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World Missions

FBC is a community of faith in a world of opportunities. Guided by the call of Scripture—“Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8)—we partner with the West Virginia Baptist Convention (WVBC) and International Ministries (IM) to support missionaries across the globe who boldly share the love, truth, and hope of Jesus.

Our world mission work includes financial support, prayer partnerships, personal visits, and the sending of short-term mission teams from our own church family.

Below are the missionaries we support and the global ministries we celebrate:

Sarah McCloy – Japan

Serving with the Japan Baptist Union at Shokei Gakuin University and Shokei Baptist Church in Sendai, Sarah teaches English, assists in chaplaincy, and serves as an assistant pastor. Her ministry blends education, evangelism, and pastoral care as she shares God’s love with students and families in Japan.

Rick & Anita Gutierrez – South Africa / Global

As medical doctors and global servants, Rick and Anita train local “Health Builders” to address preventable diseases, teach healthy living, and share Christ’s compassion through community care. Their ministry equips locally-rooted leaders who carry the Gospel and health screenings into their own communities.

Mike Mann – Thailand (Lanna Coffee & Rural Development)

Mike serves hill-tribe communities through clean-water development, sanitation, agriculture, education, and economic empowerment—most famously through Lanna Coffee, which allows families to rise out of poverty and provides life-changing opportunities for future generations.

Alise & Mark Juanes – Thailand (House of Love & House of Blessing)

Serving with the Integrated Ministries for Ethnic Minorities, Alise and Mark support at-risk children, young mothers, and vulnerable families through educational programs, safe housing, and spiritual care. Their ministry creates a place of refuge, restoration, and hope for children in the hill-tribe regions.

Debbie & Keith Myers - Mexico

Serving as IM Global Servants, their ministry includes evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development in the communities where they serve. They are committed to walking alongside churches and families as they grow in faith and ministry.

Rhonda Reed - Parkersburg/Bolivia

Continuing in ministry after the passing of her husband, JD Reed, Rhonda remains committed to sharing Christ’s love and supporting the IM mission family. Her resilience and dedication are a powerful witness to God’s faithfulness.

FBC and Short-Term Missions

At FBC, we not only support missionaries—we also send people who answer God’s call to serve. Following Isaiah’s example, our congregation responds to God’s invitation with: “Here I am, Lord. Send me.”

Recent Mission Trip: Thailand (Ammie Rasmussen & Cleta Smart)

In partnership with International Ministries, Ammie and Cleta traveled to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, Thailand, to serve at the R.E.S.T. Conference—a retreat designed to support IM missionary families. Their mission included:

  • Providing hospitality, encouragement, and care for missionary families

  • Supporting breakout sessions and helping lead activities

  • Serving children and teens attending the retreat

  • Assisting in worship, logistics, prayer ministries, and event coordination

  • Visiting mission sites such as the House of Love, the House of Blessing, and hill-tribe communities

  • Meeting IM missionaries, including Mike & Becky Mann, Alise & Mark Juanes, and many others

The purpose of this mission was to refresh, strengthen, and pour into missionaries who serve year-round in challenging settings—allowing Ammie and Cleta to be a blessing to those who spend their lives blessing others.

Their trip also strengthened FBC’s global mission connections, expanded our understanding of world ministry, and encouraged our congregation to continue supporting international missions.

World Mission Conference – Orlando, July (Next Summer)

FBC encourages all who feel drawn to missions to attend the IM World Mission Conference next July in Orlando. This gathering brings missionaries, mission leaders, and churches together for worship, learning, and connection. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet many of the global servants we support and to hear firsthand what God is doing around the world.

Get Involved in World Missions

You can partner in world missions through:

  • Prayer

  • Financial support

  • Writing encouragement notes to missionaries

  • Participating in short-term mission teams

  • Attending mission conferences and trainings

  • Supporting mission-based projects like Lanna Coffee (FBC sells Lanna Coffee; reach out anytime to make a purchase and support the Hill Tribe families)

Together, we carry Christ’s light to the nations—answering the call: “Whom shall I send?” “Here am I. Send me.”

To learn more about International Ministries and their Global Servants, visit: https://internationalministries.org/