Missions

Eliseo Deligero Jr is a church planter and pastor in Oroquieta City, Philippines. He and his wife, Snooky, have been faithfully serving in mission for over 28 years. During a trip to the United States in the summer of 2025, he attended a Sunday worship service at First Baptist Independence to share about his mission work and after our church entered into partnership with his ministries. Pastor Eliseo runs a very active and energy filled ministry in the Southern Philippines. In addition to pastoring a local baptist church, he hosts many Bible studies and ministers weekly to jail inmates, police officers, children, students, and more.

Eliseo believes the Lord is doing mighty works in the Southern Philippines and senses God’s leading in the busy ministry filled schedule he serves in. He starts gospel conversations everywhere he goes and continues planting churches and evangelizing daily.

Evan and Amber Hurford serve in Manaus, Brazil through the International Mission Board. They have three children, AJ, Elliot, and Rylie. First Baptist Independence is their sending church and commissioned them into the missions field in 2023. Currently, their family works alongside Brazilian Nationals at a new church plant near the Amazon called Semear. They assist the local community with teaching, discipleship and evangelism. 

The Hurford family deeply loves the community they serve in. They continue working and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in this region because of the large interest the people show in learning about God and engaging in His word.

Sam and Linda Marlowe have served in Papua, Indonesia since 2007 through Wycliffe Bible Translators ministry where they support those who are translating God’s Word into the heart languages of Papua. Sam serves as an Avionics Technician with the partner organization of YAJASI. He maintains the planes, works with other mission aviation groups, and transports those working on Bible translations in various groups. Linda stays at home and enjoys opportunities of caring for others through hospitality and encouragement. They have three children, Ann, Emma, and Ian. At their home in southeast Asia, they grow and harvest pineapples, bananas, mangos, herbs, and pole beans. It is also vital for them to harvest their own rain water. 

They believe the Scriptures can change the lives of people, but they need to be able to read and listen in their own languages. This is the reason the Marlowe family continues serving here.The native people are grateful for the Marlowe’s ministry and the villagers often bring fruit and veggies, or homemade string bags to show their appreciation.

The Community Crisis Team, based in Independence and serving the greater Southeast Kansas area, exists to meet the urgent needs of individuals and families walking through crisis. Whether facing sudden homelessness, dealing with a house fire, navigating food insecurity, fleeing domestic violence, or simply overwhelmed by an unexpected life emergency, the team steps in with practical, compassionate support. Guided by their core conviction “No judgments, no conditions, no complaints, just true acts of service in His name”, they strive to be a steady, hope filled presence for those who need it most.

Community Access Center serves the Independence, KS area. They assist individuals and families to determine their needs and to reach services available to meet those needs. They bring numerous agencies and services together under one roof in order to better serve the community and to prevent the duplication of services.

Home Sweet Home Homeless Ministry is a Christ-centered nonprofit devoted to restoring hope and stability to homeless men, women, families, and veterans. Since its founding, HSH has grown to operate multiple housing programs—including a men’s shelter (“Bobbi House”), two family crisis homes (“Bright House” and “Henson House”), and transitional housing—offering not just a safe place to stay, but mentoring, employment support, and basic needs like food, clothing, and hygiene. HSH focuses on helping individuals rebuild their lives one person at a time, empowering them to move toward self-sufficiency and independent living.

The SEKBA is a Christ-centered network of cooperating churches and a local church camp. Through their partnership with the Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists, the SEKBA works to strengthen churches and pastors, sustain church health, and launch new ministries.

Samaritan’s Purse is a global Christian relief organization that provides help to people facing crisis, disaster, and extreme need—all in Jesus’ name. Samaritan's Purse is the parent organization of Operation Christmas Child which delivers millions of gift filled shoeboxes to children around the world while sharing the hope of the Gospel with every box. Beyond this, Samaritan’s Purse offers emergency aid, medical care, clean water, and long-term community support in more than 100 countries. Through practical help and the message of Christ, they bring comfort and compassion to those who need it most