Click HERE for a printable version.
Greetings, Prayer warriors and Supporters,
This mission report is long overdue. Somehow it always seems we are just returning or preparing to leave for the next engagement, and the time in between just rolls on like a runaway train!
Australia and Pakistan
In January, we were able to enjoy a short visit with our family in Australia, as well as to teach a couple of Bible classes and catch up with some old friends from our former church.
From Australia, we moved on to Pakistan, where we had a pastors’ conference, a women’s conference, and a youth conference planned. As always happens with every journey, the enemy has his own counterattacks planned.
We arrived at our destination, where Faisal and his team live and serve, about midnight. When we pulled into the street where we would be staying, it was full of children, who began setting off fireworks as a welcome to us.
The ladies had stayed up and prepared a wonderful meal of chicken and rice. On my second bite into a piece of chicken, I hit a small piece of bone, which cracked my molar so loud everyone in the room heard it. The next day I was able to have a dentist remove the half of the tooth that was wiggling, while the other half, which had an exposed nerve, had to wait for a couple more weeks.
We went to do the obligatory check-in at the local police station, only to find that we were not allowed to hold our conferences at Faisal’s church facility. The reason was that a complaint had been filed against us—not from the sources you would expect. This complaint came from a local Christian group who, out of jealousy and spite, did not want anything to attract any attention from them. When Paul speaks of “dangers among false brethren” in 2 Corinthians 11:26, we know what he means!
By the grace of God, a faithful fellow pastor in a town about 30 miles away offered his large church, and we were able to move the conferences there.
The pastor and his wife were gracious hosts, turning their church over to us, and having us in their home for meals and refreshments. What a glaring contrast between jealous, small-minded believers, and those who know and understand that we are all on the same team, willing and able to show the love and grace of God to fellow believers!
We had around 250 Pastors for a full day of teaching, followed by the Ladies’ Conference with 300 or so in attendance. Nan was teaching on the Father’s honor from John 12:26; we were happy to have her small book on this subject translated and distributed to the women attending. The attendees at both conferences were excited for the time together. It was a joy to observe them as a full, rich lunch with lots of meat and rice was provided for everyone. Faisal tells us that the people who attend these conferences are always amazed because at other conferences they have to pay to attend and only have a small snack provided. When they come to the ones Faisal and his team put on, there is no charge, and a full meal is freely given. He always tells them what I have taught him—we treat our people like the Royal Family of God should be treated!
Some of the pastors that had travelled from other parts of Pakistan stayed with us for further ministry. Faisal and I had a special time with them one night as we spent several hours answering their questions and clarifying misunderstandings regarding scriptural truths.
India and Nagaland
We had only about two weeks between our return from Pakistan and our departure time to India, where we had a large pastors’/ladies’ conference planned in Hyderabad, followed by a visit to the children’s home and the theological college in Nagaland.
Once again, the typical spiritual counterattack went into operation. Three days before departure, we realized I had a visa problem. Though I had a ten-year, multiple visa, my passport had been renewed, and the visa did not match the passport. We immediately applied online for an urgent E-visa, which should take only 24 hours to three days at most. As we counted down to the day before departure, Nan was returning home from a ladies’ class at our local church, when she was the middle car in a five-car pileup. Nan came through with just a bit of whiplash, but our Dodge Ram pickup was eventually declared a total loss.
The next day, we went to the airport, hoping that, at any minute, my visa would come through—up until we stood before the ticket counter. No visa, no trip for me. I had to send Nan on ahead, as she felt compelled to go, while I waited for the delayed visa. She was able to teach the pastors’ wives at the Pastors’ Conference and enjoy fellowship with precious pastors and wives, some of whom we have known for many years.
I was able to go over a short version of what I had planned to teach the pastors during a zoom class.
Finally, my visa came through, and I set out for India. After about 36 hours of travel, I arrived around 5 a.m. After getting through customs and luggage, we set off for a two-hour drive to a remote village. We had a good time of teaching and fellowship with the people and ended our time with the laying of a cornerstone for a new church in that village. It was good by the end of the day to get to a place where I could get horizontal!
The next day, we flew to Nagaland where we were able to spend several days at the theological college with the students. I had four sessions a day with them, and Nan was able to have a couple of special sessions with the young ladies. Our ministry supports 14 of these students, who otherwise would be unable to attend the college. Last year, we were able to send over funds (by a gracious donation) to build a new library. We were hoping to see it completed on this trip, but progress in this remote mountainous area is slow so the much-needed new library is still under construction.
While we were there, we were able to meet with a former student whom we supported through his graduation and now support as a missionary in a foreign country. The place where he works is a war-torn country, and he is in a very remote and dangerous area. He is a very courageous young man, risking his life to bring truth and blessing to a needy area of the world. I cannot give his name, but I will ask that you pray for “music-man.”
Following our time of ministry at the theological college, we had a sweet visit with the orphans at the children’s home. Several new and very young girls have joined the family there, along with a new warden who seems to be very happy caring for the girls. It is our tradition to walk into town with them and treat them to ice cream. But this year they all started asking for “chow”! So, we ended up bypassing the usual little ice cream shop and going to a small noodle shop where they happily gobbled down large bowls of chow noodles.
An hour later, back at the orphanage, it was dinnertime and they seemed to forget that they had just eaten. Each of them had a plate of rice and went back for seconds. And these are little girls! It is always a heart-warming experience to be with these precious children that are so loved and cared for by “T” and his team.
Because of driving time on the rugged mountain roads, disrupted flight schedules, and other issues, it took us five days to get back home. Such is a small portion of the trials and the triumphs of the missionary life!
We never forget that we could not do what we do without an army of supporters behind us, and we carry each of you with us everywhere we go. You are a part of a greater work than you can imagine, but God knows, and He is keeping the record.
We have some exciting invitations to other countries, some of which we have worked in before, and others that will be new to us. We are praying for guidance for future ministry and will let you know as plans become concrete.
Spring Bible Conferences
We just had a great time with the Fairview Bible Church in Fairview, PA, under Pastor Christopher Preston. I believe this church is truly one of the most thriving, healthy, and vibrant churches we know of. Our conference topic was “Winning the Victory in the Battle for the Mind” (2 Cor. 10:3–6). As Paul makes clear in this passage, and others such as Romans 8:1–8, the spiritual battle is lost or won in the mind that is captive to Christ. This is the first of three conferences focused on the spiritual mindset of the believer.
The Erie conference leads into our next one at Logos Bible Church, in Pickerington, Ohio, May 15–17, 2026. Pastor John Chase is retiring soon from Logos Bible Church after 42 years of faithful service. A fine young man named Grant Gonot will be taking John’s place as senior pastor and teacher.
The theme for the Logos conference is based on the Kingdom of Heaven Parables, “Beatitudes and Battle Strategies.” Again, the focus is the Spirit-filled mind.
Our next Spring conference will be at Grace Bible Church in Hot Springs, Arkansas (May 29–31), hosted by Pastor Mark Goad. The theme will be “The Blessedness of the Captive Mind,” and will be a walk through the Book of Philippians. This will conclude the three conferences focused on gaining and keeping a spiritual mindset.
In July, we will host a Bible conference at Clover Cliff Ranch over July 3–5, to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary. The theme, from Galatians 5:1, is “Let Freedom Ring—Calling America Back to Christ.” This will be held in conjunction with our annual retreat for young pastors and their wives; these pastors will be doing the teaching sessions. We are really excited about this weekend!
All of these conferences will be posted on the website in due time.
May God richly bless each and every one of you for standing with us for the grace and truth of the Good News, for the glory of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He alone deserves all the praise and honor!
In His service,
Gene and Nan
and the BTBM team!