers can't get permanent
visas; going to countries asking for higher levels of training;
and going to Bible training centers to provide encouragement
and new perspectives.
Sue Ann: My military family traveled extensively, but the
cultures I was exposed to left the void in my heart unanswered.
I found the answer by reading the Bible and accepted Christ
as Savior in high school while living in Athens, Greece.
I was largely untutored in my Christian walk and married
my husband while he was unsaved. God had His hand on us,
and within five years, I had a godly husband and a Christian
marriage.
I have enjoyed teaching kindergarten and have led both children
and their parents to the Lord. I have been involved in deaf
ministry, and in mentoring young mothers.
For 20 years, I prayed that God will call Jerry to teach
outside the USA. I knew my military background made it easy
for me to travel and live overseas. Now God has graciously
opened a new door of service, one I have dreamed of for many
years.
Olivia Walsh
Church: Calvary Baptist, Normal, IL
Phone: 309-451-9936
Email: oliviawalsh@aol.com
COUNTRY: Togo
I was born in Dublin, Ireland and my parents raised me and
my four younger siblings in the traditions and teachings
of the Roman Catholic church. I grew up with an impersonal
awareness of God.
At the end of my first year of
college, I felt an emptiness in my soul which I sought
to satisfy with alcohol, basketball,
and social activities. The result was a temporary "high," but
the emptiness persisted. During my second year of college,
at age 20, a classmate, introduced me to biblical Christianity.
On October 9, 1994, I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior.
The emptiness was gone!
Six months later, I was part of
a missions team to Tanzania. I remember traveling to a
remote tribal village to show the "Jesus" film
to several hundred people who had walked for hours to see
the film. I was rapidly developing a passion for missions.
In May 1996, I moved to Normal, Illinois. God directed my
steps to Calvary Baptist Church, and I became involved in
AWANA, missions team, and the college and career class. God
brought Mary Grabow into my life, whose faithful walk has
been an example to me.
At our annual missions conferences, the Lord challenged
me to deepen my relationship with Him. In December 1998,
I took four months leave of absence to work in the Physical
Therapy unit at Memorial Christian Hospital, Bangladesh.
Reading the book Daktar, I was rebuked for my lack of commitment
to Christ. On my return, I applied for full-time medical
missions.
God has drawn me to His work at Karolyn Kempton Memorial
Christian Hospital in Togo, to establish a physical therapy
ministry.
Rebecca Lynn Wine
Church: First Baptist, Elkhart, IN
Phone: 219- 294-3991
Email: cwine@compuserve.com
COUNTRY: Argentina
When I was five, I attended vacation Bible school. I had
grown up hearing stories about Jesus, but this was the first
time I understood Jesus died for MY sin. The teacher asked
those who wanted to receive Jesus to stay in their places.
I remember trying to decide whether to stay or go play with
the others. I decided the kids could wait, and that day I
accepted Christ.
Since the age of 13 when I committed my life to serve the
Lord, I have had a burden for foreign missions. The United
States seems saturated with churches compared to the rest
of the world. Within a 30-mile radius of my parents' home
in Elkhart, are at least eight Baptist church, plus other
churches where the gospel is preached. In Buenos Aires, where
nearly half the population of Argentina lives, just a few
churches proclaim the Good News.
At Cedarville College, I studied elementary education. God
used my love of teaching, interest in Spanish, and Carl and
Lois Sexton's need for a teacher for their boys to lead me
to Argentina.
I thought I would go for just a
year, but it stretched into 21 months. Besides teaching
the MK's, I studied Spanish,
helped in youth work, played and taught piano. Then came
the decision: continue living in the USA or serve in Argentina?
I told the Lord, "I love it here, but I need to know
YOU want me to come back." Five people told me, "We
need your ministry here." This gave me great peace knowing
God is in control. |
