Delbert McGuire came to the States from Germany to take over the printing ministry. After the sale of the Petersburg building, this ministry was housed in Grace Baptist Church in Petersburg.
At that time the mission’s name was changed to Armed Forces Baptist Missions, Inc.Īn extensive printing ministry was established at the Petersburg location and was operated for many years by Bill and Linda Roberts. The ministry continued at Fort Lee under the direction of John Kreynus. Walter Coles, then the Chairman of the Executive Board. During the summer of 1985 the building was sold and the home office moved into Temple Baptist Church in Chester, Virginia, a short distance from Fort Lee. In time the Center in Petersburg became nonproductive, due to a lack of military foot traffic on the streets. Virginia (“Nanny”) Cawood moved from Texas to join the Woolstons at the Petersburg Center. The streets were teeming with soldiers from Fort Lee, and the Woolstons led hundreds of them to Christ. “Pop” and “Mom” Woolston moved up from Florida to start a Servicemen’s Center near Petersburg at Fort Lee. In 1969, the headquarters were moved to 34 South Sycamore Street in Petersburg, Virginia. Time and expansion brought trials and hindrances to the Mission, but God’s grace has always sustained this vital ministry that has been responsible for the salvation of thousands of service members. Later, more works in the States were started at Fort Eustis and Fort Lee, Virginia, Fort Stewart, Georgia, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and Fort Knox, Kentucky. Overseas military churches sprang into existence as well in England and Germany. Other ministries followed including a Christian Servicemen’s Center at Fort Meade, Maryland, at Fort Riley, Kansas, at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and several others in Hawaii. Brother Price developed an effective follow-up and discipleship program for the new converts. Dave Price were added to the ranks shortly after the Mission began. Philip Kissinger, Chaplain Colonel in the US Army, became General Director. Kent Edwards served as Executive Director from 1973 until 1984, when Dr. Charles Robinson, the Woolston’s son-in-law, was appointed the first director of Servicemen for Christ Baptist Mission. The Tolstons moved to the North Carolina Center and the Woolstons to the Florida Center. Two more servicemen centers were soon opened-one at Camp Lejuene in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and the other at Mayport Naval Base in Jacksonville, Florida. Each of the servicemen reached by the Woolstons was taken to Clearview Baptist Church where they were baptized and discipled.
Charles Boone, Pastor of Clearview Baptist Church, became one of the mssions most faithful supporters. The building was dedicated on Apand became the first headquarters for a Servicemen’s Center. The new Mission was named Servicemen for Christ Baptist Missions, Inc.
“Pop” and “Mom” are still household names known and loved by thousands of servicemen and servicewomen whose lives have been impacted by their ministry. He was from Iowa, the Woolstons’ home state. Their first convert was a young sailor named Allen. “Pop” and “Mom,” the names given so lovingly and descriptively to the Woolstons by their “buddies,” began winning servicemen to Christ even before the building renovation was completed. This location was also in close proximity to the Norfolk Naval Base, which gave the missionaries access to thousands more Navy personnel. Thousands of young sailors flooded the area while their ships were under construction. The vision of its founders became a reality in a short time when a three story building was purchased in Newport News, just one and one-half blocks from the Newport News Naval Shipyard, the construction site of nuclear powered aircraft carriers and submarines. AFBM has continued this original vision, mission, philosophy, and practice since its inception. Their philosophy was to establish fundamental, independent, evangelistic ministries near these bases under the auspices of the local church. Visits were made to local pastors to generate interest and support by the local churches. The Woolstons, Tolstons, and Robinsons bathed their vision in prayer. The major bases included Fort Monroe, Fort Eustis, and Langley Air Force Base. This marked the beginning of their ministry to the military. God moved their hearts for the military men and women so much that they sold their farm in Iowa and returned to Newport News in 1964. The burden began during a Woolston family vacation to Hampton Roads. Charles Robinson had a great burden for spreading the gospel among the military in the Hampton Roads and Tidewater areas.
ARMED FORCES BAPTIST MISSIONS, formerly known as Servicemen for Christ Baptist Missions, got its start in 1964 through the vision of three families residing in the area of Norfolk, Virginia, the largest military complex in the world.
0 kommentar(er)
