VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/4/11)—IM missionaries, Dwight and Barbara Bolick, in Temuco, Chile reported that they are safe after a 7.1 earthquake hit the country on Sunday. This is the second major earthquake to rock Chile in less than one year. Sunday’s quake was centered in the Araucania region which comprises Temuco and is 370 miles (595 kilometers) south-southwest of Santiago.

Dwight wrote Sunday night that the Bolicks are safe and not aware of damage from the earthquake. A volunteer group from the Indiana/Kentucky ABC region is with the Bolicks now in Concepción, Chile. “We were on the coast when it hit and many felt it. It was short, so no one was alarmed. Then we were on the beach when our friends in Temuco started calling us tell us we should leave. We left, but later learned that there was no danger of a tsunami.”

José Norat-Rodríguez spoke with the president of International Ministries partner, Convención de Iglesias Bautistas de la “Misión Chilena”, Mario Ramos, who said that the quake was very strong but he had no reports of death or damage.

American Baptist International Ministries, organized in 1814, is the oldest Baptist mission agency formed in North America. We serve more than 2,500 short-term and long-term missionaries annually, bringing U.S. and Puerto Rico churches together with partners in 76 countries in cutting-edge ministries that tell the good news of Jesus Christ while meeting human needs.

American Baptist Churches is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.