“… the whole body, joined and held together by every joint … when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (Ephesians 4:15–16)

God’s family coming together from six countries on four continents!

You often hear from us that in today’s world all God’s people are working together in God’s mission ‘from everywhere to everyone,’ as missiologist and friend Samuel Escobar described it. Ann’s recent ministry trip to the Philippines was a marvelous demonstration of this new reality.

The Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches’ (CPBC) biennial assembly focused on the theme ‘Partnership in Mission.’ Ann and international guests from South Africa, Korea, Northeast India, North America and Brazil were invited to challenge participants with the message that Philippine Baptists are senders and supporters as well as receivers. Ann spoke on ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Diaspora Mission’ – how CPBC can participate in God’s mission through the thousands of Filipinos who work outside the country as nurses, engineers, seafarers and other professionals.

What a joy it was that our good friend and colleague Pr. Filipe Espíndola from Brazil was invited.

We held an impromptu devotional on a bamboo fishing platform suspended over the waves. Hold on!

Filipe is the president of the ministers’ association of the National Baptist Convention in Brazil and is also a gifted musician and worship leader. He offered workshops on the ‘Pastoring of Pastors’ program he leads in Brazil and a seminar on worship, and Ann offered a workshop on women in leadership in the New Testament. It was a rich time of fellowship and ministry as they visited and spoke at churches, Bible schools, and hospitals. Pastor Filipe returned to Brazil with many inspiring stories to encourage churches and pastors there.

The leader of the Convention wrote: “Thank you for the precious time you spent with us during our Biennial Assembly, and especially the time that you and Pastor Filipe spent with our pastors and churches in the remote places of Antique! I tell you, that great gesture of love and concern for the needs of our pastors and churches here in the Philippines has really made a deep impact in our lives …”  

Thank you for being part of the team that makes all this possible! Your prayer and financial support enable us to be your hands and heart to encourage and equip many different parts of the Body of Christ here in the Asia-Pacific region.

“Partnership in Mission: Venturing Beyond Familiar Spaces” was the theme of the CPBC Biennial.

Faithfully,

Bruce and Ann

Please pray with us:

• That God would bless and grow the new partnership between Filipino and Brazilian Baptists.
• That God would use us to encourage and empower Baptist partners in Indonesia. Leaders of the Union of Indonesian Baptist Churches have asked us to offer training for churches in cross cultural worker member care and for coordinators of a new nation-wide children’s mentoring program, as well as to lay the foundation for a new church-based social entrepreneurship program.