news around the nation

For more information about the FWB Home Missions Department (now North American Ministries), please visit www.FWBNAM.com.

A New Twist on Living Water

We recently hired a man to help us install the new steeple at North Point FWB Church in Conroe, TX. The gentleman attends a Baptist church in Conroe. Before we started working that day, he shared a very interesting story that reminded us how the hand of the Lord guides our lives.

He said, “Not long ago, I was working down on a street close to your church. I was really hot and tired, so I stopped at a gas station and purchased a cup of ice and some water. I gulped down what I had and drove on. When I got to the next stop light, I noticed that there were some people handing out water. They were from your church. I gladly took the water and went on my way.”  

He went on to tell us that he usually took another route home, but on this particular day, he changed direction because he had an errand to run. “I took the water and poured it over my ice. Then, as I was driving along I saw a Hispanic woman holding a baby run out in front of traffic. She was trying unsuccessfully to get a car to stop. I turned around at the light and went back. The lady was in a state of panic over her sick child but told me the baby was still breathing. She said that the baby had such a high fever, it had gone into convulsions.”

He quickly helped the lady, the baby, and three other children into his van and began to drive them toward the nearest hospital. On the way, they used the water our church members had given them to bring down the baby's temperature. Then, at the hospital, the gentleman (who is also a Gideon representative), witnessed to the scared, young mother and gave her a Bible.

God used a simple act of kindness to save the life of this young child. He used our water and the hands of another believer to help save a life and minister to the lost. What a tremendous faith builder for the people in our mission church!

To read more about North Point FWB Church and kindness evangelism, read the article By All Means by Richard Atwood.

Jarvis Reed is a Home Missionary to Conroe, TX, a suburb just north of Houston. Find out more about North Point FWB Church by visiting their website www.npfwb.com.

SEMINARY GRADUATES FIVE

REYNOSA, MX May 14, 2005, marked Graduation at El Seminario Biblico La Cruz in Reynosa. Five students completed programs of study and began new ministries. All five are Mexican citizens and plan to serve in their home country.

Jose Gorgonio Cabrera Valencia and his wife Josefa Perez Marcos (left) are from Las Lomas in the state of Vera Cruz. They plan to pastor a mission church in their home state. Maria Leydi Marlene Balam Chin (center) is from the city of Maria Morelos in the state of Quintana Roo. Leydi is single and plans to work with women and children in her home church. Irma Garcia Vazquez (right) lives in Buena Vista,Vera Cruz. Irma is also single; she teaches the children in Sunday School in her local church. Miguel Angel Marquez Alonso (far right) is a ministerial student from the village of Tecacahuaco in the state of Hidalgo. Miguel is single and plans to pastor a mission church in his home state. Please pray for the graduates as they begin their service.

The seminary in Mexico began in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, in the early 1960s. Since 1996, it has operated on a beautiful 25-acre campus in Reynosa, a few miles south of McAllen, Texas. The seminary provides training for ministerial students and other Christian workers from our Free Will Baptist churches in Mexico. Many Mexican Free Will Baptist pastors received their training at the seminary.

Owned and operated by the Association of Free Will Baptist churches of Mexico, the seminary receives financial support from Free Will Baptist churches in both Mexico and the United States. Dr. Thomas L. Marberry, a national home missionary serves as president. Rev. Marco Antonio Mendoza Gonzalez serves as Academic Dean.

If you would like more information about the seminary, mission trips to Mexico, or other aspects of FWB work in Mexico, please contact Dr. Thomas L. Marberry at El Seminario Biblico La Cruz, P.O. Box 1674, Pharr, TX 78577-1629.

GREAT ATTENDANCE AT GREEN BAY

GREEN BAY, WI The Grace Free Will Baptist Church dedicated their newly renovated church building on June 26, 2005, with 122 in attendance. Home missionary John Reed started the church two years ago. They met in Grace Presbyterian Church and the Odd Fellows building until they purchased their current property. The Home Missions Church Extension Loan Fund provided the funds for that purchase.

After months of hard labor the former warehouse has been transformed into a beautiful facility with an auditorium that seats 240 people, several classrooms and offices, and a full-sized gymnasium.

Among those attending the dedication were several contractors who worked to install heat, air, and electricity. Don Matchett, director of missions for Arkansas, Dwayne Roper, chairman of the Arkansas Mission Board, and Richard Adams, director of development for National Home Missions also attended and took part in the service.

The ladies of the church prepared a delicious meal for those in attendance. John Reed, Jr., directed the music, and presented a PowerPoint program illustrating the stages of church growth.

Arkansas is to be commended for supporting the work in Green Bay. Through the Acts 1:8 Missions program, they are not only helping their Judaea and the world, but their Samaria as well. The National Home Missions Department would like to thank those who have invested in the Church Extension Loan Fund which made this building project possible.

BEVAN, REEL, MILES, AND WILSON WIN TOURNAMENT

PIGEON FORGE, TN Twelve golfers teed off at the Eagle’s Landing Golf Course. This tournament is an annual activity for “Build My Church” donors. While the fellows enjoy golf, their wives shop at the many outlets in Pigeon Forge.

Billy Bevan, Jr., who pastors the Camden FWB Church, Kingsland, GA, and Chad Reel, the associate pastor of First FWB Church of Florence, SC, took first place honors. Donnie Miles, pastor of Peace FWB Church of Florence, SC, and Don Wilson, a business man from East Side FWB Church, Elizabethton, TN, took second place. The winners were presented with nice trophies.

We are planning our next tournament for May 23, 2006. Please contact the Free Will Baptist Home Missions office for more information.

UNEXPECTED SUCCESS

CASTAIC, CA When the Bartlett family moved to California several years ago to establish a Free Will Baptist church in Castaic, they did so with big dreams and plans. The project was a first for Free Will Baptist Home Missions.

The Bartletts were a seedling project, planting a chuch with a team of dedicated workers accompanying them. The Ray Hollifield family was part of that team. Many of the dreams have been accomplished in the past few years. However, recent developments went beyond anything either family could have dreamed.

Mandi Hollifield

Zachary Bartlett

On May 29, 2005, Zachary Bartlett graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. One week later, on June 4, Keith Bartlett and

Ray Hollifield officiated at the wedding of Zachary and Mandy Hollifield, joining these two families who already love each other. God is good.

SUCCESSFUL RETREAT IN PIGEON FORGE

PIGEON FORGE, TN This annual retreat began in 1992 as a way of expressing appreciation to those who had been faithful to support the “Build My Church” campaign by giving $1,000 or more during the year. Thanks to the continued support, our retreat has continued year after year!

The 2005 retreat was filled with many activities for more than 100 who attended. The beautiful Music Road Hotel provided accommodations, and everyone enjoyed dinner at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant. Special events included a concert by John Gibbs on Monday night and the annual golf tournament at the Eagle’s Landing Golf Club on Tuesday, followed by a wonderful dinner at the Dixie Stampede.

Would you like to be a part of the 2006 retreat? It will be held on May 22-23, so start today and raise your $1000 for “Build My Church.”

The “Build My Church” campaign helps missionaries buy property and build their facilities. Our first Million Dollar Trust already has helped twelve of our churches. We are only $230,000 short in raising our second million, the Roy Thomas Memorial Trust Fund. The money in these funds will not be spent by any departmental board or director. All the interest earned by the funds will go to help home missionaries.

We need more Free Will Baptist churches in several areas, including Alaska, Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, and the U.S. territories as well. Help Home Missions plant more churches in North America by reaching our second million for the glory of God.

Dr. Richard Adams, director of development, National Home Missions Department