The Illinois Global Outreach program is adding two new families, Jeff and Heather Goodman and Josh and Ashley Bennett from the Marana Project to the IGO plan.  Here’s a recent interview with the Marana Team sharing some of their hopes and dreams for the new church they are beginning…

Q: Who is on your Team?
A: Jeff, Heather and Ava Goodman, Josh & Ashley Bennett.

Q: Where is Marana?
A: South of Phoenix, North of Tuscon. Population 39,000

Q:Why Marana?
Extremely Unchurched – 90%, 44.1% Young Couples, Less than 20 Evangelical Churches

Q: How can we follow the Marana Project?
A: Our Website: www.themaranaproject.com

Contact Us: themaranaproject@gmail.com

Q: How has God led you to this point in your life?
A:

Jeff: I pastored the Homerville FWB church for the last ten years which gave me the training grounds I needed to grow and mature as a pastor and leader. God has continued to keep church planting ever before me and a seed was planted in my heart that has grown into a burden. That burden is for the people of Marana, Arizona.

Josh: We begin to pray a 3 part prayer:
1) Lord, Stretch Us
2) Lord, Make us uncomfortable
3) Lord, do things so big, only you can get the credit for them!
This prayer catapulted us into a spiritual journey that led us to the point that we are at today. It is difficult to leave a ministry where you are comfortable, but when God moves your heart, it becomes an exciting spiritual adventure!! The Lord has led us through many steps and use our church families and Free Will Baptist Bible College to prepare us for this step of faith.

Ashley: I was raised in a mission-minded family, attended a mission-minded church, and participated in numerous missions endeavors. I truly feel like my entire life has led me to be involved in mission work. When Josh and I were talking about our future, we always wanted to get some ministry experience and then become church planters. God worked in incredible ways to bring Josh and me and our team to this point in our lives.

Q: What are your hopes for this new plant?
A: We desire to see lives changed by the love of our Savior. We want to share with people the gospel that can change their lives and bring them true joy. We desire to be servants in the Marana area. We have two major goals with our new church. First, we desire to exalt Jesus Christ! Secondly, we desire to lead the lost in Marana, AZ to a loving relationship with Jesus Christ. We also hope to see our church become a mother church for many new works!!

Q: How can the FWB’s of Illinois be a help to your ministry?

A: Praying and giving.  See our prayer calendar on our website.

• Online giving: http://www.themaranaproject.com/online-support/online-donation
• HomeMissions: care of the Marana Project, Free Will Baptist Home Missions, PO Box 5002, Antioch, TN  37011-5002.
• Startup account: Donations can be sent to Josh Bennett, 100B Shirley Road, Homerville, GA  31634

Q: Just for fun – What are some of your favorite things?
A:

• Ava Goodman
• Camping
• Georgia Bulldog Football Game. (Especially GA/FL)
• Taking a cruise
• Reading a Great Novel
• Riding our bikes
• Spending time and playing games with family

Q: What specific prayer requests do you have?
A:
• Pray God will move in Sunday Services while traveling and raising support.
• Pray that God will meet our Financial needs
• Pray that God will enrich our spiritual needs
• Pray for the hearts of the people in Marana AZ.
• Pray that God will open doors for our ministry.
• Pray that God will increase our boldness
• Pray that God will be with us when we travel.

Q:What will the priorities of the Marana church?
A:
• Focus on studying and obeying the scriptures
• Deeply rooted in prayer
• Compassionately concerned for those far from God
• Servant Oriented
• Desires more than anything to make much of Christ

“Our Goal is to build a FWB Church by loving, serving, reaching and discipling the people of Marana”

Here is their 30 day prayer challenge.  (Double click to see a bigger image.)