Using FOCUS Ministries as a platform for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and for making disciples, Bay Forrest, former NBA pro, shares his stories and testimony in a powerful, relevant and passionate way to all age groups.
Bay and his wife, Peg, speak at a wide variety of events ranging from church camps, youth, men’s, women’s and couples retreats to large evangelistic and revival services throughout the US and several foreign countries, which have included Canada, England, Indonesia, Kenya, Liberia, Mexico, South Africa, Tanzania and Cuba.
Bay Forrest
Those who have had the opportunity of sitting under Bay Forrest’s ministry have come away with encouraged hearts and an appreciation for his powerful, creative communication. Filling his messages with inspired stories from his years as a 6’10” NBA center for the Phoenix Suns and as a missionary in Kenya, East Africa, Bay has a way of clearly presenting the gospel and challenging his audience to live a “sold out” life for Jesus Christ.
His passion for evangelism and a life of holiness comes across in an uncompromising and powerful way. One of Bay’s unique communication strengths is his ability to bridge the gap between adults and youth, making him a natural for audiences of all ages.
With over 30 years of experience in ministry, Bay has spoken all across the US and in several countries, doing church services, youth conferences, family camps, men’s retreats, college chapels and Christian school spiritual emphasis weeks.
Peg Forrest
Peg Forrest’s passion is for living out her calling to teach and disciple women of all ages, whether through the spoken or written word. Peg leans on her years of “on-the-job-training” as a missionary in Kenya, as a biblical counselor and Dean of Women at Arizona Christian University, as well as, her experiences in leading women’s bible studies, and her love of sharing Jesus-relevant-stories, to draw women into deeper intimacy and a more secure identity in their Savior.
Peg considers herself a simple woman with a simple message to which ladies everywhere relate and are encouraged.
Peg and her husband, a former 6′ 10″ NBA center for the Phoenix Suns, began Focus Ministries in 1992 on their return from Africa, and travel world-wide, using their life-stories and experiences to share the gospel with a Fresh Outlook Centering Upon the Savior. Together they have written and/or co-authored six books.
The Great Commission
FOCUS Ministries is committed to fulfilling it purpose and the great commission as stated in Matthew 28:18-20, Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Governance
To that end FOCUS Ministries is governed and guided by a board of directors which provides vision, oversight, spiritual guidance and accountability. The board is aligned in these areas and provides continual prayer support and encouragement to Bay and Peg as they strive to fulfill the great commission and live out the great commandment, Mark 12:30-31, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
We believe these things to be true
Bible = Holy Word of God
We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God.
Altogether Holy
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
One God
We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Salvation & Regeneration
We believe that for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential.
Eternally Present
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
Resurrection
We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost: they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
Spiritual Unity
We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Board of Directors
FOCUS Ministries is governed by a board of directors, who actively pray for the God-inspired direction of this ministry, wisely determine and economical and practical budget, challenge with expanding and seeking new horizons, and establish concrete guardrails of protection.
The board is comprised of men and women from all over the United States, with varying occupations and ministries, who come to us from multiple denominational backgrounds; but, they are united as one in Christ and passionate in their support of FOCUS.
Board members at a summer retreat held at Born Lake Ranch in Pagosa Springs, CO.
Board Members
Peg and I have “hand-picked each of our board members, as we have sensed God’s nudging to ask them to join our FOCUS team. Instead of just listing all their academic, or business, qualifications, we want to share why they were chosen by us…
Chris Smith
Pagosa Springs, CO
Chris Smith is the Chief Visionary Officer and owner of several Visiting Angels franchises, that oversees care offices in most of the Southwest Region of the Four Corners, as well as in several Arizona communities. Chris excels in vision casting, with a desire to continuously improve and grow, not only his own business, but other ventures in which he is committed to seeing succeed. Chris is not only good at forward thinking and making recommendations, but he, also, comes alongside with research, facts, and next-steps of implementation. Bay and Peg have enjoyed Chris’ participation together with them in past ministry in Cuba, especially with his fluency in Spanish.
Rick Daniels
Meridian, ID
We’ve known Rick since college, and he and his wife, Nancy, have become two of our closest friends. We love hanging out with them! With a doctorate in nursing (Rick still teaches part time at Southern Oregon University), and as a retired, full-bird colonel from Army Reserves, you’d think Rick might be a bit stuffy, or unapproachable, but he’s the most laid-back, godly, fun-to-be-around guy you’d ever meet! He currently volunteers as an executive pastor at his church in Eagle, ID, and loves using his spiritual gift of exhortation and leadership, as he encourages all of us! Rick loves ice cream and golfing with Bay!
Carole Hogg
Phoenix, AZ
Carole is another of our longest serving members, and a dear friend since college, where we (Bay and Peg) spent many fun times together, making memories that will last a life-time. She has been incredibly supportive of us, even as a cheerleader, when our college basketball team won the national title in Kansas City. It was only right that she become our biggest cheerleader in ministry, too… Her husband, Jer, is a gifted man-of-all-trades, and helps out with our website (thank you, Jesus, for I-T people!). Jer and Carole both have amazing hearts for the local church, as well as missions. They love touring together, pulling Trudy, a gorgeous hand-built (by Jer), custom tear-drop trailer, during the summer when Carole isn’t teaching high school math.
Jerri Lindsey
Gilbert, AZ
Peg and I have known Jerri and her husband, Ben since Grand Canyon College days, when I was recruited by Coach Lindsey, and played four years for him. From the moment we stepped on campus, Jerri took us in like a loving mother, and knew the way to my heart - - - through my stomach! Coach Lindsey was the best coach I ever had at any level of play, and helped me mature and prepare for going on with Athletes in Action and the Suns. Longtime, incredibly generous supporters of FOCUS, we asked Jerri on the board for her matronly wisdom, and sincere love for her Savior. Okay - we do also appreciate that we often stay with them during our January board meetings in Arizona, where we eat WAY better than we deserve! Coach and Jerri love spending time on their ranch in Northern Arizona, where Jerri was raised, and my namesake, cowboy missionary grandpa used to preach!!
Mark Long
Roanoke, VA
One of our longest serving members, Mark comes from a background in corporate business, but several years back, sensed God calling him to leave all that, and he’s now area director of ministry with Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Through this venue, Mark loves discipling teens and young men to use all their gifts and abilities for God’s glory. A real prayer warrior, Mark is always one of our first to help us keep a “Kingdom Perspective” in bringing everything to the feet of Jesus! Mark and his wife, Debby, are both amazing athletes/runners, and Mark is a “world class” long distance competitor.
Pam Paugh
Nampa, ID
Pam is another one of those fun “God Stories,” as she and Bay, along with 3 or 4 other students, started their own inter-denominational youth group that grew from 5 to 80 during their last two years of high school. Best part of that ministry (for Bay!), was when Peggy Ward was invited by a girl to one of our events, and within 2-3 weeks, got radically saved. Of course, Bay was there to offer to help her grow, any way he could, and now t they’re headed quickly towards 50 years of marriage! Pam and her husband, Bill, recently both retired from nursing (Pam), and Boeing Aeronautics (Bill), and are loving life near Boise, ID, where they are leaders in Celebrate Recovery, a great new church, and Pam enjoys an on-the-side crafting business with her sister, and Bill gets to play on his 2-acre ranch!
Brad Pepple
Ft. Wayne, IN
We met Brad through his son, Taylor, ten years ago. It’s such a fun story, with Bay having the privilege of making sure all three of Brad’s boys were certain of their salvation, and had truly surrendered their lives to Christ. Brad and Jill are incredible role models as godly parents, and faithful, generous stewards of their successful real estate development business (which, by the way, all three sons now work alongside their dad). Brad loves Bible study, trips to Israel, and fun vacations with Jill!
Leslie Dawson
Pagosa Springs, CO
Leslie serves as Director of Spiritual Formation for Edify and in the role of Sage on the board of Wayforward Adventures. She served many rich years with Young Life. At her former church in Dallas, she created a contemplative prayer service called STILL. A mentor to women, trained spiritual director, silence and solitude retreat facilitator, her mission is to create space for people to come face to face with the Living God. She received a degree in education from Texas A&M University. Residing in Pagosa Springs, Leslie is married to Tiger Dawson and they have two daughters, and two sons-in-law.
Tom Zigler
Franklin, TN
Tom is a life-long friend of board member Brad Pepple, and is a surgical nurse, First Assistant in surgery. His wife, Pam, teaches school (she’s a math coach!) and plays the oboe in the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra. Together they enjoy serving in their church, and traveling together - especially Israel! Tom was a Division 1, gymnast at Arizona State University, and is an avid hunter, fisherman, artist, songwriter and guitar player.