International Missionaries from West Virginia
Alice Smith - currently serving in Côte d'Ivoire, Africa
E-Mail: alicesmith2@cs.com
PRESENT MINISTRY
Alice was among the missionaries evacuated from Côte d’Ivoire in October 2002. While home she visited churches in West Virginia, raised prayer support for the Ivorian Christians and missionaries, and encouraged her supporting churches.
A ceasefire and evident progress toward peace, led to two missionary couples returning to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in June 2003. Alice was asked to remain Stateside and return to the field with the Verlin Anderson family. They were able to depart for Abidjan on May 11, 2004.
CONVERSION
At the age of 15, Alice gave her heart to the Lord. Only a few months later the Lord spoke to her through a missionary message and she answered the call to missionary service.
EARLY MINISTRY
Alice taught Sunday school and served as church clerk in her home church. During her years in Bible college she ministered in a hospital and nursing home, served as prayer captain, society chaplain, and later as a student missionary to Cote d'lvoire. She worked for a Christian doctor for 10 years prior to her ministry in Cote d'lvoire.
Following language study in France, Alice went to the medical station at Doropo where she taught Sunday school, worked with the children's choir, taught nutrition classes, and helped in vacation Bible school, etc. She also helped in the medical ministry as the need arose.
Alice began her second term of service in Agnibilékrou in 1982. She has taught Sunday school, conducted VBS, and held weekly Bible classes in the primary schools in the area. Alice also taught seminars on nutrition, health and hygiene, child evangelism, teacher training, etc. Other activities included women's classes and Bible studies. She worked with Norman and Bessie Richards and Darrel and Lila Nichols to expand the children's ministries to surrounding villages.
In 1995 Pastor Kambou broadened her ministry further to include teaching all new convert and baptism classes for girls and women. She also assisted him in counseling sessions. Alice served as secretary for both the pastor and the Cote d'Ivoire field council. She helped to organize a national women's organization and served as its treasurer.
When she returned to the field in 1999, Pastor Kambou requested she work part-time in the foyer ministry, assist him in organization of departments within the church and in training of national workers to fill all teaching and church staff (clerk, treasurer, etc.) positions. She also worked to set up his office and library. In addition to these responsibilities, Alice taught Bible clubs in the public schools and participated in village outreach ministries.
Alice began working in Community Health Evangelism with the Eagletons and the Andersons in March 2002. In their eight months of working together, much was accomplished in getting the CHE program underway at Bouna and Gouméré. She was scheduled to move from Agnibilékrou to Bouna to teach at least two trimesters at the Bible Institute. However, the civil war began and all Free Will Baptist missionaries left Côte d'Ivoire in October 2002.
HOME CHURCH
Winifrede (Old Glory) FWB Church, Winifrede, W.V.
Alice was among the missionaries evacuated from Côte d’Ivoire in October 2002. While home she visited churches in West Virginia, raised prayer support for the Ivorian Christians and missionaries, and encouraged her supporting churches.
A ceasefire and evident progress toward peace, led to two missionary couples returning to Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in June 2003. Alice was asked to remain Stateside and return to the field with the Verlin Anderson family. They were able to depart for Abidjan on May 11, 2004.
CONVERSION
At the age of 15, Alice gave her heart to the Lord. Only a few months later the Lord spoke to her through a missionary message and she answered the call to missionary service.
EARLY MINISTRY
Alice taught Sunday school and served as church clerk in her home church. During her years in Bible college she ministered in a hospital and nursing home, served as prayer captain, society chaplain, and later as a student missionary to Cote d'lvoire. She worked for a Christian doctor for 10 years prior to her ministry in Cote d'lvoire.
Following language study in France, Alice went to the medical station at Doropo where she taught Sunday school, worked with the children's choir, taught nutrition classes, and helped in vacation Bible school, etc. She also helped in the medical ministry as the need arose.
Alice began her second term of service in Agnibilékrou in 1982. She has taught Sunday school, conducted VBS, and held weekly Bible classes in the primary schools in the area. Alice also taught seminars on nutrition, health and hygiene, child evangelism, teacher training, etc. Other activities included women's classes and Bible studies. She worked with Norman and Bessie Richards and Darrel and Lila Nichols to expand the children's ministries to surrounding villages.
In 1995 Pastor Kambou broadened her ministry further to include teaching all new convert and baptism classes for girls and women. She also assisted him in counseling sessions. Alice served as secretary for both the pastor and the Cote d'Ivoire field council. She helped to organize a national women's organization and served as its treasurer.
When she returned to the field in 1999, Pastor Kambou requested she work part-time in the foyer ministry, assist him in organization of departments within the church and in training of national workers to fill all teaching and church staff (clerk, treasurer, etc.) positions. She also worked to set up his office and library. In addition to these responsibilities, Alice taught Bible clubs in the public schools and participated in village outreach ministries.
Alice began working in Community Health Evangelism with the Eagletons and the Andersons in March 2002. In their eight months of working together, much was accomplished in getting the CHE program underway at Bouna and Gouméré. She was scheduled to move from Agnibilékrou to Bouna to teach at least two trimesters at the Bible Institute. However, the civil war began and all Free Will Baptist missionaries left Côte d'Ivoire in October 2002.
HOME CHURCH
Winifrede (Old Glory) FWB Church, Winifrede, W.V.
Jim & Vicki Sturgill - currently serving in Belo Horizonte, Brazil
E-Mail: jsturgill@sophiafwb.com
Sturgill's Prayer Letters: Click here
PRESENT MINISTRY
Jim and Vicki Sturgill are working in Belo Horizonte ministering with the Belo church and working toward developing a second congregation. Three men (Jefferson, Juliano, and Adalberto) have taken on some leadership responsibilities and are preaching some.
CONVERSION
Church attendance was a regular part of Jim's early life. When Jim was 12, his father led him to Christ during a series of evangelistic meetings at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Sophia, W.Va.
Vicki was converted at the age of 12 in her church in Saratoga, N.C. Both Jim and Vicki were challenged to foreign missions service while attending Free Will Baptist Bible College.
EARLY MINISTRY
Jim began and pastored a Free Will Baptist mission church in Seminole, Tex., from 1967-70. In 1970, he and Vicki entered Missionary Internship training in Farmington, Mich.
The Sturgills began language study in Campinas, Brazil, early in 1973. After completing language study, they moved to Barbacena in the state of Minas Gerais where they worked with the Bobby Aycocks in evangelism and home Bible study courses. Jim assumed the pastoral and radio ministries during the Aycocks' furlough.
When Jim and Vicki returned to the field early in 1978 after their first furlough, they went to Campinas. They found the church in desperate need of leadership and needing to settle some legal matters. Jim "took the bull by the horns" and got things in order.
Vicki had aided in training teachers and musicians while at the Barbacena church. She continued these ministries in the Campinas churches and has worked in ministries involving children and teens. She also filled various positions in the ACE school for missionary children in Campinas.
During their years in Campinas, the Sturgills were involved in building a sanctuary while working with congregations in two other areas of Campinas. They also taught classes in the Bible institute.
When the leadership of the church at Campinas was turned over to a national pastor, the Sturgills moved to Jaboticabal where Jim and Vicki administered the camp property and taught in the central Bible college.
The Sturgills moved to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in October of 1994 following furlough. Jim continued the construction of the church in addition to the preaching and teaching ministries. The building is now finished and the congregation is experiencing growth.
In March of 1995 Dave and Pat Franks returned to Belo after furlough and joined the Sturgills. Dave assumed the pastoral duties. Jim and Vicki directed the musical and teaching ministries. Since the Franks retirement in April of 1999, the Sturgills have continued to minister in Belo.
CHILDREN
Vicki Lynne Carey, born March 4; Valerie Louisa Ponder, born June 25; Vera Lucia Eads, born October 5.
HOME CHURCH
Jim-Sophia FWB Church, Sophia, W. Va.
Vicki-Saratoga FWB Church, Saratoga, N.C.
Jim and Vicki Sturgill are working in Belo Horizonte ministering with the Belo church and working toward developing a second congregation. Three men (Jefferson, Juliano, and Adalberto) have taken on some leadership responsibilities and are preaching some.
CONVERSION
Church attendance was a regular part of Jim's early life. When Jim was 12, his father led him to Christ during a series of evangelistic meetings at the First Free Will Baptist Church in Sophia, W.Va.
Vicki was converted at the age of 12 in her church in Saratoga, N.C. Both Jim and Vicki were challenged to foreign missions service while attending Free Will Baptist Bible College.
EARLY MINISTRY
Jim began and pastored a Free Will Baptist mission church in Seminole, Tex., from 1967-70. In 1970, he and Vicki entered Missionary Internship training in Farmington, Mich.
The Sturgills began language study in Campinas, Brazil, early in 1973. After completing language study, they moved to Barbacena in the state of Minas Gerais where they worked with the Bobby Aycocks in evangelism and home Bible study courses. Jim assumed the pastoral and radio ministries during the Aycocks' furlough.
When Jim and Vicki returned to the field early in 1978 after their first furlough, they went to Campinas. They found the church in desperate need of leadership and needing to settle some legal matters. Jim "took the bull by the horns" and got things in order.
Vicki had aided in training teachers and musicians while at the Barbacena church. She continued these ministries in the Campinas churches and has worked in ministries involving children and teens. She also filled various positions in the ACE school for missionary children in Campinas.
During their years in Campinas, the Sturgills were involved in building a sanctuary while working with congregations in two other areas of Campinas. They also taught classes in the Bible institute.
When the leadership of the church at Campinas was turned over to a national pastor, the Sturgills moved to Jaboticabal where Jim and Vicki administered the camp property and taught in the central Bible college.
The Sturgills moved to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in October of 1994 following furlough. Jim continued the construction of the church in addition to the preaching and teaching ministries. The building is now finished and the congregation is experiencing growth.
In March of 1995 Dave and Pat Franks returned to Belo after furlough and joined the Sturgills. Dave assumed the pastoral duties. Jim and Vicki directed the musical and teaching ministries. Since the Franks retirement in April of 1999, the Sturgills have continued to minister in Belo.
CHILDREN
Vicki Lynne Carey, born March 4; Valerie Louisa Ponder, born June 25; Vera Lucia Eads, born October 5.
HOME CHURCH
Jim-Sophia FWB Church, Sophia, W. Va.
Vicki-Saratoga FWB Church, Saratoga, N.C.
Shirley Williams
Currently working in West Virginia, has returned home from Japan.
MINISTRY UPDATE:
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2009
It’s been almost 2 years since my return from a short-term missionary assignment in Japan. Upon my return, I spent the first four months in West Virginia. At that time I was praying about where God wanted me. I really wasn’t sure. So, in August 2008 I moved back to Oklahoma. It’s where I spent my college years. I thought I could make a life there among my close friends. In Oklahoma I got a job as a substitute school teacher. I worked as a substitute for about a year. It was a good job but, I didn’t make very much money. Financially, it wasn’t possible for me to continue there. One day I was talking with a friend who told me about a ministry/job opportunity in New York. I wasn’t sure about it but sent in my resume. It was accepted and I got the job.
I moved to New York to work at Hephzibah House for the summer with the possibility of continuing on full-time. Hephzibah House is a wonderful place to live and minister. I do a few different things here at the house. I work at the front desk taking calls and making reservations for people. I also do a lot of greeting people as they come into the house. But, my favorite part of this ministry is the involvement I have with the international students. I love getting to know them and sharing the Gospel with them when opportunity presents its self. I talked with the Director and decided to stay on past the summer. While I’ve been here, I’ve sensed God really tugging at my heart. I’ve continued to seek out in prayer the ministry that God has for me. While in Japan I felt the calling to pursue career ministry there. I did go forward with it at first. But, when I arrived home in 2008 I allowed other things to take precedence over that calling.
Being at Hephzibah House has been sort of like a retreat for me. I’ve been able to get away from most things that would distract me from spending quiet time with God. My spirit has been renewed. I feel like I’ve grown here. And, I’m ready to pursue once again a ministry with FWB in Japan. Matter of fact I’ve already sent in the application. I also feel that it’s time for me to move back to West Virginia. I need to spend some quality time with my family and friends there. I also believe that through prayer God has shown me it’s the best place for me to continue for now. While in WV I will work to pay off all my student loan debt. I’ve come up with a plan to be debt free in four years. This is very important if I’m going to seek out ministry in Japan. I cannot have any kind of debt hanging over my head and be free to minister to people.
I want to say, “Thank you” for all the support you’ve given to me over the past years. It’s always feels good to know someone is praying for me.
Thank you, and May the Lord bless,
Shirley Williams
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONVERSION
Shirley was 17 when her parents started attending church. Since she lived at home, they required her to attend also. Her parents quickly accepted Christ as Savior, and pushed Shirley to do so as well. She says, “I didn’t at first. I fought it, even though I knew I needed the Lord.” However, she soon surrendered and gave her heart to the Lord.
At age 22 she decided she wanted to do something more for the Lord. After a year of praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance, Shirley decided to attend Hillsdale FWB College in Moore, Okla. During her second semester she changed her major to missions. Miss Williams graduated with a B.A. in December 2004.
EARLY MINISTRY
Shirley has taught Sunday school for four- and five-year-olds in her local church. During the summer of 2003, she spent seven weeks in South Korea teaching English and assisting in evangelistic efforts.
HOME CHURCH
Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, Inwood, W.Va.
UPDATE: NOVEMBER 16, 2009
It’s been almost 2 years since my return from a short-term missionary assignment in Japan. Upon my return, I spent the first four months in West Virginia. At that time I was praying about where God wanted me. I really wasn’t sure. So, in August 2008 I moved back to Oklahoma. It’s where I spent my college years. I thought I could make a life there among my close friends. In Oklahoma I got a job as a substitute school teacher. I worked as a substitute for about a year. It was a good job but, I didn’t make very much money. Financially, it wasn’t possible for me to continue there. One day I was talking with a friend who told me about a ministry/job opportunity in New York. I wasn’t sure about it but sent in my resume. It was accepted and I got the job.
I moved to New York to work at Hephzibah House for the summer with the possibility of continuing on full-time. Hephzibah House is a wonderful place to live and minister. I do a few different things here at the house. I work at the front desk taking calls and making reservations for people. I also do a lot of greeting people as they come into the house. But, my favorite part of this ministry is the involvement I have with the international students. I love getting to know them and sharing the Gospel with them when opportunity presents its self. I talked with the Director and decided to stay on past the summer. While I’ve been here, I’ve sensed God really tugging at my heart. I’ve continued to seek out in prayer the ministry that God has for me. While in Japan I felt the calling to pursue career ministry there. I did go forward with it at first. But, when I arrived home in 2008 I allowed other things to take precedence over that calling.
Being at Hephzibah House has been sort of like a retreat for me. I’ve been able to get away from most things that would distract me from spending quiet time with God. My spirit has been renewed. I feel like I’ve grown here. And, I’m ready to pursue once again a ministry with FWB in Japan. Matter of fact I’ve already sent in the application. I also feel that it’s time for me to move back to West Virginia. I need to spend some quality time with my family and friends there. I also believe that through prayer God has shown me it’s the best place for me to continue for now. While in WV I will work to pay off all my student loan debt. I’ve come up with a plan to be debt free in four years. This is very important if I’m going to seek out ministry in Japan. I cannot have any kind of debt hanging over my head and be free to minister to people.
I want to say, “Thank you” for all the support you’ve given to me over the past years. It’s always feels good to know someone is praying for me.
Thank you, and May the Lord bless,
Shirley Williams
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CONVERSION
Shirley was 17 when her parents started attending church. Since she lived at home, they required her to attend also. Her parents quickly accepted Christ as Savior, and pushed Shirley to do so as well. She says, “I didn’t at first. I fought it, even though I knew I needed the Lord.” However, she soon surrendered and gave her heart to the Lord.
At age 22 she decided she wanted to do something more for the Lord. After a year of praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance, Shirley decided to attend Hillsdale FWB College in Moore, Okla. During her second semester she changed her major to missions. Miss Williams graduated with a B.A. in December 2004.
EARLY MINISTRY
Shirley has taught Sunday school for four- and five-year-olds in her local church. During the summer of 2003, she spent seven weeks in South Korea teaching English and assisting in evangelistic efforts.
HOME CHURCH
Heritage Free Will Baptist Church, Inwood, W.Va.
