Honoring our legacy missionaries is a priority for BMA Global. And whether deceased or alive, learning from their lives and ministries is important to their incredible legacies. Through family testimonies, archived articles, and ministry partner stories, understanding the ongoing work in their former fields impacts future generations.

Bill and Jeanette Gibson are BMA Global’s Legacy Missionaries for 2024. 

William L. Bill Gibson was born January 17th, 1942 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to a family of farmers. He and his wife Jeanette were the same age, and when they were young, their families farmed within five miles of each other, attended church together, and saved at an early age. Later on, Bill began picking Jeanette up for church services every Sunday at Big Creek Valley in Jonesboro where Bro. G.E. Jones pastored.

Bill graduated from high school in 1959 and attended CBC for one year but dropped out to join the National Guard. He trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, while Jeanette went to Jonesboro Business College for a secretarial degree. They were married in 1961 and Bill began farming with his father while Jeanette worked in the office of a local attorney.

Not long after that, however, God called Bill to ministry, and he returned to CBC to complete his studies. Like many “preacher boys” at CBC, he pastored a local church while there, Fairview Baptist in Violet Hill, Arkansas. After graduating in 1966 he began pastoring Bethel Baptist in Forrest City, Arkansas, then served as a missionary pastor at Fellowship Mission Church in Wichita, Kansas. It was there that he felt the call to missions work in Costa Rica.

First Mission Field: Costa Rica

Bill then travelled to Costa Rica to visit missionaries Duane and Francis Heflin to see the country and seek their counsel. The visit confirmed his calling, so in 1971 they bought a Volkswagen bus and named him “Herbie.” On September 29th of that year, Bill, Jeanette, nine-year-old old Bill, Jr. and four-year-old Monica loaded the van and began the journey to San Jose.

The journey was a long one, especially for the children. But the trip was made easier when Francis Heflin gave Jeanette the idea to give the children a present to open on each day of travel. It wouldn’t be the last time that the Heflins spoke into their lives as they continued their love and care of the Gibsons for many years. 

Some of the best missionary stories are about a family’s travel to a new mission field, and the Gibsons’ story is no exception. On the way to Costa Rica, Monica became ill in Mexico City and had to to see a doctor. While she recovered for two days at a hotel, Bill junior enjoyed the hotel and pool. Two famous wrestlers were also staying there, and one of them was professional wrestler Jerry Lawler, who taught Bill, Jr. how to swim.

Attending language school was the only training offered to new missionaries in that era, so Bill and Jeanette spent their first year in Costa Rica at language school in San Jose while the children attended school with their Spanish-speaking peers. Over the years, the Gibson children were always part of their ministry. Bill preached, Bill, Jr. led singing, and Monica helped in Sunday school. They also built relationships with Costa Ricans by handing out flyers and inviting everyone they met to church. Even the children participated. During one of those outreaches when Monica was five years old, she handed a lady an invitation, but the lady said, “No thank you. I’m Catholic”, to which Monica replied, “That’s OK.  Anyone can come to our church!”

Bill was known for his genial nature and never-meet-a-stranger attitude. He willingly met people’s needs on the mission field, loading up Herbie the little Volkswagen, and going anywhere he was needed. If someone said, “I need you to go to my family’s hometown up in the mountains”, the family would load up and head to the mountains to meet their needs. If someone said, “I want you to go talk to my family” or “we would like a church”, he was faithful to meet with them. In addition to planting churches during their twenty years in Costa Rica, they also established a Bible Institute

By the time Bill and Jeanette left Costa Rica in 1992, Bill, Jr. and Monica had already graduated, moved back to the states and were married with children of their own. Herbie, the Volkswagen bus, stayed with the Heflins.

Currently in Costa Rica, there are thriving churches in the cities of Tibas, Santa Ana, Villa Colon, La Mora, Naranjo, Villareal en Santa Cruz de Guanacaste due to the missionary vision and diligence of the Gibsons.

Second Mission Field: Eastern Europe: Czech Republic

After the Berlin wall fell and communist countries opened up, Bill was one of many missionaries who seized the opportunity to share the gospel with the unreached. So in 1992, the Gibsons left Costa Rica for Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia), basically moving from a friendly Latin culture to a cold, unreceptive one. The Gibsons had a hard time with the Czech language and the people weren’t responsive, but Bill met a man named John, and that one contact has kept the work going. 

To the States Then Back: Honduras

In 1994 the Gibsons returned to Jonesboro where Bill began pastoring Cottage Home Baptist Church. Five years later, Bill was asked to serve in the country of Honduras as Bobby Bowman was retiring from his work at the BMA Bible Institute there. Bill and Jeanette moved to Honduras where they served as administrator of the BMA Bible Institute in Sula, as well as church planter from 1999 to 2007. 

Final Mission Field: Chile

In 2007, Bill and Jeanette moved to Santiago, Chile, where they planted Metropolitan Baptist Church. One of the first people Bill met in Santiago was Pablo, their water delivery man and neighbor. He was also a pastor, and when he saw Bill’s Bible, they hit it off immediately. The Gibsons began attending the church Pablo pastored then worked together to plant a church. Pablo’s son and another young man have gone farther south in Chile to plant churches where Pablo, Sr. and his wife Miriam now serve now 

The Gibsons returned home to Jonesboro in 2012 when Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died on October 29, 2015.

The Work Goes On: Multiplication

When missionaries start a work and plant a church, there are many unknowns. Regardless of the preparation, location, and fervent prayer for success, there is always the question, “Will this plant take root?” Bill was perfectly fitted by God to be an encourager and exhorter and give sound advice to everyone he knew, particularly if there was a question about ministry. When Bill’s son-in-law, Randy Stimach, told Bill, “I’m afraid God is calling me into ministry”, Bill replied, “Well don’t be afraid. Just do it!” Those who served with him said he was always direct and to the point but loving and caring to everyone he met, never missing an opportunity to share the gospel.

Former missionary Phil Knott served with Bill in Costa Rica for many years and tells the story of the two of them handing out flyers to invite people to church for a week-long revival. When Costa Ricans heard they would also be fed, even more people came to help. Bill was footing the entire bill himself, and after the entire week, he had spent a lot of money. One person was saved during the revival. Always the optimist, Bill looked at Phil, stuck his thumb in his belt loop and said, “Whew! That was an expensive soul!”

Monica said, “My dad would have died on the mission field if he could have. At his funeral, letters came in literally from people around the world talking about the impact that both my parents had on them  They truly fulfilled the Great Commission.”

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Honoring our legacy missionaries is a priority for BMA Global. And whether deceased or alive, learning from their lives and ministries is important to their incredible legacies. Through family testimonies, archived articles, and ministry partner stories, understanding the ongoing work in their former fields impacts future generations.

Bill and Jeanette Gibson are BMA Global’s Legacy Missionaries for 2024. 

William L. Bill Gibson was born January 17th, 1942 in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to a family of farmers. He and his wife Jeanette were the same age, and when they were young, their families farmed within five miles of each other, attended church together, and saved at an early age. Later on, Bill began picking Jeanette up for church services every Sunday at Big Creek Valley in Jonesboro where Bro. G.E. Jones pastored.

Bill graduated from high school in 1959 and attended CBC for one year but dropped out to join the National Guard. He trained at Fort Knox, Kentucky, then Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, while Jeanette went to Jonesboro Business College for a secretarial degree. They were married in 1961 and Bill began farming with his father while Jeanette worked in the office of a local attorney.

Not long after that, however, God called Bill to ministry, and he returned to CBC to complete his studies. Like many “preacher boys” at CBC, he pastored a local church while there, Fairview Baptist in Violet Hill, Arkansas. After graduating in 1966 he began pastoring Bethel Baptist in Forrest City, Arkansas, then served as a missionary pastor at Fellowship Mission Church in Wichita, Kansas. It was there that he felt the call to missions work in Costa Rica.

First Mission Field: Costa Rica

Bill then travelled to Costa Rica to visit missionaries Duane and Francis Heflin to see the country and seek their counsel. The visit confirmed his calling, so in 1971 they bought a Volkswagen bus and named him “Herbie.” On September 29th of that year, Bill, Jeanette, nine-year-old old Bill, Jr. and four-year-old Monica loaded the van and began the journey to San Jose.

The journey was a long one, especially for the children. But the trip was made easier when Francis Heflin gave Jeanette the idea to give the children a present to open on each day of travel. It wouldn’t be the last time that the Heflins spoke into their lives as they continued their love and care of the Gibsons for many years. 

Some of the best missionary stories are about a family’s travel to a new mission field, and the Gibsons’ story is no exception. On the way to Costa Rica, Monica became ill in Mexico City and had to to see a doctor. While she recovered for two days at a hotel, Bill junior enjoyed the hotel and pool. Two famous wrestlers were also staying there, and one of them was professional wrestler Jerry Lawler, who taught Bill, Jr. how to swim.

Attending language school was the only training offered to new missionaries in that era, so Bill and Jeanette spent their first year in Costa Rica at language school in San Jose while the children attended school with their Spanish-speaking peers. Over the years, the Gibson children were always part of their ministry. Bill preached, Bill, Jr. led singing, and Monica helped in Sunday school. They also built relationships with Costa Ricans by handing out flyers and inviting everyone they met to church. Even the children participated. During one of those outreaches when Monica was five years old, she handed a lady an invitation, but the lady said, “No thank you. I’m Catholic”, to which Monica replied, “That’s OK.  Anyone can come to our church!”

Bill was known for his genial nature and never-meet-a-stranger attitude. He willingly met people’s needs on the mission field, loading up Herbie the little Volkswagen, and going anywhere he was needed. If someone said, “I need you to go to my family’s hometown up in the mountains”, the family would load up and head to the mountains to meet their needs. If someone said, “I want you to go talk to my family” or “we would like a church”, he was faithful to meet with them. In addition to planting churches during their twenty years in Costa Rica, they also established a Bible Institute

By the time Bill and Jeanette left Costa Rica in 1992, Bill, Jr. and Monica had already graduated, moved back to the states and were married with children of their own. Herbie, the Volkswagen bus, stayed with the Heflins.

Currently in Costa Rica, there are thriving churches in the cities of Tibas, Santa Ana, Villa Colon, La Mora, Naranjo, Villareal en Santa Cruz de Guanacaste due to the missionary vision and diligence of the Gibsons.

Second Mission Field: Eastern Europe: Czech Republic

After the Berlin wall fell and communist countries opened up, Bill was one of many missionaries who seized the opportunity to share the gospel with the unreached. So in 1992, the Gibsons left Costa Rica for Czech Republic (former Czechoslovakia), basically moving from a friendly Latin culture to a cold, unreceptive one. The Gibsons had a hard time with the Czech language and the people weren’t responsive, but Bill met a man named John, and that one contact has kept the work going. 

To the States Then Back: Honduras

In 1994 the Gibsons returned to Jonesboro where Bill began pastoring Cottage Home Baptist Church. Five years later, Bill was asked to serve in the country of Honduras as Bobby Bowman was retiring from his work at the BMA Bible Institute there. Bill and Jeanette moved to Honduras where they served as administrator of the BMA Bible Institute in Sula, as well as church planter from 1999 to 2007. 

Final Mission Field: Chile

In 2007, Bill and Jeanette moved to Santiago, Chile, where they planted Metropolitan Baptist Church. One of the first people Bill met in Santiago was Pablo, their water delivery man and neighbor. He was also a pastor, and when he saw Bill’s Bible, they hit it off immediately. The Gibsons began attending the church Pablo pastored then worked together to plant a church. Pablo’s son and another young man have gone farther south in Chile to plant churches where Pablo, Sr. and his wife Miriam now serve now 

The Gibsons returned home to Jonesboro in 2012 when Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He died on October 29, 2015.

The Work Goes On: Multiplication

When missionaries start a work and plant a church, there are many unknowns. Regardless of the preparation, location, and fervent prayer for success, there is always the question, “Will this plant take root?” Bill was perfectly fitted by God to be an encourager and exhorter and give sound advice to everyone he knew, particularly if there was a question about ministry. When Bill’s son-in-law, Randy Stimach, told Bill, “I’m afraid God is calling me into ministry”, Bill replied, “Well don’t be afraid. Just do it!” Those who served with him said he was always direct and to the point but loving and caring to everyone he met, never missing an opportunity to share the gospel.

Former missionary Phil Knott served with Bill in Costa Rica for many years and tells the story of the two of them handing out flyers to invite people to church for a week-long revival. When Costa Ricans heard they would also be fed, even more people came to help. Bill was footing the entire bill himself, and after the entire week, he had spent a lot of money. One person was saved during the revival. Always the optimist, Bill looked at Phil, stuck his thumb in his belt loop and said, “Whew! That was an expensive soul!”

Monica said, “My dad would have died on the mission field if he could have. At his funeral, letters came in literally from people around the world talking about the impact that both my parents had on them  They truly fulfilled the Great Commission.”

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The Broken Door: A Christmas Story

By BMA Global VP John Meriweather

The following is a re-publish from 2019.

Reclaim. Refurbish. Renovate. Repurpose. Sounds quaint, right? Thanks HGTV. That old abandoned home is really a diamond in the rough. All it takes is a little elbow grease and fresh paint. They make it look so easy. I knew better, but in a moment of weakness I succumbed. 

A few years ago, my wife and I bought a farmhouse. We reclaimed, refurbished, renovated, and repurposed for months . . . and months . . . and months. What started as quaint quickly became a quagmire. We had to overcome years of shortcuts and surprises and scars and skeletons we didn’t know existed until we started pealing off layers of old. 

Truth: Making old things look new is only easy on television.

Though I barely survived with my sanity, my wife relished every minute of it. From the beginning she had a clear vision of what could be, what would be. Her focus was on the finished product; mine was on the problems. Where she saw progress, I was worn out by the process. 

What would cause relatively sane and sensible people to throw good, hard earned money after an out-of-date and out-of-style farmhouse? Turns out that breathing life into something others are ready to discard is quite rewarding. 

The farmhouse project is complete. The finished product gives me such a feeling of accomplishment. We somehow turned a dilapidated home into something of great value by reclaiming, refurbishing, renovating, and repurposing the foundation that already existed. A project that only happened because my wife could see the value of the finished product before we even started.

You would think after such a big project I too would come to see the value in old things. I haven’t. I don’t. I speak from a growing amount of experience. Turns out in my wife’s eyes nothing is ever too old or too worn out to throw out. 

One particular example is hard to escape. It had an inauspicious beginning but has become a fixture of our home and the centerpiece of our Christmas celebration. It’s the story of the broken screen door. 

The farmhouse project had many subplots, smaller projects that seemed to take a life of their own. One such project required tearing down a 100-year-old barn that had collapsed. The easy thing to do (dare I say the best thing to do) would be to simply torch it. Burn that sucker to the ground. Not so fast. Instead we painstakingly saved every board. OK, even I know the value of old barn wood. But surely we didn’t need old tires, rusted tools and nails and certainly not an old, broken screen door. 

Well, what do I know. Months later I found that screen door. She had saved it; hidden it. Out of frustration I . . . spoke. What are you doing keeping this old thing? I’m throwing it out. 

I shouldn’t have spoken. Not only were we not going to throw it out; we were going to hang it in our house! What? The frame is broken. The paint is chipped. The screen is torn. Why would we waste money fixing it.  For once she agreed with me. She didn’t want to fix it. Good, I thought. 

No, she had another idea for that screen door. She wanted to hang it as it was – broken, chipped and torn. I did what I knew I had to do. To this day, that broken screen door hangs in our living room. And each Christmas it moves to the mantle where it becomes the centerpiece of our Christmas decorations. I love that screen door and proudly share its story with all who visit our home.

Well maybe I should back up and fill in the blank. How did I go from wanting to torch it to loving it? What changed. Well, that old screen door didn’t change. I did. In my frustration my wife calmly and emotionally changed my perspective of that broken screen door. 

She shared that when she sees that door she sees herself – broken and useless. We are all like that screen door. We are broken. We are chipped and torn. In our current state we are useless. But there is hope in our brokenness. There is one who came to rescue us from the rubble. 

Jesus was born because we are broken, sinful people condemned to the rubbish pile. “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Luke 5:32). 

But God loves us and sees value in you and me. He can see the finished product. Just like that farmhouse – we were condemned. But God sees value in the condemned and stands ready to reclaim, refurbish, renovate and repurpose. “For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Instead of being tossed in the fire, the broken screen door now serves as a reminder to our family that though we are broken and useless, God doesn’t throw us out. He still loves us and receives us just as we are. But he doesn’t leave us that way. He transforms us. That’s the story of Christmas.  

I’m thankful for that broken screen door. I deserve to be thrown out, tossed aside. Instead I have been saved – reclaimed, refurbished, renovated, and repurposed. This is the story of the gospel through the lens of a broken screen door. 

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VSM:Not About Sun and Selfies

In our BMA Global family, ministry happens everywhere and all around the globe. And we’re not just talking at churches, worship services, and discipleship groups. Sometimes ministry happens during basketball in the park, a hula hoop game, or face painting. More organically but intentionally and relationally, just like Jesus modeled. One example of that kind of ministry is VSM (Volunteer Student Missions), and on a recent trip, thirteen students and four adults used those exact activities and others to minister in Costa Rica. 

Jairo Bonilla coordinates the work there with the help of Luis Ortega (not to be confused with Lifeword Director of Operations Luis Ortega here in the States). One of the many ways Luis serves is by managing VSM teams that host Bible schools for children. The VSM Costa Rica team was blessed to have him as a local contact, interpreter, “transportation director,” and so much more. One thing is for certain: He is a great example of godly leadership.

Well before the team left from the States, they met at VSM weekend in the spring for team-building, security training, dos and don’ts on the mission field, and cultural education. Team Costa Rica decided to use David and Goliath and Daniel in the Lions’ Den for their skits, then leaders purchased supplies for the props and decorations. In one week, they held four Bible schools at two churches and a community center.

The team spoke very little, if any, Spanish, but there didn’t seem to be a language barrier as I watched these young high school and college students find the shyest, the smallest, or the scaredest children and made them feel special. There were fist bumps, hugs, high-fives, and water balloon fights that left children breathless and laughing. And I watched the children as they listened to the story about a giant who was defeated and a lion whose mouth was shut, both because of a loving “Dios.” 

Despite the language barrier between us and the children, it was clear that the story captured their attention. Seeds were planted that day, and the gospel was shared, but only God knows what will take root. 

VSM is not a vacation. It’s the life-changing fulfillment of a calling to serve. And every student on the team understood that it was not about selfies, which there were plenty of when the children noticed our cell phones and wanted to see themselves in a photo. 

As summer winds down and VSM trips conclude, BMA Global personnel like Angela Rice and Margaret Anderson are already planning 2024 trips. If you’re considering joining one, don’t hesitate to let us know so you can experience the amazing things God can do with construction paper, a sword made out of balloons, and a plastic slingshot.

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SOAR Conference Still Going Strong

Originally concepted by the forward thinking of two men with a heart for teenagers, a new BMA-sponsored conference called SOAR (Sold Out And Radical) debuted in 1990. Yes, that was 33 years ago, for those of you who now have gray or graying hair and grandchildren! Bobby Tucker and Donny Parrish could hardly have imagined that SOAR conference would continue to be not only a powerful, life-changing event but also a recruitment tool for missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders.

While many conferences come and go, SOAR has stood the test of time. It even survived Covid! Why is that? Maybe it’s the draw of what used to be the “midnight meeting” for VSM trips, or the simple fact that teenagers are happy to be away from their parents, or even that they get to meet other young people from all over.

Whatever the reason, God has blessed SOAR conference, and it is still a can’t-miss summer event for youth leaders and students who attend BMA (and other) churches.

So please pray for SOAR 2023 that teenagers would listen to the messages, music, and testimonies, surrender their lives to Jesus, accept the call to ministry, and be changed forever through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is your SOAR story?

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2023 BMA National Meeting: Come Visit Us and Celebrate God’s Great Mission

It’s a very exciting time for those who serve at the BMA Global Missions Center. The National Meeting of our association is at Antioch Baptist Church in Conway (the church I’ve attended for almost 55 years) and we welcome you to visit us at your missions headquarters, 611 Locust Street. Whether you’ve been here countless times or are new to the association, you’re invited to tour the building and enjoy a time of fellowship.

You’ll be met by tour guides Sidney Vines, and Heather and Obed Pantoja. Sidney serves at BMA Global as Relationship Manager, Heather at Guest Services, and Obed, as Director of IT (Information Technology). They will walk you through the offices of those who serve at Lifeword, BMA America, BMA Global, and Ministers Resource Services, AND, you’ll get to see Lifeword’s brand new production facility.

The very first association meeting was in May of 1950, just a month after the controversial Lakeland, Florida, meeting and subsequent split. But in April of 1950, a new association had been born and just hours afterward, a missionary committee made immediate provisions for funds to be sent without interruption to Brazil, the “major foreign mission field” at the time. It was their very first item of business for the newly created association.

I think that says a lot about who we are and what we do at BMA America.

Seventy-three years have passed and many changes have occurred, but one thing remains the same for this small association of churches: We are all about God’s mission.

When you tour the building, ask the guide to show you both BMA Global and Lifeword’s value statements and be encouraged.

Take the time to come see us and celebrate your missionary legacy.

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God is Our Maestro and We Are His Orchestra

by Jaclyn Rowe

One of things I’m learning as I continue to grow in my faith is it’s not unlike God to push us outside our comfort zones and really stretch us and even encourage and motivate us to think outside the box when it comes to reaching a lost world for his kingdom. One of the things I’ve been privileged to do for the last few years is work with a local coalition that is actively seeking to reduce drug use in our county. It’s a coalition made up of members of the healthcare system, the health department, the hospitals, and the school district. As part of that coalition, there is a drug prevention education program through a third party organization. 

I was asked years ago if I would be interested in presenting that program to middle and high school students. After praying and considering that, I agreed to it and now have the privilege of being in our public schools speaking to every eighth grade student in the fall semester and every seventh grade student in the spring semester. It is a ten-week program presented every week for ten weeks per semester, and I get to share with them tools for how to make good decisions, set healthy goals, have healthy relationships, communicate . . . all kinds of things that are principles based on God’s Word. 

Yes, it’s fun and exciting, but it’s not the best part. 

The best part is that through programs like this that are outside the church, God has a way of giving us platforms where we’re able to be very real with people, with teachers, and with students, building relationships with them, and truly meeting them where they are instead of inviting them to join us at our churches. We’re able to actually go and try to be light and salt in a very dark place for a lot of kids and speak truth to them. 

Just this week we were speaking about alcohol and addiction and alcoholism in the sixth-hour class that day. As one of the young girls and I talked, the conversation turned to how she couldn’t understand why God would allow people who are addicted to suffer. We had just talked about how addiction causes suffering for many people, not just the addict, and we continued talking after the class. Because of God’s divine intervention, two girls who attend our church were also in that class and overheard the conversation. They gathered around us encouraging her and me and were a part of this conversation about who God really is and what the Bible says. 

Through that conversation – again by God’s providence – I just so happened to be teaching the high school and middle school girls’ Sunday school at my church this week! I haven’t done that in many years, but I’m filling in Sunday and invited this young lady to come, and she said yes because she wanted to know more about our conversation topic and other questions. 

Miracles like that remind me that God puts people in the world for a reason, and sometimes we need to be open and looking for opportunities he might be setting up just for us to reach someone who may otherwise never be reached 

Pray for this young girl and for me as I continue this undercover ministry in the public school system and that God would open doors for relationships with students that when they see me out and about at the grocery store and football games, they don’t hesitate to approach me because they know they’re able to talk to me about personal things and point them to Christ. 

God is the orchestrator of all things and it’s fun to be joining him where he’s working. That’s my encouragement to you. 

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Investing in India

By: Jeremiah Shetti, BMA Missionary in India 

I come from a Christian family; both of my parents are Christians. My father is the first Christian in his family. He is still the only Christian in his family, and he comes from a strong Hindu Brahmin family. My mother’s family was Christian. My mother’s father was an elder in his church, but some of the people from my mother’s family are still Hindu. My father worked for World Vision, and my mother was a teacher in public school, but they are both retired now. 

My wife, Abigail, is a new convert; she comes from a Hindu family. She and her elder sister are the only Christians in her family. She got saved at the age of 17 after her elder sister led her to Christ. Presently, she is helping me with the mission work, but has less time nowadays since both of my boys are young. I have two sons: the elder is Ezra, and he is 9 years old. The younger is Ethan, who is 8 years old.

Jeremiah and Abigail Shetti

When I was born, I was a premature baby and was only three pounds. The doctors were not sure if I would live, but my parents believed that I lived only because of the prayers of my parents and friends. That is one reason they are so happy to see me in ministry. I was saved at the age of 14 at a youth camp organized by Youth for Christ. Later I slid back, and at the age of 20 I rededicated my life to Christ. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Commerce and started working in a finance company. After that, I worked for a credit card company, but I was never happy with my life. 

I was active in youth ministry at church and worked as a volunteer with Youth for Christ. Still, I always thought there was something missing in my life, but I never wanted to get into full time ministry. While I was working for the credit card company, I met Bro. Pradeep Borde. 

We started meeting with each other, and that’s when I realized that God was calling me to full time ministry. 

I resisted at first, but Bro. Pradeep and my dad convinced me to go to seminary in Jacksonville, Texas. I was always was good at teaching and mentoring. I knew that I had this special gift because I truly love people, but I really struggled with the fact that I will have to be a pastor or be in full time ministry all my life. I prayed numerous times a day and often would cry, just to convince God that I did not want to be in full time ministry. But God never left me alone. The Holy Spirit helped me realize that I would find peace and satisfaction only when I surrendered to ministry. The day I surrendered to ministry in my prayers, I was at peace and felt an amazing satisfaction in my heart. 

A few months later, I had to go for an interview for my VISA. The day before going to the interview, I prayed to God once again. I prayed to him that, “if it is not your will for me to go to the U.S.A. and study, please God let my VISA application be rejected.” The next day, so many VISAs were rejected. I even saw a few people coming out of the Embassy crying with disappointment. To my surprise, though, my VISA application was approved immediately. This experience convinced me even more that God was with me, and that I need to follow his will all my life. When I went to the seminary studies, I was certain that God wanted me to do missions and work with people.          

After completing my Master of Arts in Religion, I returned to India. 

The first few months I was praying and deciding on where I wanted to start. Then I started working in an area called Kasarwadi in my home town of Pune. We started with four members meeting every Thursday. I worked, and still am working, in this area. Within one year we had more than 20 members coming regularly. The first time we had baptisms, we baptized eight people. It is amazing how God helped me reach so many people. I am not a very outgoing person, but God really helped in giving me the courage to reach out to people. We started growing in numbers since then, and today we have had more than 40 baptisms in that area. We also have a fully functional church. At present I am not pastoring it, but we have appointed a pastor named Steven Pagi. He is taking good care of the church.           

After a couple of years, I visited the District of Osmanabad and saw that there was no mission work over there. There was no Christian organization or any church doing evangelism or church planting. I truly believed that God wanted me to reach out to these people who have never heard the gospel. The District of Osmanabad is very rural. It has less opportunities, and is basically a farming region, which makes it very poor. Most of the people belong to the Dalit caste. During this time is when I started working in a village called Terrgaon. Today, we have more than 50 adult members and about 70 kids regularly attending Sunday school and church services in this village. We have started work in eight villages of Osmanabad. At present, we have work in and around Pune, and we are working more in Pune. 

Presently, we are concentrating on working in the Pune district. 

There is a great migration going on in India. Almost all the people are moving to cities from villages. This is one reason most churches in the rural areas are dying or are on the verge of dying. This is the reason why we have shifted our focus of work in the city of Pune. If we must reach more people, we will have to work in the cities. 

I feel that working in the cities has lot more challenges. Some of the challenges are that people have less time, they are always on the run, they are more materialistic and less concerned about their soul, they have more financial resources, churches need bigger and better church buildings to grow, etc. The current population of Pune is close 3.5 million. I am convinced that there is a great need, and it is God’s will that we reach the millions of lost people that live in Pune. 

We are working hard on getting a new project started in Pune. 

We are working on building a facility which will have two churches: one will be a Marathi speaking church (the local language over here), and the other will be an English speaking church. This facility will also have a day care center for kids of the community and an English Bible college of Associated Level. The Bible college will be a part time college so that the students can also study and work bi-vocationally. The day care center gives us an opportunity to reach people directly, and the Bible college gives us an opportunity to train more people who will reach more people.

This facility will also have a parsonage and eight rooms for Christian students who come from villages for their education or work in Pune. I believe we will reach a lot more people and plant many churches with the help of the Bible college and this facility. We will need a big loan and financial support to get this project started, but I am sure that God will provide. This is probably the most important prayer request of the ministry that God has laid upon my heart. 

Verses that changed my Life:

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

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God’s Provision Amidst Protests in Haiti

By: Michael Poirier, BMA Missionary in Canada and Haiti

My last trip to Haïti was an adventurous one for sure. When I started going to Haiti in 2010, I knew the country was unstable because of the recent devastating earthquake. On one of my trips, I came across a book entitled Expect the Unexpected, which was about the adventures of a long-time missionary. Well, this saying, “expect the unexpected,” has proven true in so many of my trips and my dealings with the Haitian people. This trip was not to be any different, and neither was the Lord, as he has always been faithful and encouraging to me through this ministry. 

The trip started out “routine” with teaching and preparing the men with sound doctrine and encouragements. A few days into my trip I had four men from Cornerstone Baptist Church in Michigan come to visit the work and get a feel for the mission needs here in Haiti. We had some time on our hands, because on the day of their arrival things were starting to heat up in regards to the protests. It was getting hard to travel by vehicle, so we walked to our two ministries that we presently work with. This went reasonably well, and we were able to encourage the pastor and peoples of these two works. 

We adventured out on Saturday morning and went to the “beach,” or shore line, where we held baptisms. After a little while, time had gone by and we needed to get back to the house. On our way back, we came up to a “messy” spot where the protesting was taking place. 

There were burning tires and men ready to shoot or throw large rocks at whomever dared to pass. 

I, along with another preacher named Chris Yager, was in the back of the pick-up in the open air, so we decided to turn back. God is good, because right there where we needed to turn around was the CAM (Christian Aide Mission) campus. This campus is owned by a Mennonite group, and it is the training ground for their native preachers. 

It was too dangerous to continue, and we were graciously encouraged by the CAM administrators to stay the night. We really wanted to get back to our place, but every time we tried to leave, there was just no break in the safety factor on the roads. I was feeling a little pressure from the concern of my fellow Americans, and let me tell you, the Lord heard our pleading to get us back to our home in order to preach Sunday morning. 

We ended up staying the night at the compound with the decision to leave around 5:00 a.m. to get back home. When we awoke and tried the roads, they were worse than the night before. At this point they had a bus blocking the road and it was on fire. But this was no match for the Holy Spirit!

Brother Chris got out his Google Maps, and we headed out, taking every little windy road we could and arriving safely at the house. We took quick showers because we were all full of dust and dirt, and even though we were late for the service (now I get to arrive on “Haitian time”), they were all glad to see us. We preached our hearts out and God blessed. 

Now, my concern was how in the world I would get these guys to the airport the next morning. “Well, Father,” I prayed, “I need another miracle.”

Monday morning came, and this would be the “showdown.” 

We will be needing our great Guide, which is my Father, to get me to the airport without getting shot or any of the other men with me getting hurt. We jumped into the GMC 3500 4×4 pick-up truck and decided that since the main roads were all blocked again, as well as the bridge that we had to cross, we would go by the way of the river! 

So, we went down to the river and it was completely dry, so we went down one side and UP the other side. If you could have seen the height of that wall! Well, let me say that the Holy Spirt pushed us up. We got the visitors to the airport safely. Going home it was another story; but I am relieved at this point that I only have me to be concerned about and my heavenly Father has that under control. I feel blessed.

While in Haiti, I knew of another group from Quebec who served further up the mountain. We tried to keep in contact as best we could, and on Friday morning I got a call from Nathalie (one of the ladies in the group) saying that there was a small window of opportunity to get some gas and water from certain stores. This was good news! 

So I decided to leave and take my chances for the airport. 

I had a ticket for Monday, and I figured I would try to get home before then, but if not, I would stay at the airport until I could fly out. Within five minutes, I was ready to go and headed to the airport.

You know, God’s timing is always best, even if you are not always sure how things will work out. At this time, no roads were open to the airport, but I knew God would help along the way. I just did not know how. We were not on the road five minutes before, coming out of a side street and cutting us off, was a police truck. Not just any police, but the SWAT team! I immediately told my driver to get their attention, and he did.

I got out of the truck and asked them if they could escort me to the airport. I was placed in the back seat with two other officers all decked out in their SWAT gear. 

I felt safe and on my way to another adventure. 

Along the way we came up on two ambushes. I was told firmly to stay in the vehicle as three of the team stepped out and started shooting. There was a street gang there, and they stop people all the time. The team cleared the rocks and boulders off the road and continued down another small street steering clear of all the traps they had put up. 

During this time, the head officer told me that there was absolutely NO WAY I would have made it to the airport without them. I thanked them, and the head of the group told me that if I ever needed them, to just call. They gave me their names cell numbers. In the time it took to get to the airport, I got to know these men a little bit. 

Praise God that I now have four new contacts, not only for protection, but also for witnessing, and hopefully they come to know my Lord in a more intimate way.

Once I finally get to the airport, I had no wi-fi and no clear internet service. It was 4 p.m. on Friday at the time. My original plane ticket was for the following week on Wednesday, then it changed to Monday, and now here I am. The person from the mountain had purchased a ticket for me to go back home, but I had no way of knowing any of the information I needed in order to get on the plane. What do Ido? 

I looked at the enormous line for Delta Airlines and the others. As I prayed, my eyes drifted over to Jet Blue airlines, and there were no people fighting for a spot. I went to the counter and asked where their flights went. He told me that the flight was headed to Fort Lauderdale. 

I asked if I could buy a ticket, and I purchased one for $230. 

I knew that once I got to the United States I could get home from there, and sure enough my wife was able to obtain a ticket to Montreal the next day. She drove the 3.5 hours to pick me up. We were very happy, but I was totally exhausted for sure.

All of this is to say that GOD IS GOOD! It’s one thing to say it, but when you have seen it and lived it, you can really appreciate this truth.The Lord gave me these verses as a reminder to trust him: Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

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The Gospel by Ox Cart

For most people, it was an average day in rural Cambodia, yet panic filled the heart of a boy named Somat.

Two days ago, his mother had cut her foot badly; it was getting worse. Infection was spreading, and without help, her situation would become dire. In an attempt to find some relief for his mother, Somat loaded her on to the back of an ox cart and sought help.

Somat was a young believer who knew BMA Missionaries John and Louela Page. Knowing they would be of some help to his suffering mother, he found them and humbly asked for some money so he could take his mother to a doctor. 

John and Louela saw the worsening state of the foot and had compassion on Somat and his mother. They showed the love of Christ to this family, and during that time, not only did Somat’s mother find physical healing, but she also found spiritual healing. 

After her salvation and once the foot had healed, she began taking that same ox cart village by village, spreading the gospel and telling her friends about the hope she had found in Jesus Christ. Soon enough, Somat’s entire family became strong believers on mission for the Lord.

Today, Somat works alongside John and Louela in ministry, teaching at the school and giving guitar lessons to students in their village, called the In Village. Recently, the In Village has begun to trust him so greatly as to let him teach their preschool. 

This past year, John Page noticed that Somat had saved up his money to buy a large pig. After asking him why he did this, Somat explained that he planned to save the pig until Christmas, when he could butcher it and have a celebration at Christmastime in the village. John explained that this allowed legal evangelism! Somat planned to present the gospel to his fellow villagers during the Christmas season, hoping that some would be saved as a result. 

“Somat is always thinking about what he can do for the church,” said John Page. “He is in his twenties, but he has really grown. We started out discipling eight boys, and now three are really serving. We work to invest in those who will invest, but you don’t really know who that will end up being. Every person is important, so you love them all and show them Jesus.”

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As John referenced, a large part of the ministry in Cambodia is working to disciple and invest in young men who will be able to lead the church in the future. Since the last update about the Page’s ministry (read here), John and Louela are beginning to see their investments come to fruition. 

They work to invest in students in the city of Banlung, as well as their own In Village. In both places, they have seen an increase in students and in the level of discipleship.

“Since we last talked, we have increased the capacity for students at Banlung,” said John. “Now, there’s about 16 students there. When they stay, it allows them to go to school, and it also allows us to disciple and equip them.”

A man named Bro. Yoseph, a pastor that the Pages discipled, now runs the center for students at Banlung. Along with teaching students how to play musical instruments, Bro. Yoseph equips them to reach their villages for the Lord. 

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Overall in the ministry to Cambodia, the Pages say that the youth have excelled greatly.

“They’re the ones who know their national language,” said John. “We have a few adults, about 12, who attend the In Village church, but we have about 70-80 youth and children. On Wednesday, the youth even teach their own lesson.”

John explained that, early on, they have taught the Cambodian people that, if you’re doing something, have someone with you. Always be training someone else. Always have a partner and invest in their lives. 

“This concept has been very positive for us in this ministry,” concluded John.

Would you pray for John, Louela, and their daughter Gracia as they continue to raise up leaders in Cambodia? Also, pray for them as they will soon welcome a fourth member in to the Page family. 

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