Have you ever wanted to sit down with a missionary and ask them what life was like on the field, hear their stories, and get advice? Now you can! We interviewed a variety of former IM missionaries who served within the first 50 years of IM. Read their stories and stay tuned as we share more former IM missionary interviews in our new series, “Leaving a Legacy: Former IM Missionary Interviews.”
Ronald and Linda Callaway, Spain (1975-1995) & Panama (1997-2002).
When were you appointed and how long were you on the field?
We were appointed as FWB missionaries to Spain in 1975 and arrived in Spain in September of 1977. We served there until 1995. In 1985, while still in Spain, we became associated with the Cuban FWB Convention, and have served there in an “invited to serve” situation since then. In particular, we served, from Panama, every year (from 1997 to 2002), both of us teaching in the Cuban Bible Institute. We tried to gain permission from the Cuban government to allow us to live and work in Cuba on a full-time basis but were denied permission to stay in Cuba for more than three months at a time. In 1997, we were assigned to work with the FWB Convention of the Republic of Panama, where we served until 2002.
Ronald & Linda Callaway
What were some of your responsibilities and roles on the field?
In Spain, we were involved in church planting and the beginnings of Bible institute training. In Cuba, we were/are involved in teaching at the Los Cedros del Líbano Bible Institute. In Panama, we worked with the FWB Church of Parque LeFevre, taught in the Panamanian Bible Institute, and later, I was director of the institute. From 2000-2002, I served as the missionary pastor of the Parque LeFevre church while they looked for a new pastor.
Ronald & Linda Callaway
Tell me about the importance of theological training on the field.
Missionaries are to be involved in evangelism and discipleship. A correct biblical, theological basis for both of these is essential for the growth of the national (or indigenous) church. The resulting ``success” of biblical-theological training is seen when the national church does even better with its own theological instruction and practice than the missionary did at the beginning of the process.
Ronald & Linda Callaway
We miss the joy and happiness of the Cuban Christians. We miss the Spanish way of life (time, people, food, ambiance). We miss the beauty of Panama (climate, people, mountains, oceans). – The Callaways
