06/06/2026
Board of Director's Introduction Series: Penny Hites
In 2019, I went on my first international mission trip with Building Believers In Christ to serve in Guatemala. I traveled with a group from my home church, Calvary Baptist in Tuscumbia, and met others in Nashville before we continued together. Once we arrived, we rode in a passenger van for more than six hours to the COR (City of Refuge) in Brasilar. The journey was an adventure, and I remember wondering, "What have I gotten myself into?" At the time, I had no idea how deeply the trip would change my life. For the first time, foreign missions became personal and real. I no longer had to rely on testimonies, books, or videos to understand the call to give, go and tell others about the one true God and the gift He freely offers.
I witnessed this eclectic team serve the local community with dignity and the love of Jesus. BBIC was, and still is, effective because the four people (founders of BBIC) answered God's call. In the Bible, (1 Samuel 3) Samuel heard God's voice and answered, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening." The founding leaders listened to God and to the needs of the Guatemalan people-poverty, unclean water, illness, lack of transportation, limited educational opportunities, and unemployment. These needs remain today but we ARE seeing change. While salvation is the ultimate reason we go, meeting basic needs opens the hearts to hear about Jesus' love.
That is why I keep returning. I love being a tiny part of helping these precious people get food assistance, medicine, clean water, and meanwhile, we are planting seeds of faith, hope, and love about our GOOD, GOOD, GOD. The team that remains in Guatemala continues to listen and respond to the needs of the people.
I am a leader for Children in Action at church and each week, we recite the following pledge: "As a member of Children in Action, I will pray for missions, give to missions, learn about missions, and do missions through the power of Christ."
The mission does not end when I return home. It never stops. I am deeply thankful for BBIC and honored to serve as a board member. This role helps keep me accountable to the pledge I recite with the children each Wednesday.
I encourage you to listen to the video testimonies, reach the information, and follow BBIC on Facebook. WHEN you hear the voice of God calling you to pray for missions, give to missions, learn about missions, or do missions we have the tools to help you respond YES!