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Written by Sparky Pritchard Friday, 19 March 2010 12:33

One of the things that all of us appreciate about Immanuel Baptist Church is its commitment to missions and our Missions Program. But we must always remember that its not really the “program” that has made a difference but the “people” who are involved. From those who give (the congregation) … to those who go (the missionaries) … and those who guide (the Council and Missions Pastor). Through the years we have been especially blessed with quality people who have surrendered their lives to serve the Lord in foreign lands and locally.

On this day, we honor two of our missionaries – Don and Bea Crane. For more than four decades this couple has poured their heart and soul into the work of the kingdom of God under GEM (Greater Europe Mission). Their preparation and orientation began in 1969, and the Cranes arrived on the field in 1971.

Their first place of service was Portugal, and through their efforts the Portuguese Bible Institute was founded. After a decade there working with the school and in church planting, they moved on to France. Because of their giftedness, the Cranes assumed a leadership role directing the work of France, Germany, Austria, and Eastern Europe. This continued from 1981 through 1991.

In the years that followed there were assignments as Regional Director of Central Europe East, project director for development of TEFL materials for Eastern Europe (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), ministry in the Czech Republic (where IBC took a Ministry in Missions team to visit them), and facilitators for the Alliance for Saturation Church Planting based in Hungary. (This work included training conferences for church leaders in: 1) Vision-casting, helping others to see the needs of reaching the lost, 2) prayer mobilization, encouraging people to pray for the unreached, 3) research of the demographics of the field, and 4) training people to reach people.)

After having returned to GEM headquarters in Colorado and serving there, the Cranes have continued to mentor and teach others (being wonderfully used in the Center for Intercultural Training) even in their “retirement.” (But we know this couple will never really “retire” from serving the God whom they love and has been faithful in using them to produce abiding fruit.)

One of their favorite verses that has motivated and guided the Cranes through the years is this: “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). In that spirit, this couple has given their lives to biblical discipleship, and their ministry continues through those whom they have mentored. Thanks, Don and Bea, for your example of service to God.

-- Sparky