September Missions Morning
On September 15-17, 2025, the Baptist Bible Fellowship International gathered at Central Baptist Church in Tyler, TX, to celebrate the Fellowship’s 75th anniversary. The week was filled with uplifting worship, encouraging fellowship and challenging preaching. The members and staff of Central Baptist Church did an amazing job serving and making everyone feel welcome.
On Monday evening and Tuesday morning, all in attendance were blessed by some incredible preaching by BBFI pastors Bruce Garner, Blake Housley and Brian Moore. Tuesday evening featured Bruce O’Neal, President Emeritus of MANNA Worldwide, and BBFI President, Jon Haley.
Wednesday morning began with the Church Planting hour, where we were able to meet some of the newest church planters in our Fellowship. Then the remainder of the day had a definitive missions vibe to it. The BBFI Mission Office had the honor of presenting two newly approved Career missionary families, along with a reinstatement to Missionary Care.
Missionary Approvals
Jordan & Laura Franklin (Argentina)
Jordan and Laura Franklin were approved as missionaries to Argentina in September 2025. Jordan graduated in 2020 with a degree in Missions from West Coast Baptist College in Lancaster, CA. Jordan also earned a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Laura graduated in 2023 with a degree in Missions and Women’s Ministry from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX. They completed their internship at their sending church, CrossPoint Church in Huntington Beach, CA. Jordan is the son of Tom and Regina Franklin, veteran BBFI missionaries to the Dominican Republic. They can be contacted at Jordan.Franklin@bbfimissions.org.
Jonathan & Olivia Solomon (Chile)
Jonathan and Olivia Solomon were approved as missionaries to Chile in September 2025. They completed their internship in Chile under the leadership of Jonathan’s parents, Joel and Wendy Solomon. Their sending church is Cherry Street Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. They can be contacted at Jonathan.Solomon@bbfimissions.org.
Steve & Jenell Bender (STEP – Reinstatement)
Steve and Jenell were approved as BBFI missionaries to Korea in September 1983. Steve and Jenell graduated from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, California in 1982. They served their missions internship at Grayson Bible Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas.
The Benders arrived in Korea in September 1984 and served there until April 1998 at which time God moved them to Springdale, Arkansas. In Springdale, Steve served as associate pastor at Temple Baptist Church until moving to Springfield, Missouri to become an Associate Mission Director for the Baptist Bible Fellowship International in August 2000.
After serving 25 years at the BBFI Mission Office and overseeing missionary care, the Lord called Steve and Jenell back to the mission field to continue helping and encouraging missionaries around the globe. In September 2025, the Benders were reinstated as BBFI missionaries through the STEP program. Their sending church is Graceway Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. They can be contacted at Steve.Bender@bbfimissions.org.
The newest Project 938 documentary was also presented on Wednesday morning. This latest edition features the 50-year ministry of Oliver and Gloria Williams (Peru). It is a moving tribute to a life of faith that has produced a fruitful ministry that still remains. The documentary can be found here: www.Project938.world.
Perhaps one of the most encouraging highlights of the week was hearing messages from some of our international pastors and BBFI missionary, Andrew Perez (Philippines). On Wednesday morning, Pastor Jerry Nable from Manila, Philippines shared a very missions-minded sermon. Then, on the same evening, Andrew Perez kicked things off with an uplifting message, and Pastor Luis Monge, from Costa Rica, closed out the Conference by challenging the Fellowship to prepare the next generation of pastors and missionaries for the work of the Great Commission. It was a powerful ending to a truly uplifting week.
-by Brian Garrison, BBFI Associate Mission Director
