Antioch, TN – “IM rests on the shoulders of pioneers who forged our Free Will Baptist footprint in the regions beyond. They worked tirelessly and sacrificially to carry the Gospel. Two of those early giants, Joe Haas (France) and Fred Hersey (Japan) have recently breathed their first breath of celestial air as they stepped through the portals of heaven. We grieve our loss, but rejoice in their reward. I am confident there was a greeting party of family and friends and those from France and Japan who embraced them. Thank you, Joe and Fred. We rest on your shoulders, and we promise to continue to take the Gospel to the least reached,” stated Neil Gilliland, Director of Member Care.
On March 25, 2022, Joe Haas passed away in his beloved country of France. Joe and his wife, Barbara, were appointed as career missionaries to France in 1967 and served there until 1983. The Haas family began their missionary appointment alongside Dan Merkh and immersed themselves in student ministry, literature distribution, Bible clubs, and church activities. Joe once said of his ministry in France, “It was a wonderful privilege to give them the Gospel, and the Lord gave me great liberty in preaching His Word. Many people heard it for the first time in their lives.”
Brother Haas was laid to rest in the French countryside. IM missionaries Dennis and Carol Teague, Matt Price, Jerry and Barb Gibbs, and Steve Riggs, were in attendance. Jonathan Merkh (son of former missionary, Dan Merkh), Jerry Gibbs, and Steve Riggs spoke briefly of Reverend Haas’s influence on their lives.
Fred Hersey passed away on March 28, 2022. Fred and Evelyn Hersey were appointed as career missionaries in 1955 to Japan and served together until Evelyn’s passing in 1993. Fred is survived by his wife, June, whom he married in 1995. June served in Brazil for 20 years with her husband, Sam Wilkinson, until his death. Fred and June worked together for two years in Japan until their retirement in 1998. Fred Hersey was a husband, father, missionary, pastor, English teacher to the Japanese people, and church planter. He dedicated himself to raising national leaders and laborers in Japan.
Please join IM, Inc. in celebrating the lives and legacies of Joe Haas and Fred Hersey. We rejoice in their good fight, sustained faith, and now their finished race.
March 30, 2022