- sECTION 7 -
bethel foreign
missions foundation
The Bethel Foreign Mission Foundation began in 1960, as the David Merwin Family was getting ready to go to Korea for the first time. The pastors of the Bethel Ministerial Association felt the need of having a central point to forward funds to the Merwins and other missionaries who were going to foreign soil.
Rev. Don Matthews was the first Secretary and helped to get Bethel Foreign Missionary Foundation off and going to a good start. He kept in contact with the missionaries and sent the funds that were designated to them each month as well as coordinate the efforts of the individual churches of the BMA.
Rev. David Williams assumed the responsibilities after Rev. Don Matthews, and held this task very dear to his heart until his death. He was known as a friend to missions and did all he could to further the cause of World Missions. Under his leadership, the number of missionaries and the amount of funds sent to the field continued to increase.
After the untimely death of Rev. Williams, Rev. Merwyn Masters took the responsibility of the Bethel Foreign Mission Foundation and did an outstanding job for the cause of Christ. Then, the Missionary Secretary position was filled by former missionary to Korea, Rev. David Merwin. In July of 1991, Rev. Merwin moved to the state of Oregon to take a position in a local church to coordinate their missions program. Rev. Merwyn Masters filled the position again until November of 1992, at which time Rev. Joseph Greene filled the position of Missionary Secretary. Brother Joe and Sister Hiawanna served for over twenty eight years, faithfully administering our support of missionaries, even serving on the mission field themselves in Haiti. Two years ago, they passed those responsibilities to Rev Jose and Sandy Rodriguez. The Rodriguez's served in the U.S. Army for a full career with Jose retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Since that retirement, they have served as executive directors in the Global Grace Fellowship, ministering to missionaries around the world, as they continue to do so. However, now they have passed those responsibilities on to the BMA Secretary, Rev Dave Matthews who will become our new secretary for BFMF. We welcome his leadership!
As God has given increase, our Bethel churches have supported hundreds of missionaries over the years with hundreds of thousands of dollars and with the lives of its young people. The witness of lives affected by its missionaries will only be fully known in heaven. However, as many have been faithful to the call of God on their lives, even on occasion to their deaths, God has brought forth the fruit of their labors to His glory and His kingdom.
Rev. Don Matthews was the first Secretary and helped to get Bethel Foreign Missionary Foundation off and going to a good start. He kept in contact with the missionaries and sent the funds that were designated to them each month as well as coordinate the efforts of the individual churches of the BMA.
Rev. David Williams assumed the responsibilities after Rev. Don Matthews, and held this task very dear to his heart until his death. He was known as a friend to missions and did all he could to further the cause of World Missions. Under his leadership, the number of missionaries and the amount of funds sent to the field continued to increase.
After the untimely death of Rev. Williams, Rev. Merwyn Masters took the responsibility of the Bethel Foreign Mission Foundation and did an outstanding job for the cause of Christ. Then, the Missionary Secretary position was filled by former missionary to Korea, Rev. David Merwin. In July of 1991, Rev. Merwin moved to the state of Oregon to take a position in a local church to coordinate their missions program. Rev. Merwyn Masters filled the position again until November of 1992, at which time Rev. Joseph Greene filled the position of Missionary Secretary. Brother Joe and Sister Hiawanna served for over twenty eight years, faithfully administering our support of missionaries, even serving on the mission field themselves in Haiti. Two years ago, they passed those responsibilities to Rev Jose and Sandy Rodriguez. The Rodriguez's served in the U.S. Army for a full career with Jose retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Since that retirement, they have served as executive directors in the Global Grace Fellowship, ministering to missionaries around the world, as they continue to do so. However, now they have passed those responsibilities on to the BMA Secretary, Rev Dave Matthews who will become our new secretary for BFMF. We welcome his leadership!
As God has given increase, our Bethel churches have supported hundreds of missionaries over the years with hundreds of thousands of dollars and with the lives of its young people. The witness of lives affected by its missionaries will only be fully known in heaven. However, as many have been faithful to the call of God on their lives, even on occasion to their deaths, God has brought forth the fruit of their labors to His glory and His kingdom.