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.

Introducing New Church Planters

Kevin and Elizabeth Bass are associate joint project missionaries with the state of Virginia. They will work with church planter Marc Neppl to start a church in Portsmouth, Virginia. Kevin comes from youth ministry at Heritage FWB Church in Columbus, Ohio. He and Elizabeth attended Southeastern FWB College. They have two daughters, Bailee and Brynna, and a son, Kaleb.

Scott and Amy Bee are joint project missionaries with the state of Tennessee. Scott recently accepted the pastorate at Oakland, Tennessee, a church begun by Home Missionary Tim Osborn, who died in May 2014. Scott and Amy attended Welch College. They are from the pastorate at First FWB Church in Decatur, Illinois. Scott and Amy have three children—Cameron, Preston, and Emily.

Amos and Melissa Dillard are associate missionaries to Irvine, California. They will join church planter Stephen Kimbrell in planting a new church in Irvine. Amos comes from a youth pastorate at Cramerton FWB Church, North Carolina. He attended Southeastern FWB College and earned a degree in Pastoral Theology and Practical Ministry. Melissa attended Emmanuel College and earned a degree in Music Education. The Dillards have two daughters, Ellie Mae and Addison Grae.

Stephen and Lauren Kimbrell are home missionaries to Irvine, California. Stephen is a graduate of Southeastern FWB College with a degree in Bible: Pastoral Theology and Practical Ministry. Stephen and Lauren have served Pleasant Acres FWB Church in New Bern, North Carolina, for the past six years. They have three children—Lilly Kate, Ainsley, and Carter.

Jordan and Emily Ledbetter are associate missionaries with Scott and Staci Warren at Cross Point Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jordan follows in the footsteps of his parents, Randy and LeAnn Ledbetter, former home missionaries to Salt Lake. Jordan earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Liberty University in Worship Leadership and Music Studies. He and Emily are excited about working with the Warrens in Utah.

Jonathan and Ashley McNeese recently joined the mission work in Houston, Texas, with church planter Heath Ferguson. Jonathan is a graduate of Southeastern FWB College where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Pastoral Theology. He also holds a Master of Arts degree in Religion and Biblical Studies from Liberty University. Please pray for Jonathan and Ashley as they minister in Houston.

Terry and Tammy Miller are associate missionaries at Snowy Ridge FWB Church in Fort Collins, Colorado, a church revitalization project. The Millers come from a pastorate at Shady Grove FWB Church in Phil Campbell, Alabama. This will be a second work by Terry and Tammy for the Home Missions Department. Terry attended Welch College and graduated from Southeastern FWB College with a degree in Biblical Studies. They have five sons: Joshua, Jonathan, Brian, Brannon, and Devan.

David and Ashley Osborne are joint project missionaries with the Virginia State Mission Board. David pastors Faith FWB Church in Wytheville, Virginia. He obtained a degree in Pastoral Theology and Practical Ministry from Southeastern FWB College. Please pray for David and Ashley and their children Charity, Levi, and Aaron, as they continue the work in this new church.

Marc and Casie Neppl are raising funds to start a new church in Portsmouth, Virginia. Marc has a degree in Bible from Gateway Christian College and served an internship in Bakersfield, California. He and Casie worked with David Sexton to plant Crosspointe FWB Church in Suffolk, Virginia.

Want to Become a Church Planter?

The process to become a church planter may be more difficult than you think. A question I often hear is, “Who can plant a church?” or “How can I plant a church with Home Missions?” Church planting is a ministry God calls a person to do. I do not believe every pastor can or should try to plant a church. Church planting is a unique ministry and requires a specific skill set and the calling of the Holy Spirit on a person’s life.

If you feel God calling you to plant a church, what is the process? The following is an overview that takes a person from calling to planting:

Contact the director of church planting to discuss your calling, place of interest, and feasibility of location.

• Fill out an extensive application.
  

• Submit a resume.

• Complete an assessment process that identifies essentials for church planters including:

- Church planter characteristics
- Risk factor analysis
- Spiritual gifts
- Ministry experience
- Transformational discipleship

• Complete an interview process with the directors.
  

• References checked.
  

• Approval.

• Orientation explains policies, procedures, and expectations.
  

• Boot camp includes three days of initial training.
  

• Itinerate (fundraising) starts.
  

• Training is ongoing.
  

• Coaching continues.
  

We are working to provide the best process to help church planters be successful and plant strong churches as quickly as possible. For more information, visit www.homemissions.net or call (615) 760-6132.