NEWS ACROSS THE NATION

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.

Chaplain Updates

On May 29, 2017, Chaplain (COL) Terry Austin, senior Free Will Baptist chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction for the annual nationally-televised Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. He was honored to share the platform with the President, the secretary of defense, and other dignitaries. Chaplain Austin currently serves as the Command Chaplain for the military district of Washington, D.C.

Recently, Chaplain (MAJ) Kevin Trimble, a Special Forces chaplain at Fort Bragg, NC, was selected for early promotion to Major and for resident staff officer training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

On August 5, 2017, (LT COL) Brad Hanna, Oklahoma National Guard state chaplain, celebrated his promotion from major to lieutenant colonel with his wife Sherri, his two sons, other family, friends, and fellow soldiers.

The newest Free Will Baptist chaplain, (LTJG) Hal Jones IV, graduated from the navy chaplain basic course July 26, 2017, at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He is serving his initial assignment as a marine chaplain in Okinawa, Japan. Please pray for him and his wife Emmy.

Ethan McCraney is the son of (LT) Mark and Danielle McCraney, FWB navy chaplain family stationed in Rota, Spain. Ethan served as a member of Truth & Peace this summer; was selected as Youth of the Year for the military community headquartered in Rota, Spain; and played on a championship football team. Please pray for Ethan, his parents, and his younger brother, Lucas as they serve overseas.

Chaplain (MAJ) Tracy Kerr serves as brigade chaplain for a combat aviation brigade at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, and has deployed with his unit. Please pray for his wife Ginger and their children.

Chaplain (LT) Amir Ashoori, U.S. Army Reserve in California, has been selected to attend the army chaplain officer basic course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He will attend Phases 1-3 beginning in October for a period of ten weeks.

Chaplain (CPT) Lee Frye serves at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, as chaplain for the military police. In addition to his duties on the island of Oahu, he travels frequently throughout the Pacific region to visit soldiers in his command. Please pray for Lee, his wife Blair, and their children.

Chaplain (MAJ) Roy Swisher has completed an assignment with the 5th Special Forces Group at Fort Lewis, Washington, and is in the process of retirement. We thank God for the faithful service provided by Roy and his wife Jan.

Thanks and congratulations to all of our chaplains and their families for their faithful ministry to Christ and for the good name they give to Free Will Baptists as they serve across the globe.

Submitted by Kerry Steedley, director of chaplain support.

Introducing New Church Planters

Joel and Melanie Franks will be joint project church planters with the state of Alabama. They will partner with teammates B. J. and Joann Eaton (pictured below) to plant a new church in Athens, Alabama.

Clayton and Tammy Hampton, along with their son Josh, his wife Kimberly, and their family, will plant a new church in Missoula, Montana.

For the latest on church planters, visit www.FWBNAM.com.