How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
The Acts 1:8 model of missions bids us to leave our comfort
zone to share the message of Christ. Amazingly, in today’s times, there
are still millions who have not once heard the name of Jesus. GABC has
strategic partnerships around the world designed to take the Gospel to
“…Samaria, and the Ends of the Earth.”
GABC International Partners
Uttermost Sports
Youth with a Mission
Frontiers
Pioneers
Moses Project
Kasr El Dobara
Beijing International Christian Fellowship
EQUIP
Bible Training Center
English Language Institute/China
Porto Velho, Brazil (The Moses Project)
Mexico
Our partnership with the country of Mexico is another one that has a great history. We partner with Iglesia Bautista Kerigma in Nuevo Laredo. They have several mission congregations as well. Over the years, we have been involved in their ministry through supporting VBS and delivering Christmas gifts to the residents of Nuevo Laredo.
Cuba
The country of Cuba has been an active partnership area in years past with several teams from GABC helping with evangelism, revivals, medical assistance, and encouragement to the churches in the Western Baptist Convention. The Cuban Baptist Conventions have joined together in an exciting strategy to reach their country for Christ. Through prayer, evangelism, discipleship, and fellowship, the Christians in Cuba plan to impact their country for Christ in a great way.
Costa Rica
In the past few years we have had teams from several different ministries of our church on mission there. Men’s ministry, Women’s ministry, Families, Recreation, Students, and Celebrate Recovery are some of the ministries of our church that have been involved in the partnership. We work with four key church partners in Costa Rica and are currently involved with monthly pastor/leader training seminars, outreach events through the public schools, and community development projects that have had a great impact in several parts of the country. Curtis and Michelle Cannon from our church moved to Costa Rica and are leading strategic work in Costa Rica. Jeremy and Kerbi Smith have also chosen to move to Costa Rica to coordinate a ministry involving a skateboard park in an inner-city area.
Belize
The country of Belize probably has the longest history of GABC involvement than any other area. Over the years there have literally been hundreds of GABC members on mission in this country. Our most recent activity there has been through Graceworks and Ken Brumley, who lead annual retreats for pastors and their wives. Bob Roberts, Sr. and Kerfoot Walker from our church, have made wonderful contributions and had a great impact on the entire country through their mission efforts over the years.
Colombia
Our International Mission Board partners Fernando and Brenda Larzabal minister to more than 95 indigenous people groups in Columbia. Our strategy for our partnership in Columbia is to assist the Larzabals in ministering to and reaching these people groups with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Since 2007, GABC has sent a team of college students to Columbia to conduct English Camps at a university in Bogata. Also, GABC helped with a team meeting for 30 indigenous missionaries, assisting with a much needed time of retreat and renewal. Fernando and Brenda Larzabal are committed leaders for the work with the people of Columbia.
Brazil
Brazil is another country where GABC has a great heritage. Our own Lonnie and Janelle Doyle left GABC years ago to serve as career missionaries in the northern part of the country and retired here after their service. The Moses Project, led by John Mark Bellington continues to work and minister in Brazil. This medical ministry is making a difference for good numbers of individuals and families in the name of Jesus. The Moses Project is a key partner in our work in Brazil.
East Asia
Our partnership continues to be one of the primary focuses of our work in the largest Christian nation in the world. After several years of cultural exchange, events and trips to our partnership city continue. This year we will conduct leader training with business and professional leaders, teaching English at the college, conduct a marriage and family seminar, host university students and more. We are also working with a key partner church in Beijing called the Beijing International Christian Fellowship (
www.bicf.org). We work with BICF in projects all over East Asia including leader training, work with Christian business men and very effective work with university students. Also, we partner with our Korean mission here in Tyler in medical outreach and leader training in the far northern part of Asia. Our Chinese mission also is involved in direct work in East Asia.
Bean Partnership
This is a partnership with a people group in North Africa where there are about 30 known Christians among almost 3 million people. The work is difficult but there are committed individuals and families on the field and many more around the world who are as equally committed to getting the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Bean. We are working with several GC (Great Commission) Organizations and other church partners here in the US, Canada, and South Africa to support the ongoing efforts of the Bean Partnership. GABC hosted the Stateside Bean Conference in 2008 and 2009. We have also helped staff the Team Meeting for 30 workers and family members.
Central Asia
This Central Asian country is in one of the most unreached areas of the world. Our partnership in this area is with “James” who is living and working the region. We also have some Micro Business opportunities that will help national believers with their ongoing needs. We have sent teams to assist with the Annual General Meeting as well as sending a Medical Missions team. This is a developing partnership in an area of the world that has some of the greatest needs.
Iraq
We have had the opportunity to have here with us for a few months this past year. Brother Sara is the pastor of the Baghdad Baptist Church. We know his family well and continue to work and pray for this church as they minister in perhaps the most difficult circumstances anywhere.
Another future opportunity in this area is with an organization called Global Hope. You will be hearing some exciting opportunities for work with Global Hope in the very near future. Visit www.freedomcenteriraq.org for updates on this ministry.
Egypt
Our partnership work in North Africa and the Middle East began a few years ago as realized that this was a part of the world that had perhaps the greatest need and where we as a church were not involved. Since that time we have developed some strategic partnerships with some key churches and organizations in this region.
We work with the Kasr El-Dobora Evangelical Church in Cairo. KEDC is the largest evangelical congregation in the entire Middle-East with more than 8,000 members. The challenges and accomplishments of this church are remarkable. We have partnered with them on several outreach projects and helped them make a difference in that region for Christ. Most recently we have had teams there to help staff their summer camp outreach and evangelistic festivals.
West Africa
GABC has joined with the ministry of Mercy Ships (
www.mercyships.org) as they endeavor to bring hope and healing through medical care aboard their medical ship. We have been to Liberia and Sierra Leone, and will travel to Togo in 2012.
Philippines
The
Hope Leadership Institute is located in the Philippines and targets church professional and lay leaders. By offering courses that stress academic excellence, spiritual development and ministry skills, HLI is committed to training church leaders who can make an impact in the church and in the world.
Liberia
Rick's Institute is a Christian boarding/private school located in Liberia, West Africa. After the country endured a 14-year civil war, they began rebuilding in 2004. However, there is still much work to be done. GABC is partnering with Rick's Institute to complete a multi-phase renovation project for the school, to raise up the next generation of Liberian leaders with a foundation of faith in Christ. Projects include electrical and water well work, building renovations and more.
