J.C. and Betty Choate

J.C. and Betty began their foreign mission efforts in 1962 in Karachi, Pakistan. They established the church also in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1967, and in New Delhi, India in 1968.

The many questions asked by Bible correspondence course students propelled J.C into the beginning of a literature program even in Pakistan, and the use of small study books grew with the even greater needs they found in India. When multiple-language radio programs were added to the available tools, the literature involvement also increased.

Not being able to get long-term residence visas for India, and finding it necessary to spend part of each year in the States to raise funds for the growing number of weekly radio programs and the increased demands for literature, J.C. became involved in radio/literature efforts in other countries “on the way” home. India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Burma, Indonesia, East Malaysia, and the Philippines are points of involvement. Also, printing is being done in some African countries.

In addition to printing being done within the countries, J.C. coordinated the production and publication of The Voice of Truth International, a quarterly magazine published in English in the US but sent to mission fields around the world. There are twenty-five foreign English-language editions of this magazine. At the present time, The Voice of Truth International is also being translated and printed in Spanish, Telugu, and Tamil.

With the spread of TV in India and the growth of cable systems, it is now possible for preachers of the Gospel to have local and satellite programs for the country. This is a new and currently developing phase of the work.

The Choates usually spend three months in the spring and the fall in India and Asia. While in the States, they visit congregations, reporting on the work and raising additional funds to increase what is being done. They have also published more than 200 book titles in the US, a quarterly teaching magazine [The Voice of Truth International], and a mission magazine [Global Harvest].

J.C. and Betty have three children, Sheila [married to Rob Gibson (a medical doctor) and parents of Stephanie and Alex; living in Denver, CO], Steven [married to Melinda and parents of Erin and Jonathan; Steve teaches art and art history at Harding University in Searcy, AR], and Brad [married to Georgia, parents of Savannah, Seth, and Arwen; Brad works in computer programming with “Six Apart” in San Francisco, CA]. All are Christians, and actively involved in the program of the church where they live. We give thanks for their lives and the good work they are doing.