The History of BEAMS - BEAMS Bible Ministry

The story of BEAMS:

Bible Education And Missionary Service

Although several ministries print tracts and New Testament Bibles for missionaries, few ministries provide them with whole, hardback Bibles, free of charge. Therefore, this has become the primary purpose of BEAMS. We raise funds through offerings from local, independent, Bible-believing Baptist churches to purchase and supply whole, hardback Bibles for missionaries to give to those who are saved on the foreign mission fields.

Since 1997 the BEAMS ministry has grown from supplying 50 Bibles a month to up to 10,000… from serving 12 missionaries to over 3,000 missionaries and national workers… and from three countries to more than 150 countries around the world!

We supply only King James Version Bibles in English or its equivalent in other languages. If you would like to help supply Bibles for missionaries, use our Contact Form or call (228)-832-1096.

Dr. Julian Pope, Founder

In 1970, Dr. Julian Pope, a veteran missionary for 47 years, began the Precious Seed Ministry out of Baptist Tabernacle of Shreveport, Louisiana. The purpose of this ministry was to provide Scriptures for missionaries serving the Lord overseas.

In 1972, Dr. Pope founded BEAMS (Bible Education and Missionary Service). At this point, the ministry was expanded to include conducting missions conferences in churches; sending Scriptures, Bible courses, and other literature to missionaries; and going overseas for evangelistic campaigns and Bible seminars.

In 1982, BEAMS was relocated to Longview, Texas; then to Hot Springs, Arkansas; and later to Houston, Texas. After Dr. Pope went to be with the Lord in 1989, Dr. Mike Mentor became President and Director of BEAMS until 1996.

Dr. René J. Freret, President Emeritus

Dr. Mentor resigned in 1996, and Dr. René J. Freret became the new President and Director. The ministry was moved from Houston, Texas, to Gulfport, Mississippi, and is now sponsored by Faith Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Dr. Freret has been involved in mission work his entire ministry. He founded and pastored New Hope Baptist Church in McNeill, Mississippi; reorganized and pastored Central Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi; pastored Forest Hills Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas; and served as Assistant Pastor under Dr. Jimmy Tharpe at Baptist Tabernacle in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1973, Dr. Freret founded and pastored Temple Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he served for 24 years.

During his tenure as pastor, he helped lead the church to establish seven other churches, a worldwide Faith Promise missions program, Temple Christian Academy, and Temple Baptist Institute. On June 1, 1997, he resigned as pastor to become full-time President and Director of BEAMS. On June 1, 2021, he resigned as Executive Director of the ministry. Dr. Freret stepped down as President of the Board of Directors and was honored with the title of President Emeritus.

Dr. René J. Freret, President Emeritus

Dr. Mentor resigned in 1996, and Dr. René J. Freret became the new President and Director. The ministry was moved from Houston, Texas, to Gulfport, Mississippi, and is now sponsored by Faith Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi.

Dr. Freret has been involved in mission work his entire ministry. He founded and pastored New Hope Baptist Church in McNeill, Mississippi; reorganized and pastored Central Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi; pastored Forest Hills Baptist Church in Benton, Arkansas; and served as Assistant Pastor under Dr. Jimmy Tharpe at Baptist Tabernacle in Shreveport, Louisiana. In 1973, Dr. Freret founded and pastored Temple Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, where he served for 24 years.

During his tenure as pastor, he helped lead the church to establish seven other churches, a worldwide Faith Promise missions program, Temple Christian Academy, and Temple Baptist Institute. On June 1, 1997, he resigned as pastor to become full-time President and Director of BEAMS. On June 1, 2021, he resigned as Executive Director of the ministry. Dr. Freret stepped down as President of the Board of Directors and was honored with the title of President Emeritus.

Passing the Sword

On June 2, 2021, a historic and symbolic moment marked the transition of leadership within the BEAMS ministry. Dr. René Freret formally passed the sword to Dr. Arthur “Butch” Lockard, Jr., signifying the transfer of responsibility, authority, and stewardship of the ministry.
This ceremonial act represented continuity of vision and faith as leadership moved from one generation to the next.

Dr. Arthur Lockard, Jr., Executive Director

On August 7, 2011 Dr. Arthur “Butch” Lockard, Jr. resigned as Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Palestine, TX to follow the leading of the Lord to join the BEAMS Bible Ministry as Missionary Coordinator and Assistant to the Director.

Since June 2, 2021, Dr. Lockard has continued to serve at the BEAMS headquarters as a BEAMS Missionary and Executive Director.

Dr. Lockard has served the Lord in various positions since entering the ministry. He has been a Youth Director, Song Leader, Assistant to the Pastor, and Pastor. He has served on the Board of a Seminary and Volunteer Fire Department.

Dr. Lockard and his wife, Rhonda, have been happily married since June of 1990. Mrs. Rhonda also serves as a Secretary at BEAMS.

Meet the people behind BEAMS

The People Behind BEAMS

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