news from master's Men and WNAC

Master's Men has organized men's ministry for the National Association of Free Will Baptists since 1955. Women Nationally Active for Christ (WNAC), an auxiliary arm of the denomination, has coordinated the collaborative efforts of Free Will Baptist women since 1934.

WNAC Approves New Scholarship

Antioch, TN—Delegates to the 2011 WNAC Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, approved guidelines for the Dr. Mary R. Wisehart Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to one female student at each Free Will Baptist college.

WNAC established the Memorial Student Loan Fund in 1957, offering low-interest loans to students at Free Will Baptist Bible College. The fund grew consistently through the years as women contributed, and borrowers paid their debts. In recent years, however, due to increased availability of Pell Grants and other government loans, the fund saw little use. In 2010, women voted to convert the money into a scholarship fund.

Guidelines include the following stipulations.

1. Recipient must be a female student enrolled full-time.

2. Recipient must be a member in good standing of a Free Will Baptist church or mission.

3. Recipient must be enrolled in one of the Free Will Baptist colleges:

Free Will Baptist Bible College, Nashville, TN

Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College, Moore, OK

California Christian College, Fresno, CA

Southeastern Free Will Baptist College, Wendell, NC

Gateway Free Will Baptist College, Virginia Beach, VA.

4. Recipient must be a sophomore, junior, or senior.

5. Recipient must maintain a grade point average of a “C” or above.

6. Recipient must exemplify Christian qualities and display continuing spiritual growth.

7. Recipient will be chosen by the scholarship committee of the designated college

8. Recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

9. Recipient may apply annually.

“This is really good,” remarked one convention attendee. Leaders see this as a step forward in educational assistance and a means for modeling WNAC ministry objectives.

National Golf and Softball Tournaments a Success

Antioch, TN—Fifty-two golfers participated in the annual Master’s Men golf tournament on August 4. Great scores reflected perfect golf weather, with slightly overcast skies and top temperatures in the 80s.

Ronnie Dunn and Paul Ballard captured the top spot, shooting an eight-under 64. Ronnie Anderson and Byron Ross placed second with a six-under round of 66, finishing just ahead of Mike Gladson and Jerry Hall, who also scored 66 but placed third after a scorecard playoff. Other winners included Roger Cooper and Charles Harris, first place-first flight; Keith Burden and Randy Wilson, second place-first flight; Glenn Poston and Dave Thomas, first place-second flight; and Eric Thomsen and Manuel Lopes, second place-second flight.

At the National Softball Tournament, two rain delays halted play for more than three hours, but the cooler temperatures were worth the wait. Twenty-two teams from eight states rolled into Nashville, August 5-6, seeking a trophy.

When the last game had been played, Mt. Olive FWB Church (pictured above, Guin, AL) walked away with the first place trophy. After losing to First FWB Church (Seffner, FL) in the final game of the winners’ bracket, Mt. Olive had to win two games in the final round to be declared overall champions.

Seffner did not lose a game until playing Mt. Olive for the championship, and finished in second place. Zion Hill Orange (Millwood, GA), last year’s champs, finished third with newcomers Forrest Valley FWB Church (Springfield, OH) finishing fourth.

In the consolation tournament, Donelson FWB Church (Nashville, TN) won first place by outhitting fellow Tennessee team, Two Rivers FWB Church, from Clarksville.

Master’s Men expresses appreciation to all players and golfers who participated in the tournaments. “We have a great time,” said director Ken Akers, “but we also raise money for the ministry of Master’s Men in the process. It is a fun way to contribute to the Lord’s work.”

Operation Saturation Extends to Buffalo

Buffalo, NY—Twenty people traveled to Buffalo, NY, to promote the new Free Will Baptist church recently started there. Volunteers from Tennessee, Ohio, and Pennsylvania joined Home Missionaries Brian and Emily Williams, Darin and Joy Alvis, and Timothy and Amanda York on Saturday, August 27.

They visited a thousand homes, distributing door hangers to promote the new work. In addition to planting NorthPoint FWB Church, the Yorks will start LifePoint FWB Church, a deaf church that will meet in the same building. For more information about Team Buffalo, visit www.homemissions.net.