"When a bird of paradise has found a place for the flock to live, he invites other birds to come. He tells them there is food and water and a safe place to raise their young. We want you to be our bird of paradise, flying in to tell our people, 'Come, there is food here.' Tim, please bring to our people the bread of life." That was the Macedonian call issued by Peter, the first known believer in the town of Guwasa, to ABWE missionary pilot Tim Gainey. Tim is a product of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Hartsville, SC, where I pastored for 36 years. The town of Guwasa where Tim was begged to preach is a two-day trek from Goroka and inaccessible by car, but can be reached by air... Read More.

I was one of the missionaries at the conference in Oshawa who had the privilege of visiting various public schools. We were told not to overtly "proselytize," but rather to offer the children an educational cross cultural talk, complete with artifacts and pictures, and allow the children to ask questions. We were free to respond to any questions about our work or faith. As part of my talk about Portugal, I explained the symbolism in the flag. One symbol is five dots in a blue shield representing the five wounds of Christ. In each session I would ask, "Who is Christ?" Invariably at least one child answered with an explanation about Jesus. Then I asked the students about the five wounds. This led to a brief discussion... Read More.

In 1927 as ABWE was just beginning, the horizon looming before Raphael Thomas must have seemed lonely and foreboding. The doctor, who deeply desired to combine both medicine and evangelism, started out virtually alone with only a handful of private supporters. Seventy-five years later, what a difference to see career and short-term missionary candidates studying in our newly completed missionary training center. As our board and administration listened, the candidates' testimonies brought tears and laughter... Read More.