Luke 9:23-25 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
The instructions given here come from the highest authority, Jesus Christ. It is vital to heed these instructions. The little word “if” indicates a possibility one would not follow Him. In fact, many do not follow Him. The high cost of a temporary gain produces a loss of life as a “castaway.” The right choice is to follow Jesus. God gives us guidance on how.
1. Deny self. Deny the personal gain and the temporary attractions of this world. We must disregard our desires of the flesh. Our desire should be to please our Savior. Our task may not be pleasant, or it may be very difficult. It could be to unpleasant or unfriendly people. Whatever or wherever the task, Jesus Christ knows all about the possibilities and the problems. He wants a submitted and committed follower – faithful.
2. Deliberate act. Often the statement of cross-bearing is misunderstood. Some people view this act as an adverse circumstance or uncontrollable hardship. The instruction here is to “take up his cross.” The follower deliberately and voluntarily picks up the cross in this step. The cross is not a very pleasant object to pick up and carry as Jesus did with His cross. But He did it voluntarily also. The system and desire to fulfill a task may cost one temporarily, but the benefits extend to eternity.
3. Daily process. The Christian life of service is not like a commitment to an eight-hour job. It is not a “try and quit if you do not like it” commitment. Service is a daily process in every waking hour for as long as we live. It is a commitment to follow His will and a responsibility to the instructions of our Savior. We must carry out the directions as He asks. This commitment may be a challenging one. But it is the process of following in the footsteps of our Savior.
4. Directed activity. Jesus does not give the assignment and then leave us to our own direction and schedule. Thankfully, He stays with us every step and every stage of our lives. His commission to go into all the world accompanies the promise of His presence unto the end of the world. The potential problem is that we get the instructions, pick up the cross, and take it the way we want or think best. God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus Christ not only provide the tasks for us but the specific instructions: the precious Word of God and the presence of the Savior.
5. Delightful finish. Even if this commitment causes us to lose the favor and riches of this world, the great gain is an eternal reward far better than any temporary increase on the earth. It is better to give our lives for the sake of Christ and save others than to gain all the wealth of the world and lose our souls.
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
If Bro. Hurst’s article is an encouragement to you, please email him to let him know. You may also visit ebarnabas.org to make an appointment with him for encouragement.
I have heard that the difference between minor surgery and major surgery is whether or not it is happening to you! We understand that every health issue is important, and prayer requests should be taken seriously when someone cares enough to ask us to pray. Sometimes a need is more significant than others. I do not wish to minimize anyone’s need as I mention these two that are dear to my heart.
Brother John O’Malley is home from heart bypass surgery. It is of the Lord’s mercies that the doctors were able to find his problem and deal with it expeditiously. We know that healthcare in America is very costly; however, I want to thank the Lord that it is available in situations like this one. Brother O’Malley has been used of the Lord at WWNTBM for more than twenty-six years, and we all have been touched by his ministry. Please continue to pray for him as he recuperates at home.
Brother Russell Bell was recently released from the hospital following an episode of excessive bleeding. We give praise to our Lord that he made it to the hospital in time for them to help him. However, in that process, the doctor discovered that he has liver cancer. Brother Bell will see a specialist on October 9. Please pray that the doctor will be able to treat this cancer and prolong Brother Bell’s ministry on into the future. Preacher Bell would be the first to admit that our Lord has been gracious to give him life and ministry over the years. I do not wish to be selfish, but I pray that the Lord would see fit to raise this man of God one more time.
We serve a God Who can do beyond anything that we are capable of asking. We serve a God Who answers the fervent prayers of His people. We serve a God Who has invited us to His throne of grace when we have a need. Now let’s take time to approach Him for these two men and the families that stand with them.
I trust that our Lord will protect you from all harm and bless you with good health as you continue to serve Him faithfully. Many are counting on you today, and many are expecting you in the future. May we be prepared in every way possible to be what they need.
In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. Whetstone here to let him know.
Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for October. 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 scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
October 14 – Most US Banks will be closed for Columbus Day.
November 1 – September Financial Reports will be due.
November 11 – Most US Banks will be closed for Veterans Day.
November 22 – Please contact us by this date via Signal if you will need funds in your account before Thanksgiving.
November 28-29 – The Office will be closed in celebration of Thanksgiving.
December 1 – October Financial Reports will be due.
December 9 – All prayer letters should be submitted to our staff in order for your recipients to get them before Christmas.
December 18 – 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.
January 1 – November Financial Reports will be due.
January 9 – Missionaries will receive their statements of December Support Received.
January 13 – All missionaries will receive their final December support on this day, regardless of the day they normally receive support.
January 15 – December Financial Reports will be due, along with any remaining receipts or financial paperwork for 2019.
January 31 – 1099 Forms and other tax documentation for the 2019 year will be available.
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 2019, 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 2020 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.
Please keep in mind the due dates for financial reports. With the holidays approaching it is easy to let these slip past, but our CPA has encouraged us we need to keep to the due dates, per IRS regulations. The best situation is for you to report all ministry expenses through WW, thus providing the fullest tax benefit. With the change to 1099s this year, if you do not submit a MFR on time, you can still submit it on your personal taxes on a Schedule C. If you are not currently submitting financial reports we suggest you consider this option. If you have questions about this, please contact Naomi Torberson.
Lodging Suggestion
Looking for an alternative to a hotel? Check out Airbnb.com. Depending on the location and length of time, this may be cheaper than a hotel, and can include benefits such as a fully-equipped kitchen.
New Baby
Lucy Charlotte Stelzig was born on October 8. She weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 inches long. Lucy is the second daughter of Nick and Lindsey Stelzig, who are church planters in the Boston, MA area. The Stelzigs have two older children: Gabe (4) and Ellie (2). Pray for them as they begin a new church plant in the coming months.
Uplift Podcast
The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart. Be Filled with the Spirit by David Price
We would like to recognize several ministry milestones that are being reached during the year 2019. We are grateful for these individuals who continue to serve faithfully.
Fred Daniel, Jr., has served on the Executive Board for 30 years, and is the Secretary/Treasurer for the board. He and his wife, Beth, are from Greensboro, NC, where he pastors the Brookhaven Baptist Church. The Daniels are the parents of our missionaries Fred III (Brittany) Daniel, and Hannah (Rolando) Ortiz, both of whom serve in Mexico. They have 4 children and 11 grandchildren.
Michael West has served on the Executive Board for 20 years, and is the 2nd Vice-Chairman for World Wide. He and his wife, Boone, are from Ocala, FL, where he pastors the Memorial Baptist Church. They have 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Rebekah Tolley has served as Office Assistant for our staff for five years. Her focus is missionary communication, prayer letters, and event coordination. She and her husband, Brandon, live near the office and are members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Shelby, NC.
Naomi Torberson has served as Office Manager Assistant for our staff for fifteen years. Her focus is tax research, financial reports, and Headquarter Happenings. She lives near the office and is a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC.
John and Christa Boylston have been missionaries with World Wide for 10 years. They served on the island of Pohnpei for some time, working primarily in a Bible translation ministry. They have since returned to the US due to health concerns. They are members of Maranatha Baptist Church in Shelby, NC. The Boylstons have five children.
Allinson and Floretta DaCosta have been missionaries with World Wide for 35 years. They serve on their home islands of Nevis and Saint Kitts in the Caribbean. They have also been involved with an orphanage ministry in Zimbabwe for many years.
Charles and Abigail David have been missionaries with World Wide for 10 years. They serve in their home country of India, where he pastors the Tirupattur Baptist Church and also teaches at a Bible Institute. Their ministry also extends into the Jawadi Hills area. Abigail is the daughter of Molly Franks and her late husband, Eric. The Davids have two children.
Michael and Nora Deatrick have been missionaries with World Wide for five years. They serve in the Solomon Islands. The Deatricks are sent out of the First Baptist Church of Wayland, MO. They have two living children.
Mike and Kristen Gali have been missionaries with World Wide for 15 years and serve in Chile. They are sent out of the Gateway Baptist Church of Rising Sun, MD, with Pastor David Landers, who is an Executive Board member of WW. The Galis have three children.
Adrian and Emma Hendricks have been missionaries with World Wide for 10 years. They serve in their home country of India, where he pastors the Heritage Baptist Church. They also have a Bible Institute and Learning Center. Their ministry also extends into the Jawadi Hills area. Emma is the daughter of Molly Franks and her late husband, Eric. The Hendricks have three sons.
Lewis and Kim Howell have been missionaries with World Wide for 15 years. They serve in New Zealand. They are sent out of the Faith Baptist Church of Shelby, NC, with Pastor Barry Goodman, who is an Executive Board member of WW. The Howells have two daughters.
Joy Johnston has been a missionary with World Wide for 10 years. She and her late husband, Norman, served for many years in Korea, Vancouver, and PA before moving to NC where they served at Ambassador Baptist College and assisted several churches. Since his home-going in 2018, she has continued working in the Shelby area and remains a member at the church they helped start, Every Nation Baptist Church in Charlotte, NC. She has four children and many grandchildren.
Lisa Kendrick has been a missionary with World Wide for 15 years. She serves in a church in Germany, reaching those in the US military. Lisa is sent out of the Mountain View Baptist Church of Birmingham, AL. She recently resigned her position with the military and is now on deputation to raise full support to better focus her energies in the ministry. Lisa is the sister of World Wide missionary Julia (Keith) Klaus, who also serves in Germany.
George and Patty Milgrim have been missionaries with World Wide for 20 years. They served in Pohnpei and Guam before the Lord moved them to their current ministry in Hawaii. They are sent out of the Temple Baptist Church of Madison Heights, VA. The Milgrims have four children and many grandchildren.
Francis and Leena Newton have been missionaries with World Wide for 10 years. They serve in their home country of India, where he pastors the Whitefield Baptist Church and is the principal of the Grace Baptist School for the Hearing and Hearing Impaired. Their ministry also extends into the Jawadi Hills area. Leena is the daughter of Molly Franks and her late husband, Eric. The Newtons have three children and one grandson.
Elsa Ramirez has been a missionary with World Wide for 30 years, but has been active in missions longer than that. She previously served in Spain and France before the Lord called her back to her home country of Mexico in 1999. Her focus is on teaching music and helping in ladies discipleship.
Mike Renfrow serves on the Board of Reference for WWNTBM. This year he and his wife Priscilla celebrated five years of ministry as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Wilson, NC. They served in evangelism out of Trinity for many years, before stepping into the pastorate when Bro. Robert Winstead, a founding member of World Wide, went to be with the Lord. The Renfrows have four children.
Mike and Sue Smith have been missionaries with World Wide for 10 years. Their ministry focus is to connect individuals with needs in the Western US. They served for a time in Colorado, and have been in Arizona since 2013. They are sent out of the Tri-City Baptist Church in Forest City, NC. The Smiths have five children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Joel and Noel Smothers have been missionaries with World Wide for five years. They are sent out of the Trinity Baptist Church in Milton, FL, with Pastor Paul Woody, who is a former World Wide missionary to the Dominican Republic. The Smothers have one son. They are preparing to move to Brazil this fall, where they will assist Joel and Cynthia Dickens.
Paul and Sherry Zimmer have been missionaries with World Wide for 20 years. They serve in Yap, Micronesia, where he pastors the Faith Baptist Church.Their ministry also includes a Christian school. They are sent out of the Faith Baptist Church of Taylors, SC. Bro. Paul is the son of our missionaries Georg and Opal Zimmer, and the brother of Mark (Diane) Zimmer. They have six children.
World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions is approaching fifty years of service to missionary families and their sending churches. We are at a place now where we see missionaries retire from full-time missionary service. The Lord has been so good to send new families for us to minister with in the work of world evangelism. There is no doubt that we stand in great need of young missionaries to carry on the difficult work that is necessary all over the world. However, I would like to express my appreciation to the Lord for permitting us to still have those who have labored long in this ministry.
I will not attempt to bring to your attention all those who have given of themselves in this work, but I am most grateful that the man whom God used to see this work born is still the Chairman of the Board. Pastor Bill Wingard has been the heart of this work, and our Lord has blessed our mission by sustaining him through the years. In the wisdom of God, we are aware that the younger is to learn from the older. It is certainly true that the energy resides in the younger, but the wisdom abides in those who have long served the Lord through various circumstances of life and ministry.
Men like Brother Russell Bell were there at the beginning with Pastor Wingard. Pastor Clyde Eborn was also involved in the beginning stages of this work. We have indeed learned much since those early days. So much that we have learned, and so many troubles that we avoided have been because these men have stayed with us through good and bad. Make no mistake about it: we need these men more than ever before. This mission has operated on biblical principles that these men, and many others like them, have kept before us through the years.
We enjoy the memories of Mrs. Smithwick in a closet with a journal keeping the records for the mission. They were humble beginnings, but none of this operation would be here today if these faithful servants had not taken the first steps to see it come alive. There have been many who have invested their energies in this work. There have been hundreds of hours spent in board meetings attempting to steer the ministry in such a direction that God would be honored. I am so proud of the work being accomplished by our mission today, and I am convinced that it will only get better if we remember that we are building on a very good foundation given to us by faithful servants of the Lord.
In His Service,
Danny A. Whetstone
If this article has been an encouragement to you, you can email Bro. Whetstone here to let him know.
Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for September. 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 scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
June 15-18, 2020 – Family Fellowship Week in Kinston, NC
Our Bank has Changed!
We are now using Home Trust, a local bank that will enable us to better serve our missions family. Please be aware of the following items as we make this transition.
In order to have next-day funds available in a US Bank, our office must receive the request by 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Requests received after that will take two business days to show in your US bank.
We will not be making banking transfers during the week of September 3-6, to ensure there are no issues during the transition.
Starting on September 9, please be aware that transfers from WWNTBM may appear somewhat differently on your statements.
Identity Protection
Risks of identity theft continue to rise. Awareness of how your information is stored and used is key to protecting yourself. World Wide strives to protect the information you entrust to us. Here are ways you can further protect yourself.
Click this link to watch an Identity Theft Prevention video from our bank.
Do not send sensitive information (account numbers, balances, or financial requests) to anyone via email.
Utilize our Signal Private Messenger app to request transfers to your account, or call our main office number at 704-730-1440 to speak with us directly. If you do not have Signal and need to contact us after hours, you may call the main number and leave a voicemail.
Utilize our SecureCloud file transfer system to share documents with sensitive information.
Note: Monthly Financial Reports typically do not contain sensitive information such as account numbers. For submitting those reports, please use the email address [email protected] instead of SecureCloud.
Trip Insurance
We recently heard of a situation where a missionary traveling on a short-term trip needed to be evacuated to the US for medical needs. The process was lengthy and expensive! If you are traveling internationally, you may wish to consider trip insurance. Some credit card companies offer policies for trips purchased with their card. Most airlines offer options at the time of purchasing tickets. Our staff has also used Seven Corners Insurance. They cover overseas medical care in addition to trip cancellation or evacuation needs. They will also provide medical insurance for those coming to the US for short periods of time if the individual’s overseas insurance does not cover US needs.
Birth Announcement!
Hudson Michael McKinney was born on August 15. He weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 21 inches long. Hudson is the third son of Jacob and Shera McKinney and joins his brothers Ryland (6) and Landon (4). The McKinneys are finishing their deputation and hope to leave for their first term in Bolivia early in 2020.
Podcasts for HH
The following recordings were recently published on uplift.wwntbm.com. You may access the site by entering the username: wwntbm and the password: gospel. These recordings for our missions family contain the Uplift calls in their entirety, including prayer requests and challenges to our missionaries. We hope they will encourage your heart. Living in Babylon by Rolando Ortiz
Our staff loves visiting with our missionaries, whether in the US or on the field. Recently, some of our staff was able to visit several missionaries where they serve.
Noah, Samuel, Stephen, Charity, Valiana, and Judson Jenney with Darleen and Danny Whetstone in California.
Robert, Carrie, and Pat Mathena with Kim and John O’Malley in Grenada.
Millie and David Preston with Danny Whetstone in Utah.
Edgar and Rosann Feghaly with Naomi Torberson in Lebanon.
Naomi Torberson with Maha and Karim Dahdah in Lebanon.
Milad Khaled, Naomi Torberson, and Sara Khaled in Lebanon.
Click the link above to download a PDF of the current list of World Wide missionaries.
Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on the Headquarter Happenings folder, then “Missionary List August 2019.” This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
