Report of the
Board of Missions
As annual business reports begin to filter in, one phrase seems to be used repeatedly… “It was a very good year”. This phrase appears in everything from stock market reports to congregational business meetings. It was a good year for Granny Smith Apples; it was also a good year for passenger safety in the commercial airline industry. It was also a good year for missions in the Bible Fellowship Church!
At this point in a report it is customary to give a litany of statistics that reflect the activities of a Board to prove one’s point. Such a statistical report from this Board would be very encouraging (and will be included at the end of this narrative). However, rather than take that approach, it may be more profitable to reevaluate the Board of Missions’ core beliefs. Sometimes when there is a flurry of positive activity one is tempted to lose sight of the reason for its existence. It is important to remain faithful to the core beliefs of an agency both in the best of times and in the worst of times.
The Board of Missions remains committed to the following core beliefs:
➠We are involved in missions because the Scriptures mandate that:
a. we fulfill the Great Commission of Christ (Mat.28:19,20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
b. we present the Gospel so that people will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and be instructed in the Word of God (Romans 10:13-15; John 3:16).
c. we make disciples with a goal of presenting every person mature in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28).
d. we minister to the totality of human need (Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 16:9).
(Policy Handbook p.3)
➠We are involved in missions because of Annual Conference’s vision:
The Board of Missions is delegated by Annual Conference to direct and promote the missions program of the BFC, and to select, oversee, and care for its missionaries who serve in foreign countries and in the United States of America, in ministries other than Bible Fellowship churches and agencies, except where cooperative ventures in cross-cultural church planting have been developed with the Board of Church Extension. (F&O §512-6.1).
➠ We are involved in missions in order to:
assist local Bible Fellowship churches to fulfill the great commission of Christ. This is accomplished by directing and promoting the missions program as well as selecting, overseeing, and caring for the missionaries of the BFC, in cooperation with the local church and sending mission agency. The scope of this work extends to all the world, to all people groups, and to present and future generations. ( Policy Handbook p.5)
As we carry out these core beliefs, we are aware of how dependent we are on the community of believers within the BFC.
➠We are dependent upon faithful prayer:
One of the key aspects of success within the mission program of the BFC has been the consistent intercessory prayer by both individual members and local churches on behalf of our missionary family. This prayer commitment is demonstrated through the continued use of the BFC Board of Missions Prayer Calendar, the mobilization of mission committees in particular churches, and the continued growth of the Collegium membership. We have continued to faithfully heed our Lord’s command: “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt. 9:38
➠We are dependent upon faithful giving:
The placement of a missionary on the field of service is dependent upon the financial commitment of many. Throughout the history of the BFC, the high ratio of missionary per member has always warranted a sacrificial financial commitment of the BFC membership. This has fostered a sense of ownership of, and intimacy with, the BFC missionary family.
➠We are dependent upon a willing labor force:
Although the BFC has remained comparatively small as a denomination, it has always had a disproportionate number of its members willing to heed the call of God to world evangelization. Along with those who heed such a call are the particular churches who stand ready and willing to take upon themselves the responsibility of becoming a sending congregation. This very successful combination has placed a large percentage of our sons and daughters in cross-cultural ministry. Added to the many BFC members who serve as career missionaries is a growing number of our people who are serving or have served in creative ways, such as short-term service, or as professional associates.
Although there are many deterrents that our missionary family face in ministry each day, although the Board of Missions still faces the blight of deficit spending, although many of our career missionaries face perpetual under-support, the Board of Missions is happy to report, it’s been a very good year!
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, 1998
1. Number of Sending Boards under which our
missionaries are working. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
2. Number of countries in which our
missionaries are working. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3. Number of Missionaries:
Family Couples Singles Total
Units Adults
Active Missionaries 77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 17 137
Leave of Absence 10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0 1 1
Appointees 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 0 10
Active Applicants 5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 1 9
TOTALS 88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 19 157
4. Geographical Areas where our missionaries are assigned and their number
Area Families Adults Countries
U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 51 U.S.
North America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 6 Canada, Mexico
(excluding the U.S.)
Central America. . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 9 Bonaire, Costa
& (Caribbean). . . . . . . . . . . Rica, Guadeloupe,
South America. . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 18 Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Suriname, Venezuela
Europe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 20 Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, UK, Yugoslavia, Romania,Germany
Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 14 Kenya, Tanzania, Mali
Asia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 12 India, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Mongolia, Thailand, Morocco
Southeast Asia & Pacific. . . . .4 7 Guam, Malaysia, Philippines
TOTALS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 137 32 COUNTRIES
Annual Reports From Missionaries
Annual activity reports from missionaries will be sent out by the missionaries themselves. These reports for 1998 will be sent out in early 1999.
Dates To Mark On Your Calendar Of Events:
May 13, 1999 Conference-Wide Missionary Rally from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Grace BFC in Wallingford
August 7-13, 1999 World Missions Week at Pinebrook Bible Conference
October 22-24, 1999 Retreat within a Retreat at Pinebrook Bible Conference
November 6, 1999 Missions Banquet at Ephrata, PA.; Ron Blue, Speaker
Board of Missions: Ralph M. Soper, Chairman; Dana E. Weller, Director; Charles J. Albert, Jr., Financial Secretary; James W. Harris, Secretary, David R. Way, Leroy O. Herb, William W. Mull, Gerald Schlonecker, and Thomas P. Shorb.