Bruce & Marilyn Conran
California

Sheffield Association/National Missions

Bruce & Marilyn Conran
23949 Bar Harbor Ct.
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 255-9631
hbconran@ca.rr.com

In 1996 Bruce Conran, a retiree of General Motors, Flint, Michigan, moved from Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where he was employed by Stinson Press/Christian Education Board, to California to work for the Home (National) Missions Board. Bruce states, “Since that time, I’ve been consistently blessed and often amazed at how the Lord works, even within adverse circumstances.”

As the Ethnic Church Planting Coordinator for California, Bruce is assisting and oversees ethnic church planting in the Sheffield Association. There is an average of 20 General Baptist congregations in the association in the greater Los Angeles area. Most of them are ethnic churches. A strong relationship is also maintained with the congregations of the Lao Evangelical Church (H’mong ) in Stockton  and Sacramento. He assists in teaching/training with their churches and in their youth camp.

Wayne & Darlene Wallace
Long Beach, California

Sheffield Association/National Missions

Deeper Revelation Ministries
Pastor Wayne & Darlene Wallace  
2255 W. Broadway (Apt 6102)
Anaheim, CA 92804

With Sheffield Association, National Missions is sponsoring Deeper Revelation Ministries, an African-American group in Long Beach. Pastor Wayne Wallace is its lead pastor. His wife, Darlene, assists as worship leader, teacher, and preacher. 

Wayne has a disease called “sarcoidosis.”  It is a progressive disease that destroys the lungs. Even with this disabling disease Wayne states, “My mind is filled with the business of the church, the nurturing of babes and the edification of the saints. As I face my personal battles, I must continue to encourage others in the faith by word, example, and demonstration.

Wayne and Darlene have one son.

Jesus & Velia Hernandez
El Monte, California

Sheffield Association/National Missions

Iglesia Bautista Agua Viva
(Living Water Baptist Church)
Jesus & Velia Hernandez
14016 Clark St.                       
Baldwin Park, CA 91706-3109

October 1, 2000, Pastor Jesus Hernandez, began to work with the Sheffield Association to plant new churches is California. He has started groups in El Monte, Santa Ana, and Pomona. Ethnic Church Planting Coordinator Bruce Conran states, “Jesus has a definite gift of ‘evangelism’ and has been the most prolific soul-winner in our Sheffield churches.”

Jesus is a dynamic speaker and teacher as well as an accomplished musician and songwriter who has written more than 1,000 Christian songs. He has recorded albums and uses the proceeds from the sales to further the work of the ministry. His entire family plays an important role in the church. Jesus and Velia have four children. The children are all dedicated Christians who reflect the same values as their parents.

 Jesus also travels to Mexico to plant churches. He has five brothers who are pastors who assist in developing churches in Mexico.

Irwin & Kathleen Slack
Los Angeles, California

Sheffield Association/National Missions

In 2002 Pastor Irwin Slack began working with Sheffield Association to minister in the Watts area of Los Angeles. He presently lives in Newport Beach and is working to reach people in that area.

Irwin was raised in the city and experienced most of what it offers: gangs, drugs, etc.  Bruce Conran states, “Irwin knows that God delivered him from these things and has the conviction that God has equipped him to reach the lost in his area. He is a very faithful worker.”

Irwin and Kathy have three children

Church Planter
Pastor Jose Rene Rodriguez became a part of the Sheffield Association in 2003, when he began a Hispanic ministry in the Santa Ana First GB Church. In 2004 National Missions and Sheffield Association began to support his work to plant churches.

 Rene has started new Hispanic churches in Novato and Richmond (both in the San Francisco area), plus a church in Sioux City, Iowa. Ethnic Church Planting Coordinator Bruce Conran explains that Rene starts church groups, introduces them to the General Baptist Statements of Faith and Church Covenant, and tells them about Sheffield Association and its efforts to reach ethnic groups. Once a group is established, friends and/or relatives of Rene assume leadership of the new church group. Bruce states, “He’s a great ambassador for the Lord and also for General Baptists.”

 Rene also leads classes in the Bible institute (Instituto Biblico de Sheffield) in Santa Ana and San Francisco.

 Rene and Emerita have six children, all active in the programs of the church.