At 801 Seymour Road in Bear, Delaware, Fairwinds Baptist Church is a Baptist congregation centered on knowing God through Jesus Christ. It is known for Bible-centered worship and a broad rhythm of ministry that begins with infants and children, continues through school, teen, young-adult and adult groups, and reaches senior saints. The church, Fairwinds Christian School and Fairwinds Early Learning Center share a campus, bringing worship, Scripture learning, music, service and practical support for families into one connected church life.
Jesus Christ Is the Sum of Fairwinds' Teaching
Fairwinds states that Jesus Christ is the sum of its theological beliefs and the reason the church exists. Its desire is to know God through His Son, to make Christ the foundation of life, and to affirm that all of doctrine flows from that relationship. The church's stated beliefs include:
- The verbal inspiration and authority of Scripture, which reveals God, the fall of humanity, salvation and God's plan and purpose.
- God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
- The deity and virgin birth of Jesus Christ.
- Salvation by grace, with repentance and faith in Jesus Christ as its conditions.
- Justification by faith alone through the merit of Jesus Christ.
- The visible, personal and premillennial return of Christ.
- The everlasting conscious blessedness of the saved and the everlasting conscious punishment of the lost.
This Christ-centered identity also shapes the way Fairwinds receives people. The church calls itself a group of ordinary people seeking an extraordinary God and says there is a place for committed Christians, people with questions about Jesus, and those who are still deciding where they belong. Its recurring theme is that knowing God through Jesus Christ should lead to service, spiritual growth and an active witness. Members are encouraged to use their gifts, strengthen fellowship and participate in the church's mission.
Sunday Begins at 9:30 and Worship at 10:30
The regular Sunday rhythm begins with classes at 9:30 a.m. and continues into Morning Worship at 10:30 a.m. Children and adults participate in Sunday School during the earlier hour, while the F.I.T. student ministry meets for grades 7 through 12. The young-adult and singles ministries also gather at 9:30, with their singles class held in a school building.
- 9:30 a.m. Sunday School for age-based classes, F.I.T. for students in grades 7 through 12, and the young-adult and singles class.
- 10:30 a.m. Morning Worship in the main auditorium, Junior Church for ages 4 through 11, and nursery care for children from birth through age 3.
A Service Built Around Singing and Scripture
Morning Worship includes congregational songs, choir, and special music. The music is followed by a message from the Bible from Pastor Nate Armstrong. After the service, guests are invited to remain, meet Pastor Nate, and become acquainted with the church family. Services are also livestreamed, making them accessible to people who cannot be in the auditorium.
Arrival, Clothing and the Offering
Guests enter a large parking lot located between the main church building and the school buildings. Any designated parking space may be used, and the church classrooms and main auditorium are inside the church building. There is no dress code for members or guests. Ministry leaders often wear more traditional Sunday dress, but the stated goal is for every visitor to feel welcome and comfortable.
Visitors are not expected to participate in the offering. Fairwinds wants guests to experience its services without pressure, in a warm family atmosphere where they can hear God's Word and grow in grace. The church office is at 302-322-1029, and fairwindsbaptistoffice@gmail.com is the general contact address.
Nursery Care Is Built Around Safety
Nursery care is provided for services, with separate infant and toddler rooms for children from birth through age 3. The rooms are described as clean, stocked with toys, and staffed by qualified workers. A nursery worker greets each child, records any special instructions from the parent, and returns the child only to the adult who left the child there. Nursery is also available at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday while adults attend Bible study and prayer.
Safety extends beyond the nursery. Teachers and volunteers in children's ministry have received background checks and safety training. This careful approach is part of the church's broader child-care practice, including the church bus and its family vans.
FBC Kids for Ages Four Through Eleven
FBC Kids meets at 9:30 a.m. during Sunday School and returns for Junior Church at 10:30 a.m. Children ages 4 through 11 learn about the Bible, memorize verses, sing songs, play games, and participate in lessons designed to help them love God, grow biblically and serve others. The church also conducts Vacation Bible School as part of its ministry to children and families.
Wednesday Evenings Pair Bible Study with Family Learning
Wednesday evenings combine adult prayer and Bible study with dedicated programs for children and teenagers. The standard schedule changes with the seasons so that families can continue gathering together throughout the year.
- September through May: AWANA for children ages 3 through grade 6 meets from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.; the teen program begins at 6:30 p.m.; adult Bible study and prayer begins at 7:00 p.m.
- June through August: JAM for children ages 4 through 11 meets from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m.; the teen program remains at 6:30 p.m.; adult Bible study and prayer remains at 7:00 p.m.
- At 7:00 p.m.: Nursery is available for children from birth through age 3.
AWANA's Three Clubs
AWANA is a weekly Bible ministry for children that uses large-group teaching, small-group activities and games. Its name comes from 2 Timothy 2:15 and stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed. Fairwinds offers three clubs. Cubbies serves children ages 3 through 5 and uses stories, puppets and noncompetitive games to introduce the greatness of God's love, His Word and His Son. Sparks serves kindergarten through grade 2, using Bible biographies, memorization and handbook activities in three yearly ranks. Truth & Training serves grades 3 through 6 and explores God's character, the Bible, redemption and practices for following Jesus through relational discipleship.
JAM and the Adult Gathering
JAM, or Jesus And Me, replaces the school-year children's gathering during summer. The children use biblical lessons to explore emotions such as anger, sadness, jealousy and frustration. At the same hour, adults meet in the auditorium for Bible study and prayer. The parallel gatherings make Wednesday evening a shared family rhythm while preserving distinct age-based classes.
F.I.T. Gives Teenagers a Place to Belong
The F.I.T. department serves students in grades 7 through 12. Its stated aim is for each student to begin a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and, after receiving eternal salvation, to grow through discipleship, encouragement and increased knowledge of Scripture. The ministry seeks to build a Christ-centered atmosphere in which teenagers can belong and become involved in the life of the church.
Students meet for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. and then join the congregation for the 10:30 worship service. They return on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for Bible study. Beyond the regular classes, youth are invited to participate in retreats, recreational activities, local youth rallies, Vacation Bible School, nursing-home visits and other service opportunities. The emphasis is not only on attendance but also on inviting others, participating in church activities and serving.
Young Adults and Singles
The college-and-career ministry helps young adults know God more deeply, develop a heart for evangelism and service, and discover how their gifts can contribute to the local church. It also provides Christian fellowship, social activities and community outreach. The singles class meets for all singles at 9:30 a.m. in a school building and is taught by Nate and Theresa Pennachietti.
Christian Education Runs Alongside the Church
Fairwinds Early Learning Center provides a safe, enjoyable, and stable Christian environment for young children. The center seeks to promote their social, physical, intellectual and emotional growth within a setting shaped by a Christian worldview. This ministry serves as the early childhood foundation connected to the church and school.
Fairwinds Christian School promotes a Bible-based philosophy intended to help young people develop a consistent and fruitful testimony. The school has long provided Bible instruction and employed church leaders in its ministry. Pastor Nate Armstrong served as a middle-school and high-school Bible teacher, Jerry Factor has taught at the school since 1985, and Brian Lunger is a former school Bible teacher. The shared history connects the church's teaching, worship and discipleship with education from early childhood through high school.
Women, Men, Seniors and Song
Ladies Ministries
Fairwinds desires women from all walks of life to unite in love for the Lord, grow in faith, and translate that growth into service within their neighborhoods. The Lady RefresHers group meets monthly in members' homes or on the church campus. It especially welcomes women who are no longer in the workforce and emphasizes storytelling, support, friendship and spiritual connection.
The broader ladies' ministry holds monthly meetings for discussion, prayer and fellowship. Its activities also take place quarterly and may include devotionals, crafts and service projects. Bible studies, conferences, retreats and fellowship are additional parts of the ministry, all centered on deepening an understanding of God through Jesus Christ and encouraging women to serve with grace and compassion.
Men's Fellowship
The men's ministry begins with the roles men fill as husbands, fathers, providers, spiritual leaders, workers and friends. Fairwinds seeks to create opportunities for men to interact on both social and spiritual levels. These relationships are intended to help men pursue completeness in Christ through a community that can encourage accountability, friendship and Christlike attitudes and actions.
Senior Saints
Senior Saints is directed by Charlotte and Scott McGarry. Monthly gatherings feature speakers and singers, covered-dish suppers, bus or van trips, sing-alongs, games, skits, cookouts, birthday celebrations, Chinese auctions and corn roasts. The group also visits shut-ins, supports Christian service projects and creates times for fellowship. Its variety of activities combines devotion, travel, humor, service and shared meals.
Choir and Orchestra
The FBC Adult Choir and Orchestra welcome people who sing or play instruments. Practices take place each Sunday after Morning Worship. Music also serves a central place in the Sunday service through congregational songs, the choir and special music.
A Devotional Voice for Faith in Ordinary Life
Debby DeStefano, identified as the daughter of Fairwinds' founder and a former pastor's wife, writes devotional reflections that extend the church's teaching into daily life. Her recurring subjects include trusting God in pressure, choosing joy that is not controlled by circumstances, praising God in good and difficult seasons, guarding speech and treating words as powerful.
One practical teaching uses the word THINK as five questions before speaking: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Her reflections also return to spiritual habits such as noticing what begins to crowd out faith, resisting worry, remembering that God sees beyond church walls and looking for everyday opportunities to share the gospel. This devotional voice complements the church's public preaching with an emphasis on faith, repentance, Scripture and an honest response to ordinary life.
Rides, Meals and Service Beyond the Auditorium
Fairwinds operates a Bus Ministry for children who are 5 years old and in kindergarten through age 17. A church member calls families on Saturday to verify the ride and give the pickup time. The bus goes directly to the child's home, where a volunteer knocks and escorts the child to the vehicle. After church, the Bus Captain helps children return to the bus for the trip home. Once services end, riders normally return between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., with special arrangements communicated during the Saturday call.
Immediate parents or guardians may ride with their children. Church vans are also available for adults without children. Background checks and safety training for children's-ministry workers and volunteers support the transportation ministry as well as classroom care.
The church's Meal Train provides another form of practical care. Friends and family can prepare and deliver a home-cooked meal to someone facing a challenging time. Gift cards and delivery services are also useful alternatives. Teens take part in service projects such as nursing-home visits, young adults engage in community outreach, and a dedicated outreach and missions director helps coordinate these efforts beyond the church buildings.
Leadership with Long Ties to Fairwinds
Senior Pastor Nate Armstrong's story is closely connected to Fairwinds. His parents joined the church in 1999, and he was enrolled in Fairwinds Christian School. At age 12, during a summer camp retreat in Pennsylvania, he acknowledged the weight of his sin and his need for Jesus as Savior. He surrendered his life to Christ in 2002 and later graduated from Fairwinds Christian School.
Before entering ministry, Armstrong studied carpentry at Williamson College of the Trades and worked in home remodeling for nine years. In 2016, he and his wife entered full-time ministry, and he joined the Fairwinds team as youth director and middle-school and high-school Bible teacher. He later became senior pastor and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pastoral Theology from West Coast Baptist College. Armstrong describes his pastoral responsibility seriously and prays that his leadership will bring glory to God.
Associate Pastor and Buildings Supervisor Jerry Factor has been on staff since 1985. He previously served as youth pastor and has also taught at Fairwinds Christian School since 1985. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Hyles-Anderson. Music Director J Mulholland joined the staff in 2012 after serving at Bethel Baptist Academy and Grace Baptist Church. His preparation includes Berea Bible Institute and Timothy's Program.
Media Ministries Director Ken Carey has served since 1996. His previous work included Christian radio broadcasting and Carey Communications, and he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Engineering from Bob Jones University. Brian Lunger joined the staff in 2024 as Children's Ministry Director and Outreach/Missions Director. He previously served as a U.S. AWANA missionary, taught Bible at Fairwinds Christian School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Pennsylvania State University.
Giving, Online Worship and Connection
Financial gifts support the work of Fairwinds' mission and vision. The church accepts online giving through Tithe.ly. Contributors may choose to cover processing fees of 1% plus $0.30 for an ACH or bank transaction or 2.9% plus $0.30 for a credit or debit card transaction. A Church Tithely app is also available for giving.
Worship services can be watched live or revisited through the church's YouTube channel. The church office answers at 302-322-1029, fairwindsbaptistoffice@gmail.com is the general email address, and a connection form is available for first-time guests, returning guests, regular attenders and members.
A Church Life Held Together in Christ
Fairwinds Baptist Church brings together worship, biblical teaching, music, Christian education, family ministry and practical care in Bear. Its nursery, school, early learning center, student ministries and adult groups connect the church week by week, while the Bus Ministry, Meal Train and outreach work extend that care beyond the auditorium. At its center remains the conviction expressed throughout its teaching: all that the church believes and does flows from knowing God through Jesus Christ.