Mission Profile:
Rick & Elisabeth Arnold
Annelise, Amandalee, Alyssalyn & Arickson

Ministry Focus

Pioneer church planting

Contact Information

www.bakelbush.com

Personal Journey

Call to Christ

Rick

In eighth grade, I watched the movie “A Thief in the Night”.  I asked Jesus into my heart as I didn’t want to be left behind when Jesus returned. Since then I have never looked back, but continue to grow in my understanding of what it means to follow Jesus as His disciple.

Elisabeth

I was four years old when  I was at a communion service sitting with another couple other than my parents.  Since I grew up in Africa, I was interested in what was being passed around.  The couple asked if I was allowed to partake of the elements.  My parents shook their heads “NO”, but I told the couple “Yes”.  My mom shared later that night that I was not a part of God’s family. I was very young when I made that decision, but my heart has been captured by His love forever.  I continue to grow in understanding not only the sins of behavior, but the sin choices and habits of my heart when I turn to anything other than Jesus.

Call to Missions Service

Rick

After I graduated from high school, I stayed out a year with my parents.   I was invited to minister with a summer team as a translator and tech man. We passed through so many villages without any witness, and the people were begging for us to stay and teach them about Jesus.  God touched my heart and called me to unreached, least accessible people.

Elisabeth

When I entered Columbia International University as a freshman, I believed the facts stood clear that I was needed where there was no opportunity to hear the gospel.  When I was a sophomore, I attended a memorial service for a martyred alumnus, Chet Bitterman.  At the end of the service, the speaker asked for all those who would fill in Chet’s place on the front lines to stand to their feet.  I felt a clear, strong, passionate assurance to stand to my feet and offer my life for front line commitment.

The People Group

“This people group forms a relatively large western African ethnic group of two million people.  They were forcibly converted to Islam in the eleventh century and subsequently became fervent propagators of the religion.  Today, their clerics are among the most learned Muslims and educated people of West Africa.  Firmly attached to the soil, the people group’s occupation is either agriculture or trading.” - Muslim People by Richard V. Weekes

While remaining attached to their African culture, historic traditions, and Islamic religion, the people group is grappling with unavoidable modernization.  At this point of transition, it is critical that the gospel be communicated. 

The Ministry

In 1991, Rick and Elisabeth Arnold went to West Africa—to a country that is found in the strategic 10/40 window.  They began pioneer church planting among the least accessible, unreached Muslim people. All previous missionaries to their town have not stayed due to death, sickness, or reassignment. Although enduring many hardships, by God's grace and the prayers of many, the Arnolds have stayed 3 terms of four years. Their location is not on the front lines; it is right in Enemy territory.  Reaching out in a variety of ways, including the Jesus Film, sports, hospitality, literature, parties, and tea debates, the Arnolds have seen God at work in deepening their relationships with the people. The people have communicated their trust by coming to ask if Rick would begin to teach them about the Bible; Oral Bible Storying has begun with a consistent group of 15 – 20 men, women, and children. Two other groups have asked to begin when the Arnolds return to West Africa.  Muslim work takes vision, commitment, and perseverance. Years have passed without visible change, yet God has been at work! Today, outward signs of God's grace are pointing to extreme decisions being made with life and death consequences both eternally and within the culture!

Financial Information

Money can be sent to the following address with a note that designates it for the Arnolds #10053: 

Pioneers
10123 William Carey Dr.
Orlando, FL 32827-6020

Prayer Requests

• That we would live out of our wild and captivating, Jer. 31 hearts rather than our mixed cultures or Jer. 7 hearts.
• That God would give us wisdom to raise godly children in the location that He has called us in this sin-cursed world.
• That God would give us patience, hope, and wisdom for Alyssalyn’s health issues.
• That God would continue to open the door for the oral Bible storying.
• That God would raise a group of believers who would be able to stand together for the Name of Jesus among the people.
• Teammates
• $5,000 one-time for vehicle

Encouragement - Care Package Favorites

Please send by airmail and put “no commercial value” and “cadeau” (gift) on the labels.

• Latest Worship CDs
• Kids Magazines
• M & M’s (They can take the heat)
• Peanut Butter, Brown Sugar,
• Books by Brennan Manning, John or Staci Eldredge, Michael Card
• DVD Movies