ministry there but quickly began planning another trip. In the fall of 2012, they spent two months in North Carolina working for several weeks with CBF field personnel Cecelia Beck and Anna and LaCount Anderson. The Stevensons pitched in with the food pantry and clothing store, as well as tutoring children and other tasks. “Pete and Fran are sent by God,” said LaCount. “They came to us during a time that we needed additional help, joined in our In California, Fran Stevenson, center, teaches English classes for immigrants and refugees. work as if they had been here for years and shared the love of in nearby Fremont, who works among the economy fell through the floor and the Christ to those whom they encountered. We Bay Area’s large Afghan community. war in Afghanistan wound down. The are thankful for their ministry among us.” “Rick said, ‘What are you going to U.S. government stopped fast-tracking the Fran Stevenson’s journey — from a child do in retirement? I have a proposition immigration of Afghan refugees. The wave in England, to Australia, to the U.S. West for you,’” said Fran. turned into a trickle. Coast, and finally into a 17-foot travel trailer In 2005 she got involved teaching “I had been getting two families a week,” roaming the United States to minister to field English as a second language, which Stevenson said. “Then none.” personnel — was anything but expected. In led to helping new immigrants settle She continued to minister among the fact, Fran suggested, she more likely would into American life, get driver’s licenses families already there, but with Pete’s have been the object of CBF ministry. and other documentation. That led to retirement approaching, the couple looked “My life went down some murky a microenterprise ministry, helping the for another way to be involved in ministry. roads, some really murky roads,” she said. Afghan families find new, practical sources The answer was partnership — stepping in “Disheartened, broken, abandoned, the of income in a strange land. to help fellow CBF field personnel when most marginalized, the most neglected — She loved the work, especially they need a couple extra hands. you’re looking at it!” developing long-term relationships with “You come alongside them as a blessing,” Born with a cleft palette, Fran eventually the Afghans. Her volunteer work became she said. “You don’t own the ministry, so found a career teaching autistic and deaf a new career when, in 2007, she herself you can do it light-hearted.” children, most recently at the California became one of CBF’s field personnel. More The Stevensons haven’t settled on their School for the Deaf. She never considered a than a career change, she said, the move has next destination — maybe Arizona and career in ministry — until she found herself been a spiritual transformation. New Mexico. It doesn’t matter. When doing ministry. “This has been a whole new way of their truck and trailer are packed up, the While working in the sign-language walking with the Lord, a gift for my life,” possibilities are as endless as the road in ministry at Crossroads Church in Fremont, said Stevenson. “I will never be the same. I front of them. Calif., she met fellow church member Rick am changed forever.” Sample, one of CBF’s field personnel based After a wave of refugees in 2009, the By contributing writer Greg Warner
serve
If you or your church are interested in serving alongside CBF field personnel, contact CBF staff member Chris Boltin at engage@thefellowship.info. You can also go online to www.thefellowship.info/serve to learn about specific opportunities. fellowship!
April/May 2013
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