Missionaries Panama Paul and Chrissy Collins Biography

PRESENT MINISTRY
Paul and Christina (Chrissy) were appointed as career missionaries to Panama in April 2008. Following a year (2009-2010) of language school in San Jose, Costa Rica, the couple and their three children made the trek to Panama on a bus in August 2010. The Collins family settled in Chame, home of the Free Will Baptist Seminary, for six months. They spent time becoming acquainted with the seminary students, visiting many of the established Panamanian churches, and beginning the process of acclimating to the Panamanian culture and language.

The family then moved once again—this time to Santiago, the capital city of the province of Veraguas. Santiago de Veraguas, a traditional stronghold for fanatical Catholicism, had no previous Free Will Baptist presence. Julio Barahona, a January 2011 graduate of the Chame Seminary, joined the Collins to form a team church-planting effort. God is blessing their extensive outreach efforts, weekly Bible studies, and weekly Bible clubs. Two dozen kids pack out the Bible clubs each week and 10 people have come to Christ in just the first few months.

CONVERSION
Paul was saved during a revival service at the age of 19 in a one-room Baptist church in Alma, Arkansas. He felt such conviction, even before the service began, it was almost impossible for him to wait until the invitation. Once the confession of sin was made and his will surrendered to the will of His Lord, Paul was reminded of a call he had received when he was five. To this he said, “I will go where You want me to go. I’ll say what You want me to say. I’ll do what You want me to do.” A year later in a chapel service led by James Forlines at Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, Paul accepted the Lord’s direction into missions.

Chrissy’s dad led her to the Lord at the age of nine in their home. As a 13-year-old she committed herself to the Lord’s service. While attending camp, at the age of 16, Chrissy surrendered her life to God in the service of missions.

EARLY MINISTRY
In college, Paul and Chrissy were active in teaching Sunday school, Wednesday night classes, Bible studies, and college mission works. During their absence from traditional classroom education, they ministered at Murry Spur Free Will Baptist Church as youth pastors. During that time, Paul was licensed and ordained to preach in the Poteau River Valley Association. They returned to Hillsdale to complete their degrees, and again taught Sunday school and led Bible studies. Paul began to preach in various churches. After graduation, Paul became the pastor of Silver City Free Will Baptist Church.

CHILDREN
Paul and Chrissy have a son and two daughters:
Benjamin- born May 13
Lydia- born June 8
Jael- born September 19

HOME CHURCH
Silver City Free Will Baptist Church, Silver City, OK