Report of the
Board of Missions
Luke 13:1 There were present at that season some that told him of the thirty-eight Algerians, whose blood the Armed Islamic Group had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus answering said unto them: “Suppose ye that these Algerians were sinners above all the world because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those thirty-four upon whom the twister in Florida fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in all the world? 5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (February 25,1998 news translation)
Perhaps some of you who read the above account may protest my changing of Scripture, but when I updated the history I was impacted with the very strong words of Jesus: “you shall all likewise perish!” All of my smugness disappeared when I realized how much I was dependent upon the word “except”. Every believer who reads this must be reminded over and over again that we are all saved by His matchless grace. We were all doomed to perish except….
Remember what our Lord told Nicodemus? “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God”. By His marvelous grace I will see the Kingdom because He added “except he is born again.”
For the past 101 years our missionary family have been proclaiming this exception around the world. That passion for World Evangelization has never waned. Today the 7,150+ members of the BFC provide much of the funds to keep126 missionaries proclaiming that Good News story.
The Bible Fellowship Church has not only had a financial commitment to the missionary, but has declared ownership of their call. This can be seen in the following areas:
Many local churches are becoming increasingly involved in the overall welfare of their missionaries.
More churches are developing pro-active missions committees, and other groups to monitor the care of the missionary family.
Individual members are becoming increasingly involved in needs of missionaries and are committing themselves to prayer and giving.
Work groups organized by local churches to assist our missionary family with hands on projects are increasing.
The local church continues to produce world bound missionaries. This year the Board of Missions processed a number of new applications, approved 7 candidates (Gary and Karen Shogren, Craig and Mary Tress, Trudy Peale, and Tom and Nancy Maurer), and commissioned 5 missionaries ( Jenny Bechtel on June 29, Jim and Lynne Head on Aug. 3, and Jim and Diane Bowling on Sept. 21).
The Board of Missions met 7 times this year. Some highlights include:
The assignment of Chris Merrick as Project Coordinator. In cooperation with the Board of Church Extension Chris has been called to develop work teams and projects within the BFC. Chris and Becky are now part time, and look for the financial support necessary to become full-time.
The development of the Collegium, a group of supporters of the BOM.
The approval of the Director’s visit to Venezuela and Bonaire.
The approval of the Director and Business Manager’s attendance at the Stewardship Summit in Kansas City.
The Board of Missions Policy Manual is now available for computer use in Acrobat Reader Format. An interactive missionary information program is also available in an Acrobat Reader Format. In the future, a multi-media presentation of our missionary family will be available in CD.
The approval of participation in denominational events including:
Freedom Festival; World Missions Week;
Missions Celebration Banquet;
Retreat within a Retreat for mission minded young people.
The approval to work with the denomination to investigate the possibility of streamlining office space with other BF agencies, and the use of our resources to consolidate loan obligations at Pinebrook Junior College.
The addition of board member David R. Way, and secretary Annette Kuhns.
The acknowledgment of R.C. Reichenbach’s 26 years of service to the Board of Missions at the Fall Banquet.
A careful consideration of the statistics and financial report below will demonstrate God’s rich blessing upon this ministry. Thank you for your faithful part.
General Statistical Report on December 31, 1997
1. Number of Sending Boards under which our
missionaries are working. . . . . . . . . . . . .35
2. Number of countries in which our
missionaries are working. . . . . . . . . . . . .31
3. Number of Missionaries:
Family Total
Units Couples Singles Adults
Active Missionaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 54 18 126
Leave of Absence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 1 1 3
Appointees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 4 3 11
Active Applicants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 3 1 7
TOTALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85 62 23 147
4. Geographical Areas where our missionaries are assigned and their number
Area Families Adults Countries
U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 40 U.S.
North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8 Canada, Mexico
(excluding the U.S.)
Central America. . . . . . . . . . . . .5 9 Bonaire, Costa
& (Caribbean). . . . . . . . . . . Rica, Guadeloupe,
South America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 14 Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Suriname, Venezuela
Europe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 21 Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, UK, Yugoslavia,Romania, Germany
Africa. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 14 Kenya, Tanzania, Mali
Asia 7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 India, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia, Thailand
Southeast Asia & Pacific. . . . . . 4 7 Guam, Malaysia, Philippines
TOTALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 126 31 COUNTRIES
Annual Reports From Missionaries
Annual activity reports from missionaries will be sent out by the missionaries themselves. These reports for 1997 will be sent out in early 1998.
Dates To Mark On Your Calendar Of Events: (1998)
Thursday, May 14 Conference-Wide Missionary Rally from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Royersford BFC
August 1-7 World Missions Week at Pinebrook Bible Conference
Fall 1998 Retreat within a Retreat at Pinebrook Bible Conference
October 1998 Board of Missions sponsored Banquet
Board of Missions: Ralph M. Soper, Chairman; Dana E. Weller, Director; Charles J. Albert, Jr., Financial Secretary; David R. Way, James W. Harris, Leroy O. Herb, William W. Mull, Gerald Schlonecker, and Thomas P. Shorb.