History .281910.E2.80.932008.29 World Gospel Mission

1 history (1910–2008)

1.1 administration (1910–2008)

1.1.1 officers
1.1.2 headquarters
1.1.3 name changes


1.2 mission fields

1.2.1 china (1910–1948)
1.2.2 kenya (1929)
1.2.3 india (1937)
1.2.4 burundi (1938–1979)
1.2.5 bolivia (1944)
1.2.6 honduras (1944)
1.2.7 mexican border work (1945)
1.2.8 mexico (1949)
1.2.9 japan (1952)
1.2.10 american indians (1952)
1.2.11 taiwan (1953)
1.2.12 lebanon (1955)
1.2.13 egypt (1957)
1.2.14 stockton peniel (1957)
1.2.15 haiti (1962)
1.2.16 brazil (1966)
1.2.17 indonesia (1969)
1.2.18 argentina (1970)
1.2.19 nicaragua (1973–1978) , (2008)
1.2.20 bangladesh (1975)
1.2.21 hispanic-american ministry (1980)
1.2.22 haitian ministry (1980)
1.2.23 tanzania (1984)
1.2.24 paraguay (1986)
1.2.25 spain (1986)
1.2.26 hungary (1992)
1.2.27 uganda (1992)
1.2.28 papua new guinea (1996)
1.2.29 st. croix (1996)
1.2.30 ukraine (1998)
1.2.31 el salvador (2006)
1.2.32 sudan (2006)
1.2.33 hispanic ministries usa (2006)
1.2.34 peru (2007)

history (1910–2008)
administration (1910–2008)

at instigation of mrs iva may durham vennard (1871–1945), methodist evangelist , later founder , first president of chicago evangelistic institute (now vennard college), , support of holiness association president, rev charles j. fowler, missionary department of national association promotion of holiness established @ university park, iowa on 10 june 1910, specific purpose of spreading scriptural holiness ends of earth. rev. cecil warren troxel , wife, ellen armour troxel (born 1875), , rev. woodford taylor , wife, mrs. harriet armour taylor, members of free methodist church of north america, became first missionaries in china missionary department of national association promotion of holiness, directly under christian holiness association (now christian holiness partnership).

officers

in november 1910 mrs beatrice c. mother beezley selected secretary of china bureau missionary department, briefcase office. in 1929 dr james bishop (died 12 may 1970), former missionary china, became chief executive. in 1934 replaced rev. george r. warner (died 1 june 1974), former missionary china. appointed general secretary, title changed president. upon warner s resignation in 1967, directorate established, included dr hollis f. abbott (administration), dr harold (business), , dr burnis bushong (homeland). abbott elected chief executive officer (later president) in october 1969. in 1979 dr thomas h. hermiz appointed president of wgm. current president hubert p. harriman. dr. e. daniel schafer elected succeed hubert harriman, effective july 1, 2016.

headquarters

by 1919 headquarters located @ 825 woodbine avenue, oak park, illinois. in 1925 organization s homeland headquarters moved mrs. beezley s briefcase room in kletzing building @ chicago evangelistic institute (now vennard college) @ 1804 washington boulevard, chicago, illinois. [1] in 1939 headquarters relocated 5 rooms @ 219 north parkside, chibago, illinois. in 1942 permanent headquarters established in sixteen-room c. w. ruth memorial building @ 733 north parkside in chicago. ten years later, headquarters again relocated new offices in former ymca building @ fifth , boots streets in marion, indiana adjoining marion hotel. in 1975 headquarters moved downtown marion east of town new george r. warner missionary center, located @ 3783 state road 18 east. warner center officially dedicated @ international celebration of missions in july 1976.

name changes

initially founded entity within national holiness association, wgm established missionary department of national association promotion of holiness on 10 june 1910 @ university park, iowa. in 1926 mission became incorporated in illinois separate legal entity , renamed missionary society promotion of holiness, though remained under administrative control of national holiness association. organization s name changed again in 1937 national holiness missionary society. in 1954 name changed world gospel mission.

mission fields

in 1946 mission reported 102 missionaries in 7 fields namely china, india, kenya, burundi, honduras, bolivia, , mexican border. in 1949 took on remaining mission fields of peniel missionary society, of american rescue missions of peniel mission. peniel missions in california , egypt, had joined wgm distinct entity, became integrated ministry amalgamation of 2 boards in 1957.(jones 241)

in 1969 wgm reported active ministry in sixteen world areas.(jones 241) between 1969 , 1992 wgm founded ministries in 8 areas: argentina, nicaragua, haitian american ministries, israel, tanzania, paraguay, hungary, , uganda.

currently,

wgm composed of on 350 missionaries more twenty denominations. these missionaries serve on 5 continents. fields of service include argentina, bolivia, burundi, cuba, el salvador, haiti, honduras, hungary, india, japan, kenya, mexico, papua new guinea, paraguay, peru, st. croix, sudan, taiwan, uganda, , ukraine, muslim ministries, american indian field, haitian american ministries, hispanic ministries usa, , stockton neighborhood center (california).[2]

china (1910–1948)

on 23 november 1901 rev. cecil warren troxel , rev. woodford taylor arrived in china serve missionaries in south chihli gospel mission, independent missionary organisation directed rev. horace w. houlding. in 1904, 2 sisters, harriet , ellen armour, arrived in china new missionaries. 1908 harriet married woodford taylor, , ellen married cecil troxel. theological incompatibility , differences on mission philosophy, prompted troxels , taylors resign houlding s mission , return usa.

on 1 november 1910 troxels , taylors sailed china first missionaries of newly established wgm. assigned comity arrangements other christian denominations shantung (now shandong province in eastern china. established headquarters @ nankwantao, , occupied mission compound (comprising 5 two-storey brick buildings on 1.5 acres (6,100 m) of land) on 29 september 1911. additionally, support of 2 chinese preachers approved new organisation. mr. c. yang chinese christian started mission in home. on 100 chinese attended mr. yang s special services. [3]

they established tientsin bible school in shantung province. in 1917 large tent purchased facilitate evangelistic meetings. 1920, chinese mission field reported 15 missionaries, 50 chinese workers, , hundreds of chinese christians. [4]

in 1926 dr henry wesche, wgm s first medical missionary, appointed china. in 1948 wgm missionaries withdrawn china.

kenya (1929)

the board of national holiness association missionary society voted in 1927 open work in africa after request of students asbury college: rev. , mrs robert (bob) smith , rev. , mrs virgil kirkpatrick. in 1929 clara ford, daughter of friends missionaries in kenya, appointed wgm s first missionary in africa, , asked explore possibilities wgm ministry. among contacts dr. willis r.hotchkiss, had worked among kipsigis in kenya since 1905, , had founded lumbwa industrial mission. due failing health of hotchkiss wife, decided turn on mission wgm. in october 1932 smiths , kirkpatricks arrived in kenya. in 1935 10-acre (40,000 m) property granted wgm @ tenwek, in northeastern kenya, 140 miles (230 km) east of nairobi in fertile highlands of bomet district among kipsigis people, through assistance of hotchkiss , africa inland mission.

tenwek hospital, 1 of largest protestant mission hospitals in kenya, began clinic in 1936, @ tenwek. clinic’s first staff members registered nurse miss mildred ferneau (later married orville leonard) , miss gertrude shryock. however, tenwek’s first doctor, deceased wgm missionary dr. ernie steury, did not arrive 22 years. fifty-bed hospital enlarged addition of new men s ward in 1967. in 1985, hospital @ tenwek enlarged accommodate 300 patients, , renamed johanna a. ng etich memorial center in honour of patriarch of african gospel church of kenya, had died in 1977 aged on 1 hundred years old. since 1959, hospital has been under day-to-day management of missionary. however, in july 2001, hospital hit 1 of important milestones tenwek’s board appointed steven mutai first kenyan executive officer.

in addition being primary hospital area’s 1 million people, referral hospital receives patients other parts of country. tenwek’s staff, totals 500 employees, treats more 10,000 inpatients , 70,000 outpatients each year. approximately 3,000 major surgeries , 2,500 deliveries performed @ tenwek each year. in addition, several thousand people find christ savior each year, , many more impacted through tenwek’s compassionate ministries , training programs.

kenya highlands bible college, post-secondary school near kericho, kenya, started in 1953 wgm missionaries gerald (jerry) fish (1917–2008) , burnett (bunny) fish. school, began holding classes in 1955, seeks train young people emulate christ church leaders providing bible, theology, , christian education instruction students number of african countries , tribes. approximately 80 students attend college each year. in 1972 extension seminary program (theological education extension (tee)) begun in 1972. kenya highlands bible college registered commission higher education of kenya private college , in process accreditation. college has been granted candidacy status accrediting council theological education in africa (actea). khbc member of nairobi fellowship of theological colleges. according website,

the mission of khbc advance kingdom of god , serve society through promotion of christo-centric education within wesleyan tradition integrating faith scholarship , inspiring servant leaders.

on 29 august 1961, wgm churches registered kenyan government africa gospel church. after kenyan independence britain in 1963, many of responsibilities of wgm transferred africa gospel church. in 1967, ministry started among maasai. in 1972 wgm properties , ministry voluntarily turned on africa gospel church. in april 2006 africa gospel church baby center opened in nakuru, kenya, care orphaned , abandoned infants affected aids crisis. africa gospel church has more 1,300 congregations throughout kenya average weekly attendance of 300,000.

the literature center opened @ kericho, kenya, in 1961. new bookshop opened in kitale, kenya in 1968. in 1969 missionary rev. gene lewton imprisoned (but later exonerated).

in 1993 wgm , africa gospel church joined forces open kaboson pastors’ school in southwest kenya. school opened meet vital need of getting national pastors formal education , theological training lacking. many agc pastors untrained , unable attend kenya highlands bible college (kericho) because of expense, distance, or family responsibilities or because did not meet admission requirements.

the training program @ kaboson designed emphasize practical skills every pastor needs effective ministry: grasp of bible knowledge , doctrine, ability speak , preach well, capacity lead people christ , disciple them, , training lead church forward.... more 117 pastors completed kaboson’s training program between 1993 , 2001 , returned home serve local churches.

india (1937)

during world tour in 1933–1934, evangelist rev. anna e. mcghie spent several months in india. lobbied bible school in india. mcghie lobbied wgm board establish holiness bible school training indigenous ministers. wgm board approved establishment of south india biblical institute (since 1971 south india biblical seminary) in march 1937. in may 1937 mcghie returned india, , assistance of , annie greiner, began prepare founding of school. later in 1937, rev. james r. bishop arrived serve initial principal. classes commenced first opened doors on 16 november 1937. seminary’s basic purpose train indian young people christian ministry. @ time of formation, sibs located in madras (now chennai). in may 1940 first class of 11 indian preachers graduated. in 1942 seminary became co-educational. in following years, seminary moved 2 times (first bangalore, kolar district, karnataka) before settling in current location outside bangarapet in 1952 atop hill of anandagiri (hill of joy). students @ sibs men. however, 1942, women admitted. since years, sibs has admitted students throughout india , outside country. in 1963, seminary accredited board of theological education of n.c.c.i. granting of diploma graduate in theology distinction. in 1972, sibs reorganized indigenous organization indian governing board. seminary restructured again in 1981 include church of nazarene partner world gospel mission. third partner, immanuel general mission of japan, added in 1984. of seminary’s professors indian. in 1976, sibs affiliated senate of serampore college (university) in order offer bachelor of theology degree students. school withdrew affiliation in 1993 , began relying on accreditation asia theological association. ata accredits both bachelor of theology (b.th) , master of divinity (m.div.) degrees until 2011.

in 1960 vacation bible school ministry reached 25,000 children, 1964 there 40,000 children, , enrolment had increased 50,000 children 1970. new vbs building in bangalore, india dedicated in 1971. 1990, on 300,000 children reported have attended vbs in india. today, more 50 years after first program, vbs materials published in 13 languages , reach amazing 1.5 2 million children , young people in india each year.

in 1972 control of wgm work in india, known anandagari christian fellowship, transferred south india biblical seminary. in 1976, rev frank , christine dewey first wgm missionaries granted visas enter india since 1960.

burundi (1938–1979)

in 1938 free methodist rev j.w. haley invited wgm assume responsibility portion of field in urundi (now burundi). in 1939 rev. , mrs virgil kirkpatrick transferred kenya urundi. first mission station @ kayero.

the first general conference including 3 established mission stations, kayero, murore , murehe held in 1954, step towards autonomy. in 1966 buhonga fourth mission station opened, , property purchased burundi literature center in gitega, burundi. in 1968 kirundi bible printed burundi literature fellowship, first time kirundi people had both old , new testaments available them replacing rwandese version, similar language kirundi. in 1970 interdenominational bible school, in wgm had share started @ mweya, burundi. wgm guesthouse missionaries , other church workers stopover established in bujumbura, burundi in 1972. in 1976 ground broken kibuye hope hospital, in gitega province, in burundi shared between free methodist , friends missions. in 1979 4 senior missionary couples expelled, , couple not permitted return, due changing government attitudes toward christian missions. consequence, full responsibility africa gospel church in burundi placed in hands of indigenous leaders. in 1980 first national bishop john alfred ndoricimpa consecrated , church took name of evangelical episcopal church of burundi. in 1984, integrated united methodist church.

in 1990 karen brebner served before in burundi missionary attempted restart wgm ministry in burundi, returned within months usa after diagnosis of cancer.

bolivia (1944)

the first wgm missionaries arrived in la paz, bolivia in january 1944.

wgm missionary jonathan tamplin started airplane ministry in bolivia using plane christened wings of peace. wings of peace, wgm’s aviation ministry in trinidad, bolivia, started in 1952. wings of peace ministry temporarily closed down following terrible event on september 28, 1998. on day, wings of peace plane cp-1528 , 7 passengers disappeared while on return flight village of yucumo. on january 18, 2003, wings of peace vii dedicated lord’s service president of national church, , plane ready first test flight on january 30, 2003.

berea bible institute in santa cruz, bolivia, started in 1955 wgm missionaries garnett , sunny townsend , meredythe scheflen. school, name changed berea bible seminary in 1987, opened

to prepare bolivian leaders christian service. @ time of school’s opening, world gospel church of bolivia did not have means of formally educating or training leaders.

responsibility seminary turned on national church in 1980s, , in january 1995 school opened branch campus in cochabamba. seminary oversees theological education extension program hubs in various strategic locations in bolivia.

the first bolivian national pastor ordained in 1961. in 1963 evangelism in depth, inter-mission evangelistic campaign, launched.

on 15 april 1982 wgm missionary meredythe scheflen founded bolivian evangelical university, located 5 miles (8 km) center of santa cruz, bolivia. founding board of beu composed of representatives world gospel mission, evangelical friends mission, united world mission, south american mission, bolivian holiness mission (along national churches of these missions), church of nazarene in bolivia, , rio nuevo educational cooperative. beu has prestige of being first private university in bolivia , first evangelical university in spanish-speaking south america. according scheflen

bolivian evangelical university academic, christian, , disciplined atmosphere mission form competitive, well-rounded, creative, , service-oriented professionals commitment community , development of country , work of christ....the main ministry goal of beu reach youth of bolivia christ through higher education , influence country , other countries means of students , graduates.

beu operates own educational television station, educational radio station, agricultural center, daycare center, , medical center operating room. beu attracts approximately 2,000 students each year. university operated on campus of berea high school, using classrooms in evenings. however, beu outgrew facilities , construction of new 60-acre (240,000 m) campus completed in october 1993. in may 2002, beu granted full accreditation plena university. certification signifies beu has more satisfactorily completed basic requirements of bolivian government level of recognition, @ present highest bolivian universities.

in partnership immanuel general mission of japan, there ministry japanese immigrants , families in santa cruz, bolivia.

honduras (1944)

the first wgm missionaries arrived in honduras in march 1944. in 1947 first airplane ministry begun in honduras, rev david schneider pilot three-seat piper, christened gospel wings. in 1954 farm school, el sembrador, started don , twana hank. later year, wgm churches in honduras incorporated honduras holiness church (iglesia evangélica de santidad en honduras) under mutual agreement between wgm’s mission station in honduras , national church. based on agreement, wgm , national church work in partnership ultimate goal of honduran holiness church becoming self-governing. 5 honduran pastors ordained in 1955, becoming first protestants in nation ordained.

in 1962 classes began in evangelical high school in tegucigalpa, honduras. 1975, there 450 students enrolled. additionally, 931 students studied bible correspondence courses year, , 130 boys enrolled @ el sembrador. in 1982, wgm began work (initially in partnership project partners christ) in village of punta gorda on roatan island in effort reach indigenous people group known garifuna, tribe of black caribs.

as of 2004, honduran holiness church composed of approximately 200 churches combined membership of 25,000 people located throughout country. while focus of church throughout years has been church planting , evangelism, other vital ministries include education (grade school, high school, , theological training), social outreach (community development , micro industries), medical assistance, , outreach street children.

mexican border work (1945)

wgm’s work in mexico began on border in mcallen, texas, in 1945. @ time, wgm missionaries china, including rev woodford taylor, had been banned returning, transferred us-mexico border. started church , established taylor christian school. ministries spread mcallen saltillo, coahuila.

in 1966 inter-american bible institute opened in la feria, texas, under joint administration of wgm , christian , missionary alliance denomination. however, closed in 1973, , education provided through extension seminary in mexico.

mexico (1949)

wgm founded first church in saltillo, coahuila, in late 1940s , 1950s. construction on actual church building began in 1955 , completed in march 1959. congregation followed preaching points in rural villages including jaquay, acatita, , sierra hermosa in 1950s. around same time, ministries emerged in madero , valle hermoso, texas. around 1968, wgm acquired church in matehuala, san luis potosí, united society of friends. work began in concepción del oro , san pedro, neighborhood of monterrey, in 1970s. los pinos church in san pedro later transplanted santa catarina following destruction hurricane gilbert in 1988. additional preaching points developed in 1970s in san javier, calabazillas, san juan del retiro, san felipe, santa cruz, , santa rita. 2 churches founded during late 1980s in towns of abasolo , allende near ciudad victoria in northeast mexico. church plant started in el tunal in 1993 offshoot of first church in saltillo. construction on church building began during spring of 1994, , vision followed campground ministry near el tunal. property acquired new ministry, dormitories built on property, , multipurpose building , other facilities in progress.

also during 1990s, wgm missionaries saw need in central mexico, , work began in region called bajío, there had been resistance gospel. mother church started in town of irapuato, , in 1997 work spread león, guanajuato, church established. family center started in military zone in lazaro, neighborhood of irapuato. in 1995 vision arose start community center in mcallen, texas, minister needs of hispanic young people in area. taylor community center project became reality within next few years. currently, first phase of project completed, , ministries expanding reach out entire families in mcallen area.

in 1997 ministries developed in guerrero area of saltillo, , august 1997 group had begun meeting married couples bible study officially became valle verde church, second church in saltillo. new work started in nuevo laredo @ beginning of 1999 , continues grow. in 2003 outreach ministries initiated in 2 other areas of saltillo , have since grown established churches. during 2004 outreach began in aquascalientes contact irapuato church.

japan (1952)

david , edna kuba, wgm’s first missionaries japan, arrived in september 1952. since 1954, wgm missionaries in japan have worked part of immanuel wesleyan federation in cooperation immanuel general mission, indigenous holiness denomination. 1966, denomination had entered every 1 of 46 prefectures in japan.

immanuel bible training college in yokohama, japan, founded dr. david tsugio tsutada in 1949. college trains young men , women ministry pastors in immanuel general mission church. each year, immanuel ministers approximately 10 students. wgm missionaries serve faculty members.

the kuba student center started in 1960 david , edna kuba.

the kubas held bible studies university students in home, attendance grew, home setting became inadequate. wgm owned house next kubas’ home , converted wgm student center. however, before kubas retired in 1983, plans in works rebuild center. after extensive remodeling , new constructions, center dedicated in november 1984 , renamed in honor of david , edna kuba. today, center used weekly bible studies, saturday suppers, monthly prayer fellowship, christmas meetings, , parties university students. approximately 20 students involved @ kuba student center each year.

in 1970 wesley book club founded.

american indians (1952)

in 1952 ministry commenced among american indians in arizona. southwest indian school (sis) founded year in peoria, arizona, school american indians. students lived in dormitories on campus, bussed in reservations. 1975, there 180 students enrolled. sis closed boarding school in 1998 , became wgm’s current southwest indian ministries center. since transition, wgm’s focus on field has been in phoenix, arizona metropolitan area , on navajo , tohono o odham reservations.

living word academy christian day school located on tohono o’odham reservation in sells, arizona. school started in 1978 current principal carol conway, wife of local nazarene pastor. in 1999, wgm accepted responsibility academy, making part of american indian field’s strategy of increasing missionary presence on reservations. today, school known southwest indian school/living word academy , provides education students in first through 12th grades.

taiwan (1953)

john , laura traschel, former missionaries china, started wgm work in formosa (now taiwan) in 1953. after several years of inactivity occasioned departure of traschels indonesia in 1969, work re-opened in 1974 mr , mrs cliff good, served next 3 years. in 1981, wgm work re-opened miss elaine banks, worked in partnership evangelical friends international mission.

lebanon (1955)

in 1955 work begun in beirut, lebanon, john , laura traschel, in partnership rev. samuel doctorian (born 1930), missionary of peniel mission (and 1957 part of wgm).

egypt (1957)

in 1957 work of peniel missionary society in port said, egypt, assumed wgm. new wgm missionaries appointed in 1959. 1968, enrolment @ peniel american school (operated wgm) 275 students. due warfare along suez canal, wgm missionaries miss christine spurlin , miss ethyl young began working free methodist church in assuit, egypt in 1969. 10,000 children enrolled in vacation bible schools operated in egypt wgm year.

stockton peniel (1957)

stockton peniel missionaries have been ministering lost , serving god since 1896. in 1886, theodore pollock ferguson , manie payne ferguson started peniel missions in los angeles, california. on years, peniel missions opened ministries in number of cities. in 1896, mission moved storefront location in downtown stockton, california, , began rescue ministry, feeding street people both physically , spiritually. in 1957, peniel missions, inc. officially became american inner-cities ministry of world gospel mission. in 1960s, peniel missions moved current location in south stockton. in 1988, field’s ministry focus shifted repairing adults building children.

haiti (1962)

radio lumière (french light) in haiti founded on february 20, 1959, west indies mission (now world team). country’s main protestant radio station, radio lumière known voice of protestant church in haiti , covers more 90 percent of country christian broadcasting. contacts made through radio lumière preceded entry of first wgm missionaries haiti in 1962.in december 1971 work in jeremie transferred faith missions. 1972 wgm began working in partnership missionary church in central haiti. theological education extension (tee) commenced in 1973.

brazil (1966)

mr , mrs dale sloat pioneered wgm ministry in brazil in 1966, through radio , television ministry.

indonesia (1969)

wgm ministry started in indonesia in 1969 john , laura traschel, relocated taiwan, assistance of mr , mrs bert alexander.

argentina (1970)

frank , doris robbins, former missionaries bolivia, pioneered wgm ministry in salta, argentina in 1970, under administration of missionaries in bolivia. in 1979 argentina became independent wgm field. religious recognition granted argentine government in december 1980.

nicaragua (1973–1978) , (2008)

mel , sara eberhard moved nicaragua open ministry of wgm in central american republic. however, in 1978 wgm missionaries forced leave due civil unrest associated sandinista revolution.

in october 2007 wgm’s board of directors named nicaragua new field wgm. honduras field has wanted expand nicaragua time ministries in choluteca have led contacts , presented opportunities in nicaragua. amsla (latin american holiness missionary agency) taking lead on initiative, partnering honduran holiness church send amsla missionaries ubaldo , teresa salazar nicaragua in 2008.

bangladesh (1975)

in 1975 mr , mrs john powdrill , miss deborah kellems entered bangladesh pioneer wgm ministry there.

hispanic-american ministry (1980)

in 1980 hispanic-american ministry in los angeles, california started rev , mrs garnett townsend them pastoring community house of god.

haitian ministry (1980)

in 1980 miss sue martin pioneered work among haitians in florida.

tanzania (1984)

in 1984 official permission granted government of tanzania africa gospel church , wgm begin ministry in nation. wgm entered in 1986 , ministered refugees burundi. in 1990 tabora bible institute founded.

paraguay (1986)

in 1986 harold , evelyn harriman pioneered wgm ministry in paraguay. house-to-house visitation started in asunción and, interest grew, bible studies introduced , discipleship classes offered new converts. primary focus of wgm paraguay church planting. new congregations established, reproduce in smaller towns seek reach unreached gospel.

since opening in september 2000, guarani-jopara institute missionaries has offered english-speaking missionaries in paraguay accessible , practical method of learning guarani, heart language of people of paraguay. first language of more 90 percent of paraguay’s population. institute result of world gospel mission missionary andy bowen’s vision. bowen felt growing burden other missionaries learn guarani gospel message more understandable paraguayans. desire teach guarani-jopara, form of guarani spoken paraguayans in spanish words mixed in guarani. representatives various evangelical missions organizations, including wgm, new tribes mission, , sim (serving in mission), agreed serve on advisory committee. currently, institute functions under umbrella of wgm , until permanent legal structure arranged.

spain (1986)

in 1986 3 wgm couples arrived in barcelona, spain start wgm ministry.

hungary (1992)

in 1976, hungarian evangelical fellowship came existence, , on october 1, 1981, given government recognition. @ time, there 12 churches membership of 300 , growing work among gypsies in hungary.

in 1992, in response invitation hef, first wgm missionaries, bill , betsy tarr, sent hungary. although ministries of wgm focus on church planting, missionaries involved in children’s , youth work, theological training, teaching english, , other opportunities. today, hef consists of 180 congregations in 120 villages , cities membership of approximately 2,300 believers.

uganda (1992)

in 1992 uganda granted permission missionaries larry , joy mcpherson, had been serving in kenya, pioneer african gospel church , wgm ministries. several ugandans had been living in nairobi, kenya, during late 1970s , 80s , active in church there. returning uganda live, periodically offered invitations wgm missionaries come , begin church work in homeland. mcphersons later planted africa gospel church kisugu in city limits of kampala. since 1999, wgm missionaries have been working train ugandan church planters , pastors start , grow dynamic new congregations. more 600 ugandan church planters , pastors being trained @ 6 centers throughout country. result of training, there has been dramatic increase in number of converts , congregations in uganda. 2 congregations in november 1999 november 2001, ministries in uganda jumped 40 congregations.

papua new guinea (1996)

wgm’s work in papua new guinea officially began in 1996, when wgm , churches of christ in christian union became partners. @ time, wgm took on administration of christian union mission, cccu’s work in png first started in 1963.

st. croix (1996)

wgm has ministered on island of st. croix since 1996.

ukraine (1998)

the ukraine field officially opened in 1998 first wgm missionaries arriving in june 1999.

wesley bible college, formerly kiev wesley bible college, established in kiev, ukraine, in 1993 purpose of training church leaders, christian workers, , missionaries. evangelical bible mission sent american evangelistic team work in ukraine in 1992. result of evangelists’ work, church planted , kiev wesley bible college opened, drawing students local church. wgm joined work in 1999. in december 2005, school suffered massive fire, forcing students , faculty find new home. college moved uzhgorod in western ukraine in september 2006 , officially became known wesley bible college.

el salvador (2006)

el salvador became official field of wgm in march 2006 , opened of honduras national church. first wgm missionaries sent minister in el salvador david , debbie hawk.

sudan (2006)

sudan suggested target field wgm in october 2003. in august 2006, wgm sent missionary joy phillips sudan in cooperation samaritan’s purse , kenya field of wgm.

hispanic ministries usa (2006)

hispanic ministries usa became official field of wgm in fall of 2006. tim , sharon hawk, former missionaries honduras, named regional directors of ministry while brian , paula kushman, former missionaries bolivia, named first missionaries hispanics in u.s. since then, rod , kathy johnson, former missionaries mexico, have joined hispanic ministries usa team. historic strategic planning meeting hispanic ministries usa held @ wgm headquarters in marion, indiana, april 26–27, 2007. group of 24 pastors, church leaders, missionaries, , wgm staff came bolivia, honduras, mexico, paraguay, , united states goal of exploring ministry opportunities within hispanic communities in u.s.a.

peru (2007)

the wgm board of directors officially approved peru wgm field during march 2007 meeting. ministry began peruvian couple settled in cochabamba, bolivia, in 1990s because of political unrest in peru. while in bolivia, came in contact bolivian world gospel church , studied @ berea bible seminary extension campus in cochabamba wgm missionaries dan , peggy zimmerman. when things settled down in peru, sensed call return home city of cuzco , spread gospel. currently, there several congregations meeting regularly in cuzco, peru.