What an encouragement it is to see God at work through the missionaries our church supports! Here is a summary of recent highlights, praises, and prayer needs from our missionaries. Allinson Family — Mexico City, Mexico Chief Cities Ministries | Macedonia World Baptist Missions Jonathan and Rebecca are currently home on furlough, reporting to supporting churches and traveling extensively to raise support. In January and February alone, they visited 20 churches near Philadelphia and logged 500 miles. Jonathan also preached at 3 chapels and 2 Christian schools and a Bible college. The whole family recently traveled to Florida for a missions conference — a 2,500-mile trip. During a brief return to Mexico, Jonathan was thrilled to visit 2 of the 3 churches started through their ministry. He also sat down with church planters Josh and Katye Magner to plan a new church plant with a target launch date of November 8th, including a missions trip opportunity for approximately 30 people to canvass the area with invitations beforehand. Praises: God's protection during travel, including through an area of Puerto Vallarta that had experienced cartel violence just the week prior Churches planted through their ministry are thriving under faithful national leadership A brother graciously lent them a truck for furlough travel Prayer Requests: That 10 churches would commit to supporting them financially For the Josh and Katye Magner church plant — location, language, culture, and preparation of hearts For their children (Karla, 15; Alexandra, 14; Carter, 11) — wisdom for future decisions in school, college, and career For Rebecca's health (MS) and her shoulder For leaders: Pastor Carlos & Arell (1st Baptist), Jose & Liliana (Living Hope), Joshua & Katye (Lighthouse children's ministries) Anderson Family — Jamaica FBMI | Sending Church: First Baptist Church, Hammond, IN Five months after Hurricane Melissa, the Andersons report that while things appear to be recovering on the surface, many families are still struggling — blue tarps still cover roofs and many farms remain destroyed. Yet in every hardship they see opportunity to praise God! One church member, Kereen, lost her job in the tourism industry but started a food business, which has actually allowed her to attend church more regularly and bless her Sunday school class. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the church distributed thousands of pounds of food and cleaning supplies to hurting families in a nearby community — one they had long prayed to reach. That outreach opened the door for a van route, professions of faith, and new ministry in that very community. Additional Ministry Highlights: Their youth competed in a national Bible quiz on the book of James, taking 1st place (senior team) and 2nd place (junior team) They held their 3rd annual Married Couples' Dinner, focusing on navigating marriage under the leadership of the Holy Spirit They partnered with a Christian medical team for their first-ever medical clinic — resulting in 5 first-time church visitors and 2 professions of faith Young men were baptized Praises: God's provision through the hurricane aftermath New outreach community opened for ministry Souls saved and baptized Prayer Requests: For continued recovery and needs in Jamaica post-Hurricane Melissa For the families still without stable employment or income For spiritual growth and outreach in the new community Ballou Family — New Castle, Pennsylvania Church Planting | Sending Church: New Testament Baptist Church, Butler, PA The Ballous are rejoicing over the results of "Operation New Castle," an aggressive evangelistic canvassing effort held over three Saturdays and the last week of March. Ninety-six soul winners knocked on nearly 8,000 doors, gained 146 interested contacts, and saw 10 souls trust Christ as Saviour! On Palm Sunday, two visiting families from the outreach attended services. On Resurrection Sunday, they had nearly 30 first-time visitors and 4 more souls trusted Christ. They have also launched Wednesday night services and a King's Kids program (10 children attended the first night), and are working to get church buses on the road. Praises: Tremendous fruit from the "Operation New Castle" outreach 14 total salvations reported in recent weeks Growing Sunday attendance Prayer Requests: For wisdom regarding their building — the owners are trying to sell, and if unsold by October 1st, the building will be shuttered For the children's bus ministry to come together (they have CDL-licensed drivers ready) For the church's offerings to grow — most members are brand new Christians still learning to give Continued financial support from churches and friends Ballou Family — Lamphun, Thailand Reaching Thai People with the Gospel | BIMI Southeast Asia The Ballous are now 10 years into ministry with "Sila" (Cornerstone) Baptist Church in Lamphun, and are deeply grateful for a thriving local church that is growing and multiplying. A young woman named Mi'eh, baptized nearly a year ago, continues to grow in faith while the family actively ministers to her parents. The Ballous celebrated a young man, Pipat, graduating from 9th grade and being accepted into a top high school. A church plant 2+ hours away is flourishing under the faithful Chermue family's leadership. Missionary Ballou brought his daughter and a 19-year-old young man, Dtii, to assist in ministry at the church plant — and came away grateful for God's work in Dtii's life. Progress toward a Bible institute is very encouraging, with a fall semester coming into focus. Additional Highlights: The BIMI Southeast Asia field conference was a great time of refreshment and vision-casting Grandma Ballou flew in to teach VBS-style classes for missionary kids during the conference Land is being prepared for a future church building Praises: 10 years of fruitful ministry in Thailand A church plant is thriving and discipling the next generation of leaders Bible institute development moving forward Prayer Requests: For Mi'eh's parents — that they would come to saving faith in Christ For Pipat — that he would walk with God and in wisdom For the Chermue family's continued faithfulness in leading the church plant For the Bible institute to come together for the fall Canavan Family — Dublin, Ireland BIMI | Sending Church: Heritage Baptist Church, Woodbridge, VA God is moving in Dublin! A Uyghur man named Perhiden, who has suffered brutal persecution by the Chinese government, came to the church through a gospel conversation in a park (via Google Translate!). He has been faithfully attending for 8 months, coming to Sunday services and Wednesday night men's Bible studies, and now appears close to receiving Christ. Praise God — Louise, a woman they had been praying for, got saved! The very next week she asked missionary Beth Canavan to speak with her children Hannah (10) and Oliver (8) about salvation. Hannah understood and trusted Christ, and Oliver did as well. Louise's husband Eugene then came to church, arranged to meet with the pastor about salvation, has now trusted Christ, and the whole family attends faithfully every Sunday. They are hoping to be baptized together as a family soon! Additionally, three ladies are learning to teach children's Sunday School, and a man named Rudy is helping lead the bi-weekly teen meetings. Praises: Louise, Hannah, Oliver, and Eugene all saved — an entire family! Prayer for teen helper: ANSWERED Perhiden is very close to salvation Prayer Requests: That Perhiden (and Aidan) would be saved More Irish people saved and added to the church Stable housing situation for the Canavan family Andrew, Shauna, and the church plant in Galway — safe pregnancy Dr. P.D. Cherian — South India Baptist Bible College & Seminary International Partnership Ministries | Hanover, PA God has been doing remarkable things through SIBBC&S and its related ministries. In January, Dr. Cherian preached at Trinity Baptist Church in Nagercoil where 6 believers followed the Lord in baptism. A week-long evangelistic crusade (January 21–25) drew 4,950 attendees over the week, with 190 adults trusting Christ as Saviour, including 105 responses on the final evening alone. In March, the seminary celebrated 124 graduates at their 40th Commencement, with many heading out to serve the Lord. Annual Ministry Summary: 3,777 professions of faith and 190 baptisms 23 new churches and preaching stations established 54 pastors receiving monthly support 1,630 students in Christian schools and the Bible college/seminary 6,483 children reached through VBS programs Quality study Bibles distributed in multiple Indian languages Prayer Requests: Two long-term supporting churches have announced they are ending support by June 2026 — urgent prayer for God to raise up new partners A third church is uncertain due to a pastoral transition Solar Power Initiative: working to install solar panels to power 10 buildings — currently have $3,566 of approximately $100,000 needed Summer VBS and youth camp ministry (March–May) Honeycutt Family — Establishing Chinese Churches World in Need Baptist Mission | Celebration, FL John and Cathy Honeycutt are actively working to establish Baptist churches among Chinese people. They report that an ordination service for their pastor in Hong Kong is coming up in the next few weeks. Several new churches are starting in difficult areas, and 5 Bible institutes are training church planters for ministry. Some of those students are sensing a call to go to other countries. The Honeycutts note a powerful truth in their letter: every major obstacle they have faced could not be overcome by creativity, money, contacts, or human skill — only God could solve them. That is why prayer is central to their ministry. Prayer Requests: For the Hong Kong pastor's upcoming ordination — that it would be an encouragement to him and his wife For new churches starting in difficult areas — protection from interference, souls saved, discipled, and growing For the 5 Bible institutes — that God would call and send out faithful church planters For doors to open for those sensing a call to other nations Mickey & Trina Cofer Mongolian Missions | Anchor Baptist Missions The Brave-Hearted Youth Summer Camp season launches in just a few weeks (June–September), and construction is underway to prepare for a summer full of young people. Every $100 sponsors one camper for a powerful week of preaching and fellowship. A most remarkable story stands out this report: a teenage girl saved at camp last summer returned to her spiritually dark hometown of Bayanzurkh village — known as the center of Shamanism in Mongolia — and began gathering classmates to hear the gospel. When the missionary team arrived for an outreach, they discovered a 67-year-old woman who had been preparing to become a family Shaman. She had visited her believing children in the capital city, received a Bible, and began reading it daily. One morning she put her trust in Christ, burned all her Shaman clothing and paraphernalia, and now opens her home freely for gospel services. God is planting a church in one of the spiritually darkest places in Mongolia! Praises: A church is beginning to take root in Bayanzurkh village — formerly a closed, spiritually hostile stronghold A former Shaman-in-training is now a believer with a vibrant testimony God answered specific prayers to open that community to the gospel Prayer Requests: For the summer camp season — funding, safety, and many young people to hear and believe the gospel For young campers to go back to their communities and be lights for Christ For the new church being planted in Bayanzurkh MAPS Global Network — William Jeffcoat Sending Church: Gantt Street Baptist Church, Cayce, SC William Jeffcoat recently returned from several weeks in South Asia (February–March), ministering at numerous local churches and teaching in several Bible colleges and institutes. He has cultivated deep, multi-decade relationships with national leaders who trust him to advise on sensitive ministry situations. He was greatly encouraged to hear that a man he had trained over 20 years ago is now preaching to vast multitudes at evangelistic gatherings — "fruit that remains." Rural village meetings drew people walking long distances in the heat, hungry to hear God's Word — so eager that they asked him to preach again after lunch. His daughter Rachel, who lives in Germany, had planned to join him in India. War escalating in Iran rerouted her flight to Istanbul, where the airport was closed and she was stranded. Bombs had fallen on Dubai's airport through which she had passed, and she was later treated for smoke and chemical inhalation. God providentially provided a "special friend" to walk her through security and kept her safe through an extraordinary series of events. Praises: Souls reached and long-lasting fruit from decades of faithful ministry Rachel's miraculous safety through dangerous travel circumstances Prayer Requests: Continued open doors for ministry in South Asia and partnership with national leaders Rachel's full recovery from respiratory effects of smoke/chemical exposure Wisdom in navigating ministry in sensitive geopolitical situations Knickerbocker Family — Burkina Faso, West Africa WWNTBM | Sending Church: Temple Baptist Church, Powell, TN Stephen returned to Burkina on March 3rd after time stateside, immediately diving back into ministry. He leads two churches and teaches evening Bible classes. A highlight has been the children's ministry at Tabtenga — kids have memorized a full gospel presentation and are participating in outreach efforts. Pastor-in-training Germain Yameogo has shown great zeal and initiative, and Stephen believes he could well lead the Tabtenga church long-term. A new Bible study was started in the village of Pitmoaga, led by another pastor-in-training named David. At the very first meeting, 12 men attended and 5 confessed faith in Christ! Praises: 5 confessed Christ at the first Pitmoaga Bible study Germain's growth and ministry involvement A US diplomat met with a Burkinabé representative to discuss future cooperation regarding visa processing (an ongoing need for the Knickerbockers) Junior Camp fundraiser: $3,350 raised of the $4,000 goal Prayer Requests: Improved diplomacy between the US and Burkina Faso — visas for US citizens are currently not being processed, which is separating Stephen from his family in America Pastoral training of David, Jean, Germain, William, and Emmanuel Spiritual growth of Paterne, Anassa, and Amed Kids' club ministries and Evening School of the Bible President Traoré and the fight against terrorism Stephen's next trip to America (April 22nd) Allen Snare — Missionary to the Deaf Silent Word Mission Board Brother Snare, who will soon celebrate his 79th birthday, is praising the Lord that He continues to allow him to serve faithfully despite some minor health issues. From January through March he preached and taught at numerous Deaf churches and "Fantastic Saturday" events across Tennessee, Virginia, Florida, and Georgia, reaching hundreds of Deaf and hearing individuals. He reported one Deaf salvation decision at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Orlando. He preached at a 25th anniversary service at Deaf Baptist Church in Smyrna, Georgia, where over 150 attended. Upcoming Ministry: Shenandoah Bible Baptist Church, Martinsburg, WV — April 18 Campus Church, Pensacola, FL — April 25 Calvary Baptist Church, Hanson, MA — May 16–17 Bible Baptist Church, Sellersville, PA — May 23–24 *(Note: This is local to our area!)* Bill Rice Ranch Deaf Camps I & II — June 8–12 and 22–26 Prayer Requests: Continued health and strength for ministry That more Deaf people would hear, believe, and be saved Safe travel for a very full spring and summer schedule Teis Family / God is My Dad Ministries — Fatherless Families Ministry Life Factors Ministries In 2025, this ministry was used of God to lead 20 individuals to salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Their resources are being used by churches, pregnancy centers, schools, and other ministries around the world to mentor and disciple fatherless children, teens, and single moms. They reached 7,000+ ministry leaders at the AACC annual convention, distributed resources to roughly 25,000 women through Extraordinary Women Conferences, and launched the Reach 1,000,000 Fatherless Kids Initiative. They have also launched a new initiative asking Christian leaders: *"When I say the words, 'God is my Dad,' what comes to mind?"* — capturing over 40 video interviews with a wide range of Christian voices. Praises: 20 salvations in 2025 Thousands of women and children reached through events Fruitful conferences and partnerships in early 2026 New board members added to strengthen the ministry Prayer Requests: That a doctrinally sound church in every US county would launch a Single Mom Ministry or join the God is My Dad Church and Ministries Network Continued and increased financial support God's protection for the Teis family — the devil is opposed to fatherless families being helped and reached Wisdom and vision for future ministry decisions That fatherless families internationally would be reached and discipled A Word of Encouragement What a privilege to be connected to so many faithful servants scattered across Mexico, Jamaica, Pennsylvania, Thailand, Ireland, India, China, Mongolia, Burkina Faso, and beyond — and right here at home reaching fatherless families and the Deaf community! As you read these letters, would you make it a point to pray specifically for at least one missionary this week? Your prayers truly make an eternal difference. As the Canavans reminded us so well: "Every major obstacle we have ever faced could not have been solved with creativity, money, contacts, or any other human skill. Those major obstacles had to be, and they were solved by God! That's why your prayers mean so much to us." Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.Download April Prayer Letters