Sam and June McVay

Us 5

Appointed in August, 1996 as general missionaries, Sam and June McVay began serving in Spain in July, 1997. Their first term was mainly devoted to language and cultural studies, attending Eurocentres Language School, as well as the University of Madrid. They have completed three 3-year terms in Spain and are presently on Stateside Assignment (beginning April 1, 2008) to raise funds to return to Spain early in 2009.

Before leaving Spain in April, they were involved in various ministries of the local church.
Sam was on the church council and a member of the committee to oversee the building of the new church in Villalba. He is the Spain Field Council Chairman. June helped with the development and production of printed materials for the church and missionary team, and sang with the Praise Group at the church, and helped out with the pre-school class, when needed. She is the Secretary and Treasurer of the Spain Field Council, and keeps the webpage updated.

Sam was born in Andalusia, Alabama, but grew up in the panhandle of Florida, in Pensacola and Crestview. He is the son of Gaston and Mavis McVay. June was born in Greenville, South Carolina, but grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She is the daughter of Dr. Robert and Clara Picirilli.

Before entering missions, Sam served as the pastor's assistant/youth pastor of Cofer's Chapel FWB Church in Nashville, Tennessee for more than twenty years. Sam received a B.A. in Pastoral Administration and Bible from Free Will Baptist Bible College (FWBBC), and a diploma in Spanish Studies from the University of Madrid. June studied at FWBBC and received a B.S. in Management of Human Resources from Trevecca Nazarene University, and a diploma in Spanish Studies from the University of Madrid. June worked as an administrative assistant for Nortel Networks for 8 years prior to leaving for Spain.

Sam and June have two daughters.
Stephanie is a 2001 graduate of FWBBC with a major in missions. She spent a year in Nantes, France (8/01-5/02) as a short-term missionary, helping FWB missionaries Steve and Becky Riggs. She attended the University of Nantes and studied in a program for foreigners, which included French, geography, etc. She recently graduated with honors (cum laude) with her Master's Degree in Teaching French at MTSU (Middle Tennessee State University) and has taught some high school French classes. She is presently working as an assistant manager at an office complex.

Suzanne
went to Spain with her parents during their first term, graduating with honors from the Evangelical Christian Academy in Madrid on June 9, 2000. She graduated with honors (magna cum laude) from Free Will Baptist Bible College (FWBBC) in May, 2005, with a major in elementary education. She taught elementary school for three years in Nashville. She married Jonathan Owen on July 21, 2007. He is the son of former FWB missionaries to Uruguay, Dennis and Trena Owen. They recently moved to Fort Myers, Florida, and are expecting their first child (and Sam & June's first grandchild) in March, 2009.