Abernathys Ministry. . .
Gary Abernathy is an alumnus of Apostolic Bible Institute and the son of veteran missionaries to South Africa, Charles and Janet Abernathy (both deceased). Sharon is the daughter of E.C., Sr. and Helen Collins. Gary and Sharon met while at ABI and were married December 1, 1973. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Theology degree, Gary and Sharon worked with Rodney and Gwen Sandmon in a home missions church in Minnesota for approximately one year. They then assisted Pastor David Hudson in Syracuse, Indiana for three years. It was during this time that the Abernathys felt the call to foreign missions work.
The Abernathys were appointed by the Foreign Missions Board in April 1981, and ratified by the General Board in May 1981 to begin their missions work. With their two little boys, they began their deputational travels to raise support in July 1981.
They began their missionary work in South Africa in 1982. In 1986 they moved into Malawi, were there for 12 years, then settled in Zambia in 1998.
South Africa and Malawi:
The Abernathys first appointment was to the country of South Africa, where they arrived in Cape Town in 1982. Later, they moved to Johannesburg while serving as Youth Ministries Coordinators for South Africa. During their first term, the Abernathys were heavily involved in the Bible School and other aspects of the training ministry.
In 1986, they were appointed to the country of Malawi, Africa, and arrived there in 1987. They continued to emphasize ministerial training in Malawi through their second and third terms. During this time and until 1998, they worked with fellow missionaries, Jim and Karen Crumpacker. and later David and Donna Flowers and Donald and Abigail O'Keefe.
Zambia:
In 1998 the Abernathys began their work with the United Pentecostal Church of Zambia- “The Real Africa”. Using Lusaka for their headquarters location, they oversee the Bible School and provide training seminars for the ministry. On weekends they visit UPCZ churches, locally or in other regions of Zambia, to encourage or assist pastors and church leaders.
