R. G. Hutchison serves as Director of Bible Methodist Missions, bringing over a decade of experience as a missionary and field director in the Philippines, where he trained pastors and led theological education. A former pastor with advanced degrees in ministry and intercultural studies, he is also pursuing a Ph.D. at Biola University. R.G. is passionate about helping believers live in the reality of union with Christ, as reflected in his book and ministry focus on Galatians 2:20.
Global Missions
Proclaiming Holiness to the Nations
At the heart of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches is a deep and abiding commitment to missions—both at home and around the world. Our connectional family believes that the message of holiness and the love of Christ are meant to be shared across cultures, languages, and borders.
Our Mission
Our mission is to serve and equip people groups for the sake of peoples unreached with the gospel.
Serve
This is our posture or attitude and describes our partnering role with national churches and missionaries. This emphasizes the fact that each missionary and national leader must lead the way as far as ministry on their field is concerned and that we will endeavor to serve the vision God has placed in their hearts. This emphasizes a non-paternalistic, humble, indigenous approach to missions.
Equip
This speaks to our primary service to the national church—placing spiritual and practical tools into their hands and training them in the effective use of those tools. By this we will multiply Christian workers who will multiply churches.
People Groups
People groups (groups with same cultures and languages), rather than politically defined nations. “…teach all people groups” seems to be the proper interpretation of the Great Commission. There are less than 200 politically defined “nations” in the world, but 3,000 people groups still unreached.
For the Sake of People Groups Unreached
This emphasizes the fact that our commitment to national church strengthening is not an end but a means to reaching others, until the whole world hears. This understanding is important if we are going to be united in purpose and if we are going to challenge this generation to go where the gospel has not been preached.
Our Goals
We believe missions is not just about sending, but also about praying, partnering, and going—with intentionality and compassion. To accomplish our mission, we will meet the following goals:
- We will cultivate like-minded partnerships with persons and institutions when it is strategic to our mission, including Shepherd’s Global Classroom.
- We will focus on biblical discipleship and theological / Christian leadership training.
- We will nurture national workers by responding to their crisis needs, sharing with their families and bearing their burdens in ways which will cultivate relationship but not create dependency.
- We will aid the national church in church planting by promoting pioneer pastor’s support and church construction projects.
- We will pray fervently for Christian workers, both national and missionaries.
- We will challenge young people in the United States toward a “missional” lifestyle.
- We will proactively plan for growth and for reaching unreached peoples.
- We will sacrificially send out Christian missionaries both to the reached and to the unreached.
Our Leadership
The Bible Methodist Missions program is guided by a dedicated leadership team with global experience in pastoral ministry, intercultural training, and theological education. Under the direction of Rev. R.G. Hutchison, the team works collaboratively to support missionaries, develop strategic partnerships, and equip indigenous leaders for gospel-centered impact around the world.
R.G. Hutchison
Missions Director
Missions Committee
Left to Right: David Fogleman, Jr., Aaron Johnson, Chris Cravens, Doug Eads, Deron Fourman, R.G. Hutchison, David Ward, Blake Jones, Chelle Durr, (not pictured, Rob Cravens and Viola Durr).
Our Missionaries
We are blessed to partner with faithful men and women who serve on the front lines of ministry. They are not only proclaiming the Word, but living it—through acts of compassion, evangelism, discipleship, and church development.
Shirley Fogleman
- shirley8247@gmail.com
- 812-276-7607
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- Shirley served in Papua New Guinea through teaching and mentoring, and now continues to support the Bible Fellowship Church as a liaison despite no longer living there full-time.
Papua New Guinea
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Shirley Fogleman first served in Papua New Guinea in the early 1980s. After living in the US for 30 years, she was privileged to return to PNG where she began working in partnership with the national leadership of the Bible Fellowship Church of PNG – a group of about 65 congregations located in the Southern and Western Highlands as well as in the cities of Lae and Port Moresby.
“As an older single lady,” Shirley shares, “I had some misgivings, but the Lord went before me and opened a door of service. I taught in Tega Bible School. I joined the Bible Fellowship ladies in their weekly meetings. Once a year I attended their National Conference. What a thrill that was!”
Shirley has a BA in Theology and MA in Christian Education. But, her favorite place was her “Table Top Ministry”. “I can’t tell you what a joy is was to serve coffee and dessert at my dining room table. It was there that I heard their life stories and testimonies of God’s saving grace.”
Shirley also helped to launch a Shepherds Global Classroom training program for Christian leaders in PNG.
Although she can no longer live full time in PNG because of Macular Degeneration and the ongoing treatments required to control it, nevertheless, her heart is still there. And she continues to serve on our missionary team as our liaison to our ministry partners in the Bible Fellowship Church of PNG.
Maricka Herrer
- marickaherrer@gmail.com
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- Maricka, originally from South Africa, now oversees Africa 85—a ministry providing training to underserved African pastors—after serving in the Philippines and studying at God’s Bible School.
South Africa
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Born and raised in South Africa, Maricka completed her studies in missions, Bible, and theology at God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, after which she served for three years at the Bible Methodist Shepherds College in the Philippines.
Returning to South Africa in 2020, she helped launch Africa 85, a joint initiative between Bible Methodist Missions and Hope International Missions, which seeks to provide accessible training to underserved pastors in Africa, of which she helps to manage day-to-day operations as an administrative assistant.
Whenever her primary assignment with Africa 85 allows for it, she’s also involved in her home Afrikaans-speaking church denomination with music and youth ministry, as well as global mission awareness initiatives.
David & Diana Martinez
- jdavidmartinezpulido@gmail.com
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- David and Diana Martínez serve in Mexico, focusing on theological education and translation work, while preparing for future church planting in Oaxaca and enjoying family life and ministry together.
Mexico
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David and Diana Martínez are missionaries serving in Mexico. David holds a BA in Ministerial Education from GBS&C and an MA in Bible from the Central American Theological Seminary (SETECA). He is fluent in both Spanish and English. Diana, fluent in Spanish and currently learning English, also participates in the ministry.
David’s primary focus is on theological education at Ezra Biblical Seminary, and he often translates SGC curriculum and other Sunday school materials into Spanish. They are preparing for church planting in Oaxaca while also anticipating the growth of their family. In his free time, David enjoys reading and writing, while Diana loves experimenting with new Mexican recipes.
Brennan & Ivon Muir
- bmuir88@yahoo.com
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- Brennan and Ivon Muir have served in Mexico since 2013, focusing on discipleship and theological training through Ezra Biblical Seminary while engaging in ministry both formally and informally.
Mexico
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Brennan and Ivon Muir have been serving under Bible Methodist Missions in Mexico since 2013. Both have bachelor degrees in World Missions and Intercultural Studies.
Brennan recently earned an MA in Biblical Studies and is also an ordained elder with the Heartland Bible Methodist Conference. Ministry activities include teaching and training through Ezra Biblical Seminary, which exists to make disciples of Christ who are passionate about knowing, obeying, and sharing the Word of God (Ezra 7:10).
Their favorite area of ministry is making disciples in non-formal settings, beginning in the home with their three children—Brennan, Jared, and Alessandra. Family pastimes include reading books, playing sports, playing music, learning carpentry, and exploring new locations.
Tim & Rebekah Slavens
- (989) 487-9069
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- Timothy and Rebekah Slavens, with their five children, are preparing to serve in Mexico with Bible Methodist Missions. They are graduates of Hobe Sound Bible College and love ministering together as a family.
Mexico
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Timothy and Rebekah Slavens, together with their 5 children, Timothy III, Kora, Elwyn, Kaisley, and Khloe (oldest to youngest) are the newest members of the Bible Methodist Missions team. They are very excited to be a part of what God is doing through the BMM. Lord willing, they will be serving in Mexico following language school.
Both Timothy and Rebekah are graduates of Hobe Sound Bible College. Rebekah graduated with a BA in music education and Timothy graduated with a BA in ministerial studies with a minor in missions. They have been privileged to serve in the Great Lakes Regional Conference of the Bible Methodist Connection of Churches, in which Timothy is an ordained elder. One of their family’s favorite pastimes is spending time in the great outdoors!
Paul and Esther T.
- PO Box E, Port Clinton, OH 43452
- Paul and Esther serve in the 10/40 Window, focusing on relationship-building and teaching among Buddhist communities in the Himalayas. Their work includes language acquisition and cross-cultural ministry to advance the gospel in this strategic region.
Nepal
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Greetings from the T family! Paul, Esther, Menita, Isaiah, Yoshua, and Dietrich live in what is known as the 10/40 window in Asia. Their ministry focus is teaching and building relationships among Buddhist peoples of the Himalaya. Besides language study and exploring Asian countries, they enjoy hikes that turn slightly into climbs!
Paul has a BA in General Christian Studies from HSBC, and an MA in TESOL from Cornerstone University. Esther has a BA in music education from HSBC. They speak some Chinese and are currently studying Nepali. Paul has also studied Tibetan off and on for several years.
Get Involved
Missions is a shared calling—and every church, family, and individual has a part to play.
Pray
Support our missionaries and mission fields regularly in prayer.
Consider contributing to Bible Methodist Missions. Designated giving allows you to directly impact a field or project.
Go
Opportunities may be available for short-term mission trips, internships, or long-term calling.
Partner
Churches are encouraged to adopt a mission field, missionary, or special project as part of their annual ministry focus.
Stay Connected
We regularly share updates, photos, and prayer requests from the field through our publications and conference reports. Subscribe to the Bible Methodist Magazine and join our mailing list for the latest stories of God at work around the globe.