{"id":5640,"date":"2023-06-26T15:37:32","date_gmt":"2023-06-26T20:37:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=5640"},"modified":"2023-06-27T17:09:00","modified_gmt":"2023-06-27T22:09:00","slug":"a-tribute-to-judith-firebaugh-perez-1944-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/a-tribute-to-judith-firebaugh-perez-1944-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tribute to Judith Firebaugh Perez (1944 – 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a><\/h2>\n

Judith Firebaugh Perez<\/strong><\/h2>\n

(1944 – 2023)<\/h2>\n

On Friday, June 16, 2023, Rev. Ron Roy, World Missions Ministries Regional Director for the Gulf of Mexico Region, received word from Monterey, Mexico that Rev. Judith Perez had transitioned to her heavenly home the day before, Thursday, June 15, 2023.<\/p>\n

As many of you know, burial customs and traditions vary globally. A funeral service (known in Mexico as a Velada\u2014an open service for anyone who wants to attend) was held on Saturday afternoon with a private memorial service for invited guests on Sunday. Rev. Roy was able to attend to represent the IPHC\u2019s missionary family and speak at the Sunday Memorial Service.<\/p>\n

We join with Judith\u2019s family in Mexico, and here in the United States, in mourning and celebrating the remarkable life this lady of great faith lived. She was, without a doubt, one of the IPHC\u2019s most beloved missionaries.<\/p>\n

Since traditions differ outside of the U.S., it is only fitting for Judith\u2019s obituary to reflect that.<\/p>\n

The best person to tell her story is Judith herself. In 2020, Rev. Larry Meadors, World Missions and Evangelism Director for the IPHC Appalachian Conference, and a select group developed a booklet honoring the Appalachian Conference missionaries who had served as field missionaries from 1920-2020 entitled, A Century of Sending<\/em> – A compilation of missionary stories, 1920-2020.\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The following excerpt is how Judith tells her story:<\/p>\n

Growing up in Natural Bridge, it was always exciting when missionaries visited the church, but little did I know that one day I would be living out the beautiful song which June Carter and Floradell Baldwin sang so joyfully: \u201cBeyond the river, the Rio Grande\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

As many of you remember, I was married to Rev. Gerald Atkinson for only 13 months when the Lord took him home. I have said that if I had known the end from the beginning, I would have married him still because in those difficult months, Mom and Dad Atkinson and I were a team to make him know that he was loved and cared for to the end.<\/p>\n

My father, Lee H. Firebaugh, passed away four months before Gerald. So, I returned to my home place at Natural Bridge\u2026taught 5th grade, and was active in the local church. Cliff Turpin was promoting \u201cYouth in Missions\u201d and a trip to Mexico in which we traveled to many of our IPHC churches. I was greatly impressed because in every church the pastor was a graduate of Emmanuel Bible School in Monterrey.<\/p>\n

So, returning to Natural Bridge Elementary to continue teaching\u2026soon it was time to sign a contract for another year. By that time the Lord was dealing with my life and \u201crustling my nest\u201d of comfort\u2026 greatly impressing me that He had a work for me in that Bible School. How would I explain that to my mother and family?<\/p>\n

The time came when I knew it was a reality, and one morning at the breakfast table I announced that it was a definite calling from the Lord! My mother objected and reminded me that I was working for the Lord at NB! It was so spontaneous when out of my mouth I told my mother that if she didn\u00b4t give me her blessing to go to Mexico, then maybe the Lord would have to send a whale to Natural Bridge to take me there. Obviously, she understood and gave me her blessing!<\/p>\n

In September of 1971, I left for San Jos\u00e9, Costa Rica, to enroll in a specialized Language School and for one year diligently studied Spanish. The EXTRA which the Lord provided is that I boarded with Cadell and Vera Ashford. I also gleaned from resident missionaries: the Parkers, the Dickinsons and Charlene West. What a treasure of insight concerning being a missionary! I traveled with the Ashfords and Parkers on weekends to many churches in Costa Rica\u2026great adventures which I will never forget!<\/p>\n

In September of 1972, I was ordained by Rev. Bernard Underwood at the Natural Bridge Church. My family bought me a VW station wagon and I followed the Ashfords on the trip to Monterrey\u2026and of course, they continued their journey to Costa Rica!<\/p>\n

My companion and mentor in Monterrey was veteran missionary, Floradell Baldwin. What a world of knowledge and experience I gleaned from her until she had to leave the field in 1982.<\/p>\n

The joy of all these years of ministry: Emmanuel Bible School in Monterrey! This has been a real challenge and I know that the Lord sent me there. This school has been the seedbed of the majority of ministers in the East Mexico Conference. Also, it is a joy to know that some of these graduates are active in IPHC ministries in the U.S.!<\/p>\n

I could not close without reminding you that the Lord blessed me with a wonderful Mexican husband\u2026Rub\u00e9n P\u00e9rez, who also has used his talents of design, art, and teaching at Emmanuel. I became the mother of three wonderful children and now we have four grandchildren.<\/p>\n

Regretfully, we have not been able to visit churches in the USA as in years past because Rub\u00e9n needs hemodialysis three times a week; the cost of these treatments is extremely high in the U.S.! However, we keep in touch and are very excited over the participation of groups from the Appalachian Conference who have experienced the great joy of visiting a missions field. We welcome you, also, with arms open wide!<\/p>\n

Judith Firebaugh P\u00e9rez – <\/em>April 21, 2020<\/p>\n

At the 29th<\/sup> IPHC General Conference, July 27-29, 2022, in Jacksonville, Florida, World Missions Ministries honored and thanked Judith for her outstanding service to Christ and the International Pentecostal Holiness Church as a career missionary for the past 50 years by commissioning missionary, artist extraordinaire, Rev. Linwood Berry, to paint a portrait of her. Judith\u2019s daughter, Mrs. Haylee Perez graciously accompanied her to the U.S. for this special presentation.<\/p>\n

Judith went to Monterey in 1972 to teach in the Emmanual School of Theology in Monterey, Mexico, which has since prepared hundreds of pastors, ministers, evangelists, and Christian education workers. I told her at the WMM banquet where we made this special presentation to her with over 500+ guests in attendance that, in my opinion, she was irreplaceable!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Judith will be deeply missed by her IPHC family and, in particular, her missionary family, and on their behalf, I send our deepest condolences to Judith\u2019s family both in Mexico and here in the U.S.<\/p>\n

On behalf of IPHC\u2019s World Missions family,<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Executive Director, IPHC World Missions Ministries\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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Legacy Portrait: Judith Perez \/ Till Death Do Us Part<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Artist\/Missionary Linwood Berry’s notes regarding the inspiration for the painting are below:<\/strong><\/p>\n

This painting was commissioned by IPHC World Missions Ministries to honor retiring missionary Judy Perez, who has served with distinction in Mexico for over 50 years.<\/p>\n

Legacy portraits attempt to convey more than the likeness of the subject. I try to capture significant moments and images that relate to the story of the honoree.<\/p>\n

In this painting, two significant images were used as reference photos: one from 1972 when Judy was a newly arrived single missionary in front of the Emmanuel Bible Institute in Monterey, Mexico, and the other shows Judy with her late husband, Ruben, in a tender embrace.<\/p>\n

Concept\/title: Until Death Do Us Part, lifetime commitments, kept promises, and covenant relationships are increasingly harder to find in the 21st<\/sup> Century. These qualities are exemplified in the life of Judy Perez. She arrived in Mexico in 1972 with an earnest desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in missionary service. She would remain there for the next 50 years. To be sure there have been challenges and struggles. No doubt, many times she could have found an excuse to seek a new assignment or more comfortable circumstances. She has stayed on the course.<\/p>\n

The life of a missionary is not easy. In fact, you need a clear sense of God\u2019s call on your life and the faith to know that His faithfulness is greater than our own. He has a provision for every need, be it financial, emotional, or spiritual. \u201cFaithful is He that calleth you \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

Monterey, Mexico can be a difficult assignment. In fact, in 2022, it has elements of real danger. Judy qualifies as a brave missionary hero, although I am sure it would never occur to her to see herself that way.<\/p>\n

She met Ruben in Mexico. They married and shared life and ministry together until his recent departure to be with the Lord.<\/p>\n

Most of the photos of Judy I received show snapshots of Judy and Ruben together. They are always smiling and often holding hands. Beautiful relationship. Then there is the Emmanuel Bible Institute and its students. This was also Judy\u2019s great love.<\/p>\n

Judy\u2019s legacy demonstrates the faithfulness of God. She encourages me to stay the course, to go all in, and hold on faithfully to the one who called us. Jesus has prepared a unique place for each of us. For Judy that was Monterey, Mexico. There in that place, He provided everything she needed.<\/p>\n

A final observation: I have titled this painting \u201cUntil Death Do Us Part\u201d because all we have to give is our lives. But Jesus\u2019 commitment went beyond His life and death. His resurrection and ongoing intercession continue. This is true legacy. So too, Judy\u2019s missionary service will outlive her lifetime through the pastors, leaders, and lives she has touched.<\/p>\n

Thank you, Judy. Thank you, WMM, for the honor to learn from Judy as I made this painting.<\/p>\n

Linwood K. Berry Artist\/Missionary 20 July 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n

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From the Field…<\/h2>\n

By June Carter Canavesio, retired IPHC Missionary<\/em><\/p>\n

Judy Perez was loved and admired by all the Mexican Pentecostal Holiness Church people. When her daughter announced her departure to Heaven on Facebook, there were so many responses that it was impossible to read all of them. I read many and wept as I read them. Their love was without boundaries. I have translated two of them that especially touched me, both written by former superintendents of the Northeast Mexican Conference.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Today, without a doubt, a great lady has been taken up to the Kingdom of God. She was distinguished among us, having a heart for Mexico, for the church, and, above all, for education.\u00a0 Her works were and continue to be innumerably great, for she was not only an untiring warrior, but she was also a wife and a dedicated mother. She was a great friend, sincere and loyal.\u00a0 Her loyalty was recognized in her untiring ministerial and pastoral labors. She was a true missionary, recognized by all. The list could go on and on, but now her turn has arrived to pass from her labors, from battles and pain, to appear before her Maker, receive peace and quietude, and join the great celestial choir for all eternity.<\/p>\n

In life, she was a servant, and a letter of appreciation could be sent to her for being involved in our lives and receiving from her our formal ministerial training. And through her and her husband, we received generous help and opportunities according to our necessities. Thank God for having given us the joy and the privilege of having an angel among us.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.\u201d 2 Tim. 4:7<\/p>\n

Moises Sandoval, former Northeast Mexican Conference Superintendent<\/em><\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

It has seemed good to God, in His holy and perfect will, to call to His presence Sister Judith Perez, giving her a welcome, saying to her: \u201cWell done, good and faithful servant; I will place you over much: enter into the joy of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n

May the Divine Holy Spirit Comforter be with the Perez family; our family is with them.<\/p>\n

Felipe Ponce, former Northeast Mexican Conference Superintendent<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Judith Firebaugh Perez (1944 – 2023) On Friday, June 16, 2023, Rev. Ron Roy, World Missions Ministries Regional Director for the Gulf of Mexico Region, received word from Monterey, Mexico…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4],"tags":[487,513,45,375,483,154],"class_list":{"0":"post-5640","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"category-world-missions","9":"tag-487","10":"tag-judith-perez","11":"tag-mexico","12":"tag-missionary","13":"tag-obituary","14":"tag-tribute","15":"entry"},"title_es":"Un tributo a Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu","content_es":"

Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu <\/h1>

12 de agosto de 2020<\/strong> <\/h2>

Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu, 96, de West Columbia, SC, falleci\u00f3 pac\u00edficamente en su casa la noche del 12 de agosto de 2020. Se llevar\u00e1 a cabo un servicio familiar privado en la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer, el s\u00e1bado 15 de agosto de 2020, 11:00 A.M. El servicio se puede ver en Facebook y YouTube conect\u00e1ndose a la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer a trav\u00e9s de cualquiera de las fuentes. El logo de la iglesia incluye el nombre, con una cruz y puntos rojos alrededor. <\/p>

La Sra. Sandhu naci\u00f3 en McCormick, SC, y era la hija del fallecido Freddie Oscar y Winnie Dane Dew McNeill. Dora muri\u00f3 antes que su hermana, Winifred M. Caines, y sus tres hermanos: el reverendo James R. McNeill (Gerri), O. Ray McNeill (Mildred) y P. Wesley McNeill (Ginger). Le sobreviven su esposo, Jarnail Singh Sandhu, y dos hijos: Bobby Singh (Madhu) y Anand Singh (Holly), su nieto Paul Singh Sandhu, su hermana, Beth Stalbaum, y numerosas sobrinas y sobrinos. <\/p>

Desde muy joven, el deseo del coraz\u00f3n de Dora era ser maestra y misionera. Y su Se\u00f1or y Salvador hizo realidad ambos sue\u00f1os a trav\u00e9s de caminos inusuales. Su educaci\u00f3n comenz\u00f3 en Emmanuel College en Franklin Springs, Georgia, seguida de la escuela de enfermer\u00eda en Washington, DC. Continu\u00f3 su educaci\u00f3n mientras trabajaba como enfermera de salud p\u00fablica, y finalmente recibi\u00f3 su maestr\u00eda en enfermer\u00eda. Unos a\u00f1os m\u00e1s tarde, la Universidad de Lander comenz\u00f3 a buscar a alguien que dirigiera su programa de enfermer\u00eda. Solicit\u00f3 y ayud\u00f3 a comenzar el programa de enfermer\u00eda en Lander, cumpliendo as\u00ed su deseo de ense\u00f1ar. Despu\u00e9s de dejar Lander, se convirti\u00f3 en directora ejecutiva de la Asociaci\u00f3n de Enfermeras de Carolina del Sur, donde ten\u00eda la intenci\u00f3n de permanecer, posiblemente hasta su jubilaci\u00f3n. Sin embargo, todav\u00eda hab\u00eda otro sue\u00f1o en su coraz\u00f3n. <\/p>

En 1971, Dora llev\u00f3 a un grupo de j\u00f3venes de Ebenezer a un viaje misionero a M\u00e9xico. Despu\u00e9s de ese viaje, le escribi\u00f3 al director de la misi\u00f3n denominacional que sent\u00eda que era el momento. Despu\u00e9s de ser aceptada como misionera, pas\u00f3 varios a\u00f1os en Hong Kong sirviendo como enfermera misionera y como directora de la escuela secundaria Wing Kwong College. Este fue el cumplimiento de su sue\u00f1o misionero y tambi\u00e9n ten\u00eda un bono para ella. Conoci\u00f3 a su esposo, Jarnail, en un servicio religioso internacional mientras estaba en Hong Kong. Despu\u00e9s de mudarse a los Estados Unidos, ayud\u00f3 con su negocio de importaci\u00f3n y continu\u00f3 el ministerio en su iglesia local. <\/p>

Se pueden hacer memoriales en el Departamento de Misiones de la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer, 501 Church Street, West Columbia, SC 29172. <\/p>

En nombre de la Iglesia Internacional de Santidad Pentecostal y, en particular, de su familia misionera, les extiendo nuestro m\u00e1s sentido p\u00e9same, la familia y los amigos de la Sra. Dora McNeill Sandhu.<\/em><\/span> <\/p>

\u00a0<\/em><\/span> La Sra. Sandhu era miembro del clero "con licencia" de la Conferencia del Atl\u00e1ntico Medio cuando se reuni\u00f3 por primera vez con la Junta de Misiones Mundiales para expresar su deseo de ir a Hong Kong, China, para servir como m\u00e9dica misionera. La Junta de Misiones Mundiales aprob\u00f3 por unanimidad su nombramiento como misionera de carrera y solicit\u00f3 "que se vaya tan pronto como se puedan hacer los arreglos". Siendo una dama excepcionalmente dotada, su mandato incluy\u00f3 su servicio como misionera m\u00e9dica, directora de la escuela secundaria Wing Kwong, miembro auxiliar de mujeres, pastora de una iglesia, pastora asistente, dirigi\u00f3 y sirvi\u00f3 en el ministerio de ni\u00f1os y como administradora. de una cl\u00ednica y una escuela secundaria, todo mientras se desempe\u00f1aba como misionero de carrera en Hong Kong, China, de 1972 a 1979<\/em> . Aunque su ausencia en el cuerpo se siente profundamente, su ejemplo ha dejado un impacto eterno en el reino y en aquellos que encontr\u00f3 aqu\u00ed en esta tierra.<\/em><\/span> <\/p>

'La gracia est\u00e9 con todos ustedes.'"<\/span><\/em> <\/p>

Obispo J. Talmadge Gardner<\/span> <\/p>

Director Ejecutivo, Ministerios de Misiones Mundiales de IPHC<\/span> <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","author_name":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/03\/In-Loving-Memory.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-1sY","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5640"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5640\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5640"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5640"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5640"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}