As missionaries in Argentina, Brian and Angela White have learned not to be surprised at the unusual ways in which God is opening doors for them to share the gospel.
The Whites, along with their three children — 10-year-old Alysse, 7-year-old Aaron and 6-year-old Emily — are in their second year on the missions field in Cordoba, Argentina, where they are part of a church planting team.
Opportunities keep presenting themselves for White to evangelize in the predominately Catholic country.
For instance, he was recently invited to attend a class of soldiers who were learning to speak English. The instructor was in need of an English-speaking person to carry on dialogue with the class so they could practice the language. White agreed to do so on the condition that he could speak about the gospel — which he did.
On another occasion, White was invited to be a guest on the only Christian television show aired in Cordoba. “He was able to share the gospel on television and many wonderful things have come out of this experience,” said his mother, Charlotte White, who along with her husband Bill, is a member of Central Baptist Church, Decatur.
Part of the Whites’ missions field assignment was the development of a pilot program of Christian cell groups in Cordoba. The project started in September 1999 and the cell groups of new believers established throughout the past year will eventually be the foundation for beginning churches.
“The people of Argentina are very comfortable in their current religious practices. Despite this comfort zone they are anxious to listen but they find commitment difficult,” White said, pointing out the overall culture of the Argentine people is one that resists quick change.
Another witnessing opportunity White is hoping will come to fruition is the chance to teach a group of teenagers the game of baseball. White, an avid fan of the sport, considers this yet another door God has opened for him to minister to the young people of Cordoba.
White moved with his family to Decatur as a teenager. He graduated from Samford University and attended Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., where he graduated in 1990 with a master of divinity degree. Angela, a native of Nashville, graduated from Belmont University and received a master’s degree in social work from Southern Seminary.
Prior to being called to the missions field, White served as pastor of Missionary Grove Baptist Church, Cullman, as well as director of Baptist campus ministries for East and West Cullman Baptist associations. He also served as pastor of Oakdale Baptist Church, Athens.
The Whites will be returning stateside in 2002 and their current plans are to live in Louisville where White will pursue his doctorate.
White’s parents are not surprised that his ministerial career led him to the missions field.
“Brian knew at an early age that he was being called to do God’s work,” his mother said. “There has always been a special place in his heart for evangelism.
“I can remember him telling me that each time he shook someone’s hand, his first thought was, ‘Do you know my Lord?’” she said in reflection of her son’s lifelong desire to share the gospel.
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