Mission
Statement

Prayer/News
Letter

Our Bios

Our Story

Why
Cameroon?

BGC in
Cameroon

Weather in
Cameroon

Photos

Maps

Contact Us

Northeast Baptist Conference

Our Bios

Missionary Appointee to Cameroon
THOM SCHOTANUS

BACKGROUND:
Thom grew up in a solid Christian family, coming to know Christ one evening after a Stockade club program in his church. He continued to be active in church and his Christian life, but admits that in high school his friendships with nonchristians became stronger than his ties with Christian friends. It began to lead him on path where he made several major wrong choices in his life and drifted away from the church for many years. After he had met Ellen, and they were both struggling to raise their children, Ellen was witnessed to by a sister. Thom had to explain the Gospel to her, and admitted that he had understood it years ago but had wandered from God. Ellen received Christ, and Thom has drawn near to God once again, developing a joyful, thriving Christian walk since that time.

MINISTRY/WORK EXPERIENCE:
Thom is an experienced construction supervisor and general contractor. After working for a construction company for nearly 10 years, Thom launched his own company. He did a lot of commercial work — even some medical facilities. As the business grew, so did the demands on Thom’s time and energy. Thom began to be very frustrated that his workload was hindering him from serving God and being involved in the church they way he wanted. In his church he has taught Sunday school, been a youth group leader, served on the missions committee, and helped with construction projects.

CALL TO MISSIONS:
Dr. Pius Tih, the Cameroonian who heads the medical ministries of the Cameroon Baptist Convention, stayed in Thom and Ellen’s home in early 1998 while at their church for a missions conference. He was led by God to challenge Thom and Ellen about the needs they have in Cameroon, a need to keep the medical facilities in good repair and build additions to them. The timing of this challenge was ordained by God — it came right at the time when Thom was praying through his frustration of not having time to serve God because of his job. Through the months that followed, God confirmed that He did indeed want to use Thom — and his professional skills — on the mission field.

FIELD ASSIGNMENT:
Thom will be the projects supervisor for the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Ministries. This means he will oversee the projects related to the medical facilities, coaching and directing the local workers in construction skills and project management. It is also anticipated Thom will oversee the construction of a new facility to house a clinic and a church. Thom very much wants to be involved in discipling some Cameroonian believers and active in the ministry of a local church as well.

Missionary Appointee to Cameroon
ELLEN SCHOTANUS

BACKGROUND:
Ellen grew up in a large Irish Catholic family — one of twelve children. It was not a great family situation; her father was an alcoholic and her mother busy with all the kids. Neither parent was able to show love or guidance, so Ellen grew up with mix of anger and bitterness and yet a cherished closeness with her brothers and sisters. She married at 18, only to find that marriage wasn’t what she thought it would be, but attempted to make it work for many years. A Christian sister eventually shared the gospel with her, and she was ready to commit her life to Christ. She describes herself as a "sponge" ever since, continually soaking up new truths from God’s Word. She has a joy and faith in Christ that is contagious.

MINISTRY/WORK EXPERIENCE:
Ellen worked as a waitress for about 16 years, prior to 1997. That’s how she and Thom met! After she had become a Christian and was growing in Christ, she gave up waitressing in order to have Sundays free to be involved in church. She switched to cleaning houses for the income, and also had flexibility in her scheduling to participate in and lead Bible studies, teach Sunday School, assist with the youth group, and serve on the missions committee at her church.

CALL TO MISSIONS:
Thom and Ellen received an invitation to be involved in ministry in Cameroon by Dr. Pius Tih, the head of the Cameroon Baptist Convention medical board in 1998. They were both growing in Christ and desiring to serve Him more and more. Thom’s skills were needed in the construction area, and Ellen’s work experience makes her a perfect fit to be the station hostess at the Banso hospital station.

FIELD ASSIGNMENT:
Ellen will serve at the station hostess in Banso, where the medical board has a hospital. Ellen will manage the flow of guests (missionaries, visiting doctors, and others), making sure there is a comfortable room and meals provided for them. She will work with a Cameroonian staff in doing this, and looks forward to the opportunity to invest her life in the lives of some of the women she works with. Along with Thom, Ellen is eager to use her gifts in the local church they attend.