news around the world Free Will Baptist International Missions serves churches, pastors, and people by helping them fulfill their role in establishing churches beyond North America so unreached peoples can know the joy of a relationship with the living God. To find out more about the ministry of Free Will Baptist International Missions, visit www.fwbgo.com.

Bookroom Opens in Central Asia

The grand opening for the bookroom in Central Asia was January 11. Present for the event were 15- 20 local people, plus Central Asia team members, and women on the Christmas Joy team. The students were extremely excited to have access to English books and DVDs. The room will
double as an English classroom until the library can become self-supporting. The book room will be used as an avenue for building relationships with students and others who visit.

400 Gather for Panamanian Convention

Chame, Panama: The annual FWB convention in Panama was held January 10-11, 2009. Over 400 people enjoyed the times of worship and fellowship. Thirteen new believers were baptized, including an older gentleman who had never attended church until his father-in-law passed away.

The Panamanian Association honored Eddie and LaRhonda Bowerman in appreciation for their work in launching the seminary. Three seminary students received certificates for completing their first year of school and gave their testimonies. Those three students began their second year of school in March, and a handful of students have begun their first year.

Villalba Church Construction Nears Completion

Villalba, Spain: The Villalba FWB Church building (pictured below, right) is nearing completion. The church bought this property in 1989 and began construction in 1991. They were told they did not have the correct permit and spent the next 13 years battling in the court system until they received a permit.

Construction began again on December 24, 2007, and is scheduled to be completed by early April 2009. Upon completion, the building will be the only evangelical church building on that side of Madrid. Missionary Sam McVay is pictured above with the construction foreman.

Snapshots Around the World

Châteaubriant, France: Steve and Becky Riggs, Cathy Crawford, and Ledgel and Sharon Ferguson have begun a new church in Châteaubriant. Their first official church service (pictured below) was held in a local Christian couple’s home on January 11, with 11 adults and five children in attendance.

Colmenar Viejo, Spain: The executive committee of the FWB Association in Spain held their annual meeting January 17 at the Colmenar Viejo Church. A representative from each of the Colmenar Viejo, Esperanza, Villalba, and Alpedrete churches attended. Each pastor brought positive and encouraging reports from his church.

The Esperanza church members are renovating a storefront building and hope to move in soon.

Creative Access: Dale and Alyssa Harvey, workers in Central Asia, returned to the States March 14. The Harveys went to Central Asia for one year to teach English and assist other workers in the area. They not only taught English classes but coached a volleyball team, helped to organize a bookroom, and were involved in many outreach activities.

El Capurí, Panama: Members of the Good News FWB Church in Chitré traveled over an hour to El Capurí on January 30. The group ministered in the small town for three days by showing an evangelistic film, hosting a children’s day (pictured above), and ending with a traditional church service. An average of 40 people attended each event and eight people professed Jesus as their Savior.

Hokkaido , Japan: The Japan Field Council met for a short retreat in Hokkaido in January before beginning their missionary strategy planning session in Ebetsu. Rob Morgan, pastor of The Donelson FWB Church in Nashville, TN, was the guest speaker. The missionaries spent four days discussing future ministry plans.

Marincek, Brazil: Bobby and Geneva Poole returned to Brazil January 10. The Marincek Church had good attendance and two new families joined the church during the Poole’s six-month absence. The first Sunday Bobby preached three children accepted the Lord. Plans for a new building for the Marincek Church are still in the city´s engineering department, but are getting closer to approval.