After 30 years as a missionary serving in Kimpese, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wendy Bernhard is back in the United States and will speak at First Baptist Church of Hays beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 16, with a potluck meal at the church, 12th and Fort in Hays.

Bernhard taught at the Bible Institute of Kimpese, 120 miles west of the nation’s capital of Kinshasa, in the far western point of the country. In her ministry she used three languages, French, Kinongo and Lingala.

One of her primary missions was working with a team of doctors, pastors and lay people holding “Responsible Living Skills” seminars for young people and advocating for biblical principles of sexual behavior as part of the fight against AIDS.

This ministry included a twice-weekly broadcast on FM Radio Bangu called “Youth: A Jewel and a Treasure,” which focuses on telling young people of their “infinite worth in the eyes of God, and encourage them not to waste their youth, but to live responsibly,” according to the presentation on her Web page.

First Baptist Church, Hays, is a member of American Baptist Churches USA. Bernhard’s mission is with ABC USA’s International Ministries.

More information on Bernhard and her ministry is available at http://www.internationalministries.org/teams/47-bernhard

The public is invited to the Bernhard’s presentation at First Baptist Church. Admission is free to the presentation and the potluck, but a free-will offering to support missions will be taken.

Those who plan to attend are asked to please contact the church at 785-625-9454 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., or email [email protected], so that a count can be taken and adequate food prepared. Contributions to the potluck are also welcome.