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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 workers are involved in education, leadership development, discipleship and micro-enterprise.