Women on Mission - February 2026 Update
February 2026 Update
Women on Mission shared a time of fellowship and learning about work in Zambia, Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) when they met Feb. 9. The Rev. Bill Schakat, pastor of Redeemer Baptist Church in Blairsville, spoke about his mission work there.
In 2025 Pastor Bill made his fourth mission trip to Zambia and also went to the DRC for the second time with Gospelink Ministries International, founded in 1998. On this trip, Pastor Bill visited five of Gospel Link’s 15 zones in Zambia. Gospelink serves 17 countries, sponsoring 1,250 pastors in Africa, Asia, and Eurasia. It connects churches and individuals in America with indigenous pastors and local churches, providing theological education and leadership training for pastors, planting churches, supporting orphans, and offering medical care.
Zambia is a former British colony, part of what was northern Rhodesia. English is the official language and there are 73 tribal languages. Per capita income averages less than $800 per year, with Pastor Bill stating only $200 a month can support a pastor and his family in Zambia. Noting that some trips to remote areas require carrying extra gasoline, when things don’t go as expected, the saying is TIA, “That Is Africa.”
Each year Gospelink's Ambassador International University graduates 25 young men who receive a free theological education and sends them throughout the country to plant churches. Gospelink supports these pastors financially for three years and helps them start a business, teaching them to be self-sufficient, "to rely on God and not on Americans," Pastor Bill said. This method also helps their people understand about tithing and serving. Through Gospelink, Zambian orphans are placed with pastoral families.
Pastor Bill's primary function in Zambia is pastoral training. “I have learned so much from the African believers and pastors. They teach me more than I teach them,” he said. During the 2025 trip he developed a program on leadership principles for Congolese pastors. He noted that Zambian pastors are further along in their church-life development than the Congolese, who are affected by ongoing civil strife in the DRC.
In addition to the formal training, Pastor Bill said his mission team showed the "Jesus" film twice each night, and “people literally came running to see the Gospel message.”
In 2025 Pastor Bill made his fourth mission trip to Zambia and also went to the DRC for the second time with Gospelink Ministries International, founded in 1998. On this trip, Pastor Bill visited five of Gospel Link’s 15 zones in Zambia. Gospelink serves 17 countries, sponsoring 1,250 pastors in Africa, Asia, and Eurasia. It connects churches and individuals in America with indigenous pastors and local churches, providing theological education and leadership training for pastors, planting churches, supporting orphans, and offering medical care.
Zambia is a former British colony, part of what was northern Rhodesia. English is the official language and there are 73 tribal languages. Per capita income averages less than $800 per year, with Pastor Bill stating only $200 a month can support a pastor and his family in Zambia. Noting that some trips to remote areas require carrying extra gasoline, when things don’t go as expected, the saying is TIA, “That Is Africa.”
Each year Gospelink's Ambassador International University graduates 25 young men who receive a free theological education and sends them throughout the country to plant churches. Gospelink supports these pastors financially for three years and helps them start a business, teaching them to be self-sufficient, "to rely on God and not on Americans," Pastor Bill said. This method also helps their people understand about tithing and serving. Through Gospelink, Zambian orphans are placed with pastoral families.
Pastor Bill's primary function in Zambia is pastoral training. “I have learned so much from the African believers and pastors. They teach me more than I teach them,” he said. During the 2025 trip he developed a program on leadership principles for Congolese pastors. He noted that Zambian pastors are further along in their church-life development than the Congolese, who are affected by ongoing civil strife in the DRC.
In addition to the formal training, Pastor Bill said his mission team showed the "Jesus" film twice each night, and “people literally came running to see the Gospel message.”
Ministry Opportunity
Emily Holder announced February's ministry focus will be “Sleep in Heavenly Peace," which provides beds for children in the Union County community. Current needs are twin-size bedding: sheets, blankets, comforters, etc. Items may be brought to the next WOM meeting in March. First Baptist Sunday School classes and Bible study small groups are invited to participate.
Coming in March
Next month Brenda McCaulley with Cru (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ) will be speak about the "Jesus" film ministry. Brenda has served with Cru for 47 years, a journey spanning four states and mission projects in seven nations. Currently based in Orlando, Fla., she serves with Cru's Jesus Film Project, where she helps bring the life-changing story of Jesus to everyone everywhere in their own language, reaching the ends of the Earth with the Gospel message in ways people can truly understand.
The WOM meeting on March 9 will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a covered-dish luncheon in the Buchanan hall at First Baptist, followed by the speaker's presentation at noon.
Ongoing Activities
WOM also supports Hope House of Union County by collecting personal hygiene items such as shampoo, body wash, deodorant, etc., which are distributed free of charge to Hope House clients. Through offerings collected monthly and budget funding from First Baptist, WOM are supporting the following ministries:
- Cowboy Church of Jerusalem to purchase food and new boots.
- Pure Love Pure Water for more filters to be sent to missionaries.
- The Clarkston After-School Ministry, which provides a meal for the children and to purchase supplies for the children.