news around the world

IM serves churches, pastors, and people by helping them fulfill their role in establishing churches beyond North America so unreached peoples can know the joy of a relationship with the living God. To find out more about the ministry of IM, visit www.IMINC.org

Uganda Churches Organize FWB Association

Uganda — Thursday, May 29, 2025, twenty churches united to form a Free Will Baptist association in eastern Uganda. This followed a year of discussions, training, and seminars.

IM’s Director of Global Partnerships Kenneth Eagleton and Assistant Director of Global Partnerships Jaimie Lancaster traveled to Uganda in April touring the area, talking with pastors and leaders, teaching Free Will Baptist distinctives, and confirming doctrinal stances. After a three-day seminar with about 50 pastors from various Baptistic backgrounds, 12 pastors affirmed their desire to join Free Will Baptists. Other pastors needed to do more investigation and praying. A few pastors acknowledged their doctrine did not align.

The April trip solidified the relationships and deepened the discussions begun during a June 2024 trip to the area. “Pray for them,” Kenneth requested, “as they work together in evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and training. Pray also for us as we evaluate the best way we can come alongside them.”

Faith Comes by Hearing

Varna, Bulgaria — On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Varna New Life Church joined other Protestant churches in Varna to host a Public Bible Reading. Trif and Vanya Trifonov worked tirelessly to help orchestrate and promote the event. Prominent townspeople — politicians (including the mayor), judges, doctors, composers, sports figures, etc. — read selected passages. Most had never read the Bible previously.

Organized around the national celebration of the Bulgarian (Cyrillic) alphabet, which was designed to allow the Bible to be translated into the people’s language, the event was held at an art gallery and well attended. A string quartet performed well-known classical works by Bulgarian composers. The live-streamed event continues to be viewed.

Trif requested, “Pray the people who read the Bible, and those who watched, will become hungry and thirsty for His Word and Truth. Pray they will continue reading the Word and let the Spirit change their hearts!”

Snapshots Around the World

Bulgaria — Around 100 people attended the March student-led worship night outreach in Pleven, Bulgaria. “It was incredible see our church building full of Muslim and Hindu young people,” wrote Amy Postlewaite. “They heard gospel truths for the first time and made deeper connections with believers. Please pray for God to continue watering the seeds sown. Pray He would continue to give wisdom to our student leaders who are seeking to share the gospel with their friends!”

Cuba — Two people were saved Sunday, May 18, at the San Francisco FWB Church in the greater Havana area of Cuba.

Panama — On Saturday, May 10, the youth of the Chame FWB Church in Chame, Panama, spent time in the city plaza engaging people in evangelistic conversations.

Côte d’Ivoire — Pastor Samuel Ouattara and his wife Nina (above), were commissioned as missionaries to Togo, West Africa, on Sunday, March 2, by the Shalom FWB Church in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Their immediate goal is to train and mentor unaffiliated Togolese lay pastors interested in joining Free Will Baptists. The couple will also engage in church planting. Their efforts are a joint project of the Ivorian National Association, the St. Nazaire FWB Church in France, and IM.

Cuba — During youth camp in Cuba, the young people received evangelism training. In May, the youth in Bayamo, put the training into practice by organizing a sports activity where they shared the gospel and distributed tracts and Bibles.

Panama — Oscar Barrera and Daniel Rodriguez became ordained pastors in May.

Brazil — Three people were baptized on Sunday, April 27, at the Nova América FWB Church in Campinas, Brazil.

Pakistan — The vocational institute in Lahore, Pakistan (above) — a ministry of Pakistani Free Will Baptists — graduated 38 students in February. Students excelled in sewing/tailoring, hairstyling, and English language. These skills allow the young people to stand out in a competitive job market or start their own businesses.

Bulgaria — Sunday, June 8, six people from the three churches in Shumen province followed the Lord in baptism.

Cuba — The mission church in Guayabo, Cuba, organized as a FWB church with a dedicated pastor in time to hold their first service on Easter Sunday in their new building.

Côte d’Ivoire — The Agnibilekrou FWB church held a three-day evangelistic campaign in the nearby village of Assikasso the end of February. They visited people in their homes, delivered groceries to needy families, and held open-air evangelistic services. More than fifty people made salvation decisions. Kenneth Eagleton urged, “Pray for a new church plant in this village.”

Panama — Saturday, April 13, the FWB Seminary of Panama, in partnership with Welch College (Gallatin, TN), awarded 14 Panamanian students Certificates in Bible and Ministry. This was the first fruit from the partnership.

Brazil — April 6, nine young people (above) followed the Lord in baptism at the Jaboticabal FWB Church in Brazil.