Missions
Dear GBF Family,
The Missions Team (Karen Bischoff, Wayne Applegate, Samie Noonan, Rose Fittanto) along with the Elders, would like to share basic information about the Missionaries that Grace Bible Fellowship financially supports. You will receive any updates or newsletters that are sent to the Missions Team when they become available. Also, avail yourself to the missions bulletin board in the fellowship hall.
Blessings,
Grace Bible Fellowship
Dave & Vickie Hawkins
They are the founders of Grace Bible Fellowship and currently serving as missionaries with International Biblical Training, living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. They are very close to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary! They both accepted Christ during high school and attended Columbia Bible College and Seminary. They have served in churches in NJ and New Hampshire as well as Precept Ministries, Chattanooga, Caribbean Ministries Association, and presently with IBT. They are passionate about shepherding God’s people “with His all-sufficient Word for as long as God gives them life and vitality.” Dave teaches Bible study classes in his hometown, online, and travels often for the same. This past year he taught “How to preach God’s Word effectively” in St. Maarten and a course in “Bible Study Methods” in Ghana. He is a mentor to many students! Vickie has been teaching English as a Second Language classes for many years. She is very gifted in weaving the Word of God wonderfully into her teaching. Dave recently began to teach ESL classes as well.
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His Mansion Ministries
“Our mission is to restore broken lives through the hope of Jesus Christ.” His Mansion Ministries is a faith-based place of healing and transformation for individuals struggling with various addictions and life-controlling issues. Rooted in the truth of the Gospel, their mission is to lead people into freedom through a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. Residents participate in a structured, Scripture-based program that includes healing classes, one-on-one and group counseling, as well as meaningful work and personal time. This rhythm allows individuals not only to process their pain and receive guidance but also to practice new skills in real-life settings—building resilience, responsibility, and hope. At His Mansion, community is essential. Residents develop healthy relationships and a strong, positive work ethic in a safe and grace-filled environment. Since 1971, countless lives have been transformed through the power of Christ and the support of the His Mansion community. Healing happens here—and hope is restored.
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Risdens - T.E.A.M.
Since 2009, Chris and Megumi have been faithfully serving the people of Central Nagano, Japan. They help lead and support two local churches—Abundant Life Christ Church and Azumino Family Chapel—while also working to plant a new church in the mountain village of Norikura. Their vision is to see these churches become multiplying communities of faith, focused on evangelism, Bible teaching, and church planting. Through community outreach, Bible studies, and personal discipleship, Chris and Megumi are building meaningful connections and sharing the hope of Jesus with those around them. They are raising three daughters, with their oldest currently attending college in the U.S.
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Joy of Living
A Christ-centered refuge for orphaned and vulnerable children in Haiti. Founded in 2011, JOL has become home to many children who were either abandoned, abused, or suffering from serious health conditions such as AIDS or cystic fibrosis—children whose families could no longer care for them. More than just providing shelter, JOL is committed to meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each child. Every day, the staff offers love, care, nourishment, education, and the truth of the Gospel. But the mission doesn’t stop at the orphanage gates. In a country overwhelmed by poverty, political unrest, and violence, JOL extends God’s love to the surrounding community—offering food, schooling, medical trips, and support wherever possible. Haiti’s economic and security conditions have worsened significantly in recent years. Prices continue to rise as basic supplies dwindle. Daily life has grown increasingly difficult, but through it all, the orphanage remains faithful—trusting God to provide and protect. Karen Bischoff has served in Haiti for over a decade, making regular short-term visits until the COVID pandemic and the rise in kidnappings and gang violence made travel unsafe. Today, political instability and armed conflict are daily realities in Haiti, but the team at JOL presses on in faith—committed to being a light in the darkness.
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Solutions
Solutions Health and Pregnancy Center - Compassion. Care. Christ-centered Support. Solutions Health and Pregnancy Center is a licensed medical clinic with locations in Shrewsbury and Freehold, New Jersey, serving women in both English and Spanish. Solutions offers a safe, private, and supportive environment for sexually active women to find answers to critical health questions—at no cost and with no insurance required. While they do not provide or refer for abortions, they believe that offering truth, care, and tangible support can change lives. Originally started much smaller as a Helping Hands Pregnancy Center, without medical Care in 1985, they have grown and expanded quite a bit over the years. Since 2017, Solutions has provided 2158 free ultrasounds, empowering women facing unplanned pregnancies to see the life growing within them—an experience that often leads them to choose life. Their mission is deeply rooted in the love of Christ. Since 2017, they have had the opportunity to share the Gospel over 631 times, bringing hope and healing to women at risk for abortion or sexually transmitted diseases. In a recent month, 19 women made professions of faith - one month alone! At Solutions, they are committed to walking alongside each woman with grace, truth, and the practical help she needs to make informed, life-affirming choices.
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Kyiv Theological Seminary
(KTS) is a Ukrainian-run seminary that has been providing quality training for the next generation of Ukrainian pastors and missionaries since 1995. KTS now has numerous graduates who minister in Ukraine and around the world. For the past several years, KTS has had record enrollments and has expanded the undergrad program and added an MA program from the Talbot School of Theology. Despite the war, which is now in its third year, the seminary has the largest number of active students in the history of the seminary ministry - 834 students and as of graduation in July 2024, they had a record number of graduates in that one class - 312! What a blessing considering so many students have started studies in 2021 around COVID, then the war started in 2022 and studies again were interrupted. Kyiv states that “Crisis does not cancel God’s calling” so true
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Wings of the Way
Wings of the Way is a Christ-centered, mission-focused organization dedicated to rescuing survivors of sex trafficking by providing critical and timely transportation to Christ-centered safe houses. Their work is essential in ensuring that these vulnerable individuals, many of whom have no identification or documents, are swiftly relocated to safety where they can receive the necessary physical and spiritual care. Through the efforts of Christian pilots and advocates, Wings of the Way offers safe, compassionate travel experiences, guiding these survivors toward healing and hope. As they transport these broken individuals, there is always an opportunity to introduce them to the transformative love and hope found only in Jesus Christ, offering not only physical safety but also spiritual restoration.
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Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is a global disaster response organization committed to providing immediate aid in times of crisis, including conflicts, natural disasters, famine, and epidemics. With a mission grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ, they work alongside ministry partners to meet the critical needs of victims by offering food, water, shelter, medical care, and spiritual support. For over 50 years, Samaritan’s Purse has faithfully followed Christ's command to serve the hurting, the poor, and the suffering around the world. Through their relief efforts, they not only deliver essential resources but also share the hope of the Gospel, offering comfort and faith in the midst of crisis.
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