Dr. Bud Steadman - Executive Director

Dr. Bud Steadman was elected to the board of Baptist World Mission in 1999. He came on the staff of BWM in April 2009 and will serve as Executive Director Elect until he becomes the Executive Director on August 1, 2009.

Dr. Ron Brooks - Field Director for Western Europe & the Middle East

Dr. Ron Brooks began at Baptist World Mission in 1986 as a church-planting missionary to Germany. Since January of 1991, he has served as the field director for Western Europe and the Middle East. Dr. Brooks provides encouragement and accountability to the missionaries under his care. He also has administrative responsibility for these missionaries. In addition Dr. Brooks travels as a representative for Baptist World Mission in various conferences and on college campuses.

In Dr. Brooks’ words: “One of the greatest blessings is being able to minister with these dear missionaries. My favorite thing about this ministry is for my wife and me to be with these missionaries on their field of service. This is a blessing and encouragement to the missionary, the national believer, and to me. I consider missionaries the real heroes in this day of selfishness and materialism. Another blessing is to be able to preach about the needs of missions in local churches and on Christian college campuses.

Dr. Dave Canedy - Deputation Director

Dr. Canedy is not new to BWM. Prior to becoming deputation director in June 2009, he served on the board of Baptist World Mission.

Steve Anderson - Field Director for Africa & Field-Replacement

Steve Anderson, along with his wife, Martha, came on board with BWM in 1997 as furlough- replacement missionaries. They replace BWM missionaries who come back to the States for furlough by keeping their work growing in their absence. In 2002 Steve was appointed as the field director for Africa. As the Lord enables, they are presently serving in both of these capacities. The Andersons spent three terms in West Africa prior to serving with Baptist World Mission. That experience has given them a real love for the continent of Africa and its peoples, as well as a burden for its great spiritual needs.

In Mr. Anderson’s words: “It is a thrill to visit the missionaries on the fields, to see them serving in their respective ministries, to be an encouragement to them and to the national believers, and to provide a liaison with their supporters. I also tremendously enjoy representing the Mission in local churches and on college campuses.

Walt Schmidt - Field Director for Asia & South Pacific

Walt Schmidt joined the BWM home office team on May 1, 2009. He has been with BWM, however, since August 2004 when he and his wife Jacqueline were appointed as furlough-replacement missionaries. Dr. Schmidt is now serving as director to BWM missionaries in Asia.

Jesse Garza - Field Director to South America

Though joining Baptist World Mission as a field director on January 1, 2009, Jesse is no stranger to BWM. Jesse had been a missionary with this organization since his appointment in June, 1986. Jesse's work as a missionary produced five churches in Mexico. He brings to BWM one who not only has allowed the Lord to use him to plant local Baptist churches, but to do so using the Spanish language to effectively reach the lost.

Michael Williquette - Business Director

Mike came to BWM from the state of Wisconsin, where he taught in a Christian school for eight years, served as a treasurer for his small town, and did the bookkeeping for his local church. Mike's responsibilities as business director include overseeing those who deal with the day-to-day ministry of donation management and payroll. He also acts as the HR manager for the staff, dealing with such issues as salary structures, health insurance and benefits. As IT manager, Mike sees that the computers and office machines are running smoothly, allowing the staff to work more efficiently to better serve the BWM missionaries and their supporters.

In Mike’s words: I will be forever grateful for the way in which the Lord has brought me to BWM and allowed me to serve Him here. I have found that the Lord has used many of the skills I have learned in prior places of employment or things that I have learned on my own to let me help BWM in some way. I enjoy the ministry that the Lord has given me and have come to love my staff and missionary friends .

Kevin Brosnan - Field Director for Eastern Europe

 Kevin and Tamara Brosnan were originally appointed with BWM in April 2005 and have served as missionaries in South Africa. On May 1, 2009 Kevin became the field director for BWM missionaries in Eastern Europe.

Ruth Steadman - Office Secretary

Ruth Steadman began ministering with Baptist World Mission shortly after her husband, Dr. Bud Steadman, came on as executive director elect.

Beth Prahl - Administrative Assistant

Beth Prahl came to BWM in September of 2004 to serve as administrative assistant to Dr. Fred Moritz. Her responsibilities include setting up speaking engagements for Dr. Moritz; transcribing any outside correspondence he may have; proofing prayer letters, sermons, book reviews, articles, etc.... Corresponding with the missionaries whom Dr. Moritz serves as field director, as well as preparing the booklets of information for the BWM board members to discuss at the annual and spring board meetings sum up many of her responsibilities.

In Beth’s words: “One of the blessings I have experienced in moving from Wisconsin to Alabama to work at BWM is the privilege God has given me of meeting faithful servants whom He has called to serve Him on a foreign field. After meeting them, reading their prayer letters, and doing various things for them in the office, they become like family to me. Another blessing is being able to work in a Christian atmosphere and knowing the common bond that my coworkers and I have in Jesus Christ. I cannot thank Him enough for bringing me to a place to serve God’s choice servants worldwide.

Anita Knighten - Administrative Assistant

Anita Knighten joined the Baptist World Mission home office staff in February of 2000. Her duties include serving as administrative assistant to three field directors: Dr. Ron Brooks (Western Europe and Israel), Jesse Garza (South America), and Mr. Steve Anderson (Africa). Anita also maintains the missionary database, the crisis management files, and the archives. She assists with proofreading all types of correspondence as well. Anita sorts the mail each day and helps the donations entry clerk open and sort the incoming contributions.

In Anita’s words: “Baptist World Mission is a happy place. Our business director sings and hums around the office, as do some of the administrative assistants; the donations entry clerk whistles, and lunchtime is a riot of laughter much of the time. After working in the secular world for many years, there is certainly no comparison. Every morning we gather around the big conference table to pray for missionaries’ needs and for one another. I am so glad God brought me to BWM.

Talitha Koeper - Deputation Administrative Assistant

Talitha Koeper began working as the deputation administrative assistant in June of 2006. Her duties include aiding the missionaries from the time they request an application to the time they leave for their chosen field. Some additional duties are typing correspondence for the deputation director, processing applications for short-term (Mappers) and long-term missionaries, assisting missionaries while on deputation with their deputation questions, and planning and organizing our annual Orientation Seminar and Family Life Seminar.

In Talitha’s words: “Having worked at Baptist World Mission during breaks from college, I already knew the thrill of helping missionaries every day. But working full-time as deputation secretary has helped me develop an even greater appreciation of missionaries. The Lord has given me the unique opportunity to minister to His choice servants during an important time in their missionary career--deputation. I really enjoy being a part of the Baptist World Mission family!

Carilee Lind - Staff Accountant

In May of 1998 Carilee Lind came to work for Baptist World Mission as the staff accountant. Along with answering financial questions, Carilee spends a good portion of her time sending funds to missionaries. Our missionaries are given the option to receive a check, a direct deposit, or a wire. Two times a month are set aside for sending funds, as well as sending money throughout the month in case of emergencies. In an attempt to assist the missionary, Carilee takes care of paying many bills for them directly from their BWM account. Some of her other duties include home-office payroll, home-office bills, tax reports, financial reports, and budgets.

In Carilee’s words: “Working at BWM has allowed me to experience many blessings. It is a joy to work with dedicated individuals who believe that what they do is not just a job, but a ministry. This leads to a wonderful work environment and daily Christian fellowship. Each morning we spend time in prayer. Often times we laugh together, but best of all we pray for one another. My position allows me to see first hand that people are sacrificing around the world in order to assist in the spreading of God's Word. I cannot help but rejoice in God's goodness when I have been praying for a missionary's finances and a few hours later I see God provide.

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Beth Anne McFadden - Financial Assistant

Beth Anne came to Baptist World Mission in August of 1998. She serves as financial assistant to Mike Williquette. Beth Anne's responsibilities range from getting the mail from the post office each day, to book sales, to ordering office supplies. A big part of her job is the processing of monthly expense reports from the missionaries. She says she loves details, so this is “right up her alley.”

In Beth Anne's words: "There are so many blessings that come with working at BWM. I enjoy getting to know the missionaries. They are such an encouragement and blessing to me personally. Some of them have become my dearest friends. I also enjoy working in a Christian environment with a team of people who are united in our cause and goal of getting the Gospel around the world. One of my favorite times of the day is prayer time. We meet together each day to pray for the needs of the missionaries and office staff. We also eat lunch as a group each day. This is usually a time filled with laughter. We do enjoy ourselves! I couldn't ask for a better place to serve or better colaborers. I love being a part of the BWM home office staff!

Beth Weaver - Donations Entry Clerk

Beth Weaver came to Baptist World Mission in December of 1997. She is our donations entry clerk. She enters the contributions received and makes sure they are allocated to the right accounts. She also keeps the missionary support database up to date. Beth is responsible for producing and mailing the contribution receipts, and she handles all requests for information regarding missionary support status.

In Beth’s words: “It is a blessing to work in a Christian environment and to work with and get to know our missionaries personally. Since I came to work at BWM, I have seen many prayers answered. I have also witnessed the Lord working in the lives of our missionaries and staff. Working at Baptist World Mission is a great privilege. I appreciate the opportunity the Lord has given me to work here all these years.&