Raising a Godly Heritage in Malawi, Africa

 
 

Articles & Doctrinal Statement of Faith

JOHN’s PERSONAL TESTIMONY

On resurrection Sunday, 1973 I came to the realization that I was a wicked sinner and that I needed a Savior.  After 3 to 4 months of being witnessed to I believed that Jesus was the Son of God and that He died and shed His blood on the Cross for my sins, according to the scriptures.  I believed that he was dead, buried and that God raised Him from the dead, according to the scriptures.  I have never doubted my salvation since that day!
I would like to say that from that day forth I have served the Lord faithfully, but that would not be the truth.  It was not until the 2nd week of February, 1993 that I surrendered by life to God.  I had never attended a Fundamental, Independent Baptist church until that time.  My wife, kids and I started attending North Pole Bible Baptist Church and sat under the teaching and preaching of Pastor Tim Peters. It was at this time that I was scripturally baptized.  We attended NPBBC until May of 1996.  At this time we believed God was directing us to Bible Baptist Church of Fairbanks.  We have sat under Pastor Duffett’s teaching and direction ever since.
Within a couple of months after coming to BBC of Fairbanks we became involved with the Junior Church and the music ministry.  For the next 5 years we did not deviate from our church attendance, our church commitments or ministries.
In April of 2001 my wife, Elsie, was diagnosed with cancer.  For the next 15 months I cared for her and continued to attend BBC, but because of the rapid decent of her health we had to give up our ministries.  On Wednesday, July 10th at 2:30pm my wife of 27 years and 6 months went home to Glory.
Within a month of her going Home I started to assist in the 3rd – 6th grade Junior Church and it was not very long after that I was given the responsibility of that ministry.
God brought a Godly women from our church into my life whose husband had also died of cancer and we were married in June of 2003.
Since that time Darcy and I have worked together in Junior church, Master Club, & music ministries.  In 2004 we traveled to Uganda Africa with our children and assist Dr. Kyle Guimon at his mission station.  We have also assisted missionaries in the state of Alaska by housing them when they come to Fairbanks, sending them supplies as they need them and have gone to GlennAllen to assist Brother Kent LeBouve at both his home and at the church he has started. 
In our 2006 Missions Conference our hearts were directed to the country of Malawi, Central Africa.  We met with Dr. Gardiner Gentry when he came to Alaska in February of 2007.  We traveled to Malawi in April of 2007 and again met with Dr. Gentry and assisted him for the next 17 days.
Upon returning to Fairbanks we met with and prayed with Pastor Duffett concerning God’s direction for our lives.  We know that God’s direction is for us to go to Malawi and work under Dr. Gentry.  We have the full backing and blessing of our Pastor.  It is our desire to return to Malawi for full time service in June of 2008.

DARCY’s PERSONAL TESTIMONY

I was raised in a religious home.  My parents were good, moral people who tried to please God and raise their five girls the best they knew how.  I believed that there was a God and that He had a Son named Jesus who died on the cross.  I never realized that it was for me that He died.
My older sister came home from college during the spring break and shared with me how my sins were alienating me from God.  I knew that I was a sinner and tried to stop sinning, but I knew I could not.  I had a longing in my heart to know God, but didn’t know how I could ever become righteous enough to gain His acceptance.  My sister told me that God hates sin and I knew that I was doomed to hell because of my sin.  She told me that God loved me so very much that He sent His Son to pay the price of all of my sins.  The payment for my sins had been made, and it was up to me to trust, (believe), Him as my Savior, believing that my sin debt was paid in full, and I did. 
I did not grow much as I never knew to go to a different church.  Three years later I became an X-ray technician and come to Alaska to work in a hospital in Nome.  I met my first husband and we were married and shortly there after started our family.  We moved to Fairbanks where my husband’s job took him quite often.  We started attending Bible Baptist Church.  My husband was impressed with the pastor and after almost ten years of being saved I started growing and knowing my Savior as never before.  My husband and I worked in our bus Junior Church for many years.
In 1996 & 1997 there were many changes.  Dan decided that our two bedroom house wasn’t big enough for the 9 of us and we started a building project, but he fell through the roof and ended up in the hospital, he lost his job and I was expecting our 8th child.  God was showing us that He was faithful.  In October of 2000 Dan was diagnosed with cancer.  His treatment went well, but on Christmas Day 2001 he passed away.
God was so real to me, a very present help in the time of trouble.  During these struggles God showed Himself strong!  I knew that whatever happened it was ultimately for my good and for His glory.  I camped on that truth many a night!
At this time many people at our church were passing away from cancer.  John’s wife died 6 months after Dan did.  John and his wife were Junior Church workers for the church kids.  We ended up working together in Junior Church and God brought us together and now He is leading us onto another work in Africa.