by Pat Creed

Beginning this issue on a personal note, June and I have had an extremely busy winter. We have traveled to missions conferences in Florida, Ohio, Virginia, Montana, Maryland, North Carolina and the Dominican Republic. One night while I was in Montana, the temperature was 27 below zero! The following week, I traveled from there to the Dominican Republic, where it was a comfortable 85 degrees. We have had some great conferences with tremendous increases in faith promise giving commitments. People have surrendered their lives and we have had the privilege of seeing several come to Christ. We do not take for granted the wonderful churches that God permits us to visit and the tremendous pastors and their wives that we have the opportunity to fellowship with and count among our friends.

Near the end of January, we were able to take a trip to the islands along with Gary and Joy Sprunger. Our first stop was Puerto Rico, where we were able to meet with all of our missionaries on the island for lunch. We had a sweet time of fellowship and thoroughly enjoyed listening to the exciting happenings of each of the different churches and ministries. I was able to spend the weekend with Jim and Kelly Shelton, Maranatha Baptist Church in Ceiba. We stayed with Wayne and Frances Witherell, who work alongside the Sheltons at Maranatha. We preached on missions that Sunday and saw an increase in their Faith Promise. The Sheltons and Witherells are doing a tremendous job in this recovery effort after the military base was shut down at Roosevelt Roads. We then flew down to Antigua to spend a few days with the folks at the radio station and had a great time with Jerry and Linda Baker. They are making plans to build a new building to house the Caribbean Radio Lighthouse and Brother Gary was able to work with Jerry on some plans for this structure. They worked out the cost so that we could assist them in moving in that direction. While we were there, we were also able to spend some time with Jerry and Scharmel Johnson, who have spent many years in church planting on the island.

The first week of March, I was able to be with Eric and Holly Johnson in San Francisco, Dominican Republic, a city of about 200,000 people. They started their church about a year and a half ago and already have a wonderful group with which to work. We were able to share missions with them and encourage them to be involved in worldwide evangelism. It's exciting to go to churches throughout the islands and witness missionaries teaching their people to fulfill God's command to reach the world.

Return to Top

by Mrs. June Creed

According to the date, spring is supposed to be here, but I think it lost its way! It has been so cold here lately. If you are in the islands, make sure you thank the Lord for your warm weather!

Throughout the winter, our schedule had been very full with traveling here and there. I do love that we get to spend so much time with God's choice servants. It is delightful to be with Christians!

In January, we were able to travel to Puerto Rico and it was a blessing to see all of our missionaries there and hear the exciting things that God has been doing in their lives and ministries.

Into our lives, God brings seasons of uncertainty and it is during these seasons that we draw closer to Him. These last few weeks, I have been unable to travel because of some heart problems I have been having.

I started to notice irregularities in November, but didn't think much of them. In February, we were in Ohio for a missions conference. My heart began to beat very rapidly and I had pain in my chest and upper back. Not sure how serious this was, Pat took me to the emergency room. The hospital was called the King's Daughter's Hospital! They tried to slow my heart down with medication through an IV, but that wasn't working. They told me my heart was running a marathon and that they had to slow it down. They decided to stop my heart for just a moment and restart it. Praise the Lord, the procedure worked and my heart regained its normal speed.

The hospital and the staff were wonderful and I am so thankful for their dedication to my health and well-being. They told me that I have an electrical problem and prescribed some heart medication. Please pray that in the next few weeks they will find out the cause.

During that time of uncertainty, the song "Anywhere with Jesus I Can Safely Go" became very real to me. It's such a wonderful thing to know that the Lord takes care of us no matter where we are or what is going on in our lives. I know that all of us have difficulties in our lives and sometimes we feel that they become more than we can bear. That is when God wants us to run to Him! Cry out to Him and He will become more real to you than ever before. Difficult times are not always to punish us. Often they are meant to bring us closer to Him!

Pat and I pray for each of you during our morning walks. It's one of our favorite times of the day as we take time to reflect on God's goodness to us and ask Him for continued blessing on your lives and the lives of our family members.

May the Lord richly bless you all! 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Love and Prayers,
June Creed
Return to Top

Berry Tossed Salad
1 package (10 ounces) ready-to-serve salad greens
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
1 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced
¼ cup chopped red onion
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons slivered almonds

Creamy Raspberry Dressing
½ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon raspberry vinegar
1 tablespoon milk
2-½ teaspoons poppy seeds
2-½ teaspoons seedless raspberry jam

In a large salad bowl, combine the greens, strawberries, kiwi, onion, feta cheese and almonds. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients. Drizzle desired amount over salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately. Refrigerate any leftover dressing.

Yield: 8 servings.

Return to Top

Out in the darkness of sin they are waiting, lost and away from the fold. Who'll bare the message of Christ and redemption?

See, they have never been told.

Moved and constrained by the love of the Saviour, leave friends and comforts behind. Yield all your talents and time to His service.

Go now the lost ones to find.

Go in the power the Lord will provide you, led by His Spirit each day. You cannot fail on the mission He sends you. Go now no longer delay.

Go tell the untold millions over the whole world wide. Go tell the untold millions. Tell of the Crucified.

Even though the Lord had been dealing with me concerning missionary service since I was 14 years old, He showed me definitely that it was His will while I was singing in a college chorale, "Go Tell the Untold Millions."

I am so thankful the Lord has allowed me the honor (even though I do not deserve it) to serve Him in the islands of the Caribbean for the past 41 years.

I was planning on going to Iceland as a missionary, but God closed the door. Four weeks after I was accepted by BIMI, I began missionary service in Nassau, Bahamas. I was 22 years old and only had $25 in stateside support. (The Lord knew I would have never had success on deputation.) After 16 years in the Bahamas, the Lord closed that door. God sent me to the Turks and Caicos Island to help with a need there. In 1987, while making a missionary survey trip to St. Thomas, I stopped in Puerto Rico to visit David and Heidi Racke. At that time, I was being tutored in Spanish because there were a lot of Dominicans on the island of Grand Turk. The first night there, I stayed with missionaries Wayne and Hilda Keelin. The Rackes were moving to Las Marias and the Keelins needed someone to help in their church and school ministries. Before the night was over, I knew that Lord was calling me to Puerto Rico.

Throughout the past 41 years, I have served the Lord in children's, youth's, ladies', music, and deaf ministries. I have also had the opportunity to hold Sunday school workshops in the Dominican Republic, and teach in the Puerto Rico Baptist College and in Blue Water Bible College.

At present I continue to serve the Lord in Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida as Sunday school superintendent, Children's church director, Awana club director, children's evangelistic director, and church pianist.

My get-up-and-go is getting-up-and-going. I would like to say that all is peaches and cream. However, as a single person I have and still have major difficulties of which loneliness is the most difficult. But, I will never throw in the towel and quit because "it will be worth it all when we see Jesus."

Young people, if the Lord is speaking to you concerning missionary service, remember the following: "Only one life will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last."



Return to Top

by Richey Young

In my second semester of Bible College, Caribbean slides were shown during chapel hour. A slide of Jamaica, West Indies was shown with a young girl just barely sticking her head in the picture. As I looked on her face, the Holy Spirit said, "YOU will be a missionary to Jamaica,W.I." I surrendered to missions in 1972 during a missions conference at McDonough Heights Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia. Our pastor, Rev. Grady Sanford, had a heart for missions. Fran and I graduated from Immanuel Baptist Bible College in Atlanta, Georgia, in May 1973. We were accepted by BIMI in February 1973. Before leaving for Jamaica, our entire family went to the altar to "die to self" and ask God to love Jamaicans THROUGH us!

In 1974 we flew to Kingston, Jamaica, with our five children to minister at Palmers Cross Baptist Church in May Pen. May Pen is located inland on the south side of the island. Palmers Cross Baptist Church was pioneered by the first BIMI missionaries to Jamaica, Rev. Wesley and Jean Sheffield and family in 1969. We were the fourth missionary family at this church in five years.

We were excited to go to an English-speaking country. However, upon arrival we did not understand what people were saying because of the unique Jamaican accent and Jamaican "Patois" (pronounced Pat-wah). A sense of humor and being able to laugh at oneself is a valuable missionary asset. Palmers Cross Baptist Church consisted mainly of women, children and 3 men (2 very elderly). We began daily door-to-door visitation in the church area. The church began to grow and souls were saved. A successful church visitation was held every Saturday and the church continued to grow. Young men were called to preach, deacons were ordained and young men and women surrendered to go to Bible college. The church building had to be enlarged. Church members worked daytime public jobs and nights and Saturdays building the church. A bus ministry started for the basic school, which grew from 33 to over 300. When we left for our first furlough, there were over 300 in Sunday School. A deaf school was started at the church with missionaries Rev. Keith and Jane Ford. The school was relocated but is still in operation. The deaf ministry continues at the church.

In early 1980 land was donated for a church in Gutters District, St. Catherine. I resigned Palmers Cross Baptist Church to pioneer this ministry. Bethel Baptist Church began under an almond tree February 17, 1980. This great ministry just celebrated a 31st anniversary. Souls have been saved, young men called to preach, young men and women graduated from Bible college and lives have been changed for time and eternity. An early childhood school was started three years ago that has an enrollment of 80. Bethel Baptist Church is a lighthouse in the community to point people to Jesus Christ as Savior.

In 1983 we launched "Camp Faith" ministry. This annual camp ministry has resulted in salvation of souls, rededications, commitment to ministry, surrender to Bible college and revival. We are now in our THIRD GENERATION of campers. Praise God!

We give God THANKS for 30 Bible college graduates. Those called to preach under our ministry are now pastors in Jamaica, Bahamas, and the United States. Others preach in Canada and England.

After 37 WONDERFUL YEARS in Jamaica, we consider ourselves "Jamericans"(more Jamaican than American). Every day we are reminded of the truth of God's Word in I Corinthians 15:58, "...your labour is NOT in vain in the Lord." And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall REAP, if we faint not" Galatians 6:9.

NOW, we are REAPING what we have SOWN! Our BURDEN for Jamaica is the same as it was in 1974. We ask God to give us MORE YEARS to serve Him in JAMAICA, LAND WE LOVE!



Return to Top

We are so excited about the soul-winning training course we are giving on Tuesday nights. Many in the class are learning for the first time how to systematically share the Gospel and others are taking it as a refresher course. On Saturday three of the ten students went out soulwinning with Steve and four adults received Christ as their Saviour.

Sunday was a great day as well with seven other adults coming forward to receive Christ in the morning service! In addition, we are working on the design and plans for our building renovations and expansion. Pray as we continue to raise the $82,000 needed for this project. So far about $7,000 has come in!
Steven and Julia Brockell, Dominican Republic

Last Monday evening Michael went out with his visitation partner, Enrique, to follow up on a lady who had visited our church the previous Sunday night. She was not at home, so Enrique suggested we visit a lady he had been burdened for quite some time. She was at home and invited us to sit down and talk. She is the director of the elementary school in the barrio where our church is located. She began to tell us about how she had been seeking the Lord and had even been visiting another church. As we learned more about her particular situation, it became obvious she was a religious woman but did not really know Christ. Michael began to take her through the ten commandments as found in the book of Exodus, and she soon realized she was unable to please God based on her own efforts. Michael shared his own testimony about how he had beed raised in a religious home and how he came to know Christ in a personal way. As we closed our discussion with her, her eyes were full of tears. As Michael prayed to end the conversation, she was repeating every word he spoke. Michael included a prayer of repentance and faith, and Rosanna Cespedes-Vicioso prayed for Christ to become her personal Savior. She also invited us to come teach the Bible in her elementary school. We should never let sharing Christ become something routine. What a blessing it was to see Jesus change this woman and make a difference in her life.
Michael and Anna Doering, Dominican Republic

In the beginning of the new year, I drove 11 men from the church here at Desroulins to an area about 45 minutes away from Port-de-Paix. We went to evangelize and survey in lieu of planting a church. One of our men in the church (Luckcene-a Bible School student) has become burdened for this community. We separated into groups and began to hand out tracts and visit in homes for about 4 hours. Praise God, 29 people were personally shown the way of salvation and prayed to receive Christ. I enjoyed seeing the nationals win their own to the Lord. I am the foreign missionary; half of the men that went I have won to the Lord and all of them we have trained in witnessing and personal evangelism. God used them wonderfully that day. Though I tried, I didn't lead anyone to Christ. I was just their chauffer, but I am grateful that others had the privilege of winning souls. The chauffeur and the reapers rejoiced together!

This Bible School student has been back several times for follow up of those who confessed Christ as Savior. The church has returned with a larger group since then for an open air service. In the month of April, we are planning a 7-day conference that will terminate on a Sunday with the first of regular weekly services. We certainly need your prayers for this new work at Moreau (mo-whoa). Thank you for your prayers and I ask you to continue to pray for the people we have witnessed to as well as those who received Christ.
Don and Bridgitt Dryden, Haiti

March was a month of celebration here in Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic. We had a special baptismal service which saw 12 teens and young adults baptized. We planned it to be a family service and had the candidates invite their families to join in the celebration with us. We had 75 join us for this service, many who had never come to the church before.

Jarabacoa Baptist Temple also celebrated its 6th anniversary in March. We had special guest Ramón Penza speak, lots of special music and a time of celebration. We had over 280 attend and had one man saved and several come forward. We had many first time visitors for this as well and are following up with them.

Grace Haitian Baptist Church celebrated in March as well. We have had two weddings at Grace during March. On the 27th we joined together to ordain one of the young men of Grace. It was truly exciting to see Bro. Gary taking the next step to becoming a pastor. He has been a real blessing to the church as well as a huge help to us and we are really happy for him.
Jeff and Traci Garrison, Dominican Republic

The past few months have been extra busy for us. We spent a few days with our daughters family in Florida, attended the West Indies Baptist Fellowship in St Thomas, had Coco Chan in our house for 2 weeks on a pre-field visit, housed Coco's pastor and wife for a week and just finished helping with the first evangelistic crusade of Hope International of Trinidad and Tobago. At least 12 people were saved in the meeting and our fellowship churches encouraged and strengthened. The blessings have been great. Ministry is not dull or boring.
Ken and Nancy Guth, Trinidad

We have seen many wonderful signs of growth during this first quarter of the year In March we take time at Iglesia Bautista La Verdad to focus on missions. This year we were privileged to have Dr. Pat Creed with us for our annual conference. He preached some stirring messages that I believe truly challenged the congregation. Later that month we had our committment Sunday" in which the church increased their Faith Promise committment frm $120 to $240 per month to worldwide missions. We are truly expecting great things from God this year, because the people are attemping great things for God!
Erik and Holly Johnson, Dominican Republic

On Saturday, March 19, we had our first baptism for six of our converts. We baptized in the sea and had a great time. One of the ladies, Rebekah (who got baptized with her daughter), quit her second job on weekends so she can be faithful on Sundays. I know God will bless her for that, and God will bless our church for having Christians like her.
David and Terri Long, Trinidad

God is blessing here at the Mount Calvary Baptist Church of Quita Sueno, Dominican Republic. This morning there was a group of 30 people who went out soulwinning. There were 2 new teenage soul winners who went out visiting. I also gave out 4 Bibles to a few who did not have a Bible among the group of soulwinners. These Bible were graciously donated by the BEAM Ministries. On Sunday mornings I have been preaching a series of messages on "The Abundant Christian Life." We usually think of an abundant life as a life of money, pleasures, and no problems. The Bible tells us in Luke 12:15, "...Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." First we discussed the fact that the abundant life is a life of faith, that faith is the root of our abundant life, as we cannot even please God without faith. Now, for over a month, I have been preaching on the abundant life through the abundance of the Word of God in our lives. Jesus Christ says in John 8:31, "...if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." If my people will fall in love with the Word, they can experience the abundant life that our Lord desires for us to have!

This past week, one of the churches had a leadership conference. The three pastors that we sent out of our church in Quita Sueno were presented to the group of Pastors. Pastor Alexis and Pastor Jose Manuel have started churches, and Pastor Wellington took a church in need of a pastor. The group of pastors present in the conference began to give testimonies of our work in Quita Sueno. One stood up and mentioned that he was against us starting a church in Quita Sueno because it was a poor and dangerous area and that he had told me so. Another mentioned that we were known as the "kid's church" and that they were a little aggravated when I would show up at meetings with a group of teenagers. Unaminously, the pastors praised the Lord that we went and stayed in Quita Sueno and that now these three pastors are in the ministry. They said that it surprised them of how quickly all of this happened. It really was not quick, as I had to wait for them to grow up, but we give the honour and glory to the Lord in being able to be His unworthy servants in getting the great Gospel to the Dominican people. Thank you for being our colaborers and friends of the wonderful ministry God has given us here.
Steve and Nohemy Sidler, Dominican Republic

Things have been moving along well here in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. It's hard to believe it's been a year and a half since we moved to this area to take this work and basically "restart" it. God has tremendously blessed, and the work is slowly but surely growing. In the past year and a half we have seen souls saved, hearts mended, Christians restored, and God moving in lives in many other ways. The children's ministry is finally starting to grow, and we are praying that God will touch hearts to help in the areas of Sunday School and Children's church. The building project on the new building has been moving along, and we are almost done with it. There are a few small jobs to finish, mostly just details. In the future, we would like to restore and remodel the old buildings, using them as a Camp ground for groups on mission trips, teen camps, retreats, etc. This will be the next undertaking as God leads and supplies. We thank all those who have been praying for this work, as it has been through a lot ever since the military base shut down a few years ago. Please keep us in your prayers and God bless.
Jim and Kelly Shelton, Puerto Rico

Return to Top

By Gary Sprunger

Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? - Psalm 78:19 Around America many are saying "Can God?" and the answer is definitely "yes." The beginning of this year has only been a testimony to that question. I was privileged to be at the West Indies Baptist Fellowship in St. Thomas in January. It was a joy to hear how the Lord is working in the various islands of the Caribbean. It was a blessing to hear that churches are expanding and that new churches are being started. Since this was the 50th anniversary for the WIBF, Dr. and Mrs Ray Thompson were honored for their part in starting this wonderful fellowship.

BDuring the following week, Joy flew to Puerto Rico to join me. Dr. Creed and June arrived on the same day. We had the joy of staying with Jim and Kelly Shelton. During our stay, Joy and June spoke to the women at Maranatha Baptist Church. While Dr. Creed preached for Brother Jim, Joy and I went to the other end of the island and preached for Brother Buchanan and Pastor Garcia at Iglesia Bautista Nueva Vida. We were able to see all of our BIMI missionaries in Puerto Rico one noon for lunch. While in Mayaguez, Gary was able to review the final construction phase with Pastor Garcia at New Live Baptist Church. They hope to finish their new building and dedicate it this year. Our hearts were blessed by being with them.

After our few days in Puerto Rico, we flew down to Antigua to see our Caribbean Radio Lighthouse staff and Jerry and Scharmel Johnson. It is always a joy to hear about the outreach of CRL. The Bakers worked hard to provide meals for us. On Wednesday evening, we were blessed to be at the Spanish church. We also spent some precious time with Jerry and Scharmael Johnson. As they continue to serve the Lord, it is apparent that "God can" provide even in our "winter" years.

While at the radio station, we had the blessing of seeing Nathan Owens and his brother-in-law, Ryan Johnsonbaugh. During their brief time there, they were able to get the transmitters up to full power again. Again, "God can" meet the needs. Pray for Nathan and Renee as they continue to raise their support so they can join the CRL team.

Springtime is a time for missions conferences. We have been in a number of meetings where we have been able to encourage folks to step out by faith and support missions. In one missions conference, the church raised its faith promise commitment almost 100%. Even in a time of recession, "God can" provide.

Whenever the going gets tough, it is always a blessing to remember "God can!" We are praying that this year will be the greatest year yet. Presently we are printing 1.25 million Spanish tracts. The price of paper is rising. Pray with us that the Lord will provide the $6000 to complete this project. Souls are in the balance. We need to reach them before it is eternally too late. We serve a great God, and "He can." You can help us print these tracts by sending your contribution to BIMI marked "Tracts – account 878."

Return to Top

Sunday, May 19, 2013

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Noel & Charlene Shrivnauth -  GUYANA
Raymond & Sharon Shull -  CAMBODIA
B Clayton & Joan Shumpert -  ARM PERSONNEL