February 13-17, 2008
Rota, Spain
CAPTAIN Larry Clarke USN (ret)

Pastors, Pastor’s wives, and former members gathered in Rota, Spain 13-17 February 2008 with Pastor Chris Parker and the current congregation to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Bethel Baptist Church. It was exciting to have all but two of missionaries present who had occupied the pulpit for more than 30 days since the church was founded in 1973 (only furlough fill-ins Jim Whitted (1992) and John Beck (2002-2003)) were unable to attend. Bethel Baptist Church continues its service to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the U.S. Military through a body of believers and full time pastors and missionaries spread all over the world. Innumerable numbers of men over the years have committed to full time service, attended Bible College/University, and are in full time service today. During my two stints in Rota as a member of Bethel over 6 years, I can remember at least 17 men committing to full time service.

The festivities began with the first service on Wednesday night with a Scriptural exposition by Pastor Parker followed by a sermon by the first missionary to lead the formation of Bethel Baptist Church, Eddie Woodfield. Eddie was a BIMI missionary at that time. Eddie currently serves our Lord as Director, Oremundo Missions in Action in Missions, TX.

Thursday and Friday were spent in fellowship and relaxing. On Thursday the group had an excursion to Medina Sidiona for the day. By Friday all who had scheduled to attend had arrived. It was a wonderful time of remembering all that God has done for all of us. Many were saved while at Rota. Others were discipled and all saw growth in their spiritual lives. Our times of sharing reconfirmed how key the roots we had in Rota at Bethel were the mainstay of our faith and commitment to Christ today.

God also brought to our remembrance how strong a Levante can be as we had one for almost the entire time we were in Rota. The Levante is a warm, east to northeast wind that flows from the Alboran Channel and is funneled through the Strait of Gibraltar. Persistent winds in the 50-70 mph are not uncommon. We avoided the winds and spent Friday evening at the Parker home enjoying a wonderful meal prepared by Charlotte Lowe and Junior Parker.

Saturday we had two services, one at 11 AM and the second at 6 PM with two messages at each service. Missionaries Rodney Parrott and Roy Smith delivered challenging messages. The time of being stirred Spiritually continued with two messages in the evening service brought by Pastors Parker and Parrott. Sunday morning former members Jim Reese and I were fortunate enough to be allowed to bring short Sunday School lessons followed by Eddie Woodfield delivering the morning message. Sunday evening, former interim Pastor from 1978, Roy Lowe delivered a most inspiring message with slides on the nation of Israel. Roy is with the International Board of Jewish Missions and directs IBJM’s efforts in Spanish speaking countries. Everyone was afforded the opportunity to provide testimony of what Christ and Bethel meant to them. I will highlight a few of the testimonies.

Ms Linda Green, former Navy CPO and Bethel member, currently serving full time as a missionary in Uganda provided a testimony of her salvation and growth at Bethel. She also described the work she is doing for our Lord at an orphanage.

Peter and Jenny Pagliaro from Yorkshire, England attend Bethel while on vacation for a month every year. Fortunately for all of us they were there for the reunion. Jenny gave a most endearing testimony about her upbringing as the daughter of a family who served in a ministry started by Hudson Taylor, the China Inland Mission. Jenny was just 6 months old when her family returned to China after their second furlough. When she reached the age of five in West China with her parents, she was sent with other school age children to Chefoo in North East China for school. Once the Japanese invaded China, she was held captive there (1941-1945) and did not see her parents for almost five years. She and her family returned in England in 1950 when she was 10 years old. We all had time to discuss her situation is depth during fellowship times.

Ernie Hathaway was able to join the anniversary celebration all the way from Honolulu, HI but his wife Brenda could not get away. Ernie did encourage his grown son Ernie Junior to make his first overseas trip for the anniversary and it was exciting to see his enjoyment in of all the festivities. He was emotional in his call for all of us to be sure we know Christ.

Today, Rota is different from the way we all remember it. Now the Spanish are wealthy and the Americans are at the lower end of the economic spectrum. You see few if any mopeds which have been replaced by modern automobiles and very nice (and expensive) homes. No more dirty streets but rather cleaning crews out early every morning sweeping the streets. No more garbage beach but clean and built up beaches that reach out into the Atlantic. The American population has greatly diminished with almost all married families living on base and even singles qualifying for single family base housing. A modern shopping complex has been constructed on base as well as a new high school, fire department and building 1. The area from VQ-2 hangar past the old VR-22 and VP hangars plus the Tactical Support Center are all fenced off with no activity at all. The Naval Communications Station is now a Communications Activity and the circular displaced antenna array on the back of the base is gone. The ramp has been greatly expanded to accommodate C-5 aircraft. The bottom line is the job of reaching the U.S. military is much more difficult for Pastor Parker as the lost are sequestered behind a fence he cannot penetrate still the need is still there and souls need to hear the Gospel.

I am thankful God took on human form and walked this earth as the Son without blemish to take my sins to the cross. I am thankful to faithful men who established and perpetuated Bethel Baptist Church. I am thankful for the members who faithfully visited every Thursday night until I finally accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I am thankful God allows me to be part of His army. I praise His name that my entire family knows Him as Lord and Savior. Let us not forget our roots. Bethel will live in my heart and be in my prayers forever. We ARE a body of believers.

Editor’s Note: Larry Clarke is building a data base of former Bethel Members to be used for the next reunion which will be in the US in about 3-4 years. Please pass his e-mail and mailing address to all former Bethelites. Larry.carol@cox.net; 3025 Marquette Ave, Pensacola, FL 32505

Return to Top

Pictured here is the Rob Bullock Family. Just days before Christmas their precious six year-old daughter Malia, asked Jesus to come into her heart. Mom and Dad and many of us have been praying for her salvation. Dad is a former sailor, now a DOD civilian working for the Army. After their current assignment, this family is considering serving the Lord in Military Missions through BIMI. Rob and his wife Marites, are active and faithful members at Lighthouse Baptist in Heidelberg, Germany, pastored by Dave Mros.

Return to Top

Military Missionary Warren Webster suddenly went Home to be with His Lord on Monday, March 17 after suffering a heart attack in Japan. He was the pastor of the Yokota Baptist Church near Tokyo. Please pray for Joyce during this most difficult time in her life as she makes the transition back from Japan. They have faithfully served the Lord together for many years.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

by Dr. James Kennard

My first introduction to Missionary Warren Webster and his wife, Joyce, came when we needed someone to relieve a missionary in Okinawa, Japan, so he could take a short furlough. I called Pastor Greg Boyle about someone to go and he recommended Brother Webster. The Lord opened the door for Warren and Joyce to go and God gave them a great ministry while there. When they came home, Brother Warren called me and said that he was interested in going full-time in the military ministry.

The Websters joined with BIMI and as they were on deputation, the door opened in Yokota, Japan. They accepted that call and had seven years of blessed ministry there. Many were saved and during that time he had 25 young preachers come from that church. His pride and joy was to train these young men for the ministry.

I spoke at the funeral and at the graveside in Pasco, Washington. I used 11 Timothy 2:2 at the graveside and said, "Because he poured his life into these young men, he will have many more saved after his death than before. What a legacy to leave behind."

Here is a statement from Brother Webster’s last prayer letter. I thought it was interesting that he was thinking about just how short life really is here on this earth. He said, "Where has time gone? I am reminded of the brevity of life." Perhaps the Lord had given him some insight on his soon Homegoing.

The funeral services both in Japan and Pasco, Washington, really honored the Lord. Brother Webster was a veteran and was given full military honors. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to Brother Steve Nutt for flying from Okinawa to Yokota, Japan, to take part in the funeral. I also want to thank the Riverview Baptist Church, their sending church, for the way they stood with and helped this family. Pastor John Paisley has told Joyce that they will be there for her for whatever she needs.

A memorial fund for Brother Webster has been set up through the BIMI Military Fund to help with the great needs in the ministry of Military Missions. All contributions will be used to plant churches near military bases and help military missionaries. If you want to make a memorial gift to this fund, please send it to Baptist International Missions, Inc., P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37412, and designate it for "Warren Webster Memorial acct. #642."

Return to Top

Dr. James Kennard, Director of Military Missions, BIMI will be conducting a Missions Conference at the Maranatha Baptist Church, Okinawa. Later, in the month of March, he will also participate in the 40th Anniversary of that church which he once pastored. I’m sure Dr. Kennard is looking forward to the trip.

Dr. Jeff Alverson, Assistant Director of Military Missions, will also participate in that meeting in Okinawa. Dr. Alverson recently returned from 2 Missions Conferences in Germany which had excellent results.

Brother Tom & Dottie Lancaster, Germany reported they started the New Year 2008 off by hosting The Rein River Baptist Church’s Missions Conference which was a great success.

Steve & Frankie Nutt, Okinawa will be hosting the 40th Anniversary for the Maranatha Baptist Church, Okinawa. Brother Nutt reports he has over two hundred saved during the year of 2007.

The Corprews, now on deputation for Japan, report they have visited many churches in the past few months. They plan to go to the Faith Baptist Church near Yokota, Air Base Japan.

The Heneise Family now located in California report they have recently started a new Military Church outside of a large Air Base in California.

The Pierce Family, Germany recently started a new Military Church outside The Stuttgart Army Base in Stuttgart, Germany.

Leo & Rosie Osborn, Guam request prayer for a new church building. They will not be able to remain in their present location.

The Wars, Mayport Naval Base, Jacksonville, Florida, have done an excellent job reaching the Naval personnel at that base.

The Hornbecks, Germany. Brother Hornbeck was able to lead three inmates to Christ while visiting a military confinement Center in Germany.

Dave & Mary Williamson, military church builders are taking some time off after completing the remodeling of the church in Grafenwehr, Germany.

The Websters report they had 150 saved with seventy baptisms during the year of 2007.

The Crafts, Germany recently started a new church outside a US military base in Germany. They report their work is going well.

The Sage Family, Japan. Their church is located outside of the Yokosuta Naval Base. They report they have lost over five hundred dollars in support over the past few months. Please pray for additional support for them.

Brother Bob Ingram is now located and ministering at the Induction Center in Fort Benning, Georgia. Bob reports he was able to present the Gospel to over 6,000 recruits during the year of 2007.

Return to Top

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Scot C & Katie Daku -  AMERICAN SAMOA
Paul J & Wendy Daku Jr -  FIJI ISLANDS
James & Dawn Daley -  INDONESIA