on the road with larry powell   Each year, Larry Powell, general director of the Home Missions Department, travels thousands of miles, visiting new churches, encouraging missionaries, and examining potential sites for church planting. Take an exciting trip with Larry for a first-hand look at what God is doing across the country and around the world.

Villalba, Spain

Larry and his wife Wanda recently traveled with James Forlines, director of International Missions, and his wife Anita to visit church planters in the country of Spain. Larry recorded the following thoughts about the trip:

The FWB mission in the city of Villalba had a large crowd for worship on Sunday morning. Pastor Jhon Fredy Agreda is doing a tremendous job growing a solid church. I enjoyed speaking to the congregation and was warmly received.

Pastor José Manuel Parron has a growing congregation and new facilities in the city of Alcala. I was impressed with his humility and the compassion he demonstrated for those who don’t know Christ in his city. God has blessed him with great leadership abilities.

 

Photo: The Vilallba Church welcomes the visitors.

Pastor Juan Carlos Cabreras and his congregation are reaching Spaniards, but also a large number of people from Cuba, Brazil, and other South American countries with the gospel. James spoke to a full house on Sunday evening.

I must express profound gratitude for what God is doing through our missionaries in Spain. I am grateful for the outreach of the Edgmons and Johnsons in the city of Alpedrete. The Turnboughs (both couples) and McVays are all hard working missionaries. I was impressed with the development of pastors through the national leadership training program.

What an exciting experience to visit our missionaries in the area where God has called them to His service! Free Will Baptists need to know that our church planters in Spain are doing an outstanding work in this country with a population of more than 40 million.

 

Waipahu, Hawaii

Ken and Melinda Reiter pastor the Waipahu Free Will Baptist Church in Hawaii, started by home missionary Luther Sanders some years ago. The church family loves and appreciates them, and they are doing an exceptional job leading the church to reach out to the surrounding community.

Any pastor whose church gave $12,000 to the 2005 Benjamin Randall Offering was invited to a cruise in the Hawaiian Islands. One of the most exciting events during the trip was a visit to the church in Waipahu. Ken introduced our group to the crowd that gathered to worship on Sunday morning. It was a blessing to see many older church members who have remained faithful since the early days of the church.

Photo: Larry Powell (left) and Hawaiian pastor Ken Reiter.

During the service, a large group of teens thrilled our hearts when they sang great hymns of the faith. The church family received us warmly, giving us gifts and providing a great fellowship meal. We are grateful for the continued faithfulness of our Free Will Baptist family in Hawaii! If you tour the islands, take time to visit the Waipahu church. The members will treat you like royalty!

New Durham, New Hampshire

The Free Will Baptist Heritage Tour stepped back in history during a Sunday stop in New Durham, New Hampshire. Hosted by Pastor Jim Nason and his church family, 11 pastors enjoyed a visit to the first Free Will Baptist church (Church on the Ridge) and the Benjamin Randall monument.

Pastors Mickey Crane, New Oak Grove FWB Church, Nauvoo, Alabama, and J.D. Norris, Virginia Beach FWB Church, shared inspiring and challenging messages. Rev. Tom Scott, long-time pastor at Red Bay, AL (now pastor of the Union Ridge FWB Church, Sulligent, AL) delivered an excellent message at the historical “Ridge Church” on Sunday afternoon.

Rev. Jason Myers (pictured above), pastor of Victory FWB Church, Hanover, PA, spoke at the gravesite of Benjamin Randall. For several years, the Victory Church has been number one in giving to the Benjamin Randall Offering. Jason’s devotion was a challenge to all Free Will Baptists. He listed several things from the past that believers still need in the present—repentance and holy living as noted by John the Baptist, and to win as many souls as possible with the message of salvation. Like the early church, we have God’s promises and the power of His presence to enable our mission.

Free Will Baptist pastors who would like to visit Benjamin Randall country are encouraged to call Richard Adams in the Home Missions Department at (877) 767-7674 to learn how you may qualify for the trip. To learn more about the ministry of Free Will Baptist Home Missions, visit their website at www.homemissions.net.