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Forging Ahead

Joe Newsome Stepped Out on Faith To Start Church

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative Vice President of Communication and Member Services Stevie Sauls, right, presents a check to Joe Newsome during a presentation.

Joe Newsome wants to help people.

Every aspect of his life echoes that. He’s a pastor, a certified emergency medical technician, a CPR instructor, and the director of the East Geneva County Senior Citizens Center in Slocomb. On top of all that, he is the court clerk magistrate for the city of Slocomb.

3 years ago, Newsome was at a tent revival and felt called to “step up and step out.”

“God laid it on my heart during that revival that weekend,” Newsome says.

With support from his wife, Stephanie Newsome, and their family, he started a ministry. Among the things they do is collect food for families in need during the holidays, as well as toys for children. They partner with other churches to hold food, coat, and blanket drives.

The Forge Chapel is located in Coffee Springs in Geneva County.

He eventually named the ministry Forge Ministries after seeing the 2024 movie “The Forge.”

Then, the Newsomes took another step of faith and started a church, The Forge Chapel in Coffee Springs. The chapel held its first service in January.

Newsome is 1 of the 2025 Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass. A partnership between Wiregrass Electric Cooperative (WEC) and WTVY, the program was created to recognize those who give back to others and help their communities with little or no fanfare.

“I just know there’s a need for everything we do,” Newsome says. “We do it because we know there’s a need out there, and I’m not going to stop until I can help everybody that I can with whatever — whether it’s food, if it’s a pair of shoes, if it’s clothes, whatever they need. We’re going to do what we’ve got to do to reach out and help the next person.”

WEC Vice President of Communication and Member Services Stevie Sauls recently presented Newsome a check for $1,000 on behalf of the cooperative, its board of trustees, and the Operation Round Up Foundation Board.

“Our members choosing to round up their monthly bills allows us to provide for groups doing wonderful acts in their communities, like Forge Ministries,” Sauls says. “It is an awesome thing to be able to help them make a difference.”

The Forge Chapel is located at 162 Church Street in Coffee Springs and holds services on Sundays at 2 p.m. Anyone wishing to donate to The Forge Chapel and Forge Ministries or in need of help can call (334) 589-3561. The chapel also has a Cash App available for donations.