The Free Methodist Church in
Asia
FMWM IN ASIA
ALL COUNTRIES
ALL MISSIONARIES
Asia: A Large Vision for a Large Place
Perhaps you have heard one of us say: “We want by God’s grace to influence 1 million Asian friends to Jesus in the coming years. We think we need at least 10,000 new leaders to do this.” That’s a big vision.
In fact, it is a moonshot! Like Kennedy’s vision to put a man on the moon, which seemed nearly impossible then, we wonder how we may see this vision realized.
It will require all of us to work together as the body of Christ, interdependently, with our unity proclaiming the reality of Christ in us. It will take faith that perseveres when doubts come. It will mean mobilizing resources and knowing our Father will provide to the degree He can trust us with His mission.
But why 1 million? It is much less about a number and more about maintaining a sense of urgency about eternity and the gospel’s proclamation. Confident in God’s eternal purposes, we step up to obey the Great Commission, lifting our eyes to see the hundreds of millions yet to know Jesus.
Many continue to come to Him! Last year, nearly 2000 found faith in Jesus in just three countries in Southeast Asia. New churches were planted in a country where there is tremendous sociopolitical upheaval. Acts of compassion fed thousands as Free Methodists in Asia honored contributions to the Bishops’ Crisis Response Fund.
With thanksgiving, we come to prayer. Would you join Jesus in His mission to reach Asia with the gospel? Here’s how to start:
- Begin with prayers of thanksgiving for the many people who have found the Savior this last year.
- Pray for our goal of reaching over 1 million with the good news of the gospel – perhaps even exceeding this goal.
- Pray for harvest hands, people who will go, and the resources to fund the harvest.
- Pray for churches of every size and shape and for disciples to be mobilized to share with others and plant new churches to make more disciples.
- Pray for national leaders and pastors as they faithfully work in challenging contexts.
- Pray for a revival, an awakening, and a continued spirit of “Better Together” cooperation across FMC-Asia.
- Pray the Gethsemane Leadership Training (GLT) video modules will be developed, funded and produced in multiple languages. Pray these will be effective in leadership formation.
Countries
Missionaries
Alan & Ammabellee Bacus
After serving eight years as Bishop of the Philippines, in January 2023, Alan and Ammabellee Bacus joined the FMWM-Asia missionary team as international missionaries. They will assist the Asia team in prayerfully exploring opportunities to launch house churches in targeted gateway cities across Asia while also working toward expanding campus outreach to young adults, a successful strategy launched during Alan’s term as bishop of the Philippines. FMWM-Asia anticipates Alan and Ammabellee’s spiritual influence will enhance the area-wide vision of influencing one million Asians toward Jesus.
Becca
Becca desires to train leaders for involvement in church planting and evangelism with their own people groups. She works with the Lukai tribal district of the Taiwan FM Conference, conducting training workshops, leading discipleship groups, and preaching and ministering in local churches as well as at the district level. She teaches at Holy Light Theological Seminary in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Bryan & Tammy
As missionaries-in-residence, posted at a Free Methodist Church in Michigan, Bryan and Tammy serve as critical members of the FMWM- Asia leadership development team, working to mobilize 10,000 leaders through the Gethsemane Leadership Training pathway. Through the internet and regular visits to Asia, Bryan and Tammy offer inspiring and encouraging support to national leaders across Asia.
Thom & Sherry Cahill
Thom and Sherry Cahill work in spiritual formation and leadership development in Asia. They help recruit teachers, coordinate Gethsemane Leadership Training modules, work with the Leadership Lift video training, and mentor/coach leaders. Additionally, the Cahills edit video scripts and videos for the Asia Team and teach in their areas of giftedness. Thom and Sherry have three adult children and one grandson who live in the U.S.
David & Sarah Clemente
The Clementes are currently U.S.-based missionaries serving Asia. As a member of the Asia Leadership Team, Dr. David Clemente regularly travels to consult with pastors and supervise selected Asian leaders. He serves as an Asia Area Assistant Director overseeing FMWM interests in the Philippines, Creative Access Asia – IA, and Oceania region. Sarah’s additional vital role includes supporting the FMWM-Asia work as administrative assistant to the area director. David and Sarah have a vision of mobilizing partnerships and encouraging support for FMWM-Asia.
Darin & Jill
Darin and Jill have ministered in Asia since 2009. Darin serves as Asia Area associate director, and Jill fulfills various mentoring and administrative roles. Their ministry focus is training and credentialing Free Methodist leaders across Asia through the Gethsemane Leadership Training (GLT) strategy. Darin also works closely with Asia Area Director Eric to develop and implement a mission strategy for the work in Asia.
Eric & Virginia
As Asia Area director, Eric has three strategic priorities. He oversees the FMWM missionary team in Asia. He partners with national leaders to build support strategies that will help expand the church. And finally, he works to purposefully connect FMC-Asia with FMC-USA, building mutually beneficial partnerships and relationships. Pastor Eric and his wife, Virginia, have served the Free Methodist Church since 1990.
Trevor Foley
Trevor Foley is an affiliate missionary with FMWM serving persecuted Christians through Voice of the Martyrs Korea (VOMK) and working with FMWM Asia to re-establish a viable Free Methodist presence in South Korea. He is a Conference Ministerial Candidate in the Pacific Northwest Conference.
Gene & Minori Hall
Gene and Minori Hall began serving in Japan in August 2019. With Christians comprising only 1% of the population, there is an urgent need for the gospel in Japan. The Halls serve in the area of leadership training in Southeast Asia and Japan, working to equip Christian leaders with the tools to lead well. Their primary focus is developing faithful leaders who develop more faithful leaders, resulting in the multiplication of the gospel, disciples, churches and new leaders.
Jason & Wendi
Jason and Wendi have been serving with FMWM in Asia since 2011. In June 2022, they will join the SE Asia leadership team to assist in the region’s overall needs. Jason will come alongside others in training and equipping future FMC-Asia leadership by developing English training modules. These modules will be taught on location throughout the SE Asia region and remotely via the internet. In addition to learning the local language, Wendi will seek to make strong connections within the local community while striving to provide a supportive and positive home for their family.
Mark & Judi Morrison
Mark and Judi Morrison were married in 1980; they have four children and 11 grandchildren. Mark has served in full-time pastoral ministry since 1977. Today he and Judi lead Shepherd Ministries, which is reaching out to university students, ministering to those who have left the local church and encouraging pastors. As VISA missionaries, Mark and Judi provide pastoral care and support to Free Methodist missionaries in Asia. Their role includes encouragement and spiritual nurturing via Zoom calls, email and field visits.
Corey & Connie Persing
The Persings serve full-time in Southeast Asia with a focus on the ministries of Thailand. Corey serves as the national coordinator of ICCM work in Thailand, including the Lahu children’s hostel and other projects across Thailand. He also serves on the Asia Area Leadership Team as a mentor/adviser for national leadership and ministry in Southeast Asia. His role includes working as a “regional reporting and tech coach,” developing an area-wide reporting system to provide financial accountability, integrity and up-to-date information. Connie serves on the Thailand ICCM National Committee and provides hospitality, encouragement and a healthy perspective on their work.
Roger Stone
Roger Stone has been an affiliate missionary since 2008. He and his wife, Vangie, are involved in consulting with the local Bible translation committees for Ayta languages as they translate the Old Testament and help distribute the newly published New Testaments in the Ayta Abellen and Ayta Mag-Indi languages. They also assist with online Bible quizzing in the Philippines.
Susan
Susan currently chairs a nonprofit organization that serves as a platform for churches, government and non-governmental organizations in Taiwan and Creative Access Asia – IA. This group is active in sharing love, hope and faith with migrant workers, international students and new immigrants. She served as vice president of administration at Taiwan’s Holy Light Seminary from 2009 to 2015. Previously, Susan was a missionary to Taiwan for 20 years (1976-96).
Seth & Hlawn Hlawn Van Tifflin
Seth and Hlawn Van Tifflin and their three children reside in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Seth serves as the events and new connection coordinator for FMWM-Asia and the executive director of In Better Hands (an affiliate ministry partner of the FMC-USA). In Better Hands was established to care for children at risk of being trafficked and give assistance to widows (inbetterhands.org). Hlawn serves as the liaison for In Better Hands in Creative Access Country-MR. Seth and Hlawn continue to study the Thai language and culture.
Chris & Yuko Wilkins
Chris and Yuko Wilkins are FMWM missionaries with a vision to encourage discipleship in the church and help believers be involved in kingdom building. In 2022, Chris and Yuko are training pastors and laity to multiply their faith. Train & Multiply is an obedience-based discipleship movement experiencing breakthroughs in Japan. In addition, they assist the ministry of the FM church in Machida in various capacities, teaching at the Tokyo Biblical Seminary, teaching English classes from a biblical perspective, serving in the community, translating and doing street ministry.
Laurie Yost
Laurie is not new to Free Methodist World Missions. She and her family served in Mexico from 2006 to 2015. She and her husband, Brian, have recently moved to Mount Pleasant, Michigan, where he is the lead pastor of the Central Michigan Free Methodist Church. In her new role with FMWM-Asia, Laurie is the assistant for the Shared Sustainability Initiative (SSI) in Asia. Specifically, she shares about this growing ministry in U.S. churches, providing information and building partnerships in the areas of prayer and finance. She also works with ministry team members, gathering information and publishing stories and reports from the field to provide accountability and promotion of SSI. Laurie’s administrative role helps track information on the many programs included in the Shared Sustainability Initiative across Asia.
Creative Access Asia
Creative Access workers are involved in education, leadership development, discipleship and micro-enterprise.
HEARTBEAT
Equipping for Impact in Asia
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Participating Together Work of the Spirit
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GIVE
Give to Church Planting & Development
Give to Extra Mile Projects
Cambodia
Creative Access Asia – IN
- Agape Conference
- Community Development
- Immanuel Conference Projects
- Umri Hospital
- Umri School of Nursing
Creative Access Asia – MR
Creative Access Asia – NP