JUSTIN & MANDY BEDWELL
Zambia
Justin and Mandy Bedwell are returning to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church after previously being with us in 2018, when Justin served in the High School Ministry and as Missions Coordinator at Decatur Baptist Church. Since that time, Justin, Mandy, and their children, David and MaKayla, have answered God's call to full-time missions.
In 2024, the Bedwells relocated to Chipata, Zambia, where they planted Living Faith Baptist Church of Chipata. Along with establishing the church, they have launched a ministry serving alongside a local school for the deaf, lead a Bible study in the town of Mfuwe, and provide ongoing biblical training for pastors serving 17 churches throughout the surrounding villages.
The Lord continues to open doors for ministry. Recently, Mandy led a ladies' Bible study attended by 70 women. One of the greatest blessings of that event was seeing Ms. Mary, a woman Mandy has been discipling, join her in ministry—a beautiful picture of faithful disciples making disciples.
In 2024, the Bedwells relocated to Chipata, Zambia, where they planted Living Faith Baptist Church of Chipata. Along with establishing the church, they have launched a ministry serving alongside a local school for the deaf, lead a Bible study in the town of Mfuwe, and provide ongoing biblical training for pastors serving 17 churches throughout the surrounding villages.
The Lord continues to open doors for ministry. Recently, Mandy led a ladies' Bible study attended by 70 women. One of the greatest blessings of that event was seeing Ms. Mary, a woman Mandy has been discipling, join her in ministry—a beautiful picture of faithful disciples making disciples.
Prayer Requests
Pray that God will continue to call men and women to surrender their lives to His service.
Pray for new believers to grow through faithful discipleship and become leaders who make disciples of others.
Pray for Living Faith Baptist Church as it continues to reach the people of Chipata and the surrounding villages with the gospel.
Pray for the Bedwell family as they faithfully serve the Lord in Zambia, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, protection, and fruitful ministry.
Pray that God will continue to call men and women to surrender their lives to His service.
Pray for new believers to grow through faithful discipleship and become leaders who make disciples of others.
Pray for Living Faith Baptist Church as it continues to reach the people of Chipata and the surrounding villages with the gospel.
Pray for the Bedwell family as they faithfully serve the Lord in Zambia, asking God to give them wisdom, strength, protection, and fruitful ministry.
DANIEL & HANNAH REID
Atlanta, Georgia
Daniel and Hannah Reid are joining us at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for the first time. A Registered Nurse by profession, Daniel answered God's call to pastoral ministry and was ordained during the recent Discipleship Conference in Cartersville, Georgia. Following a seven-month church planting internship in Nepal, Daniel, Hannah, and their two sons, Griffin and Hudson, surrendered to God's call to plant a church in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2025, the Reids relocated from Cartersville to Atlanta to begin building relationships, sharing the gospel, and laying the foundation for a new church. This past Easter marked a special milestone as Daniel had the privilege of baptizing the first new believer connected to their ministry in Atlanta. They are currently raising financial and prayer support as they prepare to launch a thriving local church in one of America's most influential cities.
The vision is to plant a Bible-believing, soul-winning, disciple-making, training, and sending church that will faithfully proclaim the gospel throughout Atlanta and beyond.
In 2025, the Reids relocated from Cartersville to Atlanta to begin building relationships, sharing the gospel, and laying the foundation for a new church. This past Easter marked a special milestone as Daniel had the privilege of baptizing the first new believer connected to their ministry in Atlanta. They are currently raising financial and prayer support as they prepare to launch a thriving local church in one of America's most influential cities.
The vision is to plant a Bible-believing, soul-winning, disciple-making, training, and sending church that will faithfully proclaim the gospel throughout Atlanta and beyond.
Prayer Requests
Pray that God will continue to open doors for evangelism and meaningful relationships throughout Atlanta.
Pray for hearts to be receptive to the gospel and for many to come to faith in Christ.
Pray that the Lord will provide the financial partners and ministry team needed to establish this new church.
Pray for Daniel, Hannah, Griffin, and Hudson as they faithfully follow God's call and seek to make disciples in Atlanta.
Pray that God will continue to open doors for evangelism and meaningful relationships throughout Atlanta.
Pray for hearts to be receptive to the gospel and for many to come to faith in Christ.
Pray that the Lord will provide the financial partners and ministry team needed to establish this new church.
Pray for Daniel, Hannah, Griffin, and Hudson as they faithfully follow God's call and seek to make disciples in Atlanta.
LARRY & TAMMY ALLRED
Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
We are delighted to welcome Larry and Tammy Allred back to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Just ten months after joining Decatur Baptist Church, they traveled on their first mission trip to Veracruz, Mexico. Having never flown or traveled outside the United States, they expected an exciting adventure. Instead, God used that trip to place a burden on their hearts to return as missionaries.
Over the next nine years, the Allreds prepared through ministry, training, and support raising before arriving in Mexico in 1998. After completing language school and serving alongside a veteran missionary in Monterrey for two years, they moved to Mérida, Yucatán, in April 2000, where they have faithfully served the Lord ever since.
During more than 25 years of ministry, God has used the Allreds to plant four churches, with two additional church plants currently in development. In 2009, they established a seminary to train pastors and church leaders for gospel ministry. Larry also earned a Master of Biblical Studies in 2008 and a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling in 2014, equipping him to further strengthen churches and leaders throughout the region.
The Lord continues to bless their ministry. At their annual men's retreat this past December, 72 men gathered for fellowship and biblical teaching, including five first-time attendees, and two men trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. Throughout December 2025, more than 500 people heard a clear presentation of the gospel through evangelistic services and outreach conducted by their local churches in a new village near Mérida. We praise God for His continued faithfulness and for the lasting impact of the Allreds' ministry throughout the Yucatán.
Over the next nine years, the Allreds prepared through ministry, training, and support raising before arriving in Mexico in 1998. After completing language school and serving alongside a veteran missionary in Monterrey for two years, they moved to Mérida, Yucatán, in April 2000, where they have faithfully served the Lord ever since.
During more than 25 years of ministry, God has used the Allreds to plant four churches, with two additional church plants currently in development. In 2009, they established a seminary to train pastors and church leaders for gospel ministry. Larry also earned a Master of Biblical Studies in 2008 and a Ph.D. in Christian Counseling in 2014, equipping him to further strengthen churches and leaders throughout the region.
The Lord continues to bless their ministry. At their annual men's retreat this past December, 72 men gathered for fellowship and biblical teaching, including five first-time attendees, and two men trusted Jesus Christ as Savior. Throughout December 2025, more than 500 people heard a clear presentation of the gospel through evangelistic services and outreach conducted by their local churches in a new village near Mérida. We praise God for His continued faithfulness and for the lasting impact of the Allreds' ministry throughout the Yucatán.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the continued growth and spiritual health of the churches the Allreds have planted.
Pray that God will bless the two developing church plants and use them to reach many more people with the gospel.
Pray for the seminary as it equips pastors and church leaders to faithfully proclaim God's Word.
Pray for Larry and Tammy as they continue serving faithfully in Mexico, asking God to give them strength, wisdom, protection, and abundant fruit for His glory.
Pray for the continued growth and spiritual health of the churches the Allreds have planted.
Pray that God will bless the two developing church plants and use them to reach many more people with the gospel.
Pray for the seminary as it equips pastors and church leaders to faithfully proclaim God's Word.
Pray for Larry and Tammy as they continue serving faithfully in Mexico, asking God to give them strength, wisdom, protection, and abundant fruit for His glory.
ROBERT SMITH
Muscle Shoals Baptist Association
Bro. Robert Smith faithfully served as Director of Missions for the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association from September 10, 2007, until his retirement this past July. During those years, he faithfully encouraged pastors, strengthened churches, promoted missions, and proclaimed the gospel throughout Lawrence County and beyond. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is honored to welcome Bro. Robert as our Sunday morning speaker for this year's Global Impact Celebration.
Prior to serving the Association, Bro. Robert pastored five churches from 1978 to 2007 before answering God's call to associational ministry. Throughout his ministry, he has demonstrated a deep passion for missions, leading mission teams to Mexico, participating in the Cape Crusade for Christ in South Africa, and organizing mission efforts across the United States, including Oklahoma, North Carolina, and most recently, Pineville, Kentucky.
His heart for evangelism has been evident throughout Lawrence County as well. For the past 18 years, the annual Wild Game Supper has provided countless opportunities to share the gospel with men from our community. Through the Association's Christmas Project and numerous other outreach ministries, hundreds of individuals and families have heard the message of Christ, and many have placed their faith in Him.
On Sunday evening of GIC, we will have the privilege of honoring both Bro. Robert and his wife, Cindy, for their many years of faithful service to the Lord. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is grateful to be one of the 34 churches that has been blessed through their ministry and leadership.
Prior to serving the Association, Bro. Robert pastored five churches from 1978 to 2007 before answering God's call to associational ministry. Throughout his ministry, he has demonstrated a deep passion for missions, leading mission teams to Mexico, participating in the Cape Crusade for Christ in South Africa, and organizing mission efforts across the United States, including Oklahoma, North Carolina, and most recently, Pineville, Kentucky.
His heart for evangelism has been evident throughout Lawrence County as well. For the past 18 years, the annual Wild Game Supper has provided countless opportunities to share the gospel with men from our community. Through the Association's Christmas Project and numerous other outreach ministries, hundreds of individuals and families have heard the message of Christ, and many have placed their faith in Him.
On Sunday evening of GIC, we will have the privilege of honoring both Bro. Robert and his wife, Cindy, for their many years of faithful service to the Lord. Pleasant Grove Baptist Church is grateful to be one of the 34 churches that has been blessed through their ministry and leadership.
Prayer Requests
Thank God for Bro. Robert and Cindy's decades of faithful service and ministry.
Pray that the Lord will bless this new season of retirement with continued opportunities to encourage pastors, churches, and missionaries.
Pray that God will continue to use the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association to strengthen churches and advance the gospel throughout our region.
Pray that many will be challenged toward missions and evangelism through Bro. Robert's ministry during this year's Global Impact Celebration.
Thank God for Bro. Robert and Cindy's decades of faithful service and ministry.
Pray that the Lord will bless this new season of retirement with continued opportunities to encourage pastors, churches, and missionaries.
Pray that God will continue to use the Muscle Shoals Baptist Association to strengthen churches and advance the gospel throughout our region.
Pray that many will be challenged toward missions and evangelism through Bro. Robert's ministry during this year's Global Impact Celebration.
CAMPUS CONNECT
University of North Alabama
Campus Connect is a registered student organization at the University of North Alabama dedicated to building meaningful relationships with both international and domestic students. Through monthly fellowship events, the ministry creates opportunities to develop genuine friendships that naturally lead to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Now entering its third semester as an official student organization, Campus Connect has welcomed more than 100 registered members. The Lord has already opened doors for relationships with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, resulting in many gospel conversations. Students who desire to learn more are invited to participate in regular Bible studies where they are encouraged to grow in their understanding of God's Word, mature in their faith, and become faithful followers of Christ.
Campus Connect is led by Sam Cross, Annabelle Ritch, Taylor Williams, Savannah Williams, and Peyton Reeves, with incoming leaders Lexi LouAllen and Katie Dumas. Each of these student leaders is a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Their vision is to see students come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, be discipled in the Word of God, and become disciple-makers who will carry the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.
Now entering its third semester as an official student organization, Campus Connect has welcomed more than 100 registered members. The Lord has already opened doors for relationships with students from a wide variety of backgrounds, resulting in many gospel conversations. Students who desire to learn more are invited to participate in regular Bible studies where they are encouraged to grow in their understanding of God's Word, mature in their faith, and become faithful followers of Christ.
Campus Connect is led by Sam Cross, Annabelle Ritch, Taylor Williams, Savannah Williams, and Peyton Reeves, with incoming leaders Lexi LouAllen and Katie Dumas. Each of these student leaders is a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Their vision is to see students come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, be discipled in the Word of God, and become disciple-makers who will carry the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.
Prayer Requests
Pray that God will continue to open doors for meaningful relationships with both international and domestic students.
Pray that the Lord will draw students to the weekly Bible studies and give them a hunger for His Word.
Pray that lost students will hear the gospel, place their faith in Jesus Christ, and become faithful disciples.
Pray that God will continue to raise up student leaders who are committed to making disciples of others.
Pray that, if it is the Lord's will, these efforts will one day result in a Bible believing, gospel preaching church being planted in the heart of Florence, Alabama.
Pray that God will continue to open doors for meaningful relationships with both international and domestic students.
Pray that the Lord will draw students to the weekly Bible studies and give them a hunger for His Word.
Pray that lost students will hear the gospel, place their faith in Jesus Christ, and become faithful disciples.
Pray that God will continue to raise up student leaders who are committed to making disciples of others.
Pray that, if it is the Lord's will, these efforts will one day result in a Bible believing, gospel preaching church being planted in the heart of Florence, Alabama.
ROBERT EKIS
Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries
Robert Ekis is joining us on behalf of the Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries of North Alabama. For more than a century, this ministry has faithfully served children and families by providing Christ-centered care, compassionate support, and the hope of the gospel.
The mission of Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries is to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services. Through safe and loving homes, educational assistance, family support, professional counseling, foster care and adoption services, and other compassionate ministries, they seek to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve.
Every aspect of the ministry is centered on sharing the love of Christ and helping children and families experience lasting hope, healing, and restoration. Through faithful stewardship and the generosity of Alabama Baptists, lives continue to be transformed as individuals are pointed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The mission of Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries is to protect, nurture, and restore children and families through Christ-centered services. Through safe and loving homes, educational assistance, family support, professional counseling, foster care and adoption services, and other compassionate ministries, they seek to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve.
Every aspect of the ministry is centered on sharing the love of Christ and helping children and families experience lasting hope, healing, and restoration. Through faithful stewardship and the generosity of Alabama Baptists, lives continue to be transformed as individuals are pointed to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the children and families served through Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries, asking God to bring hope, healing, and restoration.
Pray for wisdom, strength, and compassion for Robert Ekis and the staff as they minister to those facing difficult circumstances.
Pray that God will continue to provide the financial resources, foster families, volunteers, and ministry partners needed to meet the growing needs across Alabama.
Pray that every child and family served will clearly hear the gospel and come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
Pray for the children and families served through Alabama Baptist Children's Homes & Family Ministries, asking God to bring hope, healing, and restoration.
Pray for wisdom, strength, and compassion for Robert Ekis and the staff as they minister to those facing difficult circumstances.
Pray that God will continue to provide the financial resources, foster families, volunteers, and ministry partners needed to meet the growing needs across Alabama.
Pray that every child and family served will clearly hear the gospel and come to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ.