Charles & Valerie
(Davis) Peterson
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Waupun Baptist, Waupun, WI
Children: Charles '87; Alexander '89; Daniel '91; Cassandra '93
Phone: (920) 324-2703
E-mail: chucknval@ameritech.net
Country: C & E Europe
Chuck: My father died when I was only
ten months old. For the next 12 years, I lived with my
mother and two sisters. Whenever our church needed someone
to help in any way, my mother was there. I was saved at
the age of six at a Five-Day Bible Club meeting in my back
yard. When I was 11, I attended Northland Bible Camp. In
studying Isaiah, I learned how he said, "Here am I!
Send me." I asked the Lord to send me, too. As I grew
up, I sensed the excitement missionaries felt in telling
others about the Lord, but by then I was focused on making
money.
After Valerie and I married, we wanted
to amass material things. God wasn't real in my life. In
1997, I attended a conference at Northland Baptist Bible
College. The theme was "Go ye therefore... ." The
Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, and I told my wife God was
calling me into missions.
Valerie: When I was five, my mother
became ill, and I was afraid she would die. I knew she
would go to heaven, but I wouldn't, because I hadn't received
Jesus as Savior. I did so that day. My parents encouraged
me to work for the Lord. I began teaching Sunday school
at 16. They also supported missionaries and hosted them
in our home.
Chuck and I were active in our church,
working in AWANA and other areas, but my high school call
into missions seemed far away. Then my five-year-old came
home from public school one day. The class held a "Career
Day," and Daniel proudly showed me his button with
the words: "I want to be a missionary when I grow
up."
In March 2001, ABWE missionary, Duane
Early, spoke at the missions conference at Faith Baptist
Church in Winfield, Illinois. He said how safe it is in
the center of God's will. Chuck and I both surrendered
to God's call into missionary service.
Mark & Alice Marie (Shearer) Peterson
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Stanford Baptist, Stanford,
IN
Children: David '71; Julie Ann '71; Amy '78; Mark '81
Phone: (812) 825-2600
E-mail: mdmark@uplink.net
Country: Ukraine
Mark: When I was about four, I said
the prayer from the song, "Come into my heart, Lord
Jesus." During the next seven years, I was baptized,
quoted Scripture, prayed in public, and shared the gospel
with others, but never applied it to myself. Finally, at
17, I trusted Christ as my Savior.
I went through college and spent three
years in the pastorate. In 1973, I resigned my church to
attend Baptist Bible Seminary in Pennsylvania. My wife
became very sick with an illness that had plagued her for
five years. One day on my way home from class, the Holy
Spirit brought great conviction regarding the fact that
I hadn't been baptized since my salvation. It was as if
He said, "Mark, if you don't get baptized, you won't
have a wife to go home to." I confessed my sin and
made preparation to be baptized. Immediately after that,
doctors found an answer to my wife's medical problem. Since
that time, we have served in various pastorates.
Alice Marie: I was saved at the age
of six in a Vacation Bible School taught by my grandmother.
Somewhere around the age of 15, I attended a youth rally
and went forward to dedicate my life to serve the Lord.
Although I've been a pastor's wife for the past 30 years,
I've always been willing to serve the Lord in whatever
capacity He desires, including missions.
When we visited Ukraine in May 1999,
Mark and I were impacted by the ABWE team serving and the
Ukrainians. A missionary asked if we would prayerfully
consider coming to help. I looked around at our group of
pastors and their wives as he said this. Then God seemed
to ask "What about you?" Duane Early, ABWE's
Eastern Europe administrator, helped us confirm what God
was doing in our lives.
Ross & Dr. Karin Riggs
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: First Baptist Church, Louisville,
OH
Children: Heidi '80; Suzanne '82; Sarah '91; Daniel '94
Phone: (330) 875-0009
E-mail: RIGGSLSVL@aol.com
Country: Central & Eastern Europe
Ross: I grew up in a Christian home;
my father was a deacon in the church my grandfather planted.
I was 10 when I gave my life to the Lord.
I joined the Air Force after high school
then acquired degrees in criminal justice and public administration.
I distanced myself from God for a few years and suffered
for it. After a job change, we became active members of
the First Baptist Church, teaching college-age students.
Standing for Christ in a political
environment brought difficulties. In 1998, I found myself
retired from my position as chief of police, and flat on
my back recovering from surgery to rebuild my lower spine.
After a visit to the Philippines, Karin
and I sensed a call to missions. Karin is an internist
and pediatrician; I love to teach. We realized God could
use us in His service.
Karin: My home was not a peaceful place.
I found solace in the Episcopalian church where I sang
in the choir. From early childhood I believed Jesus was
God's Son who died to save me from sin. I met my future
husband at college, and we began to attend his home church
which was Baptist. I talked with the pastor and confirmed
my faith in Jesus, and asked to be baptized as a witness
to my faith.
After medical school, I joined in a
practice with two other physicians. Even though we have
four children of our own, we began hosting exchange students.
Our whole family visited the Philippines in December 1998.
I toured hospitals and saw sights beyond description. I
make my Christian witness a daily part of my patient care
now, but I know God can use my medical training in other
areas of the world.
David & Megan (Couch) Southwell
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Bible Baptist, Shiremanstown,
PA
Phone: (717) 731-8789
E-mail: desporto_rei@juno.com; giboia_2000@yahoo.com
Country: Brazil
Dave: Around the age of five, I overheard
my older sister and my mother talking to my younger sister
about accepting Christ as Savior. I was afraid to die and
not be with my family in heaven. That night, I received
Christ into my life. When I was 12, I dedicated my life
to the Lord.
In 1974, our family moved to Brazil
as ABWE missionaries. Later, we served in Portugal for
13 years. While I was at Cedarville College, God called
me into missions, although growing up in an ABWE missionary
family, I had a hint He would call me, too. After a six-week
internship in Recife, Brazil, I realized for sure I wanted
to serve the Lord. I am thankful God gives opportunities
to share Christ with Brazilians on a soccer team right
here in Pennsylvania.
Megan: Although I grew up in a Christian
home, I did not come to know the Lord until I was 14. I
was attending The Wilds camp where evangelist Tom Farrell
spoke on the reality of hell. I responded to the invitation
and accepted Christ.
During a missions conference in high
school, I felt God calling me to serve Him, but I didn't
think I could do that. I attended Pensacola Christian College
and assumed I would become a Christian school teacher.
Two years ago, my family moved to Pennsylvania.
At a church activity, I met Dave Southwell. On our first
date, he asked questions such as, "When were you saved?
What do you plan to do with your life?" His father,
ABWE's Administrator for South America, asked even more
penetrating questions. I passed the examination, and look
forward to serving God in Brazil.
Michael & Christine (Pollard) Speten
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Faith Baptist, Salem OR
Children: Joseph '94; Daniel '95; Allysa '97; Jeremiah '99
Phone: (503) 371-3109
E-mail: mcspeten@juno.com
Country: Brazil
Mike: My parents divorced when I was
six. We moved around a lot, and it wasn't easy to form
friendships. However, after my mother remarried, I got
involved in soccer where I made friends, many of whom regularly
invited me to attend church with them. I always refused.
When I was 16, I finally attended a service with my friend,
Craig. After only a few weeks, I was sponsored by someone
in the church to attend a Young Life camp, where I received
Christ as Savior.
I graduated from Western Baptist College,
and in June 1997 was called to Faith Baptist Church in
Salem as Associate Pastor of Youth. By playing on a semi-pro
soccer team, I've been able to lead assemblies in most
public schools in Salem. I took a two-week missions trip
to Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Hearing about missions is one
thing, but actually seeing people who need the Lord grips
your heart. I know bouncing a ball out on the streets in
Brazil will bring a flock of kids we can tell about Jesus.
Christy: I accepted Christ as Savior
when I was just four, and made sure of my salvation at
the age of nine. My parents served with Baptist Mid-Missions
in Alaska and Russia. Being raised as an MK gave me great
experiences, and I heard many missionaries speak. I remember
feeling a strong pull to missions, but it wasn't until
a couple of years ago that I publicly gave my life to the
Lord. Mike and I had talked about doing short-term trips.
Now, in entering career missions, every
step we take has resulted in God carrying us farther than
we could have imagined.
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Jon & Kim (Semans)
Spink
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Faith Baptist, Dundee, NY
Children: Kelly '94; Katie '95; Joshua '97
Phone: (609) 243-7708
Email: spink1@linkny.com
Country: Chile
Jon: I was one of 12 children reared
in the home of a Baptist country doctor. We were in church
every time the doors were open. I knew the Bible stories
well enough to tell them to the children of my dad's patients.
On Easter Sunday, when I was seven, I trusted Jesus as
my Savior.
At the age of 12, at our church's missions
conference, I told the Lord I would be willing to tell
others around the world about Him. I went through a rebellious
time, until as a junior in high school, God showed me that
rebelliousness is a serious sin.
After high school, I attended Baptist
Bible College of Pennsylvania where I met my wife. During
my time at BBC, I visited Santiago, Chile as a part of
a puppet team. This deepened my burden for missions.
Kim: My Sunday school teacher explained
we are not saved because of our parents' beliefs. Even
though I was only five, I knew I had been unkind, disobedient,
and deceitful. At "Quiet Time" in school, I accepted
Jesus as Savior. During third grade, a counselor at Lamoka
Baptist Camp encouraged me to dedicate my life to the Lord.
When I was 14, I was playing the song "Only One Life
to Offer." The words struck me, and I told the Lord
I was willing to go into full-time service for Him.
Repeatedly over the years, I have felt
the Lord tugging at my heart through His Word, and through
contact with missionaries. I spent a summer as a nanny
for the Tim Weeks family, ABWE missionaries in France,
which allowed me to see missions first hand. I look forward
to serving the Lord in Chile.
Tom & Cheryl (Whitaker) Welborn
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Highland Park Baptist
Children: Tammie '73; Pete (deceased); Rob '78; Jim '80; Danny '82
Phone: (423) 899-5306
E-mail: victorysports@juno.com
Country: Sports ministry
Tom: When I was growing up, my mother
was saved and my dad was not. I was greatly influenced
by my Uncle Walter, a converted alcoholic who took me to
church and other activities. After hearing the gospel repeatedly,
one night during a revival meeting with the late evangelist
J. Townley Davis, I was saved as a 15-year-old boy.
On June 16, 1986, I was on summer break
from teaching at Tennessee Temple High School and had stopped
at a corner when I heard on the radio that Len Bias died
after taking cocaine to celebrate his contract with the
Boston Celtics. Right then God called me to evangelize
athletes, but I had a prosperous business in addition to
teaching. I set aside God's call and wasted many years.
As athletes and coaches died over the years, their agony
helped confirm God's calling. After meeting with Don Trott
and hearing of ABWE's interest in sports evangelism, I
realized God was giving me a second chance.
Cheryl: I was taken to church from
the time I was an infant. At age four, I let God into my
life. I was active in the youth department and held several
leadership roles. Our youth group learned about the brevity
of life when the sponsors' son was killed in a car accident.
We watched how the parents reacted to their loss.
While attending Tennessee Temple College,
I settled doubts about my salvation. In 1996, our own son
was killed in an accident. I have been able to minister
to people because of what we went through. I look forward
to sharing God's love with others.
Robert & Christy (Widmer) Westlake
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Victory Baptist, Loganville,
GA
Phone: (770) 466-8159
E-mail: Light-bearers @juno.com
Country: Benin
Rob: I began playing hockey when I
was two, and sports quickly became my life. By the age
of 16, I stopped attending church and pressed toward a
career in professional hockey. In November 1996, a friend
invited me to a youth conference in Toronto. The speaker
asked, "If you died today, would you go to heaven?" I
accepted God's gift of forgiveness.
In the summer of 1997, I returned to
the Hockey Ministries International camp I attended as
a child, this time as a counselor-in-training. During that
week, God burdened me to work with youth. Perhaps by sharing
my testimony, others could avoid the hard route to God.
After my first year at Tennessee Temple
University, I went on a short-term missions trip to Jamaica,
and the Lord called me to be a foreign missionary. Since
then, I have pursued ministry with youth.
Christy: My mother led me to the Lord
on Christmas Eve when I was five. In church my class read
how God perfectly created Amy Carmichael for the work He
had for her. Although I was only seven, I felt the Lord
tugging at my heart, "I want you to do this, too." I
answered, "Please, send me!"
At Tennessee Temple University, I majored
in Missions and American Sign Language. God shaped me through
missions classes with ABWE missionary, Paul Holritz, relationships
with other missionaries, and short-term missions trips
to Europe, Brazil, and Jamaica.
I was a sign language interpreter in
a public school where we were not allowed to speak of Christ.
When one girl asked me if I knew the way to heaven, I realized
I might be the only way these children would "hear" of
Christ. I invited them to my home to see a Bible story,
and that girl signed the prayer for salvation. It is awesome
to know we have the privilege to change lives for eternity.
Dave & Kathy (Allison) Windham
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: Heritage Baptist Church, Lakeland,
FL
Sedge Garden Baptist, Winston Salem, NC
Children: Allison '91; Bethany '92
Phone: (336) 722-6928
E-mail: dwindhams@hotmail.com
Country: Romania
Dave: At the age of four, after listening
to my Sunday school teacher, I knelt at the couch in our
living room and asked Jesus to be my Savior. In high school,
I surrendered my life to Christ, but didn't do much about
it; I was complacent.
At a Piedmont missions conference,
I re-met Bill Dooley, a friend from my home church and
part of ABWE's enlistment team. He suggested my family
pray about going on a summer IMPACT missions trip. I had
a list of excuses, but God reminded me of my earlier commitment
to serve Him.
We spent seven weeks in Romania and
were touched by the needs there: unsaved people without
hope, new believers needing teaching, and churches needing
trained pastors. God gave us the desire to serve there.
Kathy: I began attending AWANA when
I was nine. That same year my church held revival meetings,
during which they ran a special program for children. As
if it were yesterday, I remember the night I asked Christ
to be my Savior.
After high school, I attended Piedmont
Bible College where I met Dave. We married and had our
two daughters. Financial considerations forced us to drop
out in 1989. Three years later, Dave said, "I wish
we could finish at Piedmont." I asked, "What's
stopping us?" In 1996 God opened many doors to allow
us to return to college: housing, a job for Dave, a Christian
school for the girls, and teaching opportunities for me.
We know God is calling us back to Romania
so people there may hear the good news of salvation.
Matthew & January (Newman) Zimmerman
2001 ABWE Appointees
Church: First Baptist, Bellefonte,
PA
Phone: (814) 357-3995
E-mail: mattman187@juno.com
Country: Ghana
Matt: My parents were committed Christians
and active in our church. At age four, when I realized
I needed a personal Savior, my mom stopped what she was
doing and led me to Christ and later led me to assurance
of salvation. When I was in junior high school, God called
me into ministry.
I served with Child Evangelism Fellowship
for six years. While working with Chinese children in State
College, Pennsylvania, five came to the Lord the day I
gave an invitation. One child said, "Thank you, teacher,
for telling me how to receive Jesus. Now I know where I'm
going when I die."
At a missions conference at Pensacola
Christian College, a missionary spoke about needs in Asia.
The Lord said, "Matt, that means you." In 1998,
I went with a team to Asia.
January: My parents divorced when I
was five months old. My mother took me to church once a
week, and people in the church saw that I got to other
services. I came to know Christ as Savior at Camp Peniel
the summer after third grade. From that time on, I was
interested in missions; I loved to hear the missionaries
who spoke at my church.
As a high school exchange student to
Australia, I was in a car accident. Through that experience,
the Lord showed me He wanted me to be a nurse. On a later
missions trip to Peru, I learned to rely on the Lord completely.
Matt and I work with foreign
exchange students in State College. We seek to reach
these people for Christ during the short time most of
them are in the USA. We look forward to more training
while in Ghana.
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