NEWS around the World>>> ONE 27
Panama—Cirilo Mendoza was ordained February 24, 2013, in Chitré, Panama. Cirilo and his wife Katia graduated from the Chame seminary in January.
Former General Director Rolla D. Smith Dies Antioch, TN—Reverend Rolla D. Smith, former general director of Free Will
Brazil—On Sunday, April 14, 2013, at the First FWB Church of Araras, São Paulo, Brazil, Pastor Elizeu and Assistant Pastor Jeferson baptized nine people (two men, five women, and two young girls).
Baptist Foreign Missions, entered
Heaven’s
gates
around 1:45 a.m., March 15, 2013. The
92-year-old
was
hospitalized and diagnosed
Panama—On Easter, March 31, 2013, Pastor Julio baptized three new believers (Manuel pictured) at the mission work in Santiago, Panama.
with pneumonia earlier this month. Brother Smith was transferred to West Meade Place, a rehab facility, where he continued to decline and died. Smith had the unique responsibility of serving as
Uruguay—The Santa Teresa congregation dedicated their new building on April 14. The church, located in Rivera, Uruguay, has been under construction for several years. A standing-room-only crowd filled the sanctuary as the group rejoiced over the building’s completion and opportunities to better connect with the community.
general director two times. He was first asked to serve in 1959 and continued until 1962. Following his resignation as general director, the Missouri native was elected to the mission board where he served faithfully from August 1962 until July 1975. During those years, he also pastored churches in Missouri, Georgia, and Tennessee. The board asked him to serve a second stint as general director and Smith spent another 11 years at the helm
France—A young Christian in the St. Sebastien youth group (whose mother is Muslim and objects to his conversion) recently led two other young men to the Lord.
(1975-1986) of the foreign missions department. “Uncle Rolla,” as missionary kids worldwide called him, loved missionary families and was passionate about getting the gospel to the regions beyond. Rolla Smith's funeral was held Sunday, March 17. His first wife, Agnes (Scott) died shortly after his retirement.
France—The La Boissiere Church in Nantes witnessed the baptism of Louise on April 8, 2013. Louise’s family, practicing Catholics, began attending the church several years ago and several family members have come to Christ throughout the last few years.
He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Helen Ketteman Smith; daughter, Beth (Vernon) Whaley; grandchildren, Laurie (Jeremy) Whaley Roe and Jeremy (Kenya) Whaley; great-grandchildren, Carter, Luca, and Noah; sister, Genelle Scott; step-children, Greg (Jill) Ketteman, Carol (Garnett) Reid, and Joy (Randy) Corn; 11 stepgrandchildren and 5 step-great-grandchildren.