Fletcher Park Inn Retirees Support Mission Work in Zambia With Record Offering

The primary school at Riverside Farms Institute.

Quiet excitement settled over the Upper Room at Fletcher Park Inn on Friday evening, August 18, as residents gathered for vespers. Earlier in the summer, vesper leader Ed Bagwell had announced a special summer offering to benefit educational projects at Riverside Farms Institute in Zambia, Africa—an initiative led by longtime missionaries Alan and Pauline Knowles.

Following the announcement, enthusiasm grew as members learned that a $5,000 anonymous matching challenge had been pledged. Each donation would be matched dollar-for-dollar, with the potential to raise $10,000 in total support for Riverside Farms.

Pauline and Alan Knowles, missionaries for 38 years at Riverside Farms Institute, shown with one of the students.

Alan and Pauline Knowles, who have served at the Institute for 38 years, attended the vespers and shared reports of their work. Riverside Farms Institute provides elementary and adult education, agricultural training, tailoring, and maintains a large banana plantation. Pauline places special emphasis on supporting primary school children, ensuring that those in need receive clean, mended uniforms. Alan leads student teams in constructing One-Day Churches, repairing and roofing older churches, and drilling and restoring wells. Most recently, he has overseen the construction of primary and secondary school buildings, which now serve nearly 500 students.

After the Knowleses shared their testimonies, the offering was collected and totaled. With heartfelt gratitude and praise, the residents learned that $10,200 had been raised—surpassing the matching goal. This marked the first summer vespers offering at Fletcher Park Inn.

Retirees praised God for the opportunity to support gospel-centered education and humanitarian service in Zambia. As Scripture reminds us, “For I was hungry and you gave me meat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

by Sharyn Mahorney