Staff Transitions in 2024

Naomi Torberson:
After twenty years of service, Naomi will transition from World Wide in July. The Lord has led her to serve Him in a full-time capacity teaching at Ambassador Baptist College, and we know she will succeed in this next place in His service.

 

 

 

 

Laura Cmaylo:
In May, Laura will transition from World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions. Laura served the last twelve years with World Wide. Laura’s two children and her home needs require more time.

 

 

Both ladies are transitioning from World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions in the best standing. Each lady served with distinction and with notable sacrifice. We will miss them.

Naomi and Laura are committed to helping us after their transition as we train new staff, whom we will soon introduce to you.

Please Pray:
Pray God will lead us to the best Team Members possible.
Pray for Naomi as she takes her next step of faith.
Pray for Laura as she does all God has for her and her family.
Please encourage our staff who are taking steps to follow the Lord.

Be Kind First

By John O’Malley

None would ever question our Savior’s kindness. He was kind to the blind, the lame, the stranger, the widow, and the orphan.

Jesus wanted the children to have access to Him. He wanted those the disciples wanted to send away to remain. He wanted the lepers to be able to go home. He wanted the multitudes fed.

Kindness marked His spirit and actions.

John’s epistle reminds us that our love for Him is a reflection of His love for us. Jesus’ words, as recorded by John in his Gospel, echo this sentiment: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35. Choosing kindness identifies me with Christ.

My kindness is not tied to someone else’s activities, attitude, or words. Kindness is a decision to obey and observe the commands in Scripture. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Recently, I was challenged by six rude and unkind people in a row. I judged that they lacked couth. Then, the Holy Spirit convicted me, and I began to think how wrong I was. I thought people here were rude and wrote it off to culture, but they needed Jesus.

Yes, they needed Jesus. But they also needed John to be kind first. Kindness needs no catalyst. Kindness is a choice. Kindness must be my choice.

I wondered how many times I had withheld kindness until I saw how they were going to treat me. Yet, last week, I learned that I must be kind first.

You model Christ in your place of service. Choose to be kind first.

Yours for the harvest,

John O’Malley

If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. O’Malley to let him know.

 

From the Memo Board: April 2024

Important Dates to Know

April 1 – February Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

April 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

April 8-12 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC.

May 1 – March Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

May 1 – April Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.

Tax Filing Information

The deadline this year to file taxes for most taxpayers is Monday, April 15. If you have not yet contacted your tax preparer about filing your taxes, you need to do so as soon as possible. Failure to file on time, even if you are unable to pay on time, can result in additional penalties and interest. Individuals can receive an extension of the filing deadline, but please note that if taxes are owed, interest on those payments will begin as of April 15 even if you are not required to file until later in the year. All missionaries with WWNTBM are responsible for filing their own taxes. If the office can assist in providing paperwork to your preparer on your behalf, please let us know.

Financial Status Report

We will upload a Financial Status Report to your SecureCloud account in the coming days, showing figures for the first quarter of 2024. This is meant to show you the financial details that we have on file, such as your support estimate and the average amount of support you received this past quarter. This is information we provide to pastors who may call about your ministry. We ask that all missionaries update their support estimate once every four years, or as their lives and ministries change. Please review this information and contact us if you have any questions.

New Guidelines on Business Meals

US Missionaries are able to claim the cost of business meals related to ministry on their financial reports. This includes instances such as taking a pastor out to discuss your ministry or counseling with an individual. Please note that the IRS requires you to record the name of the individual(s) and the purpose of the meal in order to establish the ministry purpose of the expense. Please be sure to include this information when completing your Monthly Financial Report.

Meal expenses related to travel may only be listed on the financial reports as a Meal Per-Diem. Missionaries may not claim as an expense the actual cost for meals or snacks purchased when away from home for ministry.

Business meals should not be claimed on the same day that you claim a Meal Per-Diem.

If you have any questions, please contact our office staff.

New Guidelines on Business Gifts

The IRS has updated its guidelines concerning the ability to claim the cost of business gifts. Per the IRS Publication, “You can deduct no more than $25 for business gifts you give directly or indirectly to each person during your tax year.” US Missionaries are able to claim the costs of ministry expenses that are normal and reasonable in the local culture for the establishment of the ministry. However, our CPA has indicated that it is unclear whether the IRS would allow a cultural exception to allow business gift expenses greater than $25 to one individual in the course of the year. As in other cases where there may be individual exceptions to overall guidelines, we would defer questions regarding the deductibility of specific gifts over $25 in value to your personal tax preparer.

Uplift Podcast Episodes

Valleys in the Life of a Believer – Part 3 by Gene Krachenfels

Valleys in the Life of a Believer – Part 4 by Gene Krachenfels

Valleys in the Life of a Believer – Part 5 by Gene Krachenfels