by Dr. Kevin L. Moore, Director of Missions Studies

Near the beginning of each Fall semester FHU hosts Missions Emphasis Days, where two whole days are devoted to highlighting missions across campus. Four reputable missionaries are invited to speak to all the Bible classes, at chapel, and at two local congregations in their mid-week assemblies. The aim is to expose the entire student body to the concept of missions and seek to develop more interest and involvement in missionary work.

This year the dates are Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September, and most sessions are held in Ayer’s Auditorium between 8:30 am and 3:50 pm. Our visiting missionaries are Aaron Palmer (French World Missions), Kent O’Donnell (New Zealand), Shane Fisher (South Korea), and Perry Hardin (Paraguay). There are also booths in the BK Lobby promoting a variety of mission works both stateside and abroad.

Aaron Palmer is originally from Paragould, Ark. and attended Freed-Hardeman University from 2007-10, finishing with a BA in Bible. Currently, he is pursuing his MA in the Teaching of Languages (French & English as a Second Language) from the University of Southern Mississippi. Aaron is married to Betsy (Frizzell) Palmer whom he met during his time at FHU. Since graduation from FHU Aaron has worked as the Assistant Director of Freed-Hardeman's Study Abroad Program located in Verviers, Belgium and is currently the Youth Minister for the Crieve Hall Church of Christ in Nashville, TN. Aaron has traveled extensively throughout French-speaking countries in Africa, Europe and the South Pacific to work on campaigns and believes there is a great need to help establish more New Testament churches in these areas.

Kent O’Donnell was born and raised in the Lower North Island of New Zealand (Wellington and Foxton), and thanks to missionary efforts from North America, he is a third generation Christian. He graduated from Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies (formerly East Tennessee School of Preaching and Missions) in 1996. Since 1997 he has served as an evangelist in the New Zealand cities of Wanganui and currently Palmerston North. He and his wife Rachael (from Wellington, married since 1999) have four children: Chloe, Ethan, Michael, and Phoebe. Kent would love to talk to you about campaigns and mission opportunities in New Zealand.

Shane Fisher is from McMinnville, TN and attended FHU from 2004 to 2010, receiving undergraduate degrees in Finance and Bible and then the Masters of Ministry degree. He and his wife Emily met at FHU. He served as a minister for the Dibrell church of Christ in McMinnville from 2010 to 2014. Having developed friendships with Korean students from FHU, Shane and Emily decided to do missionary work in South Korea. They became English teachers in Ulsan and assisted two congregations in Pusan and Seoul while working there. In March 2016 they will become English teachers at Korea Christian University in Seoul, establishing Bible studies with the students and helping to grow the Lord's church in that area. KCU is searching for mission-minded faithful Christians who are willing to come there to serve.

Perry Hardin is from Savannah, TN, and graduated from FHU with a BS in Wildlife Science (2003) and Masters of Education (2004). In August 2005, Perry moved to Asunción to teach at an American high school. After working there for one year, he decided to stay in Paraguay and work with the Paraguay Mission Team. In September 2009, Perry married Alba Patiño from Asunción. She was born and raised in Asunción and worked for Berlitz language center as a language teacher. In July of 2014, their daughter, Abigail, was born. In 2013, Perry transitioned from general mission team duties to serving as Co-Director of the Asuncion Bible Academy. Perry is serving this school term as FHU’s missionary in residence.

Schedule:

Tuesday, September 8

9:00am  Kent O’Donnell:  BK Ayers

10:30am Aaron Palmer: Lloyd Aud.

11:30am Kent O’Donnell: BK Ayers

1:00pm Aaron Palmer: BK Ayers

2:30pm Kent O’Donnell: BK Ayers

Wednesday, September 9

7:30am  Perry Harding: GC 201

8:30am Shane Fisher: BK Ayers

9:30am Perry Hardin: BK Ayers

10:30am Shane Fisher: Lloyd Aud.

11:30am Perry Hardin: BK Ayers

12:30pm Shane Fisher: BK Ayers

1:30pm Perry Hardin: BK Ayers

2:30pm Shane Fisher: BK Ayers

7:00pm Perry Hardin: Estes Church of Christ

7:00pm Shane Fisher: Henderson Church of Christ