Foreign Missions

Benevolent Social Services of India, Inc. J.Lois, Emrys and Usha Rees

David and J. Lois Rees began their missionary work in Kunming, China. When the Communists took over, they escaped on foot, along with the Morse family, over the Himalayas into Tibet. After a term of service there, they moved to the Khasi Hills in Assam (now called Meghalaya). When, after 15 years there, all foreign missionaries were requested by the government to leave the country, the Reeses moved 2000 miles and settled near the city of Madras in the State of Andra Pradesh, South India, leaving 50 churches in Meghalaya in care of native ministers. In March 1970, at the request of local officials, the Reeses began outdoor clinics and leprosy hospital work, eventually building their own 30-40 bed hospital with a staff of 22-25 members. A mobile team visits each of 12 clinics and 16 sub-clinics, giving medicine and treatment every 28 days. Since David’s death in an auto accident in 1976, their son, Emrys, and his wife, Usha, have carried on the work. (e-mail: rees@VSNL.com)

Chilean Christian Mission--Valparaiso, Chile Julio Carreno

After 30 years of mission service in Chile, Bertrand and Doris Smith returned to the U. S. to live permanently because of health reasons. They left their foster son Julio Carreno, then minister of the First Church of Christ in Valparaiso, in charge. Due to the Smiths' efforts, there are 12 churches in and about the city. Senor Carreno has worked with leaders of the churches in establishing an educational center for leadership training. Trained leaders are now in direct charge of the churches. The Carrenos are endeavoring to start new churches, beginning with Bible studies in homes, including their own. (e-mail: sperkins3@bellsouth.net)

Colegio Biblico--Eagle Pass, Texas

This is a Spanish language Bible College operating in Texas on the Mexican border for reasons of convenience. (It is simpler for Mexican students to enter the U.S. for study than it is for U.S. teachers to obtain and retain permits in Mexico, although student entries have now become more difficult.) Teachers at this school raise their own support just as missionaries on foreign fields do. Most Colegio Biblico graduates start new congregations and minister in Mexico, but some serve among the Spanish-speaking people of Chile and other South American countries. The college usually has 60-70 students during the school year. http://colegiobiblico.net/

Fellowship of Associates of Medical Evangelism

FAME, Inc. was founded for the purpose of establishing medical mission projects in the field, and the field is the world. This includes hospitals, medical treatment stations, administrative offices and related programs and facilities in cooperation with missions, churches, and church-related establishments of the Churches of Christ or Christian Churches. Two kinds of F.A.M.E. are 1) sending funds to build hospitals and clinics, and 2) sending people, particularly Christian Church doctors, dentists and medical personnel to peoples who do not have access to western medicine and do not have Christian missionaries among them. (web site: www.fameworld.org)

Mashoko/Hippo Valley Christian Mission--Mashoko, Zimbabwe

John and Marjorie Pemberton went to Rhodesia as missionary-teachers in 1956. They established schools near Mashoko, and they opened the Christian Hospital at Mashoko with the Dennis Pruett family. In 1963, John and Marjorie moved on to an extensive farming area at Chiredzi Hospital. (email: hvcm@alltel.net)

Zimbabwe Christian College

The college began its resident program in January 1981. Its purpose is to train men and women for the work of the ministry. Located on 16 acres in the southeast part of the city of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, the school began in a small, one-floor hotel. Administration, classes and student housing were combined in this building. Today the college has a classroom block of three large rooms. Three duplexes have been built which house the cooks and faculty. The Harare Christian Church is also located on the campus. When the property was purchased in the 1970s, it was in an undeveloped area. Today it is located in the fastest growing area in the city. The principal is Brother Kenneth Makusha, a man who grew up in the Mashoko Mission area. The other three teachers all received their certificates from the Zimbabwe Christian College and their Bachelor's degrees from Kentucky Christian College. The college's e-mail address is christco@pci.co.zw.