Missionary Spotlight

Bill and Allen Bradford, Peru

Bill and Allen Bradford have been laboring in Peru since February of 1999. As pastor in the Presbyterian Church in America, Bill’s primary responsibilities are mentoring pastoral candidates, teaching in the denominational seminary and serving as assistant editor of publications for the Peru Mission press. Bill and Allen have four children: Mollie (10), William (8), Hannah (5), and Andrew (2).

Bill and Allen have witnessed tremendous growth since they first moved to Peru eight years ago; in their own family (from one child to four), in their mission team (from two full-time families on the field to five), in their churches (various church plants and revitalizations), from no seminary to their 1st graduate.

Bill and Allen work with the Peru Mission Team of American missionaries and Peruvian church leaders working in Northern Peru with the purpose of co-laboring with God’s spirit to build genuine Christian communities which display a spiritual, social, cultural, educational and economic life that is molded, shaped and propelled by the Gospel. The team works within the Iglesia Evangelica Presbiteriana del Peru in the areas of church planting, leadership training, university ministry, translation and publication of Reformed literature, and mercy ministries.

By God’s grace Bill and Allen have seen solid advances in all their churches, both in Trujillo and Cajamarca. New people are visiting the churches, quite a few people are seeking to become members, the pastors are striving to deepen their relationships with their neighbors, the worship services are improving and small group discipleship programs have begun.

In addition, Bill and Allen have been able to take steps forward in the construction of most of their buildings. Please continue to pray for Pastors Ricardo, Eduardo and Guillermo, as well as for their new student intern, Percy Padilla.

The seminary has completed another year. One exciting development is that two of their pastors are nearing the completion of their work and are due to be ordained in a few months.

Bill and Allen praise the Lord for what He is doing among His humble servants in Peru. They ask for your prayers as they seek to serve the Lord in Peru that His church may grow and shine forth His glory.

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Missionary Spotlight

Wes and Jami Baker, Peru

Wes is a minister in the Presbyterian Church in America working with Peru Mission in the city of Trujillo. Wes grew up in rural Wilson County, Texas and graduated from Floresville High School in 1986. He studied at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1992 with a double degree in Biomedical Science and Philosophy.

In 1988 Wes married the former Jami Vaden of Seguin, Texas, and in December of 1992, with two children, they moved to Jackson to attend Reformed Theological Seminary. In the fall of 1993 Wes was called to be Student Supply Pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church (LPC) in Learned, MS. He finished his studies at RTS in December 1995 and was ordained as minister in Learned the following spring.

While serving at LPC, Wes became good friends with Alonzo Ramirez, a doctoral student from Peru, and together with classmate Bill Bradford, the three men visited Peru in the summer of 1996. Three weeks of travel, prayer, and late night conversations convinced the men that the Lord was calling them to form a church planting team to minister in Northern Peru. In February 2000, Wes and Jami packed up their family and their lives and moved to Cajamarca, Peru. With the arrival in March of 2000 of the Brad Ball family the team was complete.

The ministry in Peru has developed considerably since their arrival. The Ball and Baker families moved from Cajamarca to Trujillo in late 2001. The Bradfords moved down to the coastal city in 2005. Since then several more families have joined the team and the ministry has continued to grow. Wes's primary responsibilities involve teaching in the Seminario Biblico Reformado and mentoring Peruvian pastors and church planters. He has also been extensively involved in administration, recruiting, and development.Wes and Jami have seven children ranging in age from five to 19 years. Jami stays busy homeschooling the children, hosting visitors and teams, and teaching in the English Institute.

Wes states:
We are very grateful for the faithful prayers and generous support of First Presbyterian Church, as well as the summer teams that encourage us each year with their presence. The Lord has used FPC greatly to bless Peru Mission and the Baker Family as they minister in Northern Peru.

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Missionary Spotlight

Allen and Sandi Smith, Peru



Allen is an ordained Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) ministering with Peru Mission (Christian Missionary Society) in Trujillo, Peru.

He is originally from El Dorado, AR and graduated from Louisiana Tech University. In 1999 he married his college sweetheart, Sandi, and they moved to Jackson, MS to study at Reformed Theological Seminary.

After graduating from RTS with an M.Div. in Missions, Allen and Sandi joined a short term team to Trujillo, Peru. It was through this trip that the Lord put a strong desire in both of their hearts to join the vision of Peru Mission. While raising funds for Peru, Allen was called to the Ellisville Presbyterian Church in South Mississippi to serve as pastor for two years.

In Trujillo, Allen's responsibilities include leadership and music development as well as the Short Term Team Administrator. He disciples and trains men to be Godly leaders in their homes and churches which includes Bible studies, deaconal training, and accountability groups. Music development consists in training musicians and choirs, teaching Peruvians how to be God-centered song leaders, and composing music for psalms and the Westminster Shorter Catechism.

His wife, Sandi, stays busy with their three children and much hospitality. We have three daughters, Abigail (6), Adeline (4) and Mary Allen (1). We have been serving in Peru for three years.

They are so thankful for First Presbyterian Jackson's love, prayers, visits and financial support during their time in Peru!

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