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Patrick & Suzanne Powell

From our Senior Pastor...

Though I have been part of the FBC family for only a short time, I have already come to appreciate what a blessing it is to belong to this unique and wonderful congregation of saints. I am so very thankful for the privilege of participating in this special celebration of forty years of gospel ministry through First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman. The theme of our anniversary weekend is “Giving Glory to God,” and it is based on Psalm 115:1 (ESV), “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”. Also Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV), “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.” As we look back and remember what God has done in and through the life of this church over the years, we cannot help but stand in awe and give Him praise. The story of FBC of Grand Cayman is a dramatic narrative composed of many varied experiences of people from around the world whose lives have intersected with this congregation either directly or indirectly, in some cases for only a brief moment and in other cases, for many years. The common thread is the faithfulness and goodness of God expressed to us through the gracious gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is because of His steadfast love and faithfulness that we are able to gather in celebration this weekend, and it is His name that we exalt in praise! Even as we look back in remembrance of the past, we also look forward in anticipation of the future. I agree with the words of Warren Wiersbe, “I’m encouraged about the future because God is in it and Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against His church. The future is our friend when Jesus is our Lord. He still goes before His sheep and prepares the way. Our job isn’t to second-guess Him but to follow Him. He’ll take care of the rest.” So, members and friends of FBC, let us resolve to give glory to God for the great things He has done by His grace and power over the course of these past forty years, and let us resolve to continue singing His praises as we walk with Him into the future He has planned for us. May He continue to bless us for His glory as we seek to please Him in all things. Thank you for joining us in this celebration, and may the Lord bless and keep you always!

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One of the most frequent commands in the Bible is, “Remember!” I do. I remember the willing sacrifices of God’s people to tackle the church’s debt. When I arrived, the church was in default on $1.5 million of the church’s $3.5 million debt. God stirred the hearts of the people to give sacrificially through the “Freedom in Faith” campaign to reduce the debt by $1.7 million in three years. I remember watching my sons develop in their love of guitar (Michael) and drums (Stephen) through the encouragement of their teachers. I remember how people welcomed us in to their lives generously. We maintain connections with many of these friends still. I remember the many conversations about the gospel, individually and also through a “seeker class” I formed. Those experiences, in fact, led to the creation of an introduction to Christianity called The Anchor Course (anchorcourse.org). I remember worship under the “seagrape sanctuary” before baptisms at Smith Cove. I remember Easter Sunrise services at Public Beach. I remember how my yard in Savannah blossomed with cuttings people would bring for me to plant. I remember meeting with young adults at Wendy’s to develop a single’s ministry. I remember being invited into moments of people’s lives--weddings, funerals, baby dedications, hospital stays in Miami. I remember being asked to pray at the launch of businesses, and the start of court terms and the beginning a new Governor’s term. Among all these fond experiences, my favorite recollection is simply the conversations in the church breezeway after church each Sunday. It may be the most important feature of the First Baptist campus. God bless the next 40 years of FBC service to Cayman and the world! Tom and Diane Goodman

If the Lord gives me grace, I will never forget the eight wonderful years He allowed us to serve FBC Grand Cayman. When we arrived we found a body of believers rich in hospitality. A large group met us at the airport. Many of the members wrote us personal letters. Deb Ryan taught my wife and kids to swim (and introduced me to her world famous marinated conch).

Thabiti Anyabwile Over the years I would be introduced to Cayman beef, tamarind juice, cassava cake (oh my!), Welly’s lobster escovitch, and the buffet at Champion House II! Good eats make good memories! I’d never met a more family-friendly group of Christians. The families of FBC graciously included other families in their own. We adopted Mrs. Clynese and brother Paddy as our own parents. My wife was 4-5 months pregnant when we arrived. When Titus was born, the hospital had a steady stream of members visiting and encouraging us. I was afraid Titus might never learn to walk because the first year of his life he was passed from person to person at church! That was a small window on the open hearts of the church. Members fellowshipped from house to house and shared not only the gospel but their very lives with one another. The church was clearly a hard-working church. We arrived as restoration of the church was being completed following hurricane Ivan. Dave Jorge’s tireless efforts at rebuilding were bearing fruit everywhere. And when many congregations might have rightly hunkered down and focused internally, FBC was sending its first home-grown missionaries to Southeast Asia and Costa Rica. Regular visits were made to encourage the saints and plant churches in Cuba (the Chin Sinns and others). Seminarians would be supported like David and Lori Nigh and Stephen Ryan. We found a congregation of ‘world Christians’ striving to make Christ known among all the nations. But what I remember and treasure most about the congregation was its eager, genuine and joyful love for God’s Word. People hungered to hear the Good News and blossomed from the watering of God’s Word. I may never forget the many Sundays Pam Fowler, Dawn Budal, Nerissa Wedderburn, Marjorie Bush-Dixon, Greg Wray, and so many others gathered before Sunday services to pray for the preaching of God’s word. I’ll always treasure the lively discussions in Wednesday night Bible studies as we all grew in God’s word. Above all the other wonderful things we experienced in our eight years at FBC, we found on arrival and over the years a Jesus-loving, Word-hungry and Gospel-believing people eager to do God’s will. You can’t ask for anything more in a church family.

With undying love, Pastor T

From our former Pastors...

One of the most frequent commands in

the Bible is, “Remember!”

I do.

Tom & Diane Goodman I remember the willing sacrifices of God’s people to tackle the church’s debt. When I arrived, the church was in default on $1.5 million of the church’s $3.5 million debt. God stirred the hearts of the people to give sacrificially through the Freedom in Faith campaign to reduce the debt by $1.7 million in three years. I remember watching my sons develop in their love of guitar (Michael) and drums (Stephen) through the encouragement of their teachers. I remember how people welcomed us in to their lives generously. We maintain connections with many of these friends still. I remember the many conversations about the gospel, individually and also through a ‘seeker class’ I formed. Those experiences led to the creation of an introduction to Christianity called The Anchor Course (anchorcourse.org). I remember worship under the ‘sea grape sanctuary’ before baptisms at Smith Cove. I remember Easter Sunrise services at Public Beach. I remember how my yard in Savannah blossomed with cuttings people would bring for me to plant. I remember meeting with young adults at Wendy’s to develop a singles ministry. I remember being invited into moments of people’s lives: weddings, funerals, baby dedications, hospital stays in Miami. I remember being asked to pray at the launch of businesses, and the start of court terms and the beginning of a new Governor’s term. Among all these fond experiences, my favorite recollection is simply the conversations in the breezeway after church each Sunday. It may be the most important feature of the First Baptist campus. God bless the next 40 years of FBC’s service to Cayman and the world! Tom and Diane Goodman

Dr. Randall & Cindy Von Kanel

MEMORIES AND THANKSGIVING It’s hard to believe that forty years have passed since the beginning of Baptist work in Grand Cayman and the launch of First Baptist Church. Memories of those early days remain vivid. It’s as though I could still get in my yellow ’78 Toyota Corolla wagon and drive around to Point Four to have morning coffee with founding missionaries Herbert and Jackie Neely, discuss the day’s ministry opportunities, and spend time in prayer with them. Indeed, the foundation of what is now First Baptist Church was laid in some of those morning prayer and planning gatherings with this amazing couple who were my mentors in minis-try for the two years, 1978-1980. As a Missionary Journeyman (SBC), I had been assigned as a Music and Youth Worker to assist the Neelys in the Baptist mission that had been launched the summer before my arrival. I stepped into the work of God here as a young man not fully comprehending the opportunity afforded me: to participate in and offer support to a new Baptist church, one that would become a major congregation in Cayman and whose impact would be felt throughout the Caribbean and beyond. God changed my life during those early days of ministry here, deepening my commitment to Him, teaching me so much about life, ministry and prayer, and opening a new world for me in embracing the people of the Cayman Islands. I was called to preach during that time. Jogging one evening (1980) along the South Sound road to the roar of the surf on the reef and with the moon shining bright, I stopped at what is now the dock area under what were then the huge casuarina trees and said “yes” to God’s call to be a pastor/preacher.

~from our former Pastors... It was through the pastoral opportunities among the small congregation of that time—assisting the Neelys in church leadership/pastoral care (including going with Jackie to deliver her chicken soup to the sick!), and being affirmed and encouraged by fellow church members who became lifelong friends, that I took my first steps toward becoming a pastor. I remember those days … cleaning out the Town Hall early on Sunday morning to set up for worship/Bible study; baptism at Smith’s Cove (the Sea Grape Sanctuary); all-age Bible study under the ficus tree and along the porches of the Town Hall; the church office being just off the Neelys’ living room; praying conversationally with the Neelys; voting in mission meeting with Jackie complaining with a smile that Herbert and I were always teaming up for the 2-1 majority; my first sermon from John 1:10-13; the first musical (Celebrate Life) with the youth choir at the Clyde E. Williams Building; amazing youth nights playing volleyball, engaging in Bible study, and seeing young people come to Christ; ground-breaking on the Smith Road property and being the cement-mixer as the slab was poured, and so much more. I remember those many months of being ‘the church on the move’ as we sought places to hold worship until the first building was ready. In January 1992, I, along with Cindy and our two children, Landon (8) and Randa (6), answered God’s call to return to Cayman as the first church-supported pastor. That step of faith for our family, as well as for the members of FBC, gave way to the blessings of God for an incredible season of life and ministry. We stepped into a period of vibrant fellowship, growth, and outreach and experienced as God’s people what Jeremiah had prophesied in 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you … plans to give you hope and a future”. Looking back, we are deeply grateful to God for you and for those years of shared life and ministry. What sweet memories; what a special place you hold in our hearts!

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One of the most frequent commands in the Bible is, “Remember!” I do. I remember the willing sacrifices of God’s people to tackle the church’s debt. When I arrived, the church was in default on $1.5 million of the church’s $3.5 million debt. God stirred the hearts of the people to give sacrificially through the “Freedom in Faith” campaign to reduce the debt by $1.7 million in three years. I remember watching my sons develop in their love of guitar (Michael) and drums (Stephen) through the encouragement of their teachers. I remember how people welcomed us in to their lives generously. We maintain connections with many of these friends still. I remember the many conversations about the gospel, individually and also through a “seeker class” I formed. Those experiences, in fact, led to the creation of an introduction to Christianity called The Anchor Course (anchorcourse.org). I remember worship under the “seagrape sanctuary” before baptisms at Smith Cove. I remember Easter Sunrise services at Public Beach. I remember how my yard in Savannah blossomed with cuttings people would bring for me to plant. I remember meeting with young adults at Wendy’s to develop a single’s ministry. I remember being invited into moments of people’s lives--weddings, funerals, baby dedications, hospital stays in Miami. I remember being asked to pray at the launch of businesses, and the start of court terms and the beginning a new Governor’s term. Among all these fond experiences, my favorite recollection is simply the conversations in the church breezeway after church each Sunday. It may be the most important feature of the First Baptist campus. God bless the next 40 years of FBC service to Cayman and the world! Tom and Diane Goodman

Yes, it’s hard to believe that it’s been forty years. Seeing where you are today, I am reminded of the theme verse used by the Neelys from the very beginning, Zechariah 4:6b: "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts”. Only by the love, faithfulness, and power of God’s Spirit have you come from those small beginnings in the late ‘70s to become the large, multi-staff, mission-hearted congregation you are today. A final thought: It was during the construction of the new campus (1996) that a memorable moment took place for me. Hamlin Stephenson (church member and building contractor) invited me to look at something—a deep pit on the marl-filled construction site. He noted that the huge hole in the ground would be the footing for what is now one of the massive steel uprights that provides critical support to the rear sanctuary and balcony area. I was amazed at the depth of the footing, the size/number of steel rods, and at the volume of concrete that was poured into the footing over the next day. And I was reminded of the importance of a strong foundation. First Baptist Church of Grand Cayman, your foundations are strong—not just the one for this sanctuary, but also for your life as a New Testament church. With the steel rods of the Gospel and the concrete of His Word, God has laid the foundation of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, He has established you over these forty years of ministry. As the Apostle Paul underscored: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” May God continue to bless and build His people for His glory and by His grace. We join you on this 40th Anniversary in expressing thanksgiving to our Lord for the great things He has done! Randy and Cindy Von Kanel

Grand Cayman May 2017

Our church has its roots in Cayman Brac, where there has been a Baptist presence since 1886. By the 1970s a number of Brac Baptists were living in Grand Cayman and Rev. Lee King came over (from the Brac) several times to hold services for them. The interest in having a Baptist church here was evident and God was

faithful to move in the hearts of the Southern Baptist Foreign (now International) Mission Board and they appointed Rev. Herbert and Mrs. Jackie Neely to be missionaries to Grand Cayman in July 1977. They held the first service of what was to become First Baptist Church in their home on Sunday evening, July 17, 1977, with 21 persons present - all Cayman Brackers, except the Neelys. The next Sunday they began meeting in the Town Hall, George Town. The first Sunday School classes were held on January 14, 1978 and in that month also the first baptismal service was held. In May 1978 the church was officially organised and chartered according to the laws of the Cayman Islands. There were 26 charter members. Also in 1978 the Lord provided the first missionary journeyman to assist with Youth & Music ministries—Randy Von Kanel, who served for two years and later returned as pastor.

For the first 3 years the church earned the nickname ‘the church on the move’, meeting wherever a place could be found: the Town Hall, the High School, and for 9 months in the Clyde Williams building on Crewe Road. On one occasion when no building was available, services took place outdoors at Rum Point, followed by a picnic. Through God’s goodness, in 1979 the property on Smith Road was purchased and a building program commenced. Rev. Neely was successful in persuading the Foreign Mission Board to deed the land to the church, but the congregation financed the building. The first services were held in those buildings in October, 1980. Through God’s grace, the congregation grew steadily as did the Sunday School. By 1989-90 more classrooms were needed. Land adjoining the original property was purchased and 12 new classrooms were built. These new facilities allowed us to later accept the challenge of starting a day-care/preschool, WEE Care (Weekday Early Education), which in turn led to the establishment of First Baptist Christian School in 1997.

The church faced a big challenge in 1992 when the Neelys retired. The Foreign Mission Board had paid their salaries, but from that point on, the congregation took full financial responsibility for everything, including salaries. The Lord led the church to call Randy Von Kanel to succeed Herbert Neely, and attendance at church services and Sunday School continued to grow. FBC began having two morning services but it was obvious that bigger facilities were needed. Efforts to obtain more land adjacent to the Smith Road site were unsuccessful, so in 1994 the congregation voted to purchase 12 acres on Crewe Road, and began making plans for a new building—one that could accommodate a full church and school program. Ground was broken in May 1995, construction commenced in March 1996, and on October 5, 1997 the new facilities were dedicated, 20 years after that small group first met for a Sunday Evening Worship Service at the Neelys’ home.

~A History of FBC Grand Cayman By Heather McLaughlin & Janet Durksen

Rev. Lee King

Rev. Herbert Neely

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FBC faced another big challenge in 1998 when Pastor Randy resigned in order to assume new responsibilities in Mississippi. After an extensive search, the congregation called Pastor Tom Goodman who took up his duties in January 1999. Pastor Tom effectively led and taught God’s people at First Baptist until he was called back to service in the United States in 2003. Pastor Tom’s departure prompted us to search our hearts and search God’s Word to find a better way to care for the Body and lead our church. After much Bible study and prayer, the Lord led us to a Biblical model of church leadership and the church unanimously voted to be led and shepherded by Elders and served by Deacons. These years without a Senior Pastor were some of the most fruitful in the life of our church as we learned what it meant to be the Body of Christ, that Jesus is the head of the church, and that His Word is sufficient to guide and instruct us in every area of our lives. During this time the Lord called out from this body three people to serve our church as staff members and nine people to serve as missionaries or pastors around the world! In September of 2004 Hurricane Ivan (a category 5 hurricane) devastated the island of Grand Cayman. It caused massive destruction across the island resulting in over $2 billion in damages. The storms impact on FBC required $3 million of reconstruction. The church sprang into action ministering God’s love to the people of the island, including a food ministry that served more than 50,000 meals over 40 days. Also Love in Action (a multi-church ministry that distributed building materials to more than 1,000 homes and helped rebuild more than 500 homes), and God’s Giving Grace (a ministry to distribute clothing and furniture to hundreds of homes). The church shared the love of Jesus with thousands during these months and many came to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Though one of our insurers went bankrupt, through God’s goodness and the sacrificial giving of our people and friends of FBC, today the facilities have been completely restored and in many cases improved. In August of 2006, God provided Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile to serve as Senior Pastor. In April of 2007 we launched Treasures for Heaven: a campaign to eliminate $1 million debt in one year. We praise God that we eliminated the remaining debt, freeing $340,000 a year for gospel ministry to the people of these islands! FBC has always made missions a priority through giving, service, prayer, and support in many other ways. In December 2007 FBC & FBCS collected 1,130 shoebox gifts for children in Bonacca Key, Honduras where Paul and Martha Buford were stationed as missionaries. The boxes were packed and ready to be shipped when it seemed that the boat was unable to sail, and the gifts would not reach Honduras in time for Christmas. But God provided a way and every child on Bonacca Key received a gift at Christmas.

In November 2008 Hurricane Paloma passed by Grand Cayman, but hit Cayman Brac as a category 4 hurricane. The people of FBC quickly rallied to gather support for the pastors, churches, and people of Cayman Brac. FBC held a Missions conference in February 2009 called From Cayman to the World to think about taking the gospel beyond the Cayman Islands. Shortly after this in March 2009 Stephen Ryan & Pastor Thabiti took a missions trip to the Middle East where they preached in churches, and as well Thabiti took part in a public Muslim-Christian dialogue. Stephen Ryan also began to consider attending seminary in North Carolina. Pastor Thabiti served us faithfully in the word with rich messages centered on the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2008 he participated in the Together for the Gospel conference in Louisville, Kentucky and several church members attended as well. FBC lost some beloved members in 2009-2010 including Ray McLaughlin, Philip Pedley, and Ms. Esther Hinds. Missions continued to be a strong focus at FBC over the years and since 2011 we have partnered with Pastor Charles Simoonga in missions efforts in Mufutuli, Zambia led by Greg Wray. In March 2011 Jennifer West & Evelio Mejia began their ministry in Columbia.

The choir has been an integral part of worship at FBC over the years. They lead us in Christ-exalting, God-glorifying corporate worship each week and have gone from strength to strength. The choir has held many concerts to share the good news of the gospel.

Sincelejo Colombia

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In 2013 FBC continued to serve in the area of short term missions as teams were sent out to Jamaica, Cuba, and other areas. In March 2014 FBC and the choir ministered in neighborhoods in Grand Cayman by singing, sharing food, and sharing the good news of the Gospel in open air concerts entitled Night of Joy. Pastor Thabiti and family left FBC Grand Cayman in July 2014 to plant a church in the heart of Washington DC. In September 2015 three ladies from FBC went to Rotherham Evangelical Church, in Sheffield, England to minister to the ladies in the church where our brother Ian Fenton was serving: Heather McLaughlin, Annette Epp & Meg Bodden. It was there that Meg would become unwell and begin a j o u r n e y w i t h glioblastoma. Meg’s trust in the Lord throughout this journey has been a great testimony to many.

In January 2016 FBC began a partnership with Samaritan’s Purse in their Children’s Heart Project. Health City in Cayman provides surgery for children who live in countries where the required medical expertise and equipment are not available, and FBC provides host homes for some of these children and their families.

In June of 2016 God gave us a gift in our new Senior Pastor, Dr. Pat Powell. We are thankful for all that God has done over these 40 years and look forward to serving Him and proclaiming His goodness, His faithfulness and His love until He returns. To Him be all glory!

CUBA

1971- “Crusade of the Americas” program, in the form of an evangelistic

crusade held at the George Town Hall.

July 12, 1977- Missionaries Herb and Jackie Neely arrive in Grand

Cayman

July 17, 1977- First service is held at the Neelys’ home at Point Four,

George Town.

July 24, 1977- First service is held at the George Town Hall.

January 14, 1978- First Sunday School classes are held.

May 7, 1978 - First baptismal service is held

May 7, 1978 - 26 people become the charter members of the First

Baptist Church of Grand Cayman.

August 1978 - Randy Von Kanel arrives to serve as a Music/Youth

worker (first missionary Journeyman to FBC)

November 19, 1978 - the church moves from the Town Hall to the

Clyde Williams Building near the airport.

January 1979 - The Sunday schedule is changed to include morning activities. The All Age Bible Study changes to start at 9 a.m. followed by a brief worship service at 10 a.m. The evening service

remains at 7:30 p.m.

June 1979 - FBC is incorporated as a church

December 1979 - FBC purchases two lots on Smith Road.

January 1980 - Work commences on Smith Road buildings.

June 1980- Randy Von Kanel is replaced by Beth (Wood) Walters and

Don Williams to work in music and youth ministry.

October1980 - First services are held at Smith Road facilities.

August 1982 - Don Williams and Beth Wood are replaced by Kent

Robbins who becomes Music and Religious Education Worker.

August 1982 - Jim and Kim Bates arrive in Grand Cayman to assume Rev. Neely’s ministerial duties for one year while the Neelys are

on furlough.

September 1983 - Neelys return from furlough.

July 1984 - Kent Robbins ends his time and is replaced by Michael

Hamilton.

1985 - FBC hires its first full-time employee, Janice Armstrong, as church

pianist and secretary.

June 1986 - Mike Hamilton leaves and FBC decides that no further request be made to the Foreign Mission Board of the Southern

Baptists for missionary journeymen.

1986 - Lori Griffith is appointed choir director and accompanist.

1989 - Land adjoining the original property is purchased and 12 new

classrooms are built.

September 1990- Randy Von Kanel comes for a revival campaign in

Grand Cayman.

January 1992 - Randy Von Kanel and family arrive in Grand Cayman to

pastor the church - FBC’s first called pastor.

March 1992 - Herb and Jackie Neely end their ministry in Grand

Cayman and return to the States.

August 1992 - WEE Care (preschool) opens

FBC Timeline—40 Years

1994 - A relocation campaign called Together Toward Tomorrow is organized in order to begin financing to build larger facilities. The members vote unanimously to purchase 12.3 acres on Crewe

Road.

1994 - Gene and Gloria Stookey arrive at FBC to lead Christian Education ministries. Gloria takes over as the Director of WEE

Care from Mrs. Sharon Helgt.

1994 - Perry and Wanda Robinson arrive at FBC to serve as Minister of

Music and accompanist.

1995 - Joey Tatum arrives to serve as FBC Youth Director.

May 5, 1996 - Groundbreaking ceremony for new church facilities on

Crewe Road.

March 1996 - Work beings on facilities on Crewe Road.

September 1996 - First Baptist Christian School opens its doors at the

old site for Kindergarten classes.

October 5, 1997 - FBC dedicates its new facilities on Crewe Road and

celebrates its 20th Anniversary.

1997- Paul Truett arrives at FBC to serve as Youth Director, and later

fills in as Minister of Music.

March 1998 - Randy Von Kanel resigns as pastor to accept an Associate

Pastor position in Mississippi.

1998 - Jimbo Stevens comes to FBC to serve as Minister of Music for six

months.

July 1998 - Ken Cutrer arrives to teach at the school and later assumes the duties of Minister of Education after the departure of the

Stookeys.

January 1999 - Dr. Tom Goodman arrives on-island with his family to

serve as Senior Pastor.

1999 - Janet Durksen begins to serves as church accompanist.

2000 - FBC begins the Freedom in Faith campaign to reduce debt by $1.5

million over three years.

2000 - Mike Wehner serves as Minister of Education and Administration

for six months.

February 2001- Paul Truett returns to the States.

May 2001- FBC calls Pastor Dave Jorge to serve as Worship Pastor.

July 2001- FBC sends Will and Deb Ryan to seminary in the States to

prepare for cross-cultural ministry.

2002 - FBC calls David Nigh to serve as Children’s Ministries Director.

2003 - FBC sends David and Lori Nigh to Texas to prepare to be

missionaries.

May 2003 - Dr. Tom Goodman resigns to accept a post as Senior Pastor

in Texas.

August 2003 - FBC calls Bobbi Flowers to serve as Children’s Ministries Director and Jonathan Tibbetts to serve as Youth Ministries

Director.

October 2003 - FBC votes unanimously to be a church that is led and

served by Elders and Deacons.

February 2004 - FBC identifies and commissions its first Elders: Shane Foster, Duncan Nicol, William McTaggart, Philip Pedley, and

Hedley Robinson.

September 11-12, 2004 - Hurricane Ivan devastates Grand Cayman.

November 2004 - Rob Patterson comes to serve as Interim Pastor for

four months.

July 2005 - Jonathan Leeman comes to serve as Interim Pastor for six

months.

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August 2005 - Dr. Linda Cross comes to serve FBCS as Principal.

October 2005 - FBC sends Bentley and Maureen Robinson to the UK

to prepare for pastoral ministry.

2005 - Paul and Martha Buford are commissioned and sent as

missionaries to Honduras.

2005 - FBC calls Will and Deb Ryan to serve as Senior Administrator and

Small Groups Coordinator respectively.

April 2006 - FBC commissions and sends Jennifer West to serve as a

missionary in Honduras.

August 2006 - Pastor Thabiti Anyabwile arrives with his family to serve

as Senior Pastor.

February 2007 - FBC commissions and sends Will and Deb Ryan to

serve as cross-cultural workers in Southeast Asia.

May 2007 - FBC launches the Treasures in Heaven campaign to eliminate the last remaining debt of $1million to free up resources to

minister to Grand Cayman and the world.

August 2008 - FBC calls Garnet Harrison to be an Elder

Sept 2008 - Pastor Bentley Robinson is called to serve as Assistant

Pastor.

December 2010 - Meg Bodden is called to serve as Women’s Ministry

Director.

July 2010 - Mrs. Esther Hinds, WEE Care director, passes away after

serving 14 years in this post.

2010 - Beverly Chin Sinn is called to serve as the WEE Care Director.

June 2011- Paul Reynolds is called to serve as Director of Discipleship

and Children’s Ministries.

January 2013 - FBC calls Luis Feliz, Ian Fenton, Paul Reynolds & Ned

Solomon as Elders.

June 2014 - Thabiti Anyabwile resigns as Senior Pastor to plant a church

in Washington DC.

June 2016 - FBC calls Dr. Pat Powell to serve as Senior Pastor.

June 2016 - FBC commissions Karen Cilliers to serve with Mercy Ships

July 2016 - FBC starts monthly Spanish Services

March 26, 2017 - FBC calls Will Ryan & Stephen Ryan to serve as

Elders

Church Staff Members that have served

FBC over the Years

Church Custodians

Eugenie Osbourne 1994-2008

Albert Mitchell 1997-2006

Hope Lindo 2000 to date

Reinaldo Castellanos Martin 1994-2010

Sonia Powis 2010 to date

Missionary Journeymen

Randy Von Kanel 1978-1980

Don Williams 1980-1982

Kent Robbins 1982-1984

Michael Hamilton 1984-1986

FBCS Principals & WEE Care Directors

Sharon Heldt 1993-1997

Gloria Stookey 1994-1998

Esther Hinds 1997-2010

Don Dix 1998-1999

Bob Haskins 1999-2002

Ramona Melody 2002-2004

Dr. John Morrison 2004

Dr. Linda Cross 2005 to date

Beverly Chin-Sinn 2010- to date

Secretaries

Janice Armstrong 1985-1989

Helen Feurtado 1989-1999

Irene Derksen 1999-2000

Meg Bodden 2000-2002

Caprice Thibeault 2003-2004

Meg Bodden 2005-2010

Denise Fenton 2012-2013

Melissa Watler 2014 to date

Interim Pastors

Jim Bates 1982-1983

Rob Patterson 2004

Jonathan Leeman 2005

Administrators/Education

Gene Stookey 1994-1998

Ken Cutrer 1998-1999

Nealy Moxam 1999 to date

Mike Wehner 2000

Will Ryan 2004-2006

Christian Education/Youth/Children

Beth Williams 1980-1982

Joey Tatum 1995-1997

Paul Truett 1997-2001

Christina McTaggart 1999-2004

David Nigh 2002-2003

Bobbi Flowers 2003

Virginia Castillo 2003

Jonathan Tibbetts 2003

Deb Ryan 2004-2006

Stephen Ryan 2007-2009

Paul Reynolds 2011 to date

Assistant Pastors

Bentley Robinson 2008 - to date

Paul Reynolds 2013 - to date

Worship Pastors

Perry Robinson 1994-1998

Jimbo Stevens 1998

Paul Truett 1998-2001

David Jorge 2001 to date

Senior Pastors

Herbert Neely 1977-1992

Randy Von Kanel 1992-1998

Tom Goodman 1999-2003

Thabiti Anyabwile 2006-2014

Pat Powell 2016 to date

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Our First Elders

Duncan Nicol Philip Pedley Hedley Robinson

James Ryan School

Tim Adam Personnel

John Epp Missions

Dorothy Scott Benevolence

Dave Jorge William McTaggart Shane Foster

Garnet Harrison Finance

Our First Deacons

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920 Crewe Rd. ~ Grand Cayman, Grand Cayman Islands

(345) 949– 0692 ~ www.fbc.org.ky

fbc@fbc.org.ky