What is BIBM? 
   
   Beacon International Baptist Mission is a mission that works in conjunction with the local church.  Its sole purpose is to reach the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and plant local, Independent, Indigenous, Baptist Churches using the Biblical model of evangelism while providing a system of personal accountability. BIBM is built upon the premise that it is the local church's responsibility to carry out the Great Commission and that each missionary sent is representative of Jesus Christ and ultimately a vital extension of the church that has sent him. With this in mind, BIBM is a ministry to help bridge the gaps that exist between a missionary on the field and his Pastor and church who share in the responsibility of his ministry. 
   
   In this busy day and age when pastors are spreading themselves thinner and thinner, it is getting more and more difficult for pastors to maintain an adequate system of fiscal and ministerial accountability with their missionaries serving on the foreign field. It is even more difficult for that pastor to stay current on the governmental affairs of the countries in which his missionaries serve. BIBM is the vital link that helps churches, pastors and missionaries stay connected even through the midst of financial, ministerial and governmental turmoil.


What are the benefits of BIBM? 
   
   Because BIBM is predicated on the Biblical model of missions, this ministry is dedicated to providing the assistance that every church, pastor and missionary needs to stay connected and accountable to one another. BIBM does this in several ways: 

1. BIBM provides financial accountability. To provide assistance to churches and their missionaries, BIBM has an office located in Johnson City, TN. This office provides extensive benefits to the church and missionary serving with BIBM.  BIBM has a system to track all of the missionaries support, provide monthly financial statements of church giving, pay expenses of missionaries for them while out of the country, transfer funds to the missionary for projects and living expenses,  while maintaining this with enough detail to pay taxes for the missionary and report all missionary earnings to the IRS. BIBM provides the church and the missionary with the greatest potential for good stewardship with the Lord's provision. 

2. BIBM provides ministry accountability. Dr. Jerry Mullendore, the founder and Director of BIBM, maintains constant contact via phone and e-mail with every missionary partnering with BIBM. His vision is to see every pastor involved in the church planting work of his missionary and for the fruit of the missionary's labor to be a shared with his church back home. BIBM does not wield the authority of the church, nor does it presume to take any from it. All matters of ministry including direction and discipline are matters that are reserved for the local church to handle on its own. Dr. Mullendore does, however, assist the pastor and the ministry in helping to set goals for their ministry. With his extensive knowledge of, and constant contact with these countries, he is a valuable resource for all parties involved and will give his opinion on ministerial matters when consulted. BIBM also reserves the right to part fellowship with a missionary who disagrees with its policies and procedures, refuses to give proper respect to his pastor or the director of the mission or ceases to be in agreement doctrinally with this ministry. 

3. BIBM provides governmental responsibility. Besides taking the financial burden of the missionary's funds off of the church, which provides accountability to our government, BIBM is also committed to staying current on all of the issues that might affect the  countries where  their missionaries are serving. Dr. Mullendore was serving as a missionary in Macedonia, which borders Kosovo, when military exercises began in order to oust Milosevic. He knows how important it is to maintain contact and be aware of the situations in these countries. Safety is a primary concern with BIBM. There are also such complicated measures as exchange rates, strength of the dollar, visas, missions trips, furlough and shipping ministry supplies that must be worked out with government officials. These are all benefits of working with a ministry like BIBM.


How does BIBM function? 
   
   BIBM is not a mission board but a mission agency that works along side the local church. The ministry was founded on this principle and will remain so in practice.  Bro. Mullendore is a member of The Answer Baptist Church in Johnson City and the pastor of The Answer Baptist Church, W. Jason Wiley, serves as chairman of BIBM.  There are other pastors with many years of missions experience and knowledge that serve as an advisory council. The advisory council meets twice a year, in January and July.  The July meeting is linked to the missions yearly Candidate School. The Candidate School provides an opportunity for every missionary desiring to be sent out of their church in conjunction with BIBM to learn about the ministry and meet the men who serve on the advisory council. 

   Dr. Jerry Mullendore serves as our Director.  He also  helps BIBM function in the United States, while raising funds and awareness for the works that are going on.  He also takes several trips every year for encouragement, to lead work teams and to maintain ministry accountability. 

   BIBM's desire is to serve the local church and pastor who has a missionary with a passion to serve in full time missions.