Launching new missionaries has been the highlight of Missions Morning during Fellowship Week since the beginning of time. Nothing is more exciting than to see new laborers entering the harvest!

Cody and Cassidy Gaeta (Italy)

Cody and Cassidy Gaeta were approved in May 2026 as missionaries to Italy. Cody graduated in 2023 with a degree in Intercultural Studies from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. In 2025, He earned his Masters in Biblical Counseling from Mission University. Cassidy graduated in 2023 with a degree in Intercultural Studies from Baptist Bible College. They served their internship at their sending church, Family Fellowship in Greenville, TX. Cody and Cassidy can be reached at cody.gaeta@bbfimissions.org.

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Richard and Brenda Edwards – Reinstatement (Relief Missions)

Richard and Brenda were approved as missionaries to Kenya in May 1996 where they served until their resignation in November 2001. Since returning to the States, they have been actively serving in various ministries until their reinstatement as Relief missionaries in May 2026. Richard graduated in 1984 from Word of Life Bible Institute and in 1985 from the School of Youth Ministries both located in Schroon Lake, NY. Brenda graduated in 1978 with a Missions degree from Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO. The Edwards served their internship at First Coast Baptist Church in Jacksonville, FL. Their sending church is Friendship Baptist Church in Owasso, OK. Richard and Brenda can be contacted at richard.edwards@bbfimissions.org.

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Vanessa Hartzog – Transitioning from WIN to BBFI Career (Nicaragua)

Vanessa Hartzog was approved as a missionary to Nicaragua in May 2026. Vanessa served as a WIN missionary in Nicaragua since August 2020. Vanessa graduated in 2008 with a Psychology degree from UNC Asheville. She earned a Master’s degree in Human Resources from Ottawa University in 2012. In 2025, she completed a Certificate in Missions through Mission University in Springfield, MO. In Nicaragua, she works alongside BBFI missionaries Wade and Shannon Cooperrider. Her sending church is Salt Church in Waddell, AZ. Vanessa can be reached at vanessa.hartzog@bbfimissions.org.

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New Chaplains Endorsed

Two new chaplains have been endorsed and added to our BBFI family of chaplains serving in the US Forces.

Chaplains in attendance are pictured from left to right: Chaplain Major Stephen Jimenez (Army), Chaplain Major Elliott Barrowclough (Army National Guard), Chaplain Major David Sisco (Army), Chaplain Major Joseph Isip (Army Reserves), Captain Nathaneal Logan (Army), and newly endorsed Chaplain Kevin Christiansen (Air Force) and Chaplain Don Weeks (Civil Air) – not pictured, also a retired BBFI missionary.

Guide to GO

We were thrilled to publicly announce the new Guide to GO series, designed to engage those interested in missions at all points in their journey. To see and hear more about it, CLICK HERE.