Free Will Baptist North American Ministries (NAM) is dedicated to planting churches across America as well as Canada, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Chaplains minister to thousands of men and women in the Army, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, and Reserve forces. And cross cultural church planting specialists connect with people who have come to America from all over the world. Learn more about our ministry: www.FWBNAM.com.

Introducing Church Planters Ed and Rachel Goode

Champaign, IL—Ed and Rachel Goode (below) are the newest members of the North American Ministries church planting team. They will join the leadership team at The Bridge Church, a joint church plant project between the Illinois Mission Board and NAM in Champaign, Illinois. Ed will take on the role of lead pastor supported by the Garretts, NAM associate planters, and the Penns, IM missionaries to the University of Illinois.

The Goodes spent the last five years in ministry at First FWB Church in Richmond, Virginia, where Ed served as lead pastor for the last three and half years. Rachel, a Christian education graduate of Southeastern FWB College, is the daughter of Ken and Jayne Cash, IM missionaries serving in Bulgaria.

Champaign is Illinois’s fastest-growing city, located just outside of Chicago. Besides the booming population of over 200,000, Champaign is home to 50,000 college students from the University of Illinois, which includes the largest proportion of international students of any college in the United States.

Join us in praying for the Goodes and the team at The Bridge as this church continues to minister to their diverse and growing community. Specifically, ask God to provide them with wisdom and vision as they seek a new location that is a good fit for the work in Champaign.

Hilltop Church Hosts Biennial Summit

Fuquay-Varina, NC—February 21-23, 2022, North American Ministries (NAM) held a biennial Church Planter Summit at Hilltop FWB Church (below) in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Pastor and Board Chairman Jeff Jones and his staff, along with a host of church volunteers, made the event special for everyone in attendance.

The Summit is held every other year to bring the entire NAM team together for training and encouragement, according to Brad Ransom, director of church planting and chief training officer for NAM. Ransom noted, “In addition to serious times of worship and training, we also set aside time for fun, games, and prizes. We wanted to allow our office team, church planters, associates, and wives time to fellowship, network, and simply enjoy being together.”

The Summit has become a highlight for the NAM family, and the host church made this meeting especially memorable. “We extend special thanks to Jeff Jones and the entire Hilltop team for making this a memorable and meaningful meeting,” Ransom said. “We look forward to 2024 when we do it all again!”

For more information about North American Ministries or to learn what is involved in becoming a church planter, visit www.fwbnam.com.

Master’s Men Returns to Dothan for Deep South Tournament

Dothan, AL—Free Will Baptist Master’s Men returned to the Dothan National Hotel and Golf Club for the second time, March 30-April 1, for the annual Deep South Golf Tournament. Despite several last-second cancellations, the event hosted 24 teams, a great turnout. “It was another successful event,” notes Ken Akers, Master’s Men director. “Everyone enjoyed the familiar three: fun, food, and fellowship!”

The tournament began Wednesday with a very windy day. Despite the heavy winds, several teams shot under par. Overnight rains ended just in time for Thursday rounds to start on time at 8:00 a.m., and the tournament finished Friday with brilliant sunshine. Several teams ended up well under par for the tournament.

On Wednesday evening, after players enjoyed a great meal together, Florida pastor Randy Bryant shared about God’s faithfulness through his recent life-threatening illness. Master’s Men thanks Genta Grow and Moby Dick restaurant for catering tournament meals for a second year.

“I especially thank all the tournament sponsors and golfers who participated in the Deep South,” Akers adds. “This event not only brings people together for fellowship, it helps support and promote the important work of Master’s Men. I hope everyone will join us again next year.”

The following are the winning teams and their scores:

Championship Flight

1st Place (199) — Rodney Stidham & Phillip Pugh
2nd Place (203)— Don Dease & Tim Baumgarten
3rd Place (206)— Tommy Ellis & Tom Toombs

First Flight

1st Place (214) — Riley Young & Todd Tilley
2nd Place (223)— Lenny West & Daniel West

Second Flight

1st Place (237)— Neil Gilliland & Clint Morgan
2nd Place (241)— Mike Rapp & Tom Dooley

For updated information regarding the 2023 Deep South Tournament, visit www.fwbmastersmen.org.