news around the nation

North American Ministries 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.fwbnam.com.

Power Conference a Success

By Ida Lewis

Branson, Missouri—The First annual Acts 1:8 Power Conference for church growth and revitalization was hosted by North American Ministries in Branson, Missouri, May 25-26. Approximately 330 people from 17 states attended the conference.

Rev. Jeff Jones, pastor of Hilltop FWB Church in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, preached the opening service on Monday evening with music provided by Southern Raised, a family Southern Gospel group known for “bluegrass with class.” Christian humorist, songwriter, and inspirational speaker Aaron Wilburn wowed those present with his homespun humor and lifted spirits with his music.

On Tuesday, Rev. Jim McComas began the day with the story of David and Goliath. Although humorous, he communicated his ideas in a way that will not be forgotten.

Six breakout seminars featured the topics, Power in Your Preaching, Power in the Pews, and Power in Your Plan. Pastor Rob Morgan spoke on his new book, Mastering Life Before It’s Too Late, and shared ways to schedule days to be productive in your work and in your relationship with the Lord.

Dr. Brad Ransom, NAM director of church planting, offered creative ideas for outreach. Aaron Wilburn shared important information on the five most important minutes of a sermon, and pastor and homiletics professor Jeff Jones taught guidelines for expository preaching. Last but not least,

Jim McComas, NAM director of church revitalization, spoke on guaranteed principles for church failure—roadblocks to church growth. Each session was packed, with people standing in the back of the room and filling the hallway.

At six o'clock on Tuesday evening, the music began, and people poured into the hall. It seemed no one wanted to miss anything. When it came time for the preaching services, almost everyone was already in and seated. The Calvarymen, a well-known Missouri quartet started the Tuesday session, followed by Christian Davis, bass singer with the Dailey and Vincent quartets, Southern Raised, and others. On both nights, when the congregation stood to sing, it was like an old-fashioned revival time. You could almost hear the echoes of the evangelists and feel the inspiration of old. Executive Director, Dr. David Crowe, stepped into the pulpit on Tuesday evening, and brought the house down with a sermon from his heart.

This was a much-anticipated and well-planned conference, and no one left disappointed. New relationships were formed, great meals were shared, and information gathered. Many said this was the greatest conference they had attended. One commented, "I leave this meeting with hope for my ministry, my church, and our denomination." This conference was a rousing success.

Due to the overwhelming response, North American Ministries has already made the decision to hold a conference next year. Details are forthcoming.

About the Writer: Ida Lewis is publications editor for North American Ministries.

Introducing New Missionaries

Billy and Gloria Bevan recently assumed the pastorate at Eastside FWB Church in Dothan, Alabama. A joint project between the state of Alabama and North American Ministries, this ministry comes under the Church Revitalization division. Bevan comes from a long ministry at Sardis FWB Church in Eufaula, Alabama. He has pastored since 1970 in Georgia, Mississippi, and North Carolina. He graduated from Welch with a B.A. degree in Bible and Pastoral Training. He served as president of Southeastern FWB College in a full-time capacity for six years and part-time for seven years. The Bevan family consists of son, Billy Bevan, Jr., daughter, Karla, and their families. Please pray for the Bevans and this project.

Chris and Megan Davenport are teaming with church planters Carl and Cynthia Spruill to plant a Free Will Baptist church in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. This will be the second Free Will Baptist church on the island. Luther Sanders planted the first in Waipahu in 1959. Chris graduated from Welch College with a B.S. in Missions. The percentage of professing Christians on the island is very low. Kaneohe is growing and is home of MCB Hawaii Marine Corps Base. Please pray for Chris and Megan as they begin this exciting church plant in Hawaii.

Carl and Cynthia Spruill are planting a new Free Will Baptist church in Kaneohe, Oahu, Hawaii. Oahu boasts a population of 953,000, including Kaneohe, with a population of 35,000 residents. Nearly 60% of the Hawaiian people claim no religious affiliation. Carl’s grandparents, Luther and Helen Sanders, established the Waipahu FWB Church in 1959, and his parents, Wayne and Brenda Spruill, worked in the church as well. Carl and Cynthia will be the third generation of a family dedicated to ministry in Hawaii. The Spruills have three children—Noah, Keola, and Leilani. Please pray for this family and the new church plant in Hawaii.

John and April Moran are planting a new Free Will Baptist church as a joint project with the state of North Carolina. John comes from Sherwood Forest FWB Church in New Bern, North Carolina. He attended Southeastern FWB College earning a B.A. degree in Bible and Pastoral Training. The new church plant will be in Apex, which, at one time, was rated #14 in the list of best places to live in the United States. The population is expected to increase to 50,000 by the year 2020. This is a young, educated, and diverse area. John and April have two daughters, Alicia and Ashlyn. Please pray for the Morans as they reach the people of Apex.  

God Will Provide: An Update on Free Will Baptist Hispanic Ministry

By Rick Bowling

It seems like only yesterday when Trymon Messer and I began to pray for the Hispanic population in North America. We came to the conclusion that something had to be done. Trymon said, “The work must be done, Rick, but you cannot use any worker from our existing works. That means we have no church planters and no place to meet, but God will provide!”

It has been over 15 years since this ministry started, and Trymon knew exactly what he was talking about. God has supplied. Today, we have six full-time church planters who oversee 40 Hispanic works in the United States and works in every country in Latin America with the exception of Bolivia. We also have two mission works in Haiti. Around 3,000 Hispanics meet in Free Will Baptist churches every Sunday in the United States.

Our church planters are some of the greatest preachers and soul winners I have ever known. Their life motivation is to serve the Lord, win people to Christ, disciple them, and send them out to build more churches. Many Hispanic people come to the States because they have no way to provide for their families in their own countries. When they hear the Word of God and receive Him as their Savior, their priorities change. They become concerned the spiritual needs of their loved ones. Some return to their homelands and start churches. Those staying in the States have the same desire to reach others.

Dr. Rufo Gomez led Pastor Oscar Portillo to the Lord in Lexington, Kentucky. He immediately enrolled in Earl and Gwen Hendrix FWB Hispanic Institute. After graduating, he and his family went to Fort Myers, Florida, and started a church. They won many of their friends and family members to the Lord and built a strong work in Fort Myers. Currently, they are making plans to open another church in the Fort Myers area.

Rafael Barney came to know the Lord under Pastor Diego Cueva. He is now seeking to become a Free Will Baptist Navy chaplain. Retired Colonel Kerry Steedley is working with him, and hopefully, in a short time, we will have our first Hispanic chaplain.

Well, Trymon, as usual, was right. God has provided. And, we continue to look for a great future with qualified missionaries ready to get involved, a new correspondence program that will reach throughout the Americas, and preacher boys and their families called by the Lord for service.

The future looks good, but there is still much to do. Millions of Hispanics now live in the United States, and in all, we as Free Will Baptists have fewer than 100 works. You can be part of this ministry through prayer and financial support…and perhaps by getting involved in the ministry yourself. Maybe God is providing through you!

About the Writer: Rick Bowling is director of Hispanic Ministries for North American Ministries.