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Celebrating Dr. Mary Wilder NewsFeaturesPress Releases

Celebrating Dr. Mary Wilder

The Christian Medical & Dental Association honored Dr. Mary Wilder with their 2025 Servant of Christ Award! In addition to her years as a neurosurgeon and seminary professor, Dr. Wilder served with WorldVenture (CBI) at Shikarpur Christian Hospital in Pakistan for two decades, providing life-saving care among unreached people and least-reached communities. That compassion was driven by her strong faith in Jesus. And her impact was felt far and wide, including on WorldVenture president, Dr. Jeff Denlinger, and vice president of Global Initiatives, Dr. Marty Shaw. "Dr. Mary is a hero of faith to many, many CBFMS-CBI-WV alumni and partners,…
May 14, 2025
Commemorating A Faithful Missionary to The Philippines News

Commemorating A Faithful Missionary to The Philippines

(Denver, CO) - WorldVenture sadly announces that Carla Chanco, long-time missionary to the Philippines, died Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Carla was born in California, raised in Oregon, and pursued academic studies and a career in secretarial work. She felt a strong call to missions in 1983 that led her to use her administrative and evangelistic gifts to make disciples in the Philippines. It was during that time that she met the Rev. Rene Chanco. They were married in 1987 and have two children.  Carla served faithfully with her husband, Rene Chanco, in the Philippines for more than three decades. Appointed…
July 30, 2021
Dr. Leonard Tuggy News

Dr. Leonard Tuggy

It is with sadness as well as joy that we learned Dr. Leonard Tuggy passed away Thursday January 7, 2021 and was received into the arms of the Savior who he loved and served. Dr. Leonard Tuggy and his wife Jeannette were appointed with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society in 1956 to serve in the Philippines. Dr. Tuggy’s central ministries over the years in the Philippines had been evangelism, church planting, teaching, and leadership development. During their first term, he developed lessons on basic Christian beliefs for new believers. He also worked with a young but growing church in…
January 9, 2021
2 Ways to Help Beirut News

2 Ways to Help Beirut

The Beirut explosion on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 left 300,000 people homeless, 135 people dead, 5,000 wounded, and according to USA Today, up to 15 billion dollars in damages. While Lebanese neighbors scour the city for missing relatives, we pray. As the Red Cross warns that death toll numbers could rise, we pray. As our colleagues in Beirut lament, we pray. Our colleague writes, “We sleep. We wake. Shocked and numb. It seems it was an accident, they say. A horrible accident. Only Hiroshima and Nagasaki more powerful. Can’t scream, can’t cry. Work. We can work. Grab my daughter and…
August 6, 2020
Photo by Artem Beliaikin from Pexels
Open Letter From Jeff Denlinger To The WorldVenture Family Regarding COVID-19 NewsPress Releases

Open Letter From Jeff Denlinger To The WorldVenture Family Regarding COVID-19

To The Extended WorldVenture Family, All of us are acutely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. In the midst of the challenges to adapt to the new realities in which we find ourselves, I find great peace in the anchoring truth that God alone is sovereign. He always has been, he always will be, and he is sovereign today. The virus is not sovereign though it covers nearly the whole earth; nor is the accompanying fear of the virus sovereign; there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ. It is to him we turn regardless of our circumstances. It is because of…
March 18, 2020
News

Coronavirus Can’t Stop The Great Commission

The following is from an email sent recently to our partners: Well, 2020 has been quite unexpected, hasn't it?  COVID-19, the "Coronavirus," is impacting and disrupting our lives and plans, locally and globally.  It's good at these times to remember that God is not disrupted; He is sovereign and even this will be worked out for His glory and our good.  All praise to Him! With hundreds of WorldVenture workers throughout Asia and across the world, we've been monitoring the situation for several weeks.  You'll be pleased to know that we have leaders and protocols in place to provide information…
March 13, 2020
The Taal Volcano Aftermath News

The Taal Volcano Aftermath

Spewing an eruption column 3,281 feet into the air, Taal interrupted life in the Phillippines on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Images of evacuations, ash-covered homes, and roadways as well as animals dead and alive plastered the internet. The ash cloud spread as far away as Manilla (60 miles to the north), felt by our colleagues 41 miles from the eruption site. (read our update from January 15, 2020) The Philippine field and our national partners in ministry gave us a new update on the Taal Volcano eruption.  The Philippines, January 23, 2020: Most people in the danger zone are evacuated…
January 24, 2020
Taal Volcano: January 15, 2020 Update News

Taal Volcano: January 15, 2020 Update

Spewing an eruption column 3,281 feet into the air, Taal interrupted life in the Phillippines on Sunday, January 12, 2020. Images of evacuations, ash-covered homes, and roadways as well as animals dead and alive plastered the internet. The ash cloud spread as far away as Manilla (60 miles to the north), felt by our colleagues 41 miles from the eruption site. We reported on Facebook on January 12, 2020, that our colleagues said, “…ash falling in our area. Schools are closed tomorrow, and the airport is closed right now.” The people who live near the volcano have inadequate structures. As…
January 15, 2020
RAY BUKER, JR., PASSIONATE CHAMPION FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS, ENTERS GLORY News

RAY BUKER, JR., PASSIONATE CHAMPION FOR GLOBAL MISSIONS, ENTERS GLORY

(Denver, CO) - WorldVenture announces the bittersweet news that Ray Buker, Jr., missionary to South Asia and well-known leader with WorldVenture, died Friday morning, July 5, 2019. He was 93. Buker was a celebrated, well-loved leader in WorldVenture and beyond.  He was passionate about global missions and recruited workers with the same passion.  More importantly, Buker modeled the WorldVenture vision of being compelled by the love of God. “The joy of the Lord was always on Ray’s face whenever he greeted people” reminisced Dennis Vogan, Vice President of Organizational Solutions for WorldVenture.  Buker was known for his joy, his encouragement, and his love.   …
July 11, 2019
WorldVenture Introduces New Global Initiatives Leader News

WorldVenture Introduces New Global Initiatives Leader

As part of a global strategy to increase gospel impact among unreached people groups (UPG’s), WorldVenture is excited to announce that a new role coordinating Global Muslim Initiatives has been filled.  This position will provide training, resourcing, and strategy development to WorldVenture workers engaged in ministry among Muslim unreached people groups (MUPG’s).  The name of the individual overseeing this important work has been redacted for security purposes. “Every Muslim should have the opportunity to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus,” shared.  “It’s hard to fathom that in today’s modern, globalized age, there remain who have not been given that opportunity.” With a…
July 10, 2019
Bringing Relief to Beira! News

Bringing Relief to Beira!

Make your DONATION right now and help the people of Beira, Mozambique! Cyclone Idai is being called the 'worst humanitarian crisis in Mozambique's history.' We need to raise funding to help support the communities that were affected by this disaster. And some of our very own international workers are doing ministry right in the heart of Beira! The situation on the ground in Beira, Mozambique is desperate. 35 kilometers (almost 22 miles) of the road into Beira are flooded, thousands of people are stranded, there is no electricity, clean water is extremely limited, and additional flooding in Zimbabwe puts Beira…
March 21, 2019
2018 End of Year Giving and Office Hours News

2018 End of Year Giving and Office Hours

Dear Partners, Thank you for your faithful support. God uses your prayers, encouragement, and financial gifts to take the good news of Jesus Christ throughout the world! Our WorldVenture offices will be closed from 11:30 AM Mountain Standard Time (MST) on Friday December 28, 2018 through January 1, 2019 in observance of the New Year holiday. Our offices will reopen at 8:00am (MST) on January 2, 2019. During that time, our online giving platform, the "Partner Community," will be available to receive any last-minute year-end financial gifts at give.worldventure.com. If you would like personal assistance with your 2018 year-end giving,…
December 12, 2018
Lessons Learned News

Lessons Learned

By Grace Sandeno The death of U.S. missionary, John Allen Chau, on North Sentinel Island has provoked a firestorm of criticism over his, or anyone’s, attempts to make contact with people groups that reject outside contact. Much of the criticism has focused on the potential health impact of introducing new diseases to an isolated people group with no previous exposure and thus no immunity. While a new report reveals that Chau was concerned about this specific matter and spent years in training, preparation and prevention (1), the larger issue is critically important; examples of significant de-population due to introduced disease…
December 1, 2018
Dana Stucky: A Life of Passion and Impact to the End News

Dana Stucky: A Life of Passion and Impact to the End

Financial contributions may be made in Dana’s honor to the Institute of Albanian and Protestant Studies. Please visit www.worldventure.com/dana and select designation: “Dana Stucky Memorial Fund” to make your gift. (Denver, CO) – Earlier this week, WorldVenture announced the bittersweet news that Dana Stucky died at 10:05am (PDT) on Saturday, September 15, 2018, at the age of 66. “God commands us to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn,’” WorldVenture President, Jeff Denlinger, said. “Dana’s life and commitment to God and to others lead us to great rejoicing, even as we mourn deeply with her family. But our mourning is immersed in the hope of the…
September 19, 2018
How God Loves the Venezuelan People News

How God Loves the Venezuelan People

Recently, Venezuela made headlines again—headlines such as, “Venezuela devalues currency and raises minimum wage by 3,000% (The Guardian, August 20, 2018),” and headlines that stretch as far back as March, 2018 from The Washington Post called, “The Crisis Next Door.” Even as IMB workers say, “If you stay, you die,” and our workers and ministry partners experience hardship, God loves the Venezuelan people. When Jesus served on earth, the Jewish people expected a king who would overthrow the political oppression of the time. Jesus didn’t solve poverty. He didn’t take away the political oppression. “Jesus' willingness to suffer and die…
September 3, 2018
Remembering the Pals… by sending others in their place… FeaturesNews

Remembering the Pals… by sending others in their place…

"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth... Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city" (from Hebrews 11:13, 16 ESV). Two years ago today, at about 11:30am (MDT) on a well-traveled stretch of Interstate 80 in Nebraska, Jamison, Kathryne, Ezra, Violet, and Calvin Pals were killed when a distracted truck-driver crashed into their mini-van. On their way to train at WorldVenture Headquarters for an anticipated…
July 31, 2018
Public Health Initiatives to be led by industry veteran, Grace Sandeno NewsPress Releases

Public Health Initiatives to be led by industry veteran, Grace Sandeno

WorldVenture is pleased to announce that Public Health Initiatives will be led by Grace Sandeno. Sandeno shares WorldVenture's passion for the unreached and underserved. But she also brings more than 30 years of experience in the industry at state and local levels that will benefit communities worldwide. "We're excited to have Grace lead us," remarked Bruce Swanson, WorldVenture's Director of 360 Initiatives. "Unmet health needs are present in every city, town, and village in the 65 countries where WorldVenture works. Strategic initiatives to provide access to public health makes sustainable changes that result in long-term benefit to individuals and communities.…
July 25, 2018
Samuel Gill: A Life Celebrated News

Samuel Gill: A Life Celebrated

Samuel Gill was the kind of person that filled a space with life, love, and enthusiasm. His unexpected passing in Brazil on Saturday, June 23, 2018, left a void in the world. His love of the Lord infused every life he touched. Even as Samuel Gill retired in 2017 from WorldVenture, he wasn’t done serving the Lord. While living in Prescott Valley, Arizona, Samuel began a new career in Life Coaching. He enthusiastically embraced his goal of helping others tell their story. On his website, “Your Next Step Ministries,” Samuel wrote this: “Personally I enjoy speaking to men and women…
July 3, 2018
Dr. Jim Bull
WorldVenture Hires New Advancement Vice President! NewsPress Releases

WorldVenture Hires New Advancement Vice President!

Signaling a new strategy for advancement, church partnerships, missionary recruiting, and donor development, WorldVenture president, Dr. Jeff Denlinger, announced the hiring of Dr. James V. Bull to the role of Vice President, Advancement. Dr. Bull starts July 1, 2018. “We are convinced that we must chart a new organizational direction,” Denlinger told the WorldVenture Board of Directors recently. “We must more closely align ourselves with others in our common journey of living out the Great Commission… I am very grateful to God for bringing Jim and Selma Bull to us for this next chapter in WorldVenture’s journey.” Dr. Bull will lead…
June 22, 2018
How Facebook’s big announcement can help missions… MediaNews

How Facebook’s big announcement can help missions…

On January 11, 2018, Mark Zuckerberg announced on Facebook to its 2 billion users that he is returning Facebook to its roots. The Facebook founder called it “time well spent” to return to helping, “… people stay connected and bring us closer with the people that matter to us.” While different organizations greeted this news with a variety of reactions, this change is great news for international workers, partners and churches! Until now, WorldVenture partners and churches easily enjoyed reading updates, viewing videos, and prayer updates about international workers from their personal Facebook feeds without any extra effort. According to…
January 25, 2018
Why Austria Still Needs Missionaries News

Why Austria Still Needs Missionaries

Austria has roughly the same population as New York City. Yet the number of evangelical Christians in the whole country couldn’t fill Yankee Stadium. Only 0.5 percent of the population is evangelical. Or about 43,000 in a country of 8.6 million people. WorldVenture workers Nate and Bethany Johnson hope to grow the Church by coming alongside Austrian Christians living in Vienna. “Church planting is still needed in Austria because there are areas of the country and in the city of Vienna with no evangelical witness,” said Nate. “There are many people here in Austria who will go their entire life…
January 31, 2017
Japan Celebrates 50 years News

Japan Celebrates 50 years

Japan recently celebrated the 50-year presence of its churches—complete with martial arts, gospel singing and the gathering of a large church family. On Sept. 14 and Sept. 15, 1,000 pastors, leaders and church members associated with the Conservative Baptist churches in Japan gathered in Fukushima.
January 5, 2015
Hope After Haiyan News

Hope After Haiyan

Eighty-six churches and 8,355 families with CBAP were severely affected by Haiyan. Now, many of these churches are thriving like never before, thanks to the efforts of relief teams focused on evangelism just as much as providing food, clothing, medicine and shelter.
January 5, 2015
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