Draft:Dr. Andrew Wayne Mund

Dr. Andrew Wayne Mund

Dedication service for new Fishermen Baptist Church building on Sunday, August 4, 2013

Dr. Andrew Wayne Mund (March 16, 1944 – September 6, 2021) was an American pastor, theologian, author, radio broadcaster, and church-planting missionary. Based in Bon Secour, Alabama, he is best known for founding Fishers of Men Ministries International (FOMMI), planting several churches, and producing syndicated radio programs that continue to air globally and in podcast form.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Andrew Wayne Mund was born on March 16, 1944, to Andrew Lee Mund and Margaret Doretta Mund in the fishing village of Bon Secour, Alabama. His childhood was spent along the Bon Secour River, deeply intertwined with the local seafood industry, where he engaged with gill nets, trawls, crab traps, and oyster tongs. This upbringing profoundly influenced his life, metaphorically and literally, as he often described the seafood industry as being "in his veins as real as blood."

Despite being raised in a church-attending family, Dr. Mund experienced a significant spiritual transformation in January 1966 during his college years, which led him to dedicate his life to Christian ministry. His educational journey included studies at William Carey University in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he met his future wife, Jessie (Lenora) Mund. He later studied under Dr. Peter S. Ruckman at the Pensacola Bible Institute in Pensacola, Florida, and earned a Doctorate of Theology from the Great Plains Baptist Divinity School.

Ministry

Dr. Mund's ministry was characterized by a focus on evangelism in coastal and island communities worldwide. His pastoral work began with two churches, where he served for 15 years before founding Fishers of Men Ministries International (FOMMI) in 1989. FOMMI's first church, Fishermen Baptist Church in Bon Secour, Alabama, was a testament to his mission. Even after retiring from pastoring in 2018, he continued to lead FOMMI, which partnered with Victory Baptist Church in Milton, Florida, in 2019 to broaden its missionary reach.

Dr. Mund drew parallels between his work and the biblical teachings of Jesus by the Sea of Galilee, emphasizing the spiritual needs of coastal regions often overlooked in traditional evangelistic efforts.

Environmental Leadership

During the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, Dr. Mund played a pivotal role in providing spiritual leadership to the Bon Secour community. In a New York Times article titled "Seeking God's Help for a Wounded Gulf," published on June 27, 2010, by Dan Barry, Dr. Mund was highlighted for leading prayers at Fishermen Baptist Church. He guided his congregation in seeking faith-based solutions and comfort during the environmental crisis, reflecting his deep ties to the local fishing industry and his mission to address both spiritual and practical needs.

Publications

As an author, Dr. Mund used nautical themes to elucidate Christian teachings:

• Nautical Notes

 * ISBN-10: 0978932552
 * ISBN-13: 978-0978932558
 * A book that uses maritime analogies to offer practical Christian lessons.

• Anchors of the Faith

 * ISBN-10: 0978932579
 * ISBN-13: 978-0978932572
 * An exploration of Christian doctrines, with a posthumous revised edition published in 2024 by Jessie (Lenora) Mund under Fishers of Men Publications.

Radio Broadcasting and Podcasts

Expanding his outreach, Dr. Mund produced radio programs:

• A Fisherman’s Five Minute Look at the Book – Daily devotional segments.
• Mariner’s Call – A weekly in-depth program.

These continue to be broadcasted worldwide and are accessible via podcasts on platforms like Apple Podcasts.

Legacy

Dr. Mund passed away on September 6, 2021, due to complications from pneumonia linked to COVID-19. His legacy persists through the ongoing operations of FOMMI, the churches he founded, his published works, and his radio broadcasts. His wife, Lenora, has continued to uphold his mission.