Jesus saith unto
them, My food is to do the will of Him that sent me, and to
finish His work. Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then
cometh
harvest? Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes,
and look on the fields; for
they are white already to
harvest. And he that repeateth receiveth wages, and
gatereth
fruit unto life eternal, that both he that soweth and he that
reapeth
may rejoice together. And here is that saying true,
One soweth, and another
reapeth. I sent you to reap that on
which ye bestowed no labor; other men
labored, and ye are
entered into their labors.
JOHN. 4:34-38
Click HERE for the Missionary Messages from the latest issue of First Church Windows.
The Missionaries & Missionary Programs Supported by First Church
Alaska Bible College
U.S.
Alaska
Bible College equips men and women for Christian ministry. ABC's goal is
to supply Christian leaders and workers for ministries and churches in
the north country, especially the many towns and villages that have no
church or Christian witness. Alaska Bible College was founded by Vince
and Becky Joy who left First Church for Alaska in the 1930's.
Bob & Barb Alber
Wycliffe Bible Translators
U.S.
Bob ministers to the youth in
the Dallas MK program. He leads Bible studies, counsels young people,
and helps to develop the overall program to meet the needs of the many
teenagers associated with the Dallas Center. Barbara is a graphic
designer in the international publishing department. She works with
translators to compose their finished New Testaments and prepares them
to be printed. Barbara also prepares literacy training materials,
international communications, and a variety of other translation-related
literature.
Rev. Alan and Barbara Bachmann
Avant Ministries
Brazil
Alan and Barbara Bachmann have been
serving God in Brazil, while supporting missions to other Latin American
countries. The Bachmanns now call Brazil home. Their children minister
in other parts of the country. Alan presently is involved in Global
Ministry, teaching in seminaries and like-minded institutions. They work
with a retreat center that allows candidates to learn about
cross-cultural missions.
John and Alice Barcus (Retired)
Avant Ministries
U.S.
In 1947, John and his late wife Alice
started a ministry to the Muslims with the Gospel Missionary Union.
Their work began in Morocco, and then moved to Belgium and England.
After the death of his wife in 1991, John retired and relocated to
Kansas City. John married a longtime friend, also named Alice, with whom
he is involved in prayer ministry and other efforts to get the gospel
message out to the Muslims of Kansas City. John and Alice renewed their
Permanent Residency Status in England, keeping alive the option to
return there to serve.
Scott & Rebekah Becker
Grace Brethren International
Ireland
Scott and Rebekah are
currently working in a church- planting ministry with the Irish to the
Irish. They are involved with outreach, evangelism, and Bible study. The
Beckers' ministry targets students as well as families, couples, and
single professionals between the ages of 18 and 30.
Boxley and Joyce Boggs
CrossWorld
U.S.
Since 1971, the Boggs' have
ministered in Haiti, Guyana, Ecuador, and throughout the Caribbean.
Boxley presently serves as Minister-at-Large, pastoring CrossWorld
missionaries throughout the world. Joyce assists him by keeping the
office running smoothly as he travels.
Vera Boodt (Retired)
CrossWorld
Belgium
Vera Boodt is a missionary nurse who ministered in
Brazil. She retired to her homeland of the Netherlands. She continues to
lead Bible studies and nurtures many in Belgium and Holland and is very
active in her local church.
David and Andrea Brunner
Biblical Ministries Worldwide
U.S.
David and Andrea Brunner's primary
ministry is bringing the gospel to people of the Latter Day Saints
(Mormon) faith. David is an EMT and Andrea works part-time in a nursing
home in order to interact with more people. They help with a camp
ministry in the summer.
Larry and Fay Buckman
HCJB World Radio
U.S.
Larry and Fay Buckman have been with HCJB
World Radio since 1974. Larry has worked in television planting, prison
ministry, and with medical caravans. Fay has been teaching and now works
with learning-disabled children. Larry is presently assigned to Central
America and selected countries in South America, where he trains pastors
and represents resources in furthering education.
Luis and Elsie Centeno
American Missionary Fellowship
U.S.
Luis and Elsie Centeno
evangelize their neighborhood in the inner city of north Philadelphia.
Luis leads the fight against drug addiction by using a faith-based
approach to prevention and recovery. He has begun a ministry to the
Muslim community, as well as a ministry to Philadelphia police officers
through the Law Enforcement Support Fellowship.
Dana and Debbie Cherry
Greater Europe Mission
Germany
Dana and Debbie Cherry use e-DOT
(electronic-discipleship, outreach, and training) to provide Biblical
education to pastors and lay leaders in local communities throughout
Ukraine and Romania in their own language at an affordable price. The
Cherrys help to train volunteer youth leaders throughout Europe.
Curt and Carol Detwiler
Trans World Radio
Monaco
The Detwilers and their
2 small children, Katie and Ray, began their career service with TWR in
January 1983 in the country of Swaziland. After several other
positions with TWR in those 20+ years, in 2004 Curt accepted a position
with TWR Corporate, serving as Ministry Appraisal Coordinator and as
part of the internal audit function. He is helping TWR evaluate the
effectiveness of existing programs, and the potential for new
programs. Carol serves faithfully in the finance area for the
office in Monaco. Their children are grown, and working in the
United States.
Corky and Georgianna Eddins
Campus Crusade for Christ
U.S.
Corky works with the Christian
Embassy, a branch of Campus Crusade for Christ, which brings the gospel
to government leaders in Washington, DC. The staff facilitates over 40
weekly Bible studies on Capitol Hill, in the White House, at the
Pentagon and in various foreign embassies. Through creative outreaches,
seminars and events, this apolitical ministry is winning, building and
sending leaders to make an impact for Jesus Christ.
Lorraine Enright
Enright Flight Ministries
Zambia
Though well past
the age of retirement, Lorraine continues her active ministry in Zambia.
At the Pastors' Training School, pastors from six African nations join
together to learn and worship. They hold "camp meetings" for the
non-pastors as well. Lorraine works with women and children at the AIDS
orphanage. They are growing bananas so that the Pastors' School will
have food and income to help support it. When in the U.S., she lives in
Florida.
Tim and Jackie Faulkner
CB International
Italy
Tim and Jacki plant churches in Italy in partnership
with local Christians. Their vision is to establish daughter churches in
collaboration with church leaders in Lago Patria and then throughout
Italy with other "Movimento" churches.
Fellowship House (S. Camden Christian Fellowship)
U.S.
Fellowship House is a faith mission
begun in 1965 by the First United Methodist Church of Collingswood for
the purpose of bringing adults and children into a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Fellowship House offers Bible
clubs and mentoring programs for children, adult Bible studies, summer
camping programs, Sunday worship, health counseling and education,
addictions counseling, as well as a clothing and food distribution
program. Minister Harrison Davis is the current Director.
Rev. David and Elizabeth Givens
SEND International
U.S.
David and Elizabeth
Givens have served with SEND International since 1976. They have
traveled to all 20 countries in which SEND is active. David currently
serves as assistant to the U.S. Director for Special Services and
focuses on the mobilization of students and churches for missions in the
northeastern part of the U.S. He teaches seminars on evangelism and
godly decision-making. Elizabeth is the primary writer and editor for
SEND's print material, web page, video scripts, and national missions
publications
Rev. Neale and Barbara Goetsch
Christian Mission in Many Lands
England
Neale and
Barbara have been in England since 1968 working among international
students and Hindu and Muslim families. They use the outreach of
International Teas, Bible studies, home visits, and opening their home
to friends and neighbors. Neale also teaches a group of English language
students.
Greiners
Family Christian Inspiration
U.S.
In 1969, Claire & Ruth Greiner
began a faith ministry to families across the United States and Canada.
They traveled extensively sharing the gospel across America through
music, literature, preaching, and teaching. Family Christian Inspiration
also employs the internet and a monthly publication "Hearthstone" in its
outreach. Today their home-missions outreach is continued by their sons
Larry and Bevan, their daughters-in-law Sharon and Betty Lou, their
daughter Wendy and her husband Bob Lefko.
Mark and Carol Hepner
Wycliffe Bible Translators
Papua New Guinea
In 1982, Mark and Carol
began working among the Bargam people of Papua New Guinea doing
linguistic research, literacy training, and Bible translation. After
nearly twenty years of work, the Bargam New Testament was dedicated and
initially distributed in 2002. Mark has also served as a translation
consultant, while Carol has worked in the high school library and
registrar's office. Both served for nearly three years as Regional
Assistant Directors for the Madang Province.
Ken and Jan Hibbs (Retired)
South America Mission
U.S.
Ken worked with Bible Institute in
Peru, currently led by Walter Meza, a 1990 graduate. Jan volunteered in
the OR at a local hospital in Pucallpa, Peru. The Hibbs retired from
active service in 2001. Ken and Janhelp care for their aged parents and
for their grandchildren and serve on the steering committee and the
missions committee in their local church. God has allowed them to
continue to return to Peru each year with medical/surgical teams
including ENT specialists and OB/GYN doctors.
Art and Dorothy Jackson (Retired)
Wycliffe Bible Translators
U.S.
Arthur and Dorothy Jackson worked as support members of Wycliffe Bible Translators for 52 years. They are now retired volunteers at Wycliffe's southeast regional office. Art built and ran a power station in Peru for twenty-one years and
managed the Wycliffe Center in Papua New Guinea
for 6 years. The Jacksons travel back to Peru in retirement. Art is
currently involved in a program to provide cars to Wycliffe missionaries
on furlough.
Norm and Sue Kapp
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
U.S.
Norm works
in the stewardship department at TEAM in Wheaton, Illinois, where he is
involved in donor relations. Norm and Sue are also involved in an ISI
ministry to international students studying in the Chicago area.
KCAM Radio
SEND International
U.S.
KCAM Radio is a 5,000-watt station
covering the Copper River Valley from Glennallen, Alaska. Programming
includes national and local news, weather, community news, family, teen
and children's programs, and a wide variety of music ranging from
country to contemporary Christian to classical. KCAM was founded in 1964
by Vince and Becky Joy, missionaries to Alaska from First Church.
Rev. James and Diane Larkin
Crossworld
The Larkins have administrative
oversight of the Missions Fellowship Office. Jim is serving as the Papua
Ministry Area Coordinator. Included in this job description are helping
member missionaries with visas, residence and police permits, and
financial services. They also have a writing ministry for the national
church Bible school.
Rev. Woody and Sue Lewis
Crossworld
France
After a 10 year absence, Woody and Sue are back in
the small church in France they helped start 17 years ago. They want to
train leaders to carry on the ministry. Woody teaches in a local, lay
Bible instituteas well as several modular courses at Geneva Bible
Institute. Woody and Sue monitor the interns from Geneva Bible
Institute, who work all over France.
Dave and Sue Linton
Leadership Development International
U.S.
Dave and Sue Linton are
serving with Wycliffe Bible Translators. After 13 years in China, they
have taken an assignment with the Americas Area doing Leadership
Development and Training. The goal is to work with leaders in the Bible
Translation movement to meet the goal of our Vision 2025 statement: to
have a Bible translation project in every language group that needs one
by 2025. At our current rate, it will take about 50 more years to reach
that goal so we have to change our attitudes and ways of doing things
and include other organizations in the process. Dave and Sue are part of
a team that focuses on getting the job accomplished by 2025. Their
immediate focus is in North, Central and South Americas to complete the
task. It is not just that we will work harder but that we will work more
strategically and look for ways to multiply our efforts.
Bert and Hazel Lohr (Retired)
Christar
U.S.
Having served the Lord in Pakistan
for 33 years, Bert now witnesses to veterans, Muslims, and Hindus at the
malls in Georgia, serves as chaplain for the American Legion, and visits
veterans in the hospital. Hazel teaches English one day a week to
Pakistani women.
Thomas and Glenda Lowell (Retired)
Trans World Radio
U.S.
Although "officially"
retired from active responsibilities, Tom serves as chairman of the
board of Trans World Radio, which is now broadcast in 186 languages. Tom
is also involved in the City Lights project which encourages churches to
adopt a city in Latin America that is blanketed by TWR's broadcasts.
Glenda works in donor recognition, corresponding with supporters of
TWR's missionaries. She also writes and records scripts for TWR's
women's ministry called "Project Hannah." These "Women of Hope" programs
are translated, adapted, and then broadcast in 23 languages throughout
the world.
Dick and Mary Ann McCloy
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
Zimbabwe
Dick and Mary Ann McCloy, though retired from ministry in Zimbabwe,
Africa, are now continuing to minister in Columbia, SC with teaching the
ABC Bible Study method and are available for seminars similar to those
done in Africa.
Neighborhood Crusades
U.S.
Melvin Floyd is the founder and Director of
Neighborhood Crusades, an evangelistic outreach in Philadelphia. Mel's
daughter, Esther, and her husband Daniel Sawyer are also actively
involved in the ministry. Through street corner preaching, school
assembly programs, prison visits, and tract distribution, Neighborhood
Crusades seeks to reach the unsaved with the Gospel. They operate a
School of Evangelism to train and commission urban missionaries.
Neighborhood Crusades also provides counseling to strengthen families
and encourage troubled youth.
Menzie and Winsome Oban
Teamwork Associates
Jamaica, W.I.
God planted a vision in the
heart of Menzie Oban while he was living in England to go home to
Jamaica and set up a Christian Centre. Shortly after his return in 1973,
Teamwork Associates was established. The ministry focuses on children
and youth and is carried out by mission teams from different
backgrounds. Under the guidance of Menzie as Chairman and Winsome as
Executive Director and School Principal, Teamwork Christian Centre aids
and educates many to carry out God's plan.
Don and Esther Parsons
SEND International
Ukraine
Don and Esther Parsons have been
serving with SEND International as church planters in the countries of
Ukraine and Kazakhstan until their return to the USA in August 2009 due
to family educational issues. Don is continuing his work in Kazakhstan
as Assistant Strategic Coordinator and is working in a new role at SEND
as International Personnel Director, facilitating a missionary force
from non-North American countries.
Ken and Karen Pregizer
SEND International
U.S.
After serving in administration with
Alaska Bible College for three terms, the Pregizers felt God's call to
short-term missions for SEND International of Alaska. Ken and Karen are
working to expand SEND's eleven-week Summer Missionary Program. This
program is designed for college-age youths who want to experience
ministry in rural villages.
Ranch Hope
Board of Global Ministries
U.S.
Founded in 1964, Ranch Hope serves
"at-risk" children and their families throughout the Delaware Valley. It
provides a continuum of Christian services including out-patient
counseling, residential treatment, special education, independent
living, and day camps. Ranch Hope's Residential Treatment Center in
Alloway, NJ, serves adolescent males who are experiencing emotional or
behavioral problems. The Residential Treatment at Victory House in
Williamstown, NJ, provides a group-home environment for adolescent
females. Founder Dave Bailey continues to serve as executive director.
Dave and Connie Randall
SEND International
U.S.
Dave and Connie serve in
the International Office of SEND International. Dave is involved in
financial administration. He and Connie mentor Taiwanese international
students. They are also involved in men's and women's ministries at
their church.
Ken and Donna Rudy
CrossWorld
Cambodia
Ken is teaching advanced English at the University of Law and Economics. Donna works with Kairos House, a ministry of refreshment and renewal for cross-cultural workers in Cambodia.
Together, they continue their ministry of hospitality among the
student population.
Saints Prison Ministry
U.S.
The
Saints Prison Ministry seeks to reach inmates for Jesus through
athletics. The Saints play inmate teams in softball, basketball, soccer
and women’s volleyball, then present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to
them right on the playing field. Since 1987, The Saints have played more
than 2,300 games in 340 different prisons in 25 states and
The Saints currently correspond with 25,000 inmates in more than 400 different prisons across the country and around the world. The Saints Bible Correspondence School actively disciples an estimated 1,650 inmate students. Additionally, we operate an aftercare program, Lives in Transition, as well as Jericho Discipleship Teams that provide face-to-face mentoring. For more information about how you can be involved, call 856-866-9428 or visit, www.saintsprisonministry.org .
Rev. David and Phyllis Schmid
CrossWorld
Haiti
David is a
professor of Bible and Theology at the Evangelical Theological Seminary
of Port-au-Prince. He coordinates the continuing theological education
program and teaches seminars for lay leaders. David serves as team
leader for a ministry team of 10 missionaries. Phyllis works with street
kids, in addition to serving as the field office secretary, campus
hostess, and secretary for David's theological curriculum development.
The Schmids began their missionary career in 1976.
Tim and Kathy Sheetz
Handi*Vangelism Ministries International
U.S.
Since 1973,
Handi*Vangelism has shared and equipped the worldwide church to share
Christ's love with people around the world who have disabilities,
medical or mental health challenges, or broken hearts so that they may
become growing and serving members of the body of Christ. Some of the
current ministries include disability training, Handi*Camp, grief
counseling and support, and resources for parents of children with
disabilities. Tim and Kathy were sent out from First Church, where the
"God's Special Children" ministry was begun by Handi*Vangelism.
Lorraine Stirneman
BCM International
U.S.
Lorraine works with the
Bible Club Movement in inner-city Philadelphia reaching the unchurched
with the gospel. She directs the summer ministry of 5 Day Bible Clubs
which reach as many as 2000 children. Lorraine teaches Bible classes for
teens and adults. She recruits teachers for weekly Bible Clubs for
children and teens and leads training seminars in Philadelphia and
overseas.
Greg and Sue Stowers
Greater European Missions
France
Greg
and Sue Stowers have been serving in the northwest suburbs of Paris
since 1977. Their mission is to spread the gospel by mobilizing the
local churches to start daughter churches while encouraging evangelism
throughout the region. They are starting a new church in the town of
Sannois (pop. 25,000).
Dr. Walter and Patricia Stuart
CrossWorld
France
Walt and Pat Stuart have been
serving in Europe since 1974, when they planted a church outside of
Lyon, France. After 9 years in France, they moved to Germany where Walt
served as Pastor of the Black Forest Christian Fellowship. He was also
Chaplain of Black Forest Academy, a school for missionary kids, where
Pat was a counselor for the middle school. While in Germany, the Stuarts
started the International Family and Church Growth Institute, which
provides consulting and counseling services for pastors and missionaries
throughout Europe. One of their areas of expertise is Biblical marriage
and family counseling. Pat and Walt also travel the world (Haiti,
Brazil, Papua, Africa, etc.) ministering to CrossWorld Missionaries.
Dr. Neil and Wannee Thompson
Overseas Missionary Fellowship
U.S.
After 22 years of surgical missions ministry at Manorom Christian
Hospital in central Thailand, God has called Neil and Wannee to a new
ministry--mobilization. Neil is OMF's USA National Director, mobilizing
prayer, people and provisions for the urgent evangelization of millions
in East Asia. Wannee is involved in OMF Serve Asia, sending short-term
missions teams of individuals and churches to Asia.
Don and Norma Toland
Wycliffe Bible Translators
U.S.
Don and Norma served for 30
years in Papua New Guinea, doing Bible translation and literacy work.
Don is currently serving as the Associate Director for Stewardship
Ministries in 14 northeastern states.
Rev. Charles and Bev Truxton
SIM (Serving in Mission)
Nigeria
Chuck and Bev began their
ministry in Nigeria in 1973. Bev is a physician at Evangel Hospital, a
medical facility started by SIM in the late 1950's. She enjoys helping
people with physical problems and is never too busy to give spiritual
counsel. Chuck is a counselor at the Spring of Life Counseling Centre,
where many HIV/AIDS patients receive assistance every day. Sub-Saharan
Africa has 70% of the world's AIDS cases. Of these 10% are in Nigeria.
Chuck and Janice Walton
Wycliffe Bible Translators
U.S.
After serving for
almost 40 years in the Philippines as Bible translators, Chuck &
Janice are serving the new members of Wycliffe and the Summer Institute
of Linguistics through teaching and personnel ministry.
Fred and Julia Wentz (Retired)
The Evangelical Alliance Mission
U.S.
Since
retiring from the ministry in Taiwan in 1998, Fred and Julia have helped
recruit staff for the "missionary kid" school in Taiwan. They have a
ministry of prayer and participate in mission conferences and children's
camps. Currently both are involved in an outreach to Chinese people in
their local area.
Rev. Lowell and Claudia Wertz
Joy in the Harvest
Tanzania
Lowell and Claudia's ministry has
four main objectives: evangelism and church planting, refugee and
compassion ministries, apprenticeship and vocational training, and
technical support for the church in Africa. They are located in a
poverty-stricken area on the edge of two war zones.
Elmer and Beverly Wolfenden (Retired)
Wycliffe Bible Translators
U.S.
Elmer & Beverly have worked with the Masbatenyo people in the
Philippines for many years. They published a Masbatenyo dictionary in
2001 and the Masbatenyo translation of the New Testament in 1993. The
latter is currently being used in churches among the 600,000 people in
Masbate. Presently, they continue translating Old Testament books
beginning with the book of Psalms.