by Jon Konnerup
After 60 years of global evangelization, nearly 7,000 churches have been started outside the United States as a result of the efforts of the BBFI. Many countries are now sending their own missionaries. Our biblically based philosophy has been blessed by God and has been working. BBFI missions is no longer from the “West to the rest” but from “everywhere to everywhere.” Read, in their own words, what some of the international attendees shared concerning the historic meeting in Cebu in February.
Srim Sara (Cambodian missionary to Laos)
God has used the BBFI for the last 60 years. I was just so excited to share with my wife of what God has done and the sweet fellowship that I had with the pastors from different places during that milestone Global Fellowship Meeting.
Larry Nelson (BBFI missionary to Australia)
This Global Meeting will have a lasting impact upon Dawn and me. From the time we arrived at Cebu International Airport, saw the welcome banner, and delighted in the youth choir outside singing “There’s a Welcome Here,” Dawn and I knew we were in for a treat. We loved the preaching and got a kick out of the way the Filipino crowd “urged on” a few of the preachers. The spirit of the meetings indicated clearly the incredible missions focus of the Asian pastors and churches. This meeting showed we’ve matured as a Fellowship and I think it’s safe to say that we have many global partners.
Dr. Jae Lee (Korean pastor)
The meeting made a huge impression upon our lives. We will never forget what we experienced there. It was a great joy to see what God is doing around the world through the mission efforts of the BBFI. We were challenged by people’s passion for the gospel, world missions, and the glory of God. We were also impressed by the hospitality of Filipino Christians. Last Sunday I reported what I have learned to my church. I challenged our people to broaden their vision for the world.
Georges Houssney
(Evangelist to the Middle East)
I was blessed to be in the presence of faithful missionaries who are passionate about Jesus and his church. I was awed by the faithfulness and dedication of a number of veteran missionaries who have persevered for very long. Believe me, I do not see this in all conferences that I visit. The speakers were right on and powerful. Praise God. What amazed me is the number of Asians who are committed to world missions.
Tsunehiro Michishita
(Japan BBF President)
The meeting in Cebu made a huge impression upon my life. At the next JBBF meeting I want to share how great the Cebu Meeting was! I want to share the blessings which I received with my fellow workers here in Japan. I was especially impressed by the great work having been done by Filipino Bible Baptist churches. In Japan, we have the vision to plant 100 Baptist churches. We were strengthened to see that the Philippine BBF has planted so many churches in their country. We should be united once more for the Great Commission.
Shoji Yoshida
(Japanese missionary to the Chinese)
It was the first time for me to be shaken so badly by the songs, sermons, and fellowship with other missionaries. I felt uncomfortable. Not because we could not have such a big conference in Japan, but because we still do not have so many missionaries from Japan. This meeting challenged me to dream. We pray for 100 missionaries going from Japan, and 1,000 local churches started in Japan. To make this dream to come true, we must labor ten times as much. The Cebu meeting encouraged us further to make this a reality.
Edivaldo Cano (Brazilian pastor)
What a joy and privilege it was to participate in the Cebu Global Meeting. The Lord talked to my heart in many occasions, I should say, all the time. It was a meeting where Jesus Christ was centered and honored, and because of that, it was blessed by God. I was blessed with all the messages and speakers. I was also tremendously impressed with missions growth in the Philippines, and the dedication of the missionaries from others countries as well, with that I was much challenged to work even harder for the Lord. I felt ashamed for our Brazil BBF doing so little compared to the Philippines. Because of this I felt compelled to return to Brazil and challenge the Brazilian pastors and churches to do more for missions (for the Lord). I will give this testimony to all the pastors I meet and use our national and state meetings as a way to pass the vision and the blessings received in the Cebu meeting.
Gerardo Nable (Filipino pastor)
I am personally blessed with the sweet and healthy spirit of fellowship, and the messages and challenges received that we can certainly strengthen friendship and partnership for world evangelization. What a joy to behold laborers together with God, “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”