Mission Emphasis: The Willits

Brad Willits, missionary to West Africa will be speaking at the 9AM Bible class and again for the Sunday evening worship service. Below is an article containing information about his and Estel's work in West Africa.

by Steve Hale

Brad and Estel met in 1972 while doing mission work in Rome, Italy. They worked with "Avanti Italia" in a 2 year program sponsored by Dallas-area churches of Christ. They continued planting churches in Italy for 13 years. Since those early years they have always had a passion for missions. Estel and our own Melissa Burka were best friends in high school, and their families have been close for years. We owe the Burkas a debt of thanks for connecting us with the Willits. Brad and Estel both have a B.A. degree in Missions, and Brad has a Master's degree in linguistics. Brad is presently working on a Ph.D. degree from the Free University in Amsterdam, Holland. During their time in Italy, though they enjoyed the work there immensely, they wanted to work among people who had never had an opportunity to hear the Gospel. This desire led them to the work in West Africa among a large unreached people group. Their goal was to learn the local language spoken by one million people, develop a literacy program teaching them how to read and write their own language, translate the Bible in that language, and help them understand the truth. They lived in a small village 35 miles from the capital city for 12 years with their four children to begin their work. After that they lived in two other small towns, before finally moving to the capital. The official language of the country is French, but the majority of the people speak their own vernacular. The local languages are quite developed with complex grammars and extensive vocabulary. Some of the groups write their languages with the Arabic script, but many are anxious to write their own language with the Roman script. The Willits publish their literacy and Bible materials in both scripts. Brad has developed a venacular dictionary and grammar, several primers, various community development booklets, as well as translating about 80% of the Bible. Estel has worked with the women teaching them how to dye cloth, make soap, and weave baskets to help them make a living for their families. Brad has helped the men dig wells and line them with cement rings so they will not cave in. The Willits insist on the importance of these projects as a way to show the people the love of God. The Willits homeschooled their children so they could remain as a family in the village. All of their children are presently in the States. Two of them are married. Their oldest and his family will join them in the work next year. The Willits have suffered many hardships over the years, but they have persevered in joy. We rejoice to have a part in their ministry.

• Tanzania, Africa 1997 - Jun 29, 1997
• Mission Emphasis Day - Feb 06, 2005
• The Sudan Project - Sep 28, 2008