My wife and I served where we were and took steps to serve the Lord in missions. We had great counsel from our sending pastor. He said, “You go forward with what God has placed on your hearts, and God will close the door, if He is not in it.” That was in 1989! Our desires grew, and we arrived in Côte d’Ivoire. This was not where we were headed! We were going to Liberia and never ended up there due to political unrest in the area. Our ministry began with people who wanted to see the gospel spread and churches established!
Making disciples and preparing servants of God was the joy of our ministry. There is no greater joy than to see people trained and taking the gospel to other regions. Opportunities through local churches, the Baptist Theological Institute, and the Benjy Youth Center expanded our personal ministries. Also, we offered English classes as an evangelistic outreach in order to reach the working class. It is an amazing thing to use our gifts from God and see Him multiply them for the advancement of the gospel.
Gayle, my wife, whom the Ivorians affectionately called, “Momma,” went to be with the Lord on October 18, 2018. She worked tirelessly with men, women, youth, and children and showed all what it meant to be passionate for Jesus Christ her Lord.
(Steve has been an emeritus BMM missionary since 2021.)