Joe and Pauline Watkins
2200 English Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46201-4017
February 6, 2004
Dear Co-Laborer,
Greetings in Christ’s Holy
Name! Thanks so much for praying for me. I had a wonderful trip to Zambia and
South Africa. It was such a joy to meet and teach many nationals in those
countries. The nationals do appreciate very much when we take the time and
effort to visit them. It seems to greatly encourage them when the leaders of
TCM see their ministry first hand.
I had to cut my visit a
little short in South Africa since I was having some heart problems. I had to
leave a week ahead of schedule but I believe it didn’t hinder my reason for
going to South Africa. I was able to meet with the leaders and teach in three
Grace churches and spend time with Dean Padayhag, our Filipino Missionary to
S.A. He wrote, "Thank you for your visit. I enjoyed every moment of it and
I am looking forward to seeing you again. Thanks for your gracious heart and
your willingness to help my ministry here."
The time has come,
Pauline and I are both 70 years old now. As we did in 1986 in the Philippines, we will turn the
ministry over to younger men as we did in the Philippines. I am beginning to
see that we can’t do what we used to do, the old body can’t keep up. I had told
the board of TCM that I wanted to step aside as director at the end of this
year—2004. During their January 2004 board meeting, the board of TCM, after
much prayer and consideration, elected Ben Anderson to become the Executive
Director in January 2005, at which time I will become the Associate Director.
Pauline will continue her ministry in the office.
This does not mean that
I will retire. It
means that I will be ministering alongside of Ben but he will be the leader,
beginning January 2005. I will also have other responsibilities. This will give
us more opportunity to improve our support of the missionaries and improve the
outreach of TCM. I will also be teaching in the Berean Bible Institute in
Spencer, WI. I am looking forward to being able to use my experience to teach
others.
Let me say something
about the Berean Bible Institute. It has as its main goal to prepare evangelists, pastors
and missionaries for the ministry. There is such a need for pastors and
missionaries. TCM’s greatest need right now is for more missionaries. Pauline
and I began our ministry in the Philippines training pastors Bible Women,
Evangelists and church leaders. I would love to end our ministry doing the
same.
So let me repeat, I am
director until the end 2004, then I will become the associate director of TCM
and a Bible teacher in the BBI. We will still need your support both prayer and
financial. The BBI does not have the funds to pay me. It is a small, but
growing, school. Therefore, we will still need support for personal and
ministry expenses. Let me remind you that we are missionaries of TCM, but
ministering in the USA. Our financial support comes from gifts to us, not from
the General Fund of TCM. You have all been so faithful as you have co-labored
with us. We have been able to accomplish so much through your help. We must not
stop now, we must move into new areas of ministry and let the young
missionaries take over the leadership.
Ben Anderson grew up in TCM
as the son of Vernon and Darlene Anderson. He grew up with our kids in the
Philippines. He stayed in our home many times during vacations from Faith
Academy. He has been a TCM missionary for 18 years in Kenya. He knows very well
the goals and principles of TCM. I have complete confidence in him becoming the
Executive Director.
I will close now. I will be
saying more about this from time to time. We do want you to be completely
informed since we are a team. If you have any questions please call me at
(317)262-8806 in the daytime or write. We will be happy to answer.
I probably should mention
that I was checked up in the hospital overnight in South Africa and the doctor
didn’t find anything wrong other than the premature heart beats. I have had
pre-mature beats or palpitations for some years and am on medication for them.
But this time they were stronger and different so I decided I had better go to
the hospital and check it out. I have checked with my cardiologist here and he
has changed my medicine. He wants me to stay around here for about 6 weeks
while I am trying out this new medicine. I have felt normal ever since getting
out of the hospital.
Yours in Christ,
Joe and Pauline Watkins