ABWE - Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

Church-plants Grow in South Asia after Tsunami; Compassion ministries linked to an increase in believers

A church-planting movement has begun as a result of the ABWE relief efforts with regional partners after the tsunami in 2006 in coastal South Asia.

In May 2006, teams from the School of Missions began going into coastal villages with a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program for the children. As a result of the VBS program, cell groups soon began meeting. By November 2006, more than 2,000 people were attending 111 cell groups meeting in 25 different villages. That was a sufficient basis for starting 24 new churches. By Easter of 2007, thirteen daughter churches were started. These thirty-seven churches are now teaching the church planters that the Great Commission commands us to continue reproducing local churches until the Lord comes. Exciting things are happening at this moment as the School of Missions has completed training 33 church planters with a vision to reach the present-day population of South Asia by the year 2016.

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ABWE Announces New Leadership Positions

ABWE welcomes Ken Bott as the new chief of staff. Ken previously served as president of a fasteners company in Michigan and was a member of the ABWE advisory council. He also served in a variety of consulting roles within several departments at ABWE.

As chief of staff, Ken will assist the president and coordinate the executive team. Connie Bott, Ken’s wife will serve as a volunteer in various capacities. Ken and Connie hail from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The ABWE Board also approved the establishment of a controller in the Finance Department. That position has been filled by Jeff Trout, CPA, who was previously chief financial officer for Christian Living Communities in Denver, Colorado. Jeff will be responsible for global accounting at ABWE.

Jeff along with his wife Sheri and their seven children, have relocated from Denver.

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Letters to the Editor

Below are excerpts from responses to “The Life Impact of Dr. Wendell Kempton,” Message Spring 2008.

To whom it may concern,

It has been many years since I have been in touch with your mission board. The reason I am writing is to obtain another copy of the Message dedicated to Dr. Wendell Kempton. We received one in the mail, but I gave it to a friend who was saved through Dr. Kempton’s ministry. For many years she was not walking with the Lord, but praise God, she has turned her life around and desires to do His will. I also have many memories of Dr. Kempton in my heart to draw on and would appreciate having a copy for myself.

God bless,
Ginny Johnson

Hi,

I wanted to thank you for being so thoughtful to send me a copy of the special edition of the Message on Dr. Kempton’s life and funeral. I read it all the way through as soon as I received it. I think it did a great job in honoring and respecting Wendell’s life for the glory of God. I miss him very much. People have no idea how much he meant to me and how much he helped me.

In Him,
David Winters

Editor’s note: David Winters, author of “He Kept Coming Back…” is a forty-four year-old MK, who has been in prison for more than 20 years after committing robbery. In an article in the Message Spring 2008 issue, he shared of how Dr. Kempton faithfully visited him in prison several times a year throughout his incarceration.

Please send your comments to the editor: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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Forty Days of Prayer to Begin This Fall

ABWE began the annual 40 Days of Prayer Project to promote prayer for each region of the world and the specific needs within those regions. It will be held this year beginning October 16 through Thanksgiving Day. Missionaries and team members ask you to join them in praying for the Great Commission to be fulfilled throughout the world. To receive a daily prayer request during the 40 Days of Prayer, please sign up at http://www.abwe.org/pray/40days/. Prayer requests are also posted on our webpage.

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