Spotlights – 2019
Teresa Will
Nothing Better Than That
After Teresa Will’s husband passed away in 2008, she told a friend she didn’t want to sit around and grow old. Her friend suggested she prayerfully consider coming to Source of Light Ministries. Teresa did consider, earnestly prayed, and says, “the Lord opened the door for me.” Teresa has been with SLM for eight years.
Why does she serve? “I believe that God has called me here,” she answers. “I have the awesome privilege of serving with some of the best missionaries. I am honored to be a small part in helping each one of them to reach their people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
One of those “best missionaries,” Charlie Will, became her husband! Teresa and Charlie were married in 2014. Teresa is busy with several different ministries. She works with the team in the Global Outreach Department, is the Financial Administrative Assistant for the same, and is the Administrative Assistant to the South American Regional Director. If that isn’t enough, she also works as Manager for the Order Department. She states, “It is hard to say which of my jobs is my favorite. I love what I do. Working with our missionaries overseas, and the people who use our literature in many ministries across the USA, is such a privilege. I cannot do what they do and reach all the people they reach for Christ, but I can help provide them with the resources they need to accomplish the task that God has given them to do. There is nothing better than that!”
Like many SLM missionaries, Teresa is serving without full support. To learn more about being part of her support team, contact Source of Light through phone, email, or the Internet.
Hensleys
God Doesn’t Forget His Call
Though he never planned to be an “official” missionary, when John Hensley worked as a forklift driver, he passed out SLM literature to truck drivers from all over the world. A forklift injury forced his early retirement – from that job, that is. He left his paying job and three days later was at Source of Light. Why? John modestly answers, “just coming in to fill the void, fill the need.”
And fill he does. John is a selfproclaimed “go-pher” when needed, from purchasing and stocking office supplies or helping count petty cash, to overseeing the snack machine or sorting mail. John doesn’t personally pass out much Source of Light literature anymore; rather, he supports and supplies Headquarters so that people all over the world can. His ministry, though it may not look like it day-to-day, has multiplied.
He summarizes well: “The Lord Jesus Christ called me here to serve Him and it was in His perfect timing.”
John doesn’t serve alone. His wife, Sally, was called into missions at a young age, but life circumstances blocked that desire for many years. Sally came to Source of Light in 2009 to volunteer in the Accounting Department and was asked to consider making the jump from volunteer to full-time. When she and John attended a missionary training seminar, that’s when God directed John into missions as well.
Sally is SLM’s only full-time worker in Accounting. She is usually in the building after hours making sure the work gets done in a timely manner. Sally and John are serving at only around 35% of the funds they need. “In saying all that,” John adds, “God has taken care of us with our needs.”
Perhaps God wants to use you to help take care of some of those needs?
Phil Winder
SLM’s Traffic Controller
Phil Winder sees his job like that of a traffic controller. No vehicles run through SLM Headquarters, but plenty of people do. As Director of Operations, one moment Phil might be answering questions for a volunteer, then the next moment he might be researching something Online or working with the Maintenance Department to find a feasible solution to a problem. On weekends, he and his wife, Vera, may be found presenting the ministry of SLM at a church or Sunday school.
When asked what his favorite ministry is, Phil gave four!
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To meet all our Foreign Directors who come to Headquarters.
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To work with my very talented team to solve problems. We have to be very creative in how to solve problems due to finances, workers, and tight time frames.
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Hearing the bell ring over the intercom every time someone gives their life to Christ.
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Meeting and interacting with volunteers of all ages, who come from all walks of life, and all areas of the country.
There is more, the Winder family would like to do. Phil states, “We would like to have enough support so that Vera and I could both serve at SLM. If we were both supported, Vera would not have to be employed outside of SLM. For both of us to be fully supported we would have to raise an additional 55% of our support.”
Like many who serve at Source of Light, Phil initially came as a volunteer. His family and church volunteered several times before God led them to join SLM. “We saw a united group of faithful staff and volunteers who had one goal,” says Phil. “That goal was to bring people to a saving knowledge and to grow them in their walk with the Lord. That mission has not changed.”
Philip Fraiser
Good-Smelling Ministry?
Around thirty years ago, Philip Fraiser and his family attended church with George Eager’s son, Jimmy. (Mr. Eager wrote many of the Bible lessons and also founded The Mailbox Club in Valdosta, Georgia.) Philip had been employed in the printing industry since graduating from high school, and one day he told Jimmy he thought God might be calling him into missions. Jimmy replied, “That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time, and I know just where you need to go, Source of Light!”
After raising support through a matching funds opportunity, the Fraiser family arrived in Madison over twenty-five years ago and have been here ever since.
Philip says, “My primary position as Pressman on the Color King web press has afforded me the privilege of printing millions of Bible lessons through the years. I am also heavily involved in the pre-press and bindery departments due to a shortage in staff.
“I love the smell in the Print Shop, especially hot ink on the press, and, of course, the paper. When most of the equipment in the shop is running, most folks think it’s noisy. I prefer to think of it as music; after all, everything we produce has eternal value!”
Philip, his wife, and their youngest child still at home, are in need of support. Mrs. Fraiser, Frances, works at the local library. Philip says, “Although we are around $1,500 short in our monthly support, God is always faithful. Six children later, (two of whom finished college), nine grandchildren, and through many tests and trials along the way, we are still here! Glory to God!”
In Memory: John L. (Jack) Stiles
July 12, 1926–December 3, 2018
Jack Stiles enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1945 and was released from active duty in 1946. He graduated with a business degree from the University of Louisville in 1950, and entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, earning his “Gold Wings” as a fighter pilot with over 70 combat missions in the Korean Conflict. Leaving the Navy in 1954 with an honorable discharge, Jack continued his passion, of flying, for two decades with Air America—a covert C.I.A. owned and operated airline.
In 1973, Jack departed flying to take up an entrepreneurial venture with partner and friend, Jim Patrie. Together, they operated a successful dry-cleaning business, Fashion Care, with a dozen stores in metro Atlanta. Sensing God’s leading, he retired from business and accepted the call to ministry at First Baptist Atlanta as the Director of Evangelism and Discipleship from 1985-1990.
At age 65, retirement was not in God’s plan for Jack. Inspired by his wife, Dottie’s, own mission call, together they departed America in 1990 to serve ten years in Nairobi, Kenya, as missionaries with Source of Light. Jack established the SLM East Africa Branch office. Ministry continues to thrive today, reaching thousands of people with the Gospel message, a lasting legacy of Jack’s passion to serve his Savior and Lord.
Jack will be remembered most for the countless number of lives he touched through his own personal walk with the Lord. He beautifully embodied his life verse of Galatians 2:20 and was not ashamed to proclaim Jesus through deed and word. Personal devotions each morning was a lifestyle that he encouraged others to follow. He leaves behind for his family and friends a legacy of Christian principle and godly moral values.
