Apex, N.C. | Former IBSA church planting director Ed Handkins died in North Carolina on October 25. Handkins, who was born in Williamson County and grew up on a farm near Marion, spent his life pastoring churches, serving as a director of missions, and catalyzing new churches.
Handkins was saved, baptized, and later ordained at Center Baptist Church in Crab Orchard, Ill. He served 31 years as pastor of seven churches before going to work as director of missions for Quad Cities Area and Sinnissippi Baptist Associations.
He later served as IBSA’s “Director of Anglo New Work” and was appointed as a missionary by the North American Mission Board. Handkins retired in 2005 and moved to North Carolina, where he continued to pastor and facilitate church planting.
Sandy Barnard, who worked with Handkins at IBSA, remembered him as a “wonderful man” who “lived his life to the fullest and loved his family.”
Handkins is survived by his wife, Donna, and their children and grandchildren.