Category: From the Memo Board

Important Dates to Know

November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 11 – Most US banks will be closed for Veterans Day.
November 28-29 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving.
December 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
December 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations
December 5 – Those who normally receive funds on the 5th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
December 9 – All prayer letters the Office assists in mailing via Prayerletters.com should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.
December 10 – Those who normally receive funds on the 10th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
December 15 – Missionaries on an R-1 Visa will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
December 16 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Christmas or if you will need a deposit between Christmas and the end of the year. This allows us time to schedule your deposit around bank holidays and the office being closed.
December 16 – All prayer letters the Office assists in sending via Mailchimp should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.
December 23-27 – The office will be closed in celebration of Christmas.
January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
January 1 – December Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
January 10 – All Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support.
January 13 – All Missionaries will receive they final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.

January 15 – Missionaries on an R-1 Visa will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2024. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
January 29 – Those who normally receive funds on the 29th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
February 1 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2024 tax year will be available on SecureCloud.
February 5 – Those who normally receive funds on the 5th will receive their deposit(s) as usual.
April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC.

Year-End Adjustments

During a typical month, we close the books on the 25th, and any checks received after that date are posted to the following month. This means that you receive your Support List and total income figures on or about the 25th, and we then deposit funds into your account(s) on the 29th, 5th, or 10th of the month after we have calculated estimated taxes, tithes, and other month end payments.

Due to receipting requirements, we cannot do this in the month of December, as we are required by law to process funds that were postmarked in December as if they were received in December. This means we cannot close the books for December until January 10th, and therefore we do not have final December figures until January 10th.

What does this mean for you?

• • Please contact our office by December 16 via the Signal app if you will need funds in your account before the end of the year. This helps our staff plan for all transfers before we close for the Christmas holiday.
  • The last day we can initiate a bank transfer in the year 2024 is December 19.
  • Final transfers of December funds (after all estimated taxes and tithes have been calculated) will be made for January 13th, 2025, regardless of the day you usually receive your monthly support.
  • Please be aware that your December support total may be higher than normal, while your January support total may be lower than normal. Please be sure to plan ahead for this!

Upcoming Financial Reports for US Missionaries

Please prepare now to ensure that your year-end financial reports are submitted on time. October reports are due December 1, November reports are due January 1, and December reports are due January 15. If it is possible for you to submit reports before the due dates, that would greatly assist our staff. Please note it is fine to submit a report without waiting for the Line 1 income figure. We can add that for you as needed. Reports should be submitted to [email protected]. Please be sure to include all receipts for expenses $75 and over at the same time you submit your report so there are no delays in processing. Thank you for your help in these areas.

Year-End Prayer Letter Services

If the office assists in mailing your prayer letters through PrayerLetters.com, please send us your information by December 9th for your recipients to receive it before Christmas.

If we assist with your MailChimp emails only, please get us your information by December 16th in order for your recipients to receive them by Christmas.

Please be aware that letters received in our office after these dates may experience delays due to the holidays. Please plan the timing of your letters accordingly, and contact the office if you have any questions. Thank you!

You should have received an email regarding our special letterhead options for Christmas. If you would like to send your prayer letter with one of our letterheads, please email your request to [email protected].

Our Office will resume processing prayer letters on January 6, 2025.

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. See the examples below.

• Business meal with Pastor Smith at McDonald’s to give a ministry update on… (i.e., deputation, furlough, church project, etc.).
• Business meal with John and Jane Doe at Subway for discipleship training/counseling.

**Please note that “ministry meal” does not sufficiently describe the purpose.

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.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Episode 165: Family Fellowship Week – Georg & Opal Zimmer

Episode 166: Family Fellowship Week – Fred Daniel

Episode 167: Family Fellowship Week – Frank Camp

Episode 168: Family Fellowship Week – Tim Daniel

Episode 169: Family Fellowship Week – Allen Mercer

Episode 170: Family Fellowship Week – Ethan Prater

Important Dates to Know

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

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

October 14 – Most US banks will be closed for Columbus Day.

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

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

November 11 – Most US banks will be closed for Veterans Day.

November 28-29 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving.

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

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

December 16 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Christmas or the end of the year.

December 23-27 – The office will be closed in celebration of Christmas. The office will reopen on December 30th.

April 14-18, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC.

Family Fellowship Week

We are beginning preparations for Family Fellowship Week 2025, which will once again be held at the Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro, NC. Our missions family greatly enjoys this quiet retreat location, which allows all services, lodging, meals, and activities to take place in one place.

Our next meeting will be held April 14-18, 2025. Please make plans to join us! Please watch your email for registration information in the coming days. Final reservations need to be communicated to the office by February 1, 2025.

This is a time to gather for fellowship and encouragement. Meals, lodging, and child care are provided. Attendees are expected to stay the entire week, beginning Monday afternoon and ending after the Thursday evening service. (Lodging Thursday night and breakfast Friday morning are provided, but guests are welcome to leave Thursday evening if they wish.) There will be preaching and teaching sessions in the morning and evening, with free time in the afternoons. The week provides opportunities to rub shoulders with fellow servants from around the world in all stages of ministry. Please plan to join us.

Please keep in mind that as a missionary of WWNTBM, you agreed to attend Family Fellowship Week every four years. You and your family are expected to stay for the entirety of the meeting. Exceptions will be granted by Danny Whetstone and John O’Malley.


Financial Report Reminder

As we enter the last quarter of the year, thoughts turn to year-end tax procedures. Many people begin thinking of last-minute deductions that will affect them. If you anticipate making large ministry purchases and you desire the purchase to be a deduction in the year 2024, you may wish to make the purchase by the end of November. Because of the way our 1099s are calculated, December expenses are “reimbursed” out of January income, so the tax benefit on your 1099 would actually be considered a 2025 reimbursement. Regardless of when the purchase is made, you will still receive a tax benefit. However, we wanted you to be aware of these deadlines as you plan your expenses over the next few months.

New Meal Allowance Rates

The US Government issued updated Meal Allowance rates effective October 2024-September 2025. The standard daily rate within the Continental US has increased from $59 to $68. Please note that if you would like to take advantage of this on your October, November, and December financial reports, you should follow the instructions on the Mileage tab. You can adjust the report by following the steps listed for utilizing international meal allowance rates. If you have a question, please contact us at [email protected]. These new rates will be included as part of the 2025 Financial Report template, which will be available in mid-February 2025.

Financial Couriers

Missionaries occasionally have situations where they request that we send funds through a courier, rather than through normal banking channels. Often this is used when it is beneficial to have US cash brought into a country. We have established the following fiduciary guidelines to ensure full transparency and accountability whenever we distribute funds to an individual who is not a World Wide missionary. If you have questions about this process, please contact our office.

• • If the courier is a US Citizen, they must provide:

1. 1. 1. A W-9 form for our records
      2. A government-issued photo ID, preferably a passport, that shows their citizenship status
      3. An ACH Credit form with their banking information

• • If the courier is a Non-US Citizen, they must provide:

1. 1. 1. A W-8BEN form for our records
      2. A government-issued photo ID, preferably a passport, that shows their citizenship and visa status
      3. An ACH Credit form with their banking information

Additional Notes:
If funds will pass through multiple individuals before they reach the missionary, World Wide will need a list of each individual who will handle the funds, so that we can provide the courier with a chain of custody receipt. This receipt should be signed by each individual along the route. The missionary will then return the receipt to World Wide once funds are received.

The Missionary should confirm any restrictions for someone carrying cash into their country. Each country has its own laws about how much cash can be brought in, and whether it needs to be declared to customs officials.
Groups traveling together as they leave the US are limited to carrying a combined total of $10,000 without declaring it for customs purposes. There is no impact to them for declaring it. However, failure to declare funds in excess of $10,000 can result in penalties.

Faith Promise Cards

Thanks to a fellow missionary, our Faith Promise Cards are now available to download in Chinese, French, and Spanish.

The office has three different designs of English Faith Promise cards as well as two designs of Children’s Faith Promise Cards available for download or order. All Faith Promise Cards are free! Donations to help cover the cost of printing and shipping are accepted.

Find these and other helpful resources for your missions conference at helpmymissionsconference.com.

Absentee Voting

In order to vote in the November 2024 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2024.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each year to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.  Click here for more information about registering to vote.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Episode 163: Family Fellowship Week – Chad Estep

Episode 164: Family Fellowship Week – Mike West

Episode 165: Family Fellowship Week – Georg & Opal Zimmer

Important Dates to Know

September 1 – July Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
September 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
September 2 – The Office, and most US Banks, will be closed in recognition of Labor Day.
October 1 – August Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
October 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due for US Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
November 1 – October Financial Reports will be due for Non-Resident Missionaries. This includes FNPO Reports for those with Foreign Non-Profit Organizations.
April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC

Absentee Voting

In order to vote in the November 2024 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens need to have completed a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in 2024.  Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, you must complete an FPCA each year to participate in elections as an overseas absentee voter.  Click here for more information about registering to vote.

World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions of Canada

Brother and Mrs. O’Malley visited the Bausermans and the Bakkers in Canada.

Brother Bauserman led the mission office in Canada as the Business manager. The O’Malleys went to thank them for their service and to fellowship with them.

After visiting with the Bausermans the O’Malleys drove to visit the Bakkers in Simcoe, Ontario. The Bakkers are members of Bethel Baptist Church in Simcoe.

Mrs. Bakker is an accountant. Mr. Bakker is an associate pastor and quite adept at technology. Together they will assist our office in Canada so Canadian donors and churches can support WWNTBM missionaries in the USA.

We are grateful for the smooth transition between the Bausermans and the Bakkers in conjunction with WWNTBM USA.

Our Canadian office allows our missionaries to receive funds from donors in Canada. Donors can send their donations in Canadian dollars and receive a tax deductible receipt for their Canadian taxes.

Please note the updated contact information for our Canadian Office, effective July 1:

WWNTBM of Canada
PO Box 142
Simcoe, ON, N3Y 4K8
CANADA
226-400-1551

Note this new phone number is for the Bakker’s business, and will be answered as Bakker Books. Email correspondence can still be sent to [email protected]. Canadian financial reports should still be sent to [email protected].

If you will be visiting churches in Canada, please be aware there are special requirements for accountability of the funds, to ensure you do not have to pay taxes in both countries. Contact our office if you have any questions. Bekah Tolley is our staff contact for all matters related to finances and reports for our WWNTBM of Canada office.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Episode 160 – Family Fellowship Week – David Fulp

Episode 161 – Family Fellowship Week – Michael & April Riffel

Important Dates to Know

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

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

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

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

September 2 – The Office, and most US Banks, will be closed in recognition of Labor Day.

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

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

April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC

Staff Transition Updates

Laura Cmaylo’s final day in our office was July 5. We are grateful for her years of service at World Wide and wish her the best as she focuses on her family and raising her two children.

Naomi Torberson’s final day in our office was July 31. She will begin full-time at Ambassador Baptist College in August.

Laura and Naomi gave testimonies at Family Fellowship Week this year about their years at World Wide. Please listen as they share their hearts with the missions family.

Click here to listen to Laura Cmaylo’s testimony.

Click here to listen to Naomi Torberson’s testimony.

Both of these ladies graciously offered to remain accessible to our staff to answer questions as we transition tasks within our office.

With these changes in our staff, we want to keep our missions family up to date on who will be handling different tasks within the office. If you have a question about a specific area, these are the individuals who can best assist you:

Financial requests or changes in banking details:
Please continue to communicate this information through our main Signal number, 704-750-9493. Brittany Morrow will be the one who will primarily communicate with you at this number. If you do not have the Signal Messenger app, you may always call and speak to our staff on our main office phone number, 704-730-1440. Nikayla Ring will answer and direct your calls to the appropriate staff member.

Non-Resident Aliens:
Kim O’Malley will now serve as your primary contact within our office. Please continue to use the email address [email protected] for your monthly reports, receipts, and correspondence. You may also communicate with her on her personal Signal number, 704-974-1008. Please be sure to keep her informed about all travel to and from the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Donations you receive:
Sarah Hanke will process funds from donors, with assistance from Brittany Morrow.

Funds spent from your accounts:
Hannah Brenneman will handle all bill pay, estimated taxes, tithes and offerings, and other expenses reflected on your Ledgers, including support distributions.

Monthly Financial Reports for US Missionaries and those on an R-1 Visa:
Please continue to use the email [email protected] for your monthly reports, receipts, and correspondence about reporting. Brittany Morrow will review the reports, with assistance from Hannah Brenneman and Kim O’Malley.

Prayer Letters:
Please continue to use the email [email protected] for all items related to prayer letters. Bekah Tolley will continue to assist with mailings, MailChimp, and address updates.

Foreign Non-Profit Organizations (FNPOs):
Please continue to submit financial reports via the secure online portal at https://secure.wwntbm.com/fnpo-reporting/. Kim O’Malley will be the point of contact for FNPO-related items.

Mrs. O’Malley manages the entire office as we work together to serve you and your needs. Each staff member has a specialty, but all will assist you with any task. Your calls and emails are never a burden. Thank you for your patience as we transition responsibilities. We want to ensure our missions family we continue to strive to be Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional. If there is ever a time we do not meet those goals, please let Mrs. Kim know.

Returned Prayer Letters

Please note when our office receives returned prayer letters that have already gone through a forwarding service, we must attach new postage per USPS. Therefore, for the letter to be forwarded, it would cost the first-class letter rate, which is currently $0.69.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

2024 Missionary Milestones

We would like to recognize several ministry milestones being reached during the year 2024. We are grateful for these individuals who continue to serve faithfully.

Click here to view the list in the Headquarter Happenings Folder for Secure Cloud.

IRS Information about Self-Employment Tax Credits

We received the following notice from the IRS. Missionaries are considered to be self-employed. We recommend you speak to your tax advisor if you have questions about any self-employment-related items.

The IRS issued a warning to taxpayers following false information surfacing on social media about a non-existent “Self-Employment Tax Credit.” Misinformation is leading taxpayers to file false claims. These bad promoters claim the credit is offered to self-employed people and gig workers and suggest they may be entitled to upwards of $32,000 in payments. Credits for Sick Leave and Family Leave, a far more specialized and technical credit, is actually the underlying credit that is being discussed on social media instead of the “Self-Employment Tax Credit.” Many people do not qualify for this credit, and the IRS is carefully reviewing claims coming in under this provision so people filing claims do so at their own risk.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Episode 154: Family Fellowship Week: Danny Whetstone

Episode 155: Family Fellowship Week – Randall Jordan Interview

Episode 156: Family Fellowship Week – Scott Norman Interview

Episode 157: Family Fellowship Week – Stephen Minion Testimony

Episode 158: Family Fellowship Week – Naomi Torberson Testimony

Episode 159: Family Fellowship Week – Laura Cmaylo Testimony

Important Dates to Know

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

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

July 4 – The Office, and most US Banks, will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

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

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

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

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

September 2 – The Office, and most US Banks, will be closed in recognition of Labor Day.

April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week at Caraway Conference Center in Sophia, NC

Staff Transition Updates

Laura Cmaylo’s final day in our office was July 5. We are grateful for her years of service at World Wide and wish her the best as she focuses on her family and raising her two children. She has graciously offered to remain accessible to our staff to answer questions as we transition tasks within our office.

Bekah Tolley plans to return from her maternity leave on July 15. With the added responsibilities of the new baby, her primary tasks and work hours will be changing to better accommodate her family needs.

Naomi Torberson’s final day in our office will be July 31. She will begin full time at Ambassador Baptist College in August. Through the next few weeks she will focus on ensuring our office procedures are up to date and that staff are trained to step into new areas of responsibility.

With these changes in our staff, we want to keep our missions family up to date on who will be handling different tasks within the office. If you have a question about a specific area, these are the individuals who can best assist you:

Financial requests or changes in banking details:
Please continue to communicate this information through our main Signal number, 704-750-9493. Brittany Morrow will be the one who will primarily communicate with you at this number. If you do not have the Signal Messenger app, you may always call and speak to our staff on our main office phone number, 704-730-1440. Nikayla Ring will answer and direct your calls to the appropriate staff member.

Non-Resident Aliens:
Kim O’Malley will now serve as your primary contact within our office. Please continue to use the email address [email protected] for your monthly reports, receipts, and correspondence. You may also communicate with her on her personal Signal number, 704-974-1008. Please be sure to keep her informed about all travel to and from the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Donations you receive:
Sarah Hanke will process funds from donors, with assistance from Brittany Morrow.

Funds spent from your accounts:
Hannah Brenneman will handle all bill pay, estimated taxes, tithes and offerings, and other expenses reflected on your Ledgers, including support distributions.

Monthly Financial Reports for US Missionaries and those on an R-1 Visa:
Please continue to use the email [email protected] for your monthly reports, receipts, and correspondence about reporting. Brittany Morrow will review the reports, with assistance from Hannah Brenneman and Kim O’Malley.

Prayer Letters:
Please continue to use the email [email protected] for all items related to prayer letters. Bekah Tolley will continue to assist with mailings, MailChimp, and address updates.

Foreign Non-Profit Organizations (FNPOs):
Please continue to submit financial reports via the secure online portal at https://secure.wwntbm.com/fnpo-reporting/. Kim O’Malley will be the point of contact for FNPO related items.

Mrs. O’Malley manages the entire office as we work together to serve you and your needs. Each staff member has a speciality, but all will assist you with any task. Your calls and emails are never a burden. Thank you for your patience as we transition responsibilities. We want to ensure our missions family we continue to strive to be Selfless, Eager, Responsible, Valuable, and Exceptional. If there is ever a time we do not meet those goals, please let Mrs. Kim know.

World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions of Canada

Ernie and Darlene Bauserman have faithfully managed WWNTBM of Canada for 24 years. In 2019 the Bausermans retired from over 30 years of missionary service, but have continued to voluntarily manage the Canadian office. We are grateful for their sacrificial ministry that has allowed many of our missionaries to receive funds from Canadian donors.

Over two years ago, Brother Bauserman began asking us to find his replacement as he pursued retirement. The Lord has led us to partner with Calvin and Amanda Bakker. Bro. Bakker is the associate pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Simcoe, and together they operate a private bookkeeping service. The Bakkers have been working with our staff for several months to facilitate the transition of duties.

Please note the updated contact information for our Canadian Office, effective July 1:

WWNTBM of Canada
PO Box 142
Simcoe, ON, N3Y 4K8
CANADA
226-400-1551

Note this new phone number is for the Bakker’s business, and will be answered as Bakker Books. Email correspondence can still be sent to [email protected]. Canadian financial reports should still be sent to [email protected].

If you would like to contact the Bausermans to thank them for their years of service, you may click here to email them.

If you will be visiting churches in Canada, please be aware there are special requirements for accountability of the funds, to ensure you do not have to pay taxes in both countries. Contact our office if you have any questions. Bekah Tolley will remain our staff contact for all matters related to finances and reports for our WWNTBM of Canada office.

New Babies!

Céleste Amélie Folkers was born on April 11 to Seth and Kaitlin Folkers, who minister in Cameroon. She joins older siblings Atarah (5), Benaiah (4), and Christy (2). Pray for the Folkers as they are seeking to purchase land and build a new building for their ministry.

Anderson (Andy) James Tolley was born on June 2. He weighed 9 pounds 9 ounces, and was 21.5 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing well! Andy is the son of our Office Assistant Rebekah Tolley and her husband Brandon. He joins older brother Davey, who is 2.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

Episode 152: The Greatest Work in the World – Part 4 & 5 by Allen Mercer

Episode 153: The Greatest Work in the World – Part 6 & 7 by Allen Mercer

Important Dates to Know

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

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

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

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

July 4 – The Office and most US Banks will be closed in celebration of Independence Day.

April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week in Sophia, NC.

New Staff Members

We are pleased to introduce Sarah Hanke as our new Office Assistant. Sarah will join our staff on June 17.

Sarah is from the Shelby, NC area. She graduated from Ambassador Baptist College with a double major in Elementary Education and Church Ministries. Since that time she has been teaching at South Charlotte Baptist Academy. Sarah is a member of Maranatha Baptist Church of Shelby, NC, where she is active in the children’s and music ministries. Her hobbies include reading and crochet.

Sarah completed her internship practicum in our office in the summer of 2020, and our staff was immediately impressed with her servant’s heart and attention to detail. We are excited to have her join the World Wide family, and know she will be a blessing to each of you as you get to know her! You can reach her at [email protected].

We are also pleased to introduce Nikayla Ring. Nikayla will join us from June 3 to September 13 to assist us during our staff transitions.

Nikayla grew up on the mission field of Brazil, and is sister to our missionary Noel Smothers. She graduated from Ambassador Baptist College with a degree in Missions. Since that time she has been teaching at Champion Christian Academy here in Kings Mountain. Nikayla is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC, where she is active in the music and youth ministries.

Nikayla is engaged to Cody Carden, who leads our See the Harvest ministry along with John O’Malley. She will travel with the second STH team this summer. Nikayla has a passion for missions and a heart to serve. We are excited to have her minister with us this summer.

Notes of Thanks

Kelly Vandervort has been a blessing to our missions family as she has assisted with photography and videography during our Family Fellowship Weeks.  This year she gifted many with professional family portraits. If you would like to send her a note of thanks, her address is 1095 Fire Tower Road, Reynoldsville, PA 15851.

Donna Cmaylo (mother of Rebekah Tolley and mother-in-law to Laura Cmaylo) gifted many who were at Family Fellowship Week with Pampered Chef items. If you would like to send her a note of thanks, her address is 215 French Mountain Dr., Marion, NC 28752.

New Baby

Deborah Taylor was born on May 3 to Kevin and Hannah Taylor, who minister in Mexico. She joins older siblings Tirzah (12), Hadassah (10), Aletheia (8), and Hudson (5).

2024 Graduates

Several in our missions family have graduated in recent months. We are thankful for each of these individuals. They have worked hard to achieve this milestone, and we look forward to seeing how the Lord will use them in the future. Click here for a list of graduates and their future plans.

Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then “Graduates 2024.” This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.

Uplift

The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. We hope they will encourage your heart.

A Servant’s Heart  by David Landers

The Great Work in the World – Part 1  by Allen Mercer

The Greatest Work in the World – Part 2  by Allen Mercer

The Greatest Work in the World – Part 3 by Allen Mercer

Important Dates to Know

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.

May 27 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Memorial Day.

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

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

April 14-17, 2025 – Family Fellowship Week in Sophia, NC.

New Board of Reference Member

We would like to welcome Pastor Thomas Engle as a new member of the Board of Reference of WWNTBM. Pastor Engle and his wife Sarah graduated from Ambassador Baptist College and then traveled in evangelism for twelve years before they moved to Darlington, SC, where he currently serves as assistant to Pastor Frank Camp at Victory Baptist Church. He will be transitioning to the senior pastor in the near future, as Pastor Camp will be retiring. The Engles have three children: TJ (15), Elise (12), and Vance (9).

The Edge Christian Camp and Edge2Go International.

For the last several years, we have been blessed to have Scott Carsley, Carey Charles, and the team from The Edge Christian Camp attend Family Week and provide an exceptional program for our young people during the week. Edge2Go is a ministry of The Edge Christian Camp that brings camp to Independent Baptist church locations. The Edge staff offers many aspects of summer camp in a one-day, day camp format, including activities, chapel service, evening service, God & I time booklets, games, activities, and competitions. They have recently been burdened to take this ministry internationally by partnering with missionaries. Their desire is to work with WWNTBM missionaries to bring camp to your mission field. If you are interested, or if you know local churches in the US who could utilize their services, please contact them through the above website.

Missionary of the Day

Our website at wwntbm.com promotes a missionary of the day. This is a great way to get to know about the ministries of others in our missions family. Some have chosen to set this as their home page so they can be reminded to pray for a different missionary each day.

In His Service

For four decades, Bro. Danny Whetstone wrote articles to missionaries offering practical advice, biblical principles, and spiritual encouragement. Those articles first appeared here in the Headquarter Happenings newsletters as he sought to uplift, strengthen, and guide our missions family. WWNTBM has collected 153 of these articles and published them in a book titled In His Service. This book is available on Amazon in both print and Kindle versions. If you would like to purchase copies in bulk to use as gifts, please contact our office.

Family Fellowship Week 2025

Now is the time to begin planning to attend Family Fellowship Week 2025! The conference will be held at the Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro, NC, from April 14-17, 2025. The week begins on Monday afternoon and ends with breakfast on Friday morning. When interviewed, missionaries agree to attend Family Week for two years while on deputation and once every four years thereafter. Please plan to attend the entire week. This is an important time to gather for fellowship, encouragement, and reminders of our heritage.

Helpful Software

We have recently heard of two different websites that may be useful to our missionaries.

DeepL.com is a website that offers translation services, including the ability to translate certain types of documents. The site offers both free and paid options.

Spendee is a financial budgeting application that helps to manage finances in multiple currencies at the same time.

Uplift Podcast Episodes

Acknowledging Him Today by Andy Bonikowsky

Praising God Forevermore by Gene Krachenfels

Stewardship Principles by Jim Davidson

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.

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

Important Dates to Know

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

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

March 29 – The Office will be closed in celebration of the Resurrection.

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.

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 their 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.

Reminders about Receipts

Receipts must be submitted for all ministry expenses on your reports that are equal to USD $75 or more. According to the IRS, “A canceled check, together with a bill from the payee, ordinarily establishes the cost. However, a canceled check by itself doesn’t prove a business expense without other evidence.” Based on this, we do not accept cancelled checks in lieu of receipts. Credit card statements are also not preferred. Although they show date and cost, they typically do not show what was purchased or the business purpose of the expense.

Please be sure that all receipts submitted with your report include the entire receipt or invoice for the item(s). The purpose of a receipt is the outside verification of the expense. Therefore, you should never receipt yourself. Receipts should be obtained at the time the expense occurs.

Upcoming Changes in Tax Laws

We have learned of changes in tax law that may affect some of our missionaries within the next few years. We are providing this information so you can be aware and so that you can contact your tax preparer if you have questions on any of these topics.

Possible tax savings for US citizens living abroad

A recent court ruling pertaining to the interpretation of foreign tax credits and tax treaties has opened opportunities for US citizens living abroad to take advantage of certain tax savings. This particularly applies to those with non-US investments and real estate. This change provides the opportunity to claim foreign tax credits going back as far as 10 years, by filing an amended return. Click here to learn more.

Increase in individual tax rates

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law in 2017 reduced individual tax rates. This law is currently set to expire in December of 2025. If that does happen, individual rates would increase and revert back to the 2017 rates. You may want to take steps now to prepare for this. Click here to learn more.

Personal IRS accounts

The IRS offers personal online accounts that allow you access to information related to your own tax filings including balance, payments, tax records, and more. Click here for further information.

Family Fellowship Week

Family Fellowship Week is about coming together as a missions family to fellowship around the Word of God and with each other. The week is also an opportunity to be reminded of our heritage and of the truths we hold dear. Our theme for Family Fellowship Week 2024 is Truth! Truth is everything. Truth is our Creed. Truth is our Calling. Truth is our Character. Truth is our Conduct. Truth is our Consolation. Truth is our Conviction.

Please pray with us that those attending will be encouraged and strengthened to walk in Truth in their lives and ministries.

Uplift Podcast

How Close Are You? by David Fulp

Remembering to Make Him Known by Jeremy Lockhart

Valleys in the Life of a Believer – Part 1 by Gene Krachenfels

Valleys in the Life of a Believer – Part 2 by Gene Krachenfels