"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, [even] to the end of the age." Amen.
Matthew 28:19-20
Fifth Avenue Chapel has a long-standing commitment to missions work in both North America and overseas. The following individuals, all members of our fellowship, have been sent out or “commended” to full-time service for the Lord.
David and Beth Wilson
Waterford, Ireland
The Wilsons were commended by Fifth Avenue Chapel in 1997 to the Lord's work in the Republic of Ireland. Originally involved in the work in Kilkenny, they relocated to Waterford, where they are involved in Bible teaching, evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. They also participate in outreach to Carrick-au-Sur in hopes of seeing a new church planted soon.
Joel Clark
Lima, Peru
Joel was commended by Fifth Avenue Chapel in 1986 to the Lord's work in Peru. He is involved in pastoral work and Bible teaching in the capital, Lima, primarily with the assembly in Covida. He also ministers in other Spanish-speaking countries.
Phil and Mary Parsons
CMML, New Jersey
Phil and Mary Parsons are commended by Fifth Avenue Chapel to Missionary Care at CMML. They participate in the important task of caring for the missionaries around the globe, whom CMML has the privilege of serving. Phil and Mary meet, communicate, and visit with missionaries with the goal of doing what is needed so that CMML missionaries are enabled, supported, refreshed, and encouraged in their service for the Lord. The Parsons focus their care efforts on missionaries serving in Europe, the Philippines, Cross-Cultural US, and Refocused categories.
Originally commended from Andover, Massachusetts, the Parsons previously spent 20 years serving as CMML missionaries at Faith Academy in the Philippines, after which they were commended to serve at CMML as Guest Home Host and Hostess, while Phil also served in various areas of the CMML Office Staff until fully transitioning to full-time Missionary Care in 2025.
Terry and Jane Gilpin
Port Shepstone, South Africa
Dr. Terry Gilpin was commended to the Lord’s work by the assembly in Bangor, Northern Ireland in 1969, and for many years was involved as a physician and administrator of Murchison Mission Hospital. Upon her marriage to Terry, Jane was commended to the work in 1997 by Fifth Avenue Chapel. Together they have been involved in the local assembly, the Emmaus prison ministry, Zulu ministry, hospitality, and assisting with area Bible studies. The Gilpins recently refocused back to New Jersey and are in regular fellowship at Fifth Avenue Chapel.
Calvin Cowell
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Coleman Cowell felt led by the Lord to spend his retirement years in his native country of Jamaica, ministering among the assemblies in the Montego Bay area. Fifth Avenue Chapel commended him to his work upon his retirement as a self-supporting missionary. Coleman is now quite elderly and has refocused from his itinerant ministry while remaining in Jamaica. He seeks to be a blessing to the Lord's people as much as he can.