Ron Allen
2001 ABWE Appointee
Church: Heritage Baptist, Prattville,
AL
Phone: (334) 358-1415
E-mail: Rallen610@yahoo.com
Country: Mexico City
Around the age of twelve, to please
my parents, I made a public decision to accept Christ.
For five years, I convinced everyone that I was a Christian.
Pride kept me from admitting the true condition of my heart.
In my senior year in high school, during a chapel service,
I accepted God's gift of salvation. At the same time, I
promised God the "three W's": whenever, wherever,
and whatever He wanted me to do, I would do it.
For the past eleven years, I have been
an assistant pastor and youth pastor. In June 1996, I took
a group on a missions trip to Mexico City. On our second
trip in June 2000, we prayed that we would do whatever
God called us to. I prayed that dangerous, exciting, adventurous
prayer, never thinking God had something in mind for me.
After all, I already had a ministry. In November 2000,
I returned to Mexico City and while in that vast city,
received confirmation that God wanted me there. Some people
ask me WHY I am going. I answer, "I can't do anything
else. Yes, I'm qualified to do other work, but I must be
obedient."
Judy (Lynch) Andre
2001 ABWE Appointee
Church: Starkey Road Baptist, Seminole,
FL
Children: Richard '79
Phone: (727) 347-1869
E-mail: JudyRN@aol.com
Country: Kenya
I grew up in a home with an unbelieving
father and a godly mother who took us children to church.
My father was saved after 46 years of my mother's prayers
for him. I was saved in a Sunday morning church service
in Indianapolis, Indiana when I was eight. Later, in Florida,
I was part of a great Bible-believing church. As a teen,
my youth pastor was ABWE president Michael Loftis' father,
Dr. Dale Loftis. I am thankful for the positive influence
he had in my life. I was active in the youth group, and
at 14 dedicated my life to the Lord. But I became rebellious
and, to my shame, turned my back on God. I married and
spent over 22 years as a military wife. My husband was
killed in a traffic accident 10 years ago.
After returning to my home church in
Florida, I became involved in junior church and later in
Word of Life Clubs. I like working with youth because I
know the pain of grieving the Lord.
During our missions conference in 1997,
I yielded my future to the Lord. I believe I can reach
out to the unsaved through my nursing skills.
Randy & Deborah (Sexton) Austin
Church: Oakfield Baptist, Rockford
MI
Children: Elizabeth '94; Sarah '95; Rebekah '97; Victoria '99
Phone: (616) 696-9041
E-mail: ranaustin@juno.com
Country: Central & Eastern Europe
Randy: My parents and grandparents
lived their faith in such a way that I never doubted their
love for the Savior. At the age of five, I, too, became
a child of God. I enjoyed an excellent Christian education,
but was never challenged to live my life by faith. After
a year of college, good friends motivated me to do something
for Christ. I gave up plans for a secular career and followed
God's leading to Tennessee Temple University.
Missionaries' presentations directed
my attention to the global spread of the Gospel. I talked
with Don Trott about ways of getting into Eastern Europe
to assist with church planting.
While at TTU, I met Deborah. After
our marriage, we completed our education at Cornerstone
University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. God has shown both
of us that He wants to use our experience to impact the
growth of churches in Central and Eastern Europe.
Deborah: My grandfather is a missionary
church planter in the mountains of Kentucky, and my dad
has been a pastor for as long as I can remember. At the
age of six, I asked my mom how to get saved. She walked
with me over to my dad's office and together my parents
led me to the Lord.
While Randy and I were at TTU, he asked
me what I thought about going to Russia as a missionary.
I was not at all interested in going anywhere. A couple
of years ago, Randy contacted Ralph Gruenberg, ABWE's Director
of Projects, which led us to Santiago, Chile to supervise
a building project. While there, I realized God wanted
me to be willing to do what He directs.
Drs. Carlton & Karen (Close) Baer
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Independent Bible, Martinsburg,
WV
Children: Daniel '95; Rachel '98
Phone: (304) 258-8729
Email: drsbaer@intrepid.net
Country: Togo
Carlton: I was 11 years old when my
sister encouraged me to receive Jesus as she had done several
years earlier. I prayed to the Lord by my bed, then went
forward the next Sunday to make my decision clear to the
other boys and girls.
Since medical school, I have felt a
call to serve the Lord as a medical missionary, but was
not certain whether He wanted me to serve short-term or
long-term. Since my medical partner, Dr. Michael Gayle,
and his family pursued long-term medical missions, that
option also opened for my family.
With the Lord's help, Karen and I plan
to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the
patients we treat. We want to impact the community through
involvement in churches, teaching God's Word, and discipling
new believers.
Karen: In the spring of 1973, I went
to a series of classes at the church my family attended.
There I learned what it means to be a true Christian, and
accepted Christ as my Savior.
In 1999, Carlton and I served for six
weeks in Togo. We were impressed with the hospital team.
I believe caring for people's needs and sharing the gospel
go hand-in-hand. In addition to my family responsibilities
and medical work, I hope to be involved in women's ministries
in local churches.
Paul & Karolyn (Niles) Beltz
2001 ABWE Appointee
Church: Calvary Baptist, Norwich NY
Children: Elijah '81; Jonah '85; Micah '88
Phone: (570) 587-1411
E-mail: p941@juno.com
Country: Ghana
Paul: I accepted Christ as my Savior
as a young boy during Sunday school and soon dedicated
my life to the Lord. While I was in grade school, I used
puppets with children in church. I won talent shows, and
accepted jobs performing at parties. At one event, everything
I did flopped. I realized my life wasn't being used for
God's glory. I put my dummies away for 15 years.
After high school, Karolyn and I married,
and I started a career in the restaurant industry. Over
the years, I felt that the Lord wanted me in missions,
but because of my limited education, I decided it wasn't
possible. I became involved in many church activities,
trying to ease the pull in my heart. Through David Boehning's
preaching and a missions conference at church, I realized
the power of God to overcome my weakness. We moved to Clarks
Summit, Pennsylvania to attend Baptist Bible College. While
there, we went on a missions trips to Ghana.
Karolyn and I enjoy working with youth,
and God has given back my desire to use puppets and dummies
for His service.
Karolyn: As a teen I lived in a dysfunctional
family. I partied constantly from my teen years until college.
I dropped out after one semester. After arriving home,
I realized I was pregnant. On the abortion table I cried
out to God. Within six months, I met my future husband-at
McDonald's-and he began taking me to church. There I finally
found the security I had searched for. Harry Ross pastored
Calvary Baptist in Norwich at this time. His wife, Sally,
led me to the Lord one evening after church. In addition
to working in AWANA and other youth ministries, I was president
of the Dorcas Missionary Circle. As one woman spoke to
the group, I realized missionaries are ordinary people
serving the Lord just as I do.
Jim & Karen (Ware) Blumenstock
Church: Grace Baptist, Cedarville,
OH
Phone: (616) 531-4914
E-mail: jblumenstock@hotmail.com
Country: Singapore
Jim: I grew up in a godly home with
a father who served as a pastor, missionary, and Bible
professor. I accepted Christ at the age of five when my
sister explained the gospel to me. I was an average Christian
until high school when I got involved in a godly youth
group. At that time, I developed a passion for the lost.
Although I started at Cedarville College
as an undeclared major, I switched my major to Bible/Pre-seminary.
Former ABWE missionary, Dr. Dick Durham, taught me the
importance of education, while showing me life lessons
of ministry.
After we married, Karen and I pursued
further education at Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. Another
former ABWE missionary, David Stoner, taught me how to
be both a scholar and a doctor of people's hearts. I continued
my studies at Calvin Theological Seminary and believe God
has equipped me to aid in His work by helping provide leadership
training at the seminary level.
Karen: When I was a young girl, my
dad explained that I was a sinner but that Jesus Christ
died to save me from my sins. I accepted Him as my Savior.
In my senior year in high school, I dedicated my life to
Christ at a youth retreat.
While in high school, I met Jim. Early
in our relationship, he asked if I would be willing to
go to the mission field. This was a shocker, even though
I had told the Lord I would go wherever He wanted.
During my freshman year at Cedarville
College, Jim and I went forward during the annual missions
conference. I, however, didn't feel prepared to go. God
used my husband, encouragement from others, and His Word
to reshape my thinking. Instead of "Why me?" or "Why
can't I stay home?" my thoughts now are, "I'm
ready to go; I don't want to stay."
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Elisabeth Bowman
2001 ABWE Appointee
Church: First Baptist of Lapeer, Lapeer,
MI
Phone: (810) 664-7002
E-mail: ebowmanbbc@yahoo.com
Country: Australia
I received Jesus as Savior when I was
seven years old. I did not live out my salvation in a significant
way, however, until my freshman year of high school. That
summer, I went on a MAP trip to Mexico. At this time God
confirmed my desire to be a missionary.
I attended Baptist Bible College of
Pennsylvania, studying elementary education and Bible,
although I really didn't want to teach Bible. My desire
was to teach in an inner city. My parents read an article
in the Message magazine telling that ABWE missionaries
in Australia are able to teach Bible in public schools.
On the first day of my job at an inner-city
school, the principal told me the first class each day
was Bible. I found this is my favorite time of the day.
God has a way of first making us willing to do His work,
then giving us JOY in doing it.
Jeffrey & Kristine (Green) Broome
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Daniels Road Baptist, Fort
Myers, FL
Children: Brianna '91; Jarin '94; Caleb '95
Phone: (941) 437-8875
Country: Romania
Jeff: As a child, I attended church
until my parents divorced when I was ten. My father was
killed when I was 13; my grandfather died a year later,
and I became bitter. When I was 16, I walked the church
aisle, but my teen years were spent in rebellion against
God and any form of authority.
When I was 19, I helped take care of
ABWE missionary, Tim Kunkel, who was dying of Lou Gehrig's
disease. God used Tim and circumstances at Navy boot camp
to cause me to surrender my life to Him.
I began studying at Practical Bible
Training School as a missions major with the idea I would
take Tim Kunkel's place. I led a mission's team to a Navajo
reservation in 1997. God stirred my interest in missions,
but I wasn't ready to give up my comfort.
Two years ago, my wife began praying
that I would share her burden for missions. During this
time, two other couples in our church, the Demerlys and
the Elliots, joined ABWE. Through their influence, I surrendered
to the call for missions I had tried to ignore. I thank
God for the second chance to be involved in mssions.
Kris: I grew up in a pastor's home
and was saved at age four. On the outside, I did what was
right because it was expected of me. At camp, the summer
I was 16, I made my faith personal and felt God's call
to serve Him. Jeff and I were married when I was 20. We
often fought even though we were involved in Christian
ministries.
During the week in 2000 when Jeff and
I planned to take ABWE's oral doctrinal exam, our pastor,
Chris Hindal, and Don Trott confronted us with the problems
they saw. We were deferred for a year and Jeff went back
into teaching. With God's help, we desire to be part of
a team establishing churches in Romania.
Gary & Nancy (Tuinstra) DeJong
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Ensley Baptist, Sand Lake,
MI
Children: Stacie '78; Darren '81
Phone: (616) 636-8708
E-mail: ndejong@wingsisp.com
Country: Bangladesh
Gary: Following years of poor harvests
in South Dakota, my family moved to Michigan where my mother's
side of the family were the 5th generation in a Bible-believing
church. At 10 years of age, I received Christ as my Savior.
At summer camp one year, a missionary from South America
spoke. I became concerned about missionary service, but
said, "No," to God because I was shy and didn't
want to speak in front of people.
After Nancy and I married, I worked
as a mechanic, obtained my college degree, and taught high
schoolers about heavy equipment. Teaching kids in an area
I love helped me get over my shyness. In 1983, I had an
accident that should have killed me but didn't even give
me a headache. God spared me to serve Him. Two years later,
we started our missionary experience in Bangladesh-the
best time of my life.
Nancy: When I was five, I raised my
hand during an invitation at church. My dad explained salvation
to me, and I prayed for Jesus to become my Savior. I attended
Grand Rapids Baptist College and knew I wanted to be a
teacher.
In 1986 Bill Commons challenged Gary
and me to consider short-term service. Bangladesh needed
a maintenance supervisor and an MK teacher. That was us!
I figured I could give the Lord a year. I hated to leave
my close-knit family and was homesick in Bangladesh for
many months, but I didn't want to quit. Three years later,
we returned to Bangladesh for a two-year term. During that
time, I was ill for months, a house across the street from
us was robbed, a cyclone killed more than 100,000 local
people, and my mother died. I learned our security is in
God alone. We look forward to serving the Lord as career
missionaries.
Steve & Mendi (Pearson) Everett
Church: Faith Baptist, Salem, OR
Children: Kacey '88; Collin '95; Kobe '98; Carmin '00
Phone: (503) 370-9367
Email: smakck@juno.com
Country: Brazil
St eve: My mom led me to the Lord in
the back seat of the car when I was four. My parents were
missionaries for 25 years with FBHM, so I took Christianity
for granted. Then we moved to Salem, Oregon, and Kevin
Moyer became my youth pastor. He taught me how to live
a consistent, Christ-like life. I didn't enjoy school,
but knew I wanted to be a coach. I attended Western Baptist
Bible College then worked in construction for 11 1/2 years.
I had opportunities to witness to people who were very
different from me.
Sports played a huge role in my life.
I boasted I could throw out anyone from left field. Then
God got my attention: I had to have surgery on my shoulder,
and I lost my job. I said, "Okay, Lord. What's up?" I
visited Brazil and saw how God could use my sports experience
to serve Him there.
Mendi: I was raised in a Christian
home, and led to the Lord by my mom at age four. Even when
I was young, I witnessed to neighbors, and knew it was
my job to share Christ. The habit of going to church got
me through a rebellious period, and I gave my life back
to the Lord.
Steve and I married in 1987. Over the
last few years, we sensed God leading our family in a new
direction. We consider ourselves missionaries to our neighbors
and friends; our picture is on the wall along with the
foreign missionaries we pray for. The youth pastor in our
church, Mike Speten, suggested to me that we consider missions.
I didn't say anything to Steve. I just prayed. We ended
up in candidate class at ABWE with the Spetens.
Dr. Michael & Cheryl (Ab-Hugh)
Gayle
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Independent Bible, Martinsburg,
WV
Children: Christina '83; Stephanie '86; Nathaniel '89
Phone: (304) 754-5722
E-mail: gayle5@intrepid.net
Country: Togo
Mike: I was one of six boys in a family
who focused on sports and education. Although we attended
church, we were taught to analyze everything, including
Sunday sermons. I thought the Bible was full of good ideas,
but contained stories that-from an intellectual standpoint-could
not be true. During one of the two times I heard the gospel
in my youth, I accepted Christ as Savior. I then attended
church on Sundays, but lived for myself during the week.
Things didn't change during college and medical school,
and I fell to many of Satan's temptations.
After Cheryl and I were married for
two years, I rededicated my life to Christ. But I still
lived inconsistently. I was convicted when I taught a class
using the Handbook of Christian Maturity. I began sharing
my faith with patients and employees. My family got involved
in short-term missions when we went to Tenwek Hospital
in Kenya. I saw that providing spiritual life is more important
that all we do to improve physical life. My medical partners,
Carleton and Karen Baer, are also preparing for full-time
missions.
Cheryl: I came to know Christ as Savior
at VBS when I was five. After my dad returned from Vietnam,
my parents stopped going to church, but I attended on my
own. In college, I was taught that God did not exist. By
the time Michael and I met, we both had turned our backs
on God. In the second year of our marriage, I felt so empty,
I even contemplated suicide. One of the nurses I worked
with, Sara Davis, led me back to Christ by her faithful
example.
Six years ago at a missions conference,
I made a commitment to the Lord that I would be willing
to go anywhere. I did not tell my husband, but prayed he
would reach this decision on his own. When that happened,
we began preparing to serve God overseas.
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