news around the nation The Home Missions Department exists to communicate the gospel, make disciples, and plant new churches in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Find out more at www.homemissions.net.

McComas Joins Home Missions Staff

Antioch, TN—The Home Missions Department welcomes Rev. Jim McComas (pictured below) to serve as director of church revitalization. Jim was born and raised in Northeast Ohio. He accepted Christ at age six, and surrendered to the call of God on His life to preach the gospel at the early age of nine.

Jim often filled the pulpit of his home church, preached regularly on the radio, weekly in three local nursing homes, and spent a summer on the mission field in France, all before graduating from high school.

Jim served as senior pastor of Canaan FWB Church in Creston, Ohio, for 21 years. He led the church through two building programs and many years of continuous growth. In addition to his preaching and teaching ministry at Canaan, Jim served as vice-chairman of the Board of the Ohio State Association of Free Will Baptists for many years. He continues to write a column on Ohio Free Will Baptist history in The Ambassador magazine, and was the baritone singer and songwriter for “The Representatives Quartet” for 25 years.

During his years as pastor at Canaan, Jim was very involved in the community. He taught over 200 junior high students each week during religious education classes in the local public schools and served on the board of directors for the local crisis pregnancy center. A high school basketball announcer, he was known for many years as the “Voice of the Norwayne Bobcats.” In 2012, the Creston Community Club honored him as “Citizen of the Year.” He has also been awarded the “Lifetime Patriot” award from the church and Congressman Jim Renacci for his work in honoring the nation’s veterans. Jim and his wife Beth were married in 1992. They have two boys, Matt and Aaron.

Associate Missionaries Welcomed

Home Missions welcomes Jordan and Scarlett Looney as associate missionaries. They will join Barry Long in Aurora, Colorado, to assist in planting Turning Point FWB Church. The couple is from Carthage FWB Church in Carthage, Tennessee.

Scarlett is granddaughter of Frank Bratcher, a former home missionary who planted the Carthage Church. Jordan has pastored in Tennessee and Arkansas. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Theological Studies and General Christian Ministries from Welch College. Pray for these families as they work together to impact Aurora, Colorado, for the Lord.

Missionary Updates

Dexter Guin, Colorado Springs, Colorado - On a recent winter Sunday evening, 16 children were dedicated to the Lord by their parents. They asked the Lord to use these children as He sees fit.

David Sexton, Suffolk, Virginia – Since the purchase of a building in 2010, we have progressed through four phases of remodeling and expansion. Over the past five years, 97 people have come to know Christ, 1,448 first-time visitors have come through our doors, and we are averaging 120 in our services. The Lord has been good to us.

Myron Scott, Gilbert, Arizona – Over the past five months, seven souls have professed faith in Christ as Savior. We are averaging 116 in attendance on Sundays and in the 90’s on Wednesday nights. We also have welcomed more than 50 first-time visitors.

Donnie Burke, Castle Rock, Colorado – Our church celebrated its second anniversary with 128 in attendance. We participated in an area event, and with help from a mission team from Missouri, we made hundreds of contacts for our church. We were able to set up for this annual downtown event in Castle Rock on our own property.