news across the nation

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

EVERGREEN FWB CHURCH MODELS FAITHFUL SUPPORT

ERWIN, TN Harold Blankenship (pictured) pastors the Evergreen FWB Church in Erwin, TN. The church has been a faithful supporter of Home Missions for many years. For several years the church gave $1,000 per month to the Benjamin Randall Club. They continue to support Home Missions by parenting a Hispanic congregation in Johnson City. The church, under the leadership of Shane Wilson has been very successful, not only in establishing the first Hispanic church in Johnson City, but by starting several Hispanic Free Will Baptist churches throughout east Tennessee. The Evergreen Church funded this work until the Tennessee State Mission Board picked it up as a state project.

Last year, the Evergreen FWB Church gave $5,592 to the Benjamin Randall Day offering. The Home Missions Department is thankful for every church and individual who supports their ministry. Follow the example of the Evergreen church and join the Benjamin Randall Club today.

For more information about the Benjamin Randall Club, contact Richard Adams, Home Missions Department, at (877) 767-7674.

PASTORS AND WIVES ENJOY RETREAT

PIGEON FORGE, TN More than 100 pastors and their wives enjoyed the annual “Build My Church” retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN. Begun in 1992, the retreat provides opportunity for Home Missions to express appreciation to donors who contributed more than $1,000 to the “Build My Church” campaign the preceding year.

Attendees were treated to dinner and fellowship at the Applewood Farmhouse Restaurant, before a mini-concert featuring well-known pastor and singer John Gibbs.

The next morning’s golf tournament was held at the Eagles Landing Golf Course. Wayne Dugger, First FWB Church of Oak Ridge, TN, and Rev. Donnie Miles, pastor, Peace FWB Church, Florence, SC, (pictured below) won the tournament.

The Build My Church campaign was established to help missionaries buy property and build their facilities. The first Million Dollar Trust has helped construct 14 churches, and the department is only $145,604.59 away from establishing a second Million Dollar Trust.

Challenge your church to help Home Missions reach their goal by giving $1,000 to the Build My Church campaign this year. Your generosity will make it possible for your pastor and his wife to attend the annual retreat in May, 2007.

Above: Richard Atwood, director of missionary assistance, and his wife Sandy enjoy a meal together.

HERITAGE TOUR 2005

BOSTON, MA Each year, the Home Missions Department rewards churches who are among the top contributors to the Benjamin Randall Day Offering by including the pastor and his wife on a Free Will Baptist Heritage Tour of New England. The offering, observed each November, supports the Home Missions General Fund.

Twenty-six people traveled to Boston for the exciting weekend tour in 2005. The tour began along the Freedom Trail on Friday and included a stop in Plymouth, Massachusetts at the Manomet Bible Free Will Baptist Church. In historic Plymouth, tour stops included Plymouth Plantation Village, the replica of the Mayflower, and of course, Plymouth Rock. It is fascinating to trace the work of early Free Will Baptists and learn about the vital role they played in the foundation of colonial America.

After enjoying seafood beside the bay, the group began their journey through Benjamin Randall country. On Sunday morning, a time of worship was held at the First FWB Church in New Durham, New Hampshire. Fred Carraway preached during Sunday School and Freddie Dutton spoke at the eleven o’clock service. Heritage Tour 2005 ended with a great service at the Little White Church on the Ridge (the first Free Will Baptist church). Rue Dell Smith preached, and George Harvey gave a devotional at the gravesite of Benjamin Randall.

Would you like to be part of this trip next year? Begin making plans now to support this important offering on Benjamin Randall Day, November 19, 2006!

COUPLES ENJOY NASHVILLE GET-A-WAY

NASHVILLE, TN Ten couples arrived in Nashville, TN for a two-night stay at the fabulous Opryland Hotel. The hotel is a beautiful city within itself. It is the seventh largest non-gaming hotel in the United States.

Each pastor and his wife represents a church that gave more than $2,000 to the annual Benjamin Randall Day Offering in 2005.

Plan now to observe Benjamin Randall Day Offering on November 19 and treat your pastor and wife to a wonderful two-day vacation.