2010 Free Will Baptist Convention, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

NYC Review

WNAC Review

The 2010 conference theme, “Who Will Go?” seemed appropriate as Free Will Baptists from every corner of the globe poured into Oklahoma City July 18-21, for the 74th annual meeting of the National Association of Free Will Baptists.

At 6,545, the number of attendees was unusually high, nearing record marks set by conventions in Nashville (TN) in 1985, and Little Rock (AR) in 1994. And Free Will Baptists had good reason to gather in the Sooner State.

They Came to Celebrate

Convention attendees joined Free Will Baptist International Missions in celebrating the 75th year of the department’s rich history. This year marks the anniversary of Laura Belle Barnard’s intrepid journey to India as a 27-year-old single woman, a journey that began months before the denomination even organized.

Seventy-five years later, 250 career missionaries have followed her lead, planting more than 1,000 churches across the globe. National pastors and representatives from many of these churches joined their American counterparts in Oklahoma City to honor God’s faithfulness. The celebration included several landmark events.

On Monday, a meeting called simply, “Seventy-Five Years of Faithfulness,” recalled the rich missionary heritage of the denomination and highlighted the personal sacrifice, accomplishments, and faithfulness of men and women who gave their lives for the gospel. “We now call them international missionaries,” said longtime Contact magazine editor Jack Williams, during an address to spellbound listeners, “but they were more than that. They were our heroes, our teachers, our friends—the spiritual conscience of a denomination.”

On Tuesday, “World Celebration 2010” honored more than 50 international guests who, in turn, shared greetings and congratulations from congregations worldwide. Executive Secretary Keith Burden, Moderator Tim York, International Missions Director James Forlines, and International Fellowship of Free Will Baptists President Gerardo Acevedo were on hand to greet each guest and welcome them to the convention.

Throughout the week, a museum-style exhibit took visitors on a journey through missions history with artifacts, personal items, documents, and more. The fascinating displays included Dr. LaVerne Miley’s medical bag, Laura Belle Barnard’s Bible and handwritten notes, and Pop Willey’s holster, journal, and keepsake box.

In conjunction with the anniversary celebration, the Mission released, Into the Darkness, a beautiful hardbound volume documenting the 75-year history of Free Will Baptist missions in both pictures and text.

They Came to Walk

Perhaps the most visible portion of the International Missions celebration was the culmination of the 2,500-mile Go10 Walk for the World. For 84 days, nearly 2,000 walkers retraced Laura Belle Barnard’s steps across 14 states, carrying a Tamil (traditional Indian dialect) Bible and passing a well-worn baton from group to group to raise funds for missions. The walk ended at the Tuesday evening National Youth Conference service. A throng of walkers joined the final leg of the journey through downtown Oklahoma City. They flooded the streets in brightly colored tee shirts and carried large banners.

When the final group of walkers reached the stage, Carlisle Hanna, pioneer missionary to India, symbolically “passed the baton” to recently-appointed missionaries, marking the beginning of a new era in Free Will Baptist missions.

During Wednesday evening’s worship service, convention attendees rejoiced together when Director Joe Wilson announced the effort had surpassed its $1 million goal, making the Go10 Walk the largest short-term fundraising effort in the history of the Free Will Baptist movement, due in part to a $500,000 gift of “matching funds” from an anonymous donor.

They Came to Worship

In keeping with the International Missions celebration, each evening service featured a missions emphasis, including greetings to the convention from international representatives of Free Will Baptist churches worldwide.
Convention speakers addressed the theme, “Who Will Go?” based on the prophet’s calling in Isaiah 6:1-8. After Sunday School taught by Thomas Marberry (OK), Bert Tippett (TN) took the pulpit, preaching powerfully in spite of an ongoing battle with an aggressive form of bone cancer. The theme of his message was appropriately, “The Crisis We Must Face.”

Sunday evening, after dedicating the sermon to his grandfather Mac Kinsey, Oklahoma Pastor Jeff Blair spoke on “The Concept We Must Grasp.” Charles Murphy (OK) addressed “The Condition We Must Correct” on Monday night, challenging listeners to eradicate the power of sin in their lives in simple, direct terms.

Karl Sexton, fiery preacher from Virginia, took the pulpit Tuesday night speaking on, “The Call We Must Consider.” He urged listeners to accept the call of God to share the gospel with the world around them. “I do not fear that the church will not succeed,” Sexton said. “I fear that the church will succeed in things that do not matter.”

The unforgettable Wednesday evening service featured a parade of nations including scores of current and former missionaries and international guests. They were greeted by a thunderous standing ovation. The mass choir, under the direction of Vernon Whaley, performed a unique musical score that incorporated ethnic instruments and musical sounds from around the world before Stan Bunch, Arkansas native and missionary to Panama, spoke on the subject, “The Commitment We Must Make.” Altars filled as the convention came to a close, a fitting conclusion to a week that challenged all attendees to reply to God’s call with, “Here am I, send me.”

Throughout the week, Chris Truett, convention music coordinator, produced an inspiring program featuring a mass choir with more than 100 voices, an orchestral ensemble, and a vocal accompaniment group. Each service included rousing specials and enthusiastic congregational singing.

Photo: The Convention Choir hit a high note with their music throughout the convention.

This year, for the first time, almost 2,000 viewers watched convention services streamed live over the Internet. The Media Commission, which spearheaded the effort, reported that 1,703 viewers from 16 countries tuned in to one or more of the seven services that were broadcast.

Three national agencies and at least a dozen local churches and state associations syndicated the live feed on their own websites. Doug Earls, emcee of Wednesday night's missions service, reported to the congregation that Pastor Gary Fry, who had been scheduled to lead the service, watched the feed from his hospital bed.

They Came to Work

On Saturday, July 17, 72 participants from Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia arrived at the convention a day early. They took to the streets, going door-to-door to distribute thousands of flyers to homes in neighborhoods near ONE FWB Church in Moore, Oklahoma, and Epic FWB Church in Piedmont, Oklahoma. Their efforts marked the fifth year for the annual one-day evangelism and service campaign dubbed Impact.

During the five-year history of the event, nearly 1,500 volunteers have participated. The McCarty family from Ohio has participated every year. “I can’t imagine not doing this!” said Mom Marcia. “We look forward to Impact all year, and it is like a personal revival for our family.”

Not only did volunteers go door-to-door, they rolled up their sleeves and went to work on the campus of Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, preparing dormitories for the upcoming meeting of the International Fellowship of Free Will Baptist Churches. Hillsdale President Tim Eaton said, “I thank everyone for taking the extra time to come and help. Preparing for the convention and hosting the National Youth Evangelistic Team and Truth and Peace had stretched our summer staff to their limit. The extra help was very welcome.”

More than 500 registrants from 42 churches participated in the 16th year of Reach That Guy service projects, sponsored by the National Youth Conference. Volunteers logged 2,905 hours of work that benefitted 21 ministries and service organizations across Greater Oklahoma City.

On Wednesday, Reach That Guy sponsored a blood drive to benefit the Oklahoma City chapter of the Red Cross, collecting 94 units of blood from 111 participants.

NYC Director Danny Conn said, “I’ve simply been overwhelmed by the response to Reach That Guy this year. It’s obvious that Free Will Baptists came to work!”

They Came to Do Business

The General Board adjourned just before noon on Monday, June 19, after a four-hour, 43-minute session in the Sheraton OKC Hotel. Nine national boards and four commissions rolled out their reports and proposals for General Board members to review, and when Moderator Tim York’s gavel fell the last time, members had voted to recommend a 2011 denominational budget of just over $25 million.

They recommended a Treatise change from the Tennessee State Association that would add a 10th “Standing Rule” (Treatise, page 71) limiting reports by national departments to 30 minutes and commission reports to 15 minutes.

Another proposal recommended raising representation fees for $100 to $150 in 2012 to offset increased convention expenses.

A third recommendation asked the National Association to approve a change in the by-laws of Free Will Baptist Bible College and authorizes the Board of Trustees to “approve and review the mission of the college.”

A request from the Executive Committee to meet with the Randall House Board and the WNAC Executive Committee to discuss future convention funding was approved.

In other business, delegates…

Elected 35 national board and commission members, including general officers (4), Executive Committee (3), General Board (11), Randall House Board (4), FWBBC Trustees (5), International Missions Board (3), Home Missions Board (1), Music Commission (1), Media Commission (1), Commission for Theological Integrity (1), Historical Commission (1).

Approved a $25 million denominational budget for 2011. (See Convention at a Glance for more details.)

Voted to disburse funds from The Together Way Plan to national agencies according to the following formula: Underwrite the Executive Office Administrative Budget above designated gifts, not to exceed 45% of cooperative gifts. Disburse the balance of cooperative gifts—FWBBC (23%), International Missions (23%), Home Missions (18%), Retirement and Insurance (14%), Master’s Men (14%), FWB Foundation (6%), Commission for Theological Integrity (0.5%), Historical Commission (0.5%), Music Commission (0.5%), Media Commission (0.5%).

Agreed to increase representation fees from $100 to $150 beginning in 2012. This marks the first increase in representation fees since 2004.

Requested that the Randall House Board and the WNAC Executive Committee meet with the Executive Committee to discuss future convention funding.

Flinched when Executive Secretary Keith Burden announced that the convention faces a significant financial penalty to Oklahoma City hotels because a number of attendees cancelled room reservations, causing the convention to fall short of the room block commitment.

Registered 6,545 attendees for three concurrent conventions (including 686 ordained ministers, 153 ordained deacons, and 63 licensed ministers).

Examined a 220-page Digest of Reports containing reports from 13 national agencies, including projected budgets and annual summaries from agency ministries.

Heard Home Missions director Larry Powell say, “The fastest-growing aspect of the Free Will Baptist work is among Hispanics.”

Welcomed WNAC executive director, Elizabeth Hodges, pastor’s wife and professional educator from Tennessee.

Thanked the Oklahoma State Association for hosting the 2010 national convention. This marked the eighth time Oklahoma Free Will Baptists have hosted the convention, three times in Oklahoma City. Executive Director Mike Wade led Oklahoma to give more than $50,000 to defray convention expenses.

Learned that 1,469 people now participate in the denomination’s retirement plan. The oldest participant is 87 years old, the youngest 21. The Board of Retirement lists assets of $39.3 million.

Smiled when General Director David Brown announced the FWB Foundation is on solid financial footing with $37.3 million in assets, in spite of a roller-coaster year in the stock market.

Questioned International Missions Director James Forlines for more than an hour Wednesday morning regarding the new funding system and the departure of two career missionaries from the field of Brazil.

Stood to honor Sherwood Lee for 12 years on the International Missions Board, Jim and Vicki Sturgill for 40 years of service in Brazil, and Bobby and Geneva Poole for 50 years of service in Brazil. The International Missions Department presented plaques commemorating their years of service.

Endorsed a change in the FWBBC by-laws that clarifies the duties of the FWBBC Board of Trustees to approve and review the mission of the college.

Responded with interest when FWBBC president Matt Pinson announced a name change feasibility study that could result in the administration recommending a new name for the 68-year-old institution. A report will be presented to delegates at the 2011 convention.

Sent a clear message to national department directors that their convention reports have become too long. Delegates passed a motion limiting future department reports to 30 minutes and future commission reports to 15 minutes, except in special cases, and that by permission of the moderator.

Pushed past four resolutions Wednesday afternoon, rejecting two directed at national agencies, referring one to Randall House as information only, and objecting to the consideration of another.

Amened loudly when International Missions reported a 300% growth in church attendance on foreign fields in the past decade. Attendance now averages 40,000 per week.

Adjourned at 4:15 p.m. to meet in Charlotte, North Carolina, for the 2011 convention.

2010 Convention at a Glance

Registration Totals

National Convention
Board/Commission Members......................44
Licensed Ministers.......................................63
Local Church Delegates..............................12
NAFWB Attendees..................................3,139
NAFWB Staff................................................18
Ordained Deacons.....................................153
Ordained Ministers.....................................686
State Delegates............................................65
Total........................................................4,180

National Youth Conference
Attendees................................................2,165
Child Attendees..........................................136
Grades 1-3.................................................297
Grades 4-6.................................................367
Grades 7-12...............................................883
Preschool Worship.....................................137
Staff.............................................................134
Total.........................................................4,119

Women Nationally Active for Christ
Attendees.....................................................761
Local Delegates.............................................27
Missionaries...................................................59
National Officers..............................................7
Staff..................................................................2
State Delegates............................................111
State Field Workers........................................10
State Presidents..............................................11
Total..............................................................988

Actual Count* 6,545
*Some attendees register for more than one convention.

Speakers

Sunday School - Thomas Marberry (OK)
Sunday Morning - Bert Tippett (TN)
Sunday Evening - Jeff Blair (OK)
Monday Evening - Charles Murphy (OK)
Tuesday Evening - Karl Sexton (VA)
Wednesday Evening - Stan Bunch (AR)

2010 Budget

Executive Office...............................$740,603
Free Will Baptist Bible College.......$5,693,155
Free Will Baptist Foundation.............$481,510
Home Missions..............................$5,000,000
International Missions....................$7,800,000
Master’s Men....................................$156,717
Retirement and Insurance................$463,128
Randall House Publications...........$4,869,500
Comm. for Theological Integrity........... $7,220
Historical Commission......................... $3,220
Media Commission...............................$3,000
Music Commission...............................$3,875

Total........................................$25,221,928

Elected

Executive Committee (2013)
Tim Campbell (AR)
Rick Cash (AL)
David Shores (IL)

General Board (2013)
Alabama: Rick Cash
Arizona: George Harvey, Jr.
Arkansas: Tim Campbell
Association of Mexico: Luis Felipe Tijerina
Atlantic Canada: Oral McAffee
California: Millard Sasser
Colorado: Mark Thomas
Florida: Donnie Hussey
Georgia: Wayne Miracle
Idaho: Gene Kissinger
Illinois: David Shores

Home Missions (2011)
Bob Lewis (TN)

Music Commission (2015)
Chris Truett (NC)

Historical Commission (2015)
Darrell Holley (TN)

International Missions (2016)
Greg McAllister (CA)
Tom McCullough (MI)
Danny Williams (AL)

FWBBC Trustees

2014
Jeff Crabtree (Atl. Can)
Shiloh Hackett (AL)

2016
Michael Armstrong (OH)
Billy Hanna (GA)
Terry Pierce (MS)

Randall House Publications

2016
Tim Eaton (OK)
Tim Owen (FL)
Charles Cook (TN)

2012
Mike Trimble (MI)

Media Commission (2015)
Travis Penn (IL)

Commission for Theological Integrity (2015)
Craig Shaw (OK)

General Officers (2011)
Moderator: Tim York (TN)
Assistant Moderator William Smith (GA)
Clerk: Randy Bryant (FL)
Assistant Clerk: Ernie Lewis (IL)

2010 Convention Coverage Team
Victor Albright, videographer
Danny Conn, director, NYC
Sarah Fletcher, reporter, WNAC
Ida Lewis, reporter, NAFWB
Travis Penn, photographer
Deborah St. Lawrence, reporter, NAFWB
Eric K. Thomsen, convention press officer
Jack Williams, reporter, NAFWB