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VOLUME 1ISSUE 5

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Women’s Ministry in Bulgaria by Amy Postlewaite

God has been moving in the hearts of many women in Svishtov, Bulgaria, for whom we have been praying for a long time! One great indication of this was our first women’s retreat held January 22-23, in a hotel right outside of Svishtov. In spite of the cold and snowy weather, 25 women participated. About half of them were believers. The other half included seekers and women who were invited by friends—some who most likely heard the gospel presented for the first time in their lives.

The seminars at the retreat focused on what the Bible says about “How to Deal with Stress.” We had an encouraging response, even from the nonbelievers in attendance. One lady commented, “I tend to become stressed very easily. I know now that reading the Bible is probably where I need to turn to help with this.”

The games, craft time, and meals everyone enjoyed together created a great opportunity for new friendships to be built among women. We pray these friendships will continue, and

Continued on Page 3

Alicia Crowe shares her experiences in Japan

...to be the hands and feet of Jesus overseas

at a glance

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ON THE COVER: A view of Alpedrete, Spain, where our missionaries are planting the first protestant church the town has ever known.

Funded by FWB Foundation

Editor-in-chief: Clint MorganManaging editor : Deborah St. LawrenceAssociate editor: Emily FaisonDesign by Melanie Poole

Tammy lets us look through her lens

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Amy Postlewaite explains scriptural principles for dealing with stress.

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we hope new women will become connected to Jesus and to our church through the Bible studies and events we conduct specifically for women.

We are thankful for the way the women of First Free Will Baptist Church in Washington, North Carolina, have contributed to the women’s ministry in Svishtov. They sponsored this first women’s retreat, and raised funds for us to add a kitchen to our church building. Because of this kitchen, we added a “cooking time” to our monthly ladies’ meeting where we gather to study the Bible.

Please pray each of the women who attended the retreat would learn to “cast their cares upon the Lord because He cares for them.” Pray God would bring many new women and their families into the Kingdom through the ministries of New Life Church in Svishtov.

Women’s Ministry in BulgariaContinued from Page 2

877-336-7575 | foundation@nafwb.org

In 1951, Volena Wilson, left North Carolina to join Laura Belle Barnard in India. She traveled hut to hut and village to village to share the good news of salvation. After Barnard return to the States, Volena led the work in India, establishing a Bible institute and starting churches that remain today.

Why not create your own missions legacy with an endowment at FWB Foundation?

Legacy ofCourage

Volena Wilson

Lydia Awtrey poses with two conference attendees.

Women’s Retreat attendees

Lydia Provow led the ladies in a fun craft.

Ladies listen attentively during the seminar.

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Email Alicia

See the Crowes’ prayer cardHOTLINKS

Which do you prefer?

Mac or PC

Dogs or Cats

Rollercoasters or Museums

Beach or Mountains

Football or Baseball “Go Hokkaido Ham Fighters!”

Coffee or Tea

“Both! Coffee in the morning and hot tea for an afternoon pick me up.”

“Alicia loves Japanese food!”

Photo Shoot

Alicia Crowe• Wife to Josh

• Mom to Ruby, Ellie, and Josie

• Serving Japan since 2007

Ellie and a friend from school

Josie on her “new” bike. Read more about Alicia’s experience teaching at Josie’s preschool.

Learn what Alicia and Ruby think about life in Japan.

Listen to Alicia’s English preschool class sing “Walking with Jesus.”

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LightBoxLeadership Matters by Robert Bryan and Emily Faison

Designed by and for cross-cultural workers and used among evangelical missions agencies, the Leadership Matters Course (LMC) trains and supports ministry workers around the world. Robert Bryan, our Free Will Baptist missionary in France focusing on leadership development, chairs the committee that developed the French version of LMC. He has worked to translate materials into French, set up the courses, and certify LMC trainers.

In a recent session, trainers worked with participants in areas like building biblical relationships, communication, and management, but the sections of the course that participants most appreciated were the Day of Solitude and the Life Management Plan closely associated with it. The ministry workers, pastors, and Bible translators heard of answered prayer, conversions, and God’s protection during devotions and other talks throughout the course.

“A great blessing for my spiritual knowledge and the development of my ministry.” (community development worker)

“This LMC course has permitted me to refocus and to organize my spiritual, professional and social life.“ (community development)

“This course has been and will be a true revolution for me, because of its impact in my life…as a leader.“ (university ministry)

“This course has great value for my ministry. It was a light for my life.” (pastor)

Robert Bryan with Rémy Nguébé, pastor from Central African Republic

Fourteen ministry organizations sent participants who will return to their ministries with tools, skills, and resources to serve with renewed fervor.

Robert teaches the session on Motivating for Change.

Robert poses with Ngamsou Kainala, who isinvolved in Bible translation in Cameroon.

“An instrument to build my leadership and impact my generation.” (Bible translator)

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Kenneth with Daniel Dorati and Uriel Velásquez, pastor of the church in Chamé.

Read more about Uri González, the pastor of Templo Manantial de Vida in San Miguelito, Panama.

The annual convention of the National Association of Free Will Baptist Churches in Panama met January 9-10, 2016, on the campus of the seminary in Chame, Panama.

Panamanians enjoy teaching and preaching during the convention.

Thumbnails

Kenneth preached at a new mission church started by pastor Daniel Dorati in an area of Panama City called Brisas del Golf.

The convention included services and seminars.

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Through My Lens

“When God gets us alone through suffering, heartbreak, temptation, disappointment, sickness, or by thwarted friendship—when He gets us absolutely alone, and we are totally speechless, unable to ask even one question, then He begins to teach us.” —Oswald Chambers

On March 18, 2015, I began my class. I was admitted to the British Hospital in Montevideo with symptoms of a stroke. I had lost movement and strength on my right side. Within two weeks, I was meeting with neurologists in Nashville, Tennessee, and learning more about Cavernous Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM) than I ever wanted to know.

Recovery has been an up and down journey. Here are some things I’ve learned (and am still learning) along the way.

1. We need each other. When I arrived in Nashville I was barely able to walk. God provided friends and family who took care of transportation, lodging, meals, encouragement and even provided financial assistance.

2. We have to accept our new “normal.” My life changed from someone who wanted to be involved in every conversation and event to a person who is mentally fatigued by groups, noise, and deep conversation. My ministry events now focus on one-on-one meetings rather than group events.

3. We need others to pray for us. During the worst of this time I found myself not even able to phrase the words to a prayer. I appreciated all those interceding on my behalf.

4. We are not alone. I know God is with me and He has shown Himself in so many ways during this time. I also learned I am not the only one going through these times of teaching. My own weaknesses have allowed others to share their struggles and victories to encourage me.

5. True love serves. My husband has been by my side ever since the beginning and has never complained or been negative about my illness. He still cooks, cleans, and buys the groceries while balancing it with his ministry role in Uruguay. This difficult time has brought us closer together and united our faith in God and in each other.

Class is still in session. Will I learn more? I’m sure there is much more to learn. As I do, I’ll share with you. To keep up with us and our ministry go to www.jaimielan.com.

By Tammy LancasterLearning New Lessons

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As I boarded that first flight in Raleigh/Durham that would take my son and I and two men from our church to serve in Japan last summer, I was excited and anticipating God doing great things. I prayed about this trip for months. My prayers were always for God to do a great work in my son Dillon’s life, for us to be a blessing and encouragement for the missionary families and churches we would be serving, and for our team to bring glory and honor to our Savior’s name. As silly as it sounds now, for some reason I didn’t pray with any expectation that God would do a work in me personally. I can only think I underestimated Him because of pride and a lack of faith. Thankfully, He remained faithful, even when I disguised my own unfaithfulness through prayer and serving overseas on a

short-term mission trip. It’s funny how we can so thoroughly convince ourselves we have this being Christian thing under control!

On the Monday after our arrival, our group arrived bright and early at the church in Bihoro where we would make much-needed repairs to the church building and renovate the upstairs apartment where Pastor Ishii and his family live. One issue we had to address, because of leaks, was mold. The men removed all the very large windows, which were covered with mold, to be cleaned. Since I have no discernible construction skills whatsoever, I volunteered to be chief mold remover. It was a pretty gross job, but it turned out to be exactly the right one for me. I remember so clearly sitting on the floor of the Bihoro church, with moldy water dripping down my arms and silent tears dripping down my face. I was completely overwhelmed that God would allow me the privilege of serving Him and His church in Japan. God used moldy windows to remind this girl that no job is too small when we’re working for Him.

God did some much needed pruning and gave me back my joy in serving! I hadn’t even noticed it was missing. I came back from Japan with a new song in my heart for serving, a new love and passion for the people of Japan and our missionaries serving there, and a new story of God’s faithfulness to add to countless others

The Hanna Project took a team to Japan in July 2015.

Reflection from a Team Member by Stephanie Alphin, Bethel FWB, Kinston, NC

THP team members repaired water damage at Bihoro FWB Church, and did some remodeling to the parsonage upstairs.

Abashiri church, remotely located from the rest of the churches in the country, sits on the northeastern edge of Hokkaido.

before. Thank you, THP, for allowing me a second opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus overseas. I’m blessed beyond measure for it.

The Hanna Project is taking a team back to Japan in the fall of 2016, to help with tsunami recovery. The deadline for applications is quickly approaching! Get more information here.

THP team from Homerville, GA, traveled

to Sapporo and Abashiri, in Hokkaido,

Japan, last July.

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P. O. Box 5002 • Antioch, TN 37011www.fwbgo.com • 877-767-7736

How can she hear, except they sent? Romans 10:13-15

April 24, 2016 Save the Date

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