Dr. Harry Peart
General Director
Dr. Peart was appointed the second General Director of FBWWM in 2024, following the retirement of founder Dr. Ernest Gambrell.
Who we are
A servant to the local church
Since 1985, FBWWM has helped independent Baptist churches send and care for their missionaries — without ever standing between a missionary and his pastor.
Our history
Founded under the authority of a local church
Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission was founded in 1985 by Dr. Ernest Gambrell with the conviction that God gave the responsibility of carrying out the Great Commission to the local church. From the beginning, the mission has functioned under the authority of a local church — and it still does today as a ministry of East Side Baptist Church.
Our primary Biblical function is summed up in our theme: A Servant to the Local Church.
- 1985
Founded by Dr. Ernest Gambrell in partnership with Thrifthaven Baptist Church, Memphis, TN.
- Early years
The mission moved to Elkton, Maryland, for a season.
- 1995
Returned to Memphis as a ministry of East Side Baptist Church under Dr. Teddy Steele.
- 2024
Dr. Gambrell retired; Dr. Harry Peart was appointed the second General Director.
- 2025
Forty years of serving local churches and missionaries.
Our precepts
Where we stand
Four convictions shape everything the Home Office does.
The local church sends missionaries
We believe the local church is the only organization with Scriptural authority to send out missionaries. This mission always honors the sending pastor and church. Any missionary sent through FBWWM remains under the leadership and authority of his sending pastor and church. We are a service agency to help the pastor and church meet the needs of their missionary, and we strive diligently to honor the pastor and remain a servant.
The Great Commission belongs to the church
We believe the local church is the agency to which God committed the Great Commission. It is the privilege and responsibility of the local church to see that the Gospel is preached to every creature in every country. FBWWM is a local church ministry operating under the authority of East Side Baptist Church.
The Holy Spirit administers world missions
All missionaries serving through FBWWM are free to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit in every aspect of their ministry — which field they serve, how they direct their work, when it is time to leave, and every other decision relative to their work.
We live by faith
FBWWM is a faith ministry. We expect missionaries to trust God to meet their financial needs, and it would be wrong for the mission not to operate on the same principle. We charge missionaries nothing for our services and make no deductions of any kind from funds designated to them. The Home Office is supported by local churches and individuals — including many missionaries who give out of appreciation and a desire to share in its ministry.
Our distinction
What makes FBWWM different
We exist to serve independent Baptist churches and their missionaries, whose work is focused on evangelism, discipleship and church planting that results in independent Baptist churches.
A church ministry
We operate as a ministry of East Side Baptist Church, reflecting the Great Commission pattern.
A helper, not a sender
We assist missionaries but never act as the sending authority.
Pastoral authority
Missionaries answer to their sending pastor and church, not to FBWWM leadership.
No fees, no percentages
Every service is provided freely. Nothing is deducted from missionary support.
Volunteer leadership
Leadership serves without salary; only administrative staff are compensated.
Counsel when asked
We offer Biblical guidance on request, but final decisions rest with the missionary, his pastor and the Holy Spirit.
Churches approve candidates
Sending churches — not FBWWM — interview and approve their missionary candidates.
Statement of faith
We believe…
- …that the Scriptures, both Old and New Testaments, are the verbally and plenarily inspired Word of God (II Timothy 3:16–17). We use the King James Version in English-speaking countries, and we seek a text from the Textus Receptus in any foreign language.
- …in one triune God eternally existing in three Persons: God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit (II Corinthians 13:14; Colossians 2:9).
- …in the absolute deity of Christ, His eternal existence, virgin birth, sinlessness, vicarious death, blood atonement, bodily resurrection, ascension, priestly ministry, pre-tribulation rapture of the saints, and His personal return and millennial reign.
- …in the ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7–14).
- …that all mankind are sinners in need of a Saviour, that salvation is for all who will receive it (Romans 3:10–22; 6:23), and that justification is by grace and apart from works (Romans 3:24).
- …that the local church is the organization through which Christ proposes to do His work (Matthew 28:19–20).
- …that Baptism is by immersion of the believer in water, and is the true symbol of a believer’s union with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection.
- …that the Great Commission is the priority of the local church and of every believer (Matthew 28:19–20).
We reject liberal theology, Neo-Orthodoxy, Neo-Evangelicalism, the modern-day tongues movement, Ecumenicalism, Arminianism and Calvinism.
Our staff
The Home Office
Over 100 years of combined experience on the mission field and in ministry.
Keith Rheinheimer
Director of Operations
Keith serves as Director of Operations and Director of Spanish Ministries, faithfully serving with FBWWM since 1988.
Leslie Rheinheimer
Bookkeeper
Leslie has kept the books for the Home Office since 2003 and has served in missions since 1988.
Dr. Ernest Gambrell
Founder & President Emeritus
Dr. Gambrell founded FBWWM in 1985 and has counted it a privilege to serve the Lord in world missions since 1968.
Pastor Finley Cutshaw
Pastor, East Side Baptist Church
Pastor of East Side Baptist Church, the home church of FBWWM, which has been a great help in supporting missions around the world.
Let us serve your church
Whether you are a pastor sending a missionary or a candidate seeking a mission to serve you, we would love to talk.