The Free Methodist Church in
Asia
FMWM IN ASIA
ALL COUNTRIES
ALL MISSIONARIES
Gaining Perspective on Asia
The population of Asia is about 4.7 billion, with more than 1 billion Hindus and another 1 billion Muslims.
What has the pandemic done to Asia in the last couple of years?
Covid has impacted Asia sociologically and economically. According to the article “The Asian Century, Two Years On: What’s Changed and What’s Next” (mckinsey.com), only China, South Korea and Vietnam have recovered to pre-pandemic levels economically. Many of the countries are suffering a record number of infections and deaths. The article states, “… the pandemic’s effects have been regressive, hitting those with the lowest incomes the hardest, and increasing income and gender inequality… .” As of mid-2021, the World Economic Forum reported that the COVID pandemic had pressed an additional 80 million people into extreme poverty.
Multiple crises in Creative Access Country-MR have exacerbated the already difficult ministry context. Poverty continues to grow, and so does the number of those living as refugees.
Yet amid greater struggle, the Free Methodist Church in Asia has found more grace to courageously pray, endure, care for the poor and hungry, and proclaim the gospel. More baptisms were done in Creative Access Country-MR in 2021 than in any previous year. Hundreds have come to faith across Southeast Asia, in part because partnerships with the FMC-USA churches have enabled our leaders in Asia to minister to physical as well as spiritual needs.
Here are some specific ways you can pray for FMC-Asia:
- Please pray for deep shalom in Creative Access Country-MR. Pray for healing and hope.
- Pray for a new possibility of re-establishing FMC work in South Korea.
- Pray for open doors to share the gospel during these difficult days.
- Pray for the preparation for several ministerial candidates to be ordained in Creative Access Country-NP, Cambodia, Thailand and Creative Access Country-VN.
- Pray for the developing network in Creative Access Asia-PN and its expanding ministry to children. Resources and strategies are needed.
- Pray the Gethsemane Leadership Training (GLT) modules will be developed, funded and produced in multiple languages. Pray these will be effective in leadership formation.
- Pray the Zoom leadership training modules scheduled for 2022 and 2023 will be profitable for equipping leaders throughout Southeast Asia.
- Pray for new pastors to serve in the Northern Philippine Conference.
- Pray for a revival, an awakening and a continued spirit of “Better Together” cooperation across FMC-Asia.
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.
Tim Kinkead
Tim Kinkead and his wife, Lily, currently co-pastor the Chung Lin FM Church in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Tim also directs the English ministries. He teaches English classes, assists with discipleship training, makes pastoral visits and preaches once a month.
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 & Ellen
Roger and Ellen have served the Free Methodist Church for 40 years in various ministry roles – including Roger’s eight years of service as a bishop of the FMC-USA. As they retired from pastoral ministry in the U.S., they began a new area of ministry and service. In January 2020, they joined the FMWM-Asia missionary team, serving to provide support and development for national leaders across Southeast Asia.
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
On Their Own?
They are on their own now, right? It is a question some have wondered as we joyfully announce the continued growth of several of our Southeast Asian...
Better Together Celebration
It was a celebration of our “Better Together” way of biblical interdependency – more than 100 leaders from 17 countries across Asia came together in...
Realities for Some Asian Christians
Imagine! In one Central Asian country, books must be registered and stamped with approval from the government, or they are illegal to possess or...
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