Pastors Transition at Calvary International, Bangkok

Written by John Blackmon

Recently, there have been many transitions in the life of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC), specifically in our Asia Baptist Network churches. One transition is from Pastor Martin Chappell to Pastor John Blackmon at Calvary International Baptist Church (CIBC) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Martin and Carrie Chappell are retiring from overseas work and transitioning to a new role in the mainland U.S. at the end of December 2024.

John, his wife Cheryl, and their children, Lillie Jo and Josiah, have been in Bangkok for twoand-a-half years preparing for the new role. CIBC marked the transition with two special Sundays, one on November 24th, when the CIBC family “gave thanks” for Martin and Carrie Chappell and their 22+ years.

As Pastor John led the service for the Chappells, he and the CIBC language pastors looked to Hebrews 13:7 to honor Pastor Martin’s ministry focused on “the Word of God.”

On December 8th, Pastor Martin charged John and the congregation, reminding them that the same God who has guided CIBC will continue and that he believes the best days of CIBC may still be ahead.

Calvary International Baptist was founded in 1958 by missionaries from the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (IMB). The Sunday morning worship is in English, representing many countries of origin. They also have Burmese, Thai/Karen, and Nepali language ministries.