Stephen & Bonnie Burke
Serving in
Southeast Asia
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Stephen Burke was saved through the testimony of a man at work. Following his baptism at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Fairfax, Virginia, Bonnie saw a change in his life and she soon trusted the Lord as her Savior. The Lord blessed them each step of their journey as they learned to trust and follow the Lord. They had the opportunity to go on visitation, teach Sunday school classes, and work with the youth group.
The Lord called Stephen to preach. In 1978, they sold their house, packed up their things, and moved their family to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Baptist Bible College. While in Springfield, Stephen and Bonnie had the blessing of being members of Berean Baptist Church. They were greatly encouraged by their time there. It was during this time that the Lord directed Stephen and Bonnie to missions in Southeast Asia.
Following graduation, Stephen and Bonnie moved to Chilhowie, Virginia, and worked with the Chilhowie Baptist Church. In 1983, the church authorized them as missionaries to the people of Singapore and Southeast Asia. In November 1983, BIMI accepted Stephen and Bonnie as missionaries to Singapore and Southeast Asia. They began deputation in April 1984 and arrived on the field in 1986.
The Burkes were sponsored into the country by Maranatha Baptist Church and served with them as they settled in the country. The church had a desire to see a church planted in the central area of the country. Stephen, Bonnie, and their children (James, Stephanie, Stephen, and Elizabeth), along with members of Maranatha Baptist Church, visited thousands of households. In May 1987, they had the first service of Victory Baptist Church. The church called a national pastor in 2021 as the Lord was leading Stephen and Bonnie to their next place of ministry.
After the Burkes’ children had all returned to the States for Bible college, Stephen and Bonnie followed the leadership of the Lord and moved to a neighboring country. They had started a Bible Study in the year 2000, traveling from Singapore every other week. The Burkes were working in partnership with another church in order to have a consistent Bible Study each week.
A recent graduate from the Heritage Baptist Church Bible College in Singapore had been praying for God’s leadership for his life. He made known that God was directing him and his family to move from Singapore and he became the missionary pastor in 2001. He asked Stephen and Bonnie if they would stay and train him in the ministry. In 2008, the Burkes felt the Lord would have them move farther north to plant another church. They did not know anyone in this city, but they knew this was the leading of the Lord. The first Bible Study was held in January 2009. The Lord has blessed the work and Stephen and Bonnie thank Him for His leadership. In January 2023, upon the church calling a pastor, Stephen resigned as pastor but they did not retire.
Stephen and Bonnie have moved their residence from Southeast Asia to Pensacola, Florida, and have transitioned from the church planting ministry in Southeast Asia to the Assistance and Relief Ministry (ARM) with BIMI. Over the years Stephen and Bonnie have had the opportunity to plant three churches, lead Bible institutes in these churches, and teach in Bible colleges in Singapore and other areas. All of these ministries were carried out in English, as this is the cross-cultural language of the people. They are looking forward to being a help and an encouragement through the Assistance and Relief Ministry. Their sending church is Little Rock Baptist Church, Chilhowie, Virginia, Pastor Buster Mullins.
