Chuck Baldwin and Family
(Evangelism Explosion Coordinator, Central Africa)

Once again in 2008, the Baldwin family will receive 70% of the monies given to our congregation's missions fund. We have helped support the Baldwin’s and their work since 1994.  Chuck Baldwin serves with Evangelism Explosion International, which has now expanded into every current nation on earth with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Chuck is the Director of Evangelism and Discipleship for Central Africa. His ministry includes training African church leaders to effectively share the gospel and  disciple new believers. Over the years, many have been trained, and a great number of men, women and children have been led to Christ. Combined with the cumulative effect of previous years, the fruit of the work of making disciples is now multiplying.

Chuck, Debby, and their son Jean-Luc, are currently based in the Winona Lake, Indiana. Their daughter, Julie, and husband, Steve, live in Virginia.  The Baldwins have been working from the states for the past several years, working with Evangelism Explosion leaders in planning the next phase of expansion in Central Africa (including sending more missions workers). They will be moving back to Africa (Rwanda) this December.  Until then, Chuck continues to coordinate the work back in Africa, making trips as needed.

Crossroads has received support from our Missions Fund since 2002 (currently, 20% of fund contributions).  Located in Auburn Hills, this pro-life Christian organization reaches out to women in crisis pregnancy situations.

Crossroads has a wide range of ministries including:  pregnancy verification, ultrasound, prenatal information, childbirth preparation, newborn care classes, and maternity and baby supplies.  They also provide support groups for new mothers, for those who have suffered sexual abuse, or for those needing healing from a past abortion.  There are educational ministries which encourage pre-marriage abstinence and Godly sexual attitudes.

Last, but not least, Crossroads seeks to call women to reconciliation with God through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  For more information, visit their website at:

http://www.crossroadspregnancycenter.com/

Lucien Bale (Evangelism Explosion Indigenous Missionary)

One of the exciting results of the Chuck Baldwin's work in Central Africa (see left column) has been the training and emerging ministry of indigenous missionary, Lucien Bale (see picture of Lucien and family above).  Last year, we directed 15% of our Missions Fund outreach to his work.

Lucien, who has visited with us here at FCB, has been working on the front lines of Evangelism Explosion's ministry in Cameroon, Africa.  While here with us during our Sunday morning worship, he shared that he has even reached out to the Pygmy populations throughout the bush area of that country.  Many have already come to Christ, and their is great promise for the future. Lucien is now able to receive sufficient support for his ministry from within Cameroon.

Our Children's Church (with support from others in the congregation) has been supporting a compassion child in the Philippines named Joshua Salandron.  When a specific child is sponsored through a monthly commitment to Compassion International, they benefit in several ways.  The following info is directly from Compassion's website:

(Sponsoring a child for) just $32 per month connects you with a child in a loving relationship that will change his or her life -- and yours!

Exchange letters, photos, prayers. Become a friend. Provide opportunities for education, health and personal development. Most important, your child will learn about Jesus in a church-based program in his or her neighborhood.

For further information, or to see how you can sponsor a child, visit Compassion International's website (click link at) http://www.compassion.com/default.htm