Missionary Spotlights – Fall 2021
By Kimberly Thigpen
BEN DOOMY
Once upon a time (2017) at Piedmont International University, Ben Doomy and Sophie Barnes became good friends. Sophie returned to Georgia after college, where she worked with church youth. Ben served as a youth pastor in North Carolina. The two dated long distance until they married on April 11, 2021.
Ben, how did you come to Christ?
I came to know Christ at a youth camp in middle school. The Lord called me to full-time ministry when I was in eighth grade and that’s when I decided to go to Bible college to be a youth pastor.
What is your dream ministry someday?
I would enjoy getting to travel and preach at different churches around the world!
What led you to SLM?
When the pandemic started, I had to learn how to record, edit, and share our church’s Sunday sermons. I really enjoyed creating new videos and learning new things, so Ron (SLM CEO and Sophie’s father) offered me the opportunity to create new media for Source of Light.
What are your main responsibilities?
To design, format, and create new books and online training that will be used around the world.
Do you see this as a temporary position or possibly long term?
I’ll be here at Source of Light doing anything I can until the Lord has other plans for me!
Seeing how God has used me to impact other people’s lives for His glory has motivated me to serve Him with all of my life. From being a youth pastor and shepherding students to serving at SLM, I want to do whatever I can to serve others and honor God! Romans 8:28 has always encouraged me that no matter what, God works all things for good. I don’t have to worry or wonder if God will provide or take care of me; I know that He is in control of it all!
ROWLEY AND SANDY HAYNER
Rowley Hayner, a former Restaurant Manager then a professional in Information Systems, and Sandy, one of ten children and former nurse, think of themselves as “late bloomers.” Here’s their story in their own words.
We came to Christ in our mid-adult years.
Our first meeting was at a discotheque, during the days of John Travolta and the Bee Gees. We enjoyed dancing in our early days together. The Lord saved us out of that scene and into a life of amazing grace.
After becoming Christians, we looked for a good Bible-believing church, then got involved. We participated in a mission trip to the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. As a result of that trip, Rowley sensed the Lord leading him toward mission work.
Our first exposure to Source of Light Ministries was on two mission trips with Don and Elaine Schiffer, missionaries in Jamaica. In March 2018, we made our first volunteer trip to Madison, Georgia, and as the saying goes, “the rest is history.”
Currently, Rowley’s primary focus is supervising and assisting in the Order Department. He also supervises the establishment and maintenance of Associate Discipleship Schools in North America. Sandy has been working in the Madison Discipleship School.
Handling the lessons as they come in and go out is getting a glimpse of how the Lord is changing lives, confirming that SLM is making a difference. Additionally, the sweet friendships, and oneness in Christ we experience with the SLM team as we serve together, is truly a wonderful blessing. God is good . . . very good!
We both have a desire to serve the Lord until He calls us home. Source of Light has a wonderful ministry here in the United States, which allows us to be available to our children and grandchildren. We have really been blessed to serve here.
It is a great work of God and a place where you can utilize your gifts . . . no matter what age!
