Why Ask Why?

Do we have to know the why, wherefore and which way on everything? The only real "why" we need to know is why did Jesus come down from glory and allow himself to be a sacrifice. A humbling question… and thus we search out people who ask that question and show them the answer… "because He first loved us". 1John 4:19.

Mission Family News

  2. Trans World Radio (Gow's Monte Carlo) - TWR's radio program "The Way of Righteousness" was nearing translation completion of several more new dialects of West Africa. It explains the stories of the Bible leading up to salvation in Jesus.

  3. Our newest World Vision child is Rolvin Esquivel in Guatemala. He is 8 yrs. old and lives in a rather poor area of the country. Pray and remember him in regard to health issues.

  4. Anderson's (Romania)- As of writing I do not have a recent update on the Anderson's daughter Chloe, and her health concerns. However, English evangelism camp was successful. Stay tuned for what God has planned in Romania. Remember the Anderson's are from our church!

  5. A little side note from Louise Champlin. She and her daughter Debbie returned to visit the Congo, Africa; they should be in South Africa now for several weeks with family and then heading home. Pray for travel safety. 

    So, why the things we do? The Lao people in Southeast Asia are over 3 million strong. Most are poor, illiterate farmers or fisherman. Buddhism is strong in this country. They need Jesus Christ as he died for them as well as for you and me. That's WHY we do what we do. Don't stop giving, sending or praying… but especially don't stop giving God all the glory!

Bob I. // Missions Director

Why Stop?

Hot enough for you yet? I doubt if it has stopped any of us from going on vacation or relaxing in the evening. The physical world often can dictate our course of action and the physical comes in all sizes and variations. I've mentioned in prior Missions Minutes that all of the missionaries GBC supports have the same or similar physical maladies and problems. But that is not what this article is about; rather it shall focus on the affliction we are all prone to, that being discouragement.

Hey, did you know that Babe Ruth struck out twice as many times as he hit a home run? Had discouragement won out, his name would never have been in the record books. True… just a game you say. So lets look at GBC missionaries Ed and Annita Hoagland in Mexico. Despite financial and scheduling disputes, their 2017 Summer Evangelistic Event saw over 2,000 attend with 180 being saved. Now there are 180 people who 1 day will certainly be happy the Hoagland's did not let difficulties stop them.

Closer to home here at GBC; ask Pastor Jason if it has been difficult and hectic while organizing the Jamaican Mission trip. (As you read this Missions Minute today remember the team as they are on the field right now.) The task at hand can be intimidating yet God see's us through. For Satan would like nothing better than to make us quit our mission/race which we are all in… "go home, it's hopeless"… "stop, you’re tired"… "I don't have any money for missions". Persevere.

Persevere like Louise Champlin. She is still going strong and moves with a purpose… God's purpose. By the way, she is 89 years old. For those of you who do not know Louise; she is the wife of the late missionary Darrell Champlin. GBC has supported them for many years now while serving in Suriname, South America and the Congo. Darrell "graduated " home August, 2015. Did Louse back off and stop? Quite the opposite actually. She and her daughter, Debbie, shall be heading to the Congo for several weeks next month. I will endeavor to keep you informed as to her work and travels. Pray diligently for the Champlin’s and our very own Mission Team in Jamaica. More to come on Louise Champlin and her life serving our God and Savior.

Let not let petty (or large) events discourage or stop us from serving on the mission field we have been called to. Always, always give God the Glory!

Mission Update: GBC actively supports 2 World Vision children. Brayan Riquelmer Cax Mach in Guatemala has moved away to further his schooling. World Vision informs me that they view this as a good sign. We should all be encouraged as this equips him better for the future. We have been a part of this young man's start in life. Remember him. GBC already has another child we will be supporting; a 9 year old boy assigned to us by World Vision. Pray we are a positive influence on his life!!

 - Bob I. // Missions Director

Andrew and Romina Self

Andrew and Romina Self are Baptist Mid-Missions’ missionaries to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Both Andrew and Romina were saved at and early age and have been part of the ministry in Argentina since they were very young. Romina’s life was completely changed during a short-term missions’ trip and Andrew felt called to be a missionary at a Missions Conference where the Lord furthered his passion for sharing the Gospel. Andrew’s parents, Ronald and Christine Self, have been missionaries in Argentina since the 1980’s, and Andrew is Alison Smith’s first cousin.

The Self’s are working with the church of Don Torcuato (the mother church) and under the direct leadership of Andrew’s father. They are involved in everything from VBS and other Children’s Ministries to Hospital Bible Studies, Christmas Cantatas, evangelistic outreaches, leadership training and teaching in the Bible College/Institute. In addition to all that excitement in ministry, Andrew and Romina also have a daughter, Emily. Emily is speaking both Spanish and English, and she loves being part of the children’s choir!

The church plant that the Self’s have been praying towards is located in Olivos, Argentina. Like the rest of the country, the people are primarily Roman Catholic. Andrew and Romina will be involved in a home Bible study with the goal of establishing a church in the near future. And the Lord has already supplied $200,000 towards the new church property and ministry there! But there is much to do…..Andrew and Romina have asked that we pray for the following: five solid families that will help with the new church plant, transitions from the evangelistic home Bible study in Olivos to a church plant, financial needs of the new church, spiritual growth of the future church, future accreditation for the Bible College and future leaders for this ministry in Argentina.

Andrew and Romina have expressed their thankfulness for the Lord’s goodness and His provisions. They have witnessed answers to prayers in ways they could not fathom, but they are drastically under-supported ($600 per month under). Please consider joining with these servants and the ministry that God is growing in Argentina! To find out more about the Self family or Baptist Mid-Missions please visit their website here.

Got Wheels?

Have you got a car to sell or loan to visiting missionaries? Cletis and Tammy Titus will be in town soon, and they need a car to borrow or buy! If you know of a dependable car or want to loan your car, please contact us by leaving a message on our site. Thank you for considering how you can help further the Gospel!

The Morlan's Newsletter from Oxford

Make sure you check out the Morlan's Newletter. You'll want to see how little Micah is growing.

Sweet Pea, Sam, and School....

Here's what Pastor Titus and Tammy had to say about "Sweet Pea, Sam and School"...

It has been a great month for ministry here in Jamaica. We began with the need for a stroller for a little girl with cerebral palsy. Her mom has been carrying her to church at Bay Life each Sunday. A stroller would help, but God had other ideas. None of the strollers were big enough for this little girl, believe me we looked everywhere. Then we checked with a contact we met on the plane flying back last time. She is a member of the Rotary Club and through a conversation about her Hindu faith and Tammy sharing Christ, she mentioned that the Rotaries were trying to locate children who needed wheelchairs. Only God could put us on the same plane next to this wonderful lady- at exactly the same time that He brought Sweet Pea and her Mom to our church. To top all of these blessings, Sweet Pea’s mother received Christ just two weeks ago.

Sam received Christ as Savior on our second service in October at Bay Life. He has a hunger for the Word and has faithfully finished our eight week discipleship course for new believers. In the course of our study, it was mentioned that he needed to read his Bible every day. One problem arose, the print on the Bible’s that we give at church is too small. A group of High School Seniors from Fayetteville St. Baptist School in Asheboro jumped at the opportunity to bring a large print Bible for Sam. You should have seen the smile on his face as he shouted ‘Thank You Jesus’ when they gave him the new Bible.

School is always hard for the poor to complete since there are so many fees involved with education here in Jamaica. A young man called us at the beginning of this month asking if we could help him go back to finish his high school diploma. This represents a big step on his part and a desire to move out of the conditions that trap so many young men in gang violence and drugs. Thanks to the love and generosity of Gospel Baptist in Greensboro, this young man now has a hope and a future. Continue to pray for us on the ground as we identify the need, match up churches and individuals that can meet the need, and foremost share Christ who alone can meet their greatest need.



NOTE from GBC Missions: Kevon was a young man we met this year in Canterbury. Our church rallied together to raise the money for him to attend "university" (private high school). While we know that education alone can not save anyone, we are thrilled with his attempt to escape many of the snares of the fowler through this step in the right direction. It has also strengthed the bond between GBC and Kevons (and his family) as well as the relationship with Kevon and our missionaries (Cletis and Tammy). Please pray that Kevon will realize his need to salvation through Christ alone!

The Fields

David and Elwanda Fields, missionaries to Kenya, are special to GBC for several reasons. Not only are they missionaries with a fervent love for the Lord, but Elwanda’s younger sister is our very own Lou Walker (pictured below together).



David and Elwanda began their ministry in the early 1950’s. They started in Northern Rhodesia, where they worked at a medical mission (they lived in a mud hut, used an outhouse and had to boil all their water and milk). As if those conditions were not challenging enough, they soon moved to Kaindu (a very remote area with little to no conveniences of any kind) where they started a church. Later, they followed the Lord to the Island of Mauritius where they lead many youth to the Lord despite the Islamic oppression in the area. Some of those young people even went to Bible college and return to minister to their own people. What a legacy! David and Elwanda also served in Togo where the heat was unbearable and witchcraft and devil worship were normal. In the 1980’s, they finally landed in Kenya and continue to serve the Lord there, along with some of their grown children and grandchildren.



Talk about adventure! The Fields have not lacked any adventures. They have walked beside Ostriches, had pet monkeys (who loved to steal and play tricks), faced spitting Cobras & elephants in the road, rescued pet kittens from the “outhouse” (a hole in the back yard), learned knitting with sticks and rubber bands, and taught Bible lessons in languages they were only just learning. They lived through run-away bike rides (with some broken bones, of course), helped deliver babies, and saw red ants devour whole animals. Traveling by plane and hunting wounded leopards were daily occurrences. The Fields have seen the Lord build up churches where only devil worship existed, lead Bible studies in government schools, and baptized new believers in the ocean. When questioned by fear, the Fields respond, that “the place of safety is in the center of God’s will”.



The Fields have cared for beaten widows (and lead them to Christ). Loved rowdy Sunday School boys (some who later believed on Christ and one brought his mother to salvation as well). They prayed for the boys who threw rocks at their house (some came back later to apologize and receive discipleship). They traveled by bike to take God’s Word to the people at the nearest well (the only source of water and a good location to encounter people). They continually loved the unlovable, the hurting and the wicked.



Presently, the Fields continue to serve in Kenya. They help in the medical work, teach at the Bible school and disciple leaders at the church and preschool. Please pray for strength for these mighty warriors. Their bodies are tired (Elwanda was just released from the hospital), but their hearts are focused. As they have done many times, the Fields are giving their lives to the Lord and allowing Him to take care of His property.



If you would like more details about the Fields ministry and the amazing lives they have dedicated to the Lord, please get their book (written by their daughter, but authored by Elwanda) Sonlight in Bufuku. You won’t be able to put it down. I thank the Lord for such servants and praise Him for His provision, protection, guidance and love. We serve and amazing God.