News Panama Honors the Past

January 7th, 2012

General Director Clint Morgan is in Panama attending the 50th anniversary celebration. The following report comes from him.

The churches in Panama kicked off their 50th anniversary celebration with a Founders Dinner on Friday night, January 6, 2012. Pastors, missionaries, and lay people gathered at a restaurant for a time of fellowship, reflection on the past, and a great meal. Around 300 people attended. Photo and video presentations, heart-stirring testimonies, devotional thoughts, cultural expressions of celebration, and commemorative plaques and certificates honoring the founders of the ministry in Panama made up the two and a half hour program.

Free Will Baptist missionaries, both former and present, were honored by the church. Glenda Fulcher and her daughter Susan Burke along with Tom Willey Jr., his daughter Kathy and her family, were properly honored. Stan and Brenda Bunch, who will be leaving Panama January 26 for a new ministry in the States, were given a plaque honoring their 26 years of service here.

A reflective mood prevailed as we took an audiovisual glance at the past. We were challenged by the sight of new pastors and leaders emerging and the vision of the task before them.

Saturday, January 7, four students will graduate from the Bible institute in Chame—one more indication that Panamanian churches are moving forward. For this we can praise His name.