By Shanna DiPaolo, Spring 2008

Avant President Paul Nyquist (right) addresses leaders and members of the Union of Evangelical Churches of Belize.

BELMOPAN, Belize – At a ceremony on February 9, Avant Ministries recognized the growth of the Union of Evangelical Churches of Belize by officially turning over all ministry work to the national church association.  After 53 years of active missionary service, Avant will transition into a facilitative relationship with the church association and is officially closing the Belize field. Missionaries Kent and Marion Fuller will remain in Belize as Avant liaisons to the evangelical church.

Paul Nyquist, Avant president and Scott Harris, vice president of field ministries, attended the ceremony to encourage and commend pastors and elders in the Union of Evangelical Churches.  “This is a very mature association,” said Harris.  “Our involvement moves from proactive ministers to that of peers who have concern and care for one another.”

The first Avant missionaries went to Belize in 1955. Their work was primarily church planting, beginning in Belize City and moving north. In 1967 a training center was started to develop local church leadership, a program that evolved into grade schools and King’s College High School. The church association was established in 1983 and now includes 13 churches, a high school, three grade schools and one pre-school, with new church plants in various parts of the country.

The Fullers have been missionaries in Belize for over twenty years, initially concentrating on discipleship and leadership training and then assuming the role of field directors. “Our goal was to leave behind a fully functioning mission organization to carry on the work of world evangelization,” said Kent Fuller.

The fellowships in the church association are populated by mature believers committed to spreading the gospel beyond Belizean borders. Nyquist was impressed by the passion with which church leaders approached the topic of international missions. “The church association has taken the torch and wants to reach their country and send missionaries to other countries,” he said.

Kent Fuller agrees the association is ready for autonomy. He said, “By God’s grace this body will continue to grow and reach the lost, planting churches and reaching other countries.”

The Fullers will minister to the entire Belizean evangelical community. Their role as liaisons will include soliciting help for theological training, ministry support, small project assistance, compassion outreach and resources.  Said Kent Fuller, “We hope to assist church leaders continuing to grow strong congregations that will raise up fully functioning followers of Christ.”