Cliff & Cinthy Case speak to Arkansas Baptists on Sunday evening. (Photo by Mary Alford)
LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas Baptists on Sunday had the opportunity to meet Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) planters and missionaries serving around the world.
During Mission Connection, Arkansans heard from international and domestic planters. The church planters in attendance at the dinner held at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) building were:
- Cliff and Cinthy Case, who were appointed by the International Mission Board (IMB) 32 years ago and are currently serving the Americas in Santiago, Chile.
- Joey Chafton, who is married to Ashleigh, and they have seven children. After seminary and serving as a pastor in North Carolina for over 10 years, the Lord opened a door to replant FBC Oakland Park (now The Church at Oakland Park), which is also part of the ‘Send South Florida’ network.
- Pedro Juan Gonzalez Pen, who lives in Santiago, Dominican Republic with his wife, Marisol. They have one daughter. He is a doctor and family therapist by profession but has pastored First Baptist Church of Santiago for 24 years. He was recently elected to serve as president of the Dominican Baptist Convention.
- Rafael Antonio Tavarez Genao, who lives in Santiago, Dominican Republic with his wife, Monica. They have two children and two grandchildren. He has served as pastor of Eternal God Baptist Church for 25 years and was recently elected to serve the Dominican Baptist Convention as vice president.
- Wayne Parker, who lives with his wife, Cindy, in Detroit, Michigan. They have five children and 11 grandchildren. He has planted churches and pastored in Detroit for 27 years. He currently serves as the senior pastor of Merriman Road Baptist Church as well as NAMB Send City coordinator for ‘Send Detroit.’
- Brad Williams, who lives in Winnipeg, Canada, with his wife, Cherise, and their three young children. He has been in pastoral ministry for 14 years and currently co-pastors CityLight Church. He serves as second vice president of the Canadian National Baptist Convention and as the association regional ministry leader for the Mantioba Baptist Association.
Cliff translated for Pena and Genao.
Genao shared Romans 10:13-15, “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.”
Pena said they were excited to be at the event and visit with Arkansans.
“This union between two nations is very important because God has called us to be united in His work … to go to the nations and preach the Gospel,” Pena said. “It has been very beautiful to see pastors from Dominican Republic and pastors from Arkansas work together. To work with us and to encourage us and strengthen us in the work of the Lord. And they motivate us to continue to work and to find those that are lost and to share the Gospel.”
At the end of the evening, ABSC Missions Team Leader Dr. Sam Roberts told those in attendance the goal of the event was to form Gospel partnerships.
The planters will be circulating around at the ABSC Annual Meeting at Geyer Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock on Tuesday and Wednesday.