Free Will Baptist North American Ministries 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.

Churches Reaches Self-Supporting Status

Antioch, TN—North American Ministries congratulates two more churches for reaching self-supporting status, January 1, 2020. The Springs Church (below) in Marana, Arizona, was planted by Jeff Goodman and Josh Bennett in 2010. In 2018, the church sent Josh Bennett to Tifton, Georgia, to plant another church. Both churches are doing extremely well, and we are thankful for the progress and impact for the Kingdom.

Since its beginning, The Springs has had over 500 salvation decisions and 210 baptisms. They had 59 salvations in 2019, and 49 baptisms. They have three full-time staff members and one part-time employee. A Good News Club at a local elementary school averages 60 kids, and 15 have accepted Jesus as Savior. More than 150 people enroll in life groups each semester, and the church averages 450 in weekly attendance. We are proud of The Springs and the team led by Jeff Goodman.

ReIGNITE Church (below), led by Marshall Bonéy, also reached self-supporting status in January, a year ahead of schedule. Marshall launched ReIGNITE in 2016, planting a culturally diverse church. The Bonéys planted the church with the desire to see a multiethnic, multicultural church in the diverse area of Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Since its inception, ReIGNITE has increased Heaven by 51 people! Because the church went self-supporting a year early, the NAM office will continue to channel money to the church through the end of 2020. We are proud of Marshall and Tiffany Bonéy and the team at ReIGNITE FWB Church!

Introducing New NAM Staff Members

Antioch, Tennessee—Chaplain Terry Austin, retired U.S. Army Colonel, is the new chaplain support officer for NAM. Chaplain Austin retired from active duty in July 2019. During his last assignment, he served as command chaplain for Joint Forces Command, Military District Washington, D.C.

Terry and his wife Mona live in Clarksville, Tennessee, and are members of the 180 FWB Church. Austin replaces Chaplain Kerry Steedley, who retired from the NAM staff in December 2019. Kerry and his wife Brenda will continue to serve Free Will Baptist military chaplains and their families in a volunteer support role.

Sam McVay began serving as church relations officer for North American Ministries in February 2020, according to Director David Crowe. Sam was born in Andalusia, Alabama, and grew up in the panhandle of Florida. He graduated from Welch College in 1978 with a degree in pastoral administration. Sam is married to June Picirilli McVay, and they have two daughters and three grandchildren.

From 1976 to 1997 Sam served Cofer’s Chapel as pastor’s assistant and youth pastor. During his time at Cofer’s Chapel, he served in various areas of leadership on the local, state, and national levels. He helped begin the Truth & Peace student leadership conference and directed the program from its inception in 1984 until 1997.

In 1996, Sam and June were commissioned as international missionaries to Spain. They served in Spain in the areas of leadership development, youth ministry, church planting, and discipleship until they were asked to return to the USA in 2013, when Sam became one of the IM directors. For the next six years, Sam served in various areas of leadership in IM, most recently as director of mobilization and The Hanna Project. Sam also has served as a trainer for the Leadership Matters Course (LMC).

While with IM, Sam traveled from coast to coast sharing in churches and promoting missions among Free Will Baptists. He and June have led several E-TEAMs, and Sam has led mission teams to various locations around the world including Cuba, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, and Bulgaria.
North American Ministries welcomes Sam to the leadership team and encourages churches and pastors to invite him to your church to receive the latest updates and news from our ministries.

Chaplain Updates

Chaplain (LTC) Brad Hanna is a resident student at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. After he graduates in the summer of 2020, he will return to his duties as the state chaplain, U.S. Army National Guard in Oklahoma.

Chaplain (MAJ-P) Tracy Kerr, after multiple combat deployments, is currently serving on the garrison chaplain’s staff at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Congratulations to Chaplain Kerr on his selection for promotion to lieutenant colonel.

Chaplain (MAJ) Kevin Trimble graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Chaplain Trimble currently serves as infantry brigade chaplain at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Chaplain (MAJ) Lee Frye is assigned to Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia, as a combat aviation brigade chaplain. Currently deployed to Germany, he travels throughout Germany and other countries in Europe to provide
ministry to soldiers.

Chaplain (CPT) David Dodson is at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, during his initial assignment as an army chaplain. Dodson serves as chaplain for a battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division.

Chaplain (CPT) Michael Beatty, the newest Free Will Baptist military chaplain, serves in the U.S. Army Reserve in Springfield, Missouri. Beatty’s future plans include the Chaplain Officer Basic Leadership Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and applying for active duty as an army chaplain.

(LT) Mark McCraney, CHC USN, completed his initial assignment as a Navy chaplain in Rota, Spain. He is now assigned as a chaplain for naval special warfare teams in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The McCraneys’ son Ethan, a student at Welch College, has expressed to Dr. David Crowe and Chaplain Kerry Steedley his desire to serve as a youth pastor to military families.

(LT) Hal Jones IV, CHC USN, served with the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan, for his initial assignment as a navy chaplain. He is currently stationed with the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California.

Chaplain (CPT) Amir Ashoori serves in the U.S. Army Reserves and also as an associate pastor in Fresno, California.

Future Chaplains: Matthew Saunders, a graduate student at Welch College, is a chaplain candidate in the U.S. Army Reserve in Tennessee. Shaun Hembree, a seminary student at Oral Roberts University, is a chaplain candidate in the Oklahoma National Guard. Rafael Barney, a master chief petty officer on active duty in the Navy, has completed all the requirements for endorsement and commissioning as a FWB Navy chaplain, except for pastoral experience. Jonathan Truett, a student at Welch College majoring in pastoral training, is also enrolled in ROTC at Vanderbilt University, to prepare for military chaplaincy.

Please pray for our chaplains, those serving in the military, and their families.

—Kerry Steedley, Chaplain Support