Vernon and Mary Smith
Vernon and Mary Smith were approved as the first BBFI missionaries to Tanzania in May 1988. Vernon and Mary both graduated in 1983 from the missions course of Baptist Bible College, Springfield, MO. They served their internship at Central Baptist Church in Pasadena, TX where Vernon was ordained in 1988.
They arrived in East Africa in January 1990 where they entered language school to study Swahili. To date, the Smiths have been involved in planting 21 churches, an English medium Christian school for elementary students, a medical clinic, and Baptist Bible College and Community Center.
Account Designations Explained
Support: Support given on a regular basis
Special Gift: One-time gift for a special purpose (love offerings, mission conference, medical, etc.)
Long-Term Projects: Gifts given towards a specific fundraising purpose (camps, buildings, vehicles, set-up costs, etc.)
Travel Fund: Gifts given for travel expenses (airfare, furlough expenses, visas, etc.)
Personal Gift: Gifts that are NOT tax-deductible (birthdays, Christmas, mission trips, adoptions, purchases, reimbursements, etc.)