Free Will Baptist North American Ministries (NAM) is dedicated to planting churches across America as well as Canada, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Chaplains minister to thousands of men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, and Reserve forces. And cross cultural church planting specialists connect with people who have come to America from all over the world. Learn more about our ministry: www.FWBNAM.com.

NAM Approves Four Church Planters in Historic Meeting

It may not have been the most church planters approved in a single meeting, but it was the most diverse. In a historic meeting, the North American Ministries (NAM) board approved four church planters to start churches in unique and groundbreaking areas for Free Will Baptists.

Ohio natives, Justin and Allison Feight [above] were approved to plant the first and only Free Will Baptist church in the state of North Dakota, in the city of Jamestown. Home to the University of Jamestown and the National Buffalo Museum, Jamestown is considered the motorsports capital of North Dakota and is one of the state’s largest cities. It lies between Bismarck and Fargo with two Native American reservations nearby. The mission field is great in this region with thousands of unchurched people needing the gospel. To learn more about the Feights, their two children Abigail and Benjamin, and the work in Jamestown, or to support this ministry financially, please visit fwbnam.com/feight.

Matt and Becky Hanshaw [above] were approved in a unique joint project partnership with the Oklahoma Executive Office, First Oklahoma District Association, and Bob Thomas Ministries to revitalize Hilltop FWB Church in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Ardmore is in south central Oklahoma, strategically located between Oklahoma City and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. Upcoming business expansions are expected to bring thousands of new jobs to Ardmore and increase the population exponentially. Hilltop Church has beautiful facilities in a great location and is ready to move forward. The Hanshaws have one daughter, Jovie, and are both graduates of Randall University. To learn more, or to support this family financially, visit fwbnam.com/hanshaws.

Team members Luke and Dalanee Sherman also were approved to go to Ardmore, Oklahoma, as associate church planters with the Hanshaws. Luke and Dalanee are seniors at Randall University. Luke grew up at Cross Point FWB Church in Wichita, Kansas, and Dalanee is from Tuttle, Oklahoma. Luke is passionate about worship ministries and a talented singer and musician. Dalanee has a heart for children and will lead the kid’s ministry at Hilltop. For more information about the Shermans or to support them financially, visit fwbnam.com/sherman.

The Donelson Fellowship (TDF) in Nashville, Tennessee, is a church with a heart to plant other churches and help struggling churches reach their communities with the gospel. TDF approached NAM and the Michigan State Missions Board with candidates Greg and Hailey Smith to replant a church in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Greg is excited to move back to his home state to work in this ministry. Hailey is originally from Georgia. The Smiths have one daughter, Norah. In this partnership, the Smiths will work to build a team and relaunch a strong, healthy church. Ypsilanti lies just west of Detroit and is a culturally diverse city with a great need for the gospel. For more information or to support the Smiths financially, please visit fwbnam.com/greg-smith.

Chaplaincy Update

North American Ministries continues to be the endorsing agent for Free Will Baptist military, hospital, law enforcement, and even Secret Service chaplains. Military Chaplains serve as pastors to military personnel stationed all over the world through Bible classes, services, during illness, to families and fellow officers if death occurs, and during wars and conflicts. Please pray faithfully for the following Free Will Baptist chaplains:

• Captain Amir Ashoori—Army Reserve, Fresno, California
  

• Captain Michael Beatty—Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
  

• Captain David Dodson—Eglin Air Force Base, Florida
  

• Major Lee Frye—Fort Stewart, Georgia
  

• Lieutenant Colonel Brad Hanna—Oklahoma Army National Guard
  

• Lieutenant Hal Jones—San Diego, California (transitioning to Virginia Beach, Virginia, in December)
  

• Lieutenant Colonel Tracy Kerr—Fort Bragg, North Carolina
  

• Lieutenant Mark McCraney—Camp Lejeune, North Carolina
  

• Major Kevin Trimble—Observer/Controller, Fort Irwin, California

Four chaplain candidates currently preparing for service:

• Lieutenant Matthew Saunders
  

• Lieutenant Jonathan Truett
  

• Lieutenant Shaun Hembree
  

• Lieutenant Elliott Delius
  

Are you interested in becoming a Free Will Baptist chaplain in the U.S. Military? Chaplains must meet the following requirements:

• Complete 120 hours of undergraduate study in a college or university ending in a Bachelor of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science degree, or some other qualified degree.
  

• Complete at least 72 semester hours of graduate credit at an accredited seminary ending in a Bachelor of Divinity or Master of Divinity program.
  

• Be an ordained Free Will Baptist minister in good standing with the denomination, with two years professional experience at a Free Will Baptist church.
  

• Submit the proper applications to North American Ministries and the branch of service in which he desires to serve.
  

• Be under 46 years of age, have the ecclesiastical endorsement of his denominational body, and pass a physical examination.
  

Applicants will be notified by the government when their application is approved.