News About the Denomination The following news items apply to (or affect) the Free Will Baptist denomination scattered across the nation and around the world.To read more about Free Will Baptists and the various departments that make up the national organization, visit www.nafwb.org. Read a brief history of Free Will Baptists in the United States.

Media Commission Celebrates Four Decades

“What can Free Will Baptists do through technology to reach people with the gospel?” This was the question delegates to the 46th annual session in Ft. Worth, Texas, set out to answer when they appointed five men to a committee to uncover the possibilities of sharing the gospel through radio and television.

After a year of research and study, those committee members: Sandy Goodfellow, Guy Owens, Larry Hampton, George Lee, and Raymond Riggs felt it would be in the denomination’s best interest to begin the Radio and Television Commission, and their recommendation was adopted at the 1983 convention in Columbus, Ohio.

In 1984, in Little Rock, Arkansas, the committee unveiled a 15-minute radio broadcast: Victorious Faith. The distinctly Free Will Baptist radio program had the primary focus of preaching the Word of God with power to reach souls for Christ and to promote the work of the denomination.
Radio host Jim Vallance opened each broadcast with a musical selection featuring a Free Will Baptist musician followed by preaching from Dr. Tom Malone and Rev. Bob Shockey. Doug Little played the theme song “Faith Is the Victory.”

By 1987, Victorious Faith was being aired on six stations, including the 50,000-watt broadcast from KAAY in Little Rock, Arkansas. This station was aired in 27 states and 13 countries. Broadcasts could be heard each Sunday at 8:00 p.m. on station 1090 on the AM dial. The broadcast continued through 1997.

In 1997, the Radio and Television Commission was renamed Free Will Baptist Media Commission. The group refocused efforts through partnerships with state associations in Florida and Tennessee, pursuing opportunities to produce radio commercials, videos, and printed material. A television commercial entitled “The Arrow” encouraged church members to talk to their communities about strong family values and invite them to a Free Will Baptist church in their area.

In the early 2000s the commission worked in cooperation with Mike Anderson to record nightly convention services and produce CDs and DVDs to be purchased for a small fee. In 2010, under the leadership of Keith Fletcher and Travis Penn, the commission began streaming convention services, adding thousands of additional viewers. Over the past 12 years, the commission has continued to improve and refine streaming, and today, convention services reach hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Communication technology is ever-changing and plays an influential role in society. As a commission, our desire is to build upon the past to merge these constant changes with the gospel. To do this, we must stay on the cutting edge of technology yet preserve, maintain, and strengthen Free Will Baptist distinctives and heritage.

The dream that began in 1982 continues today. I have a unique opportunity as the grandson of one of the original members, Guy Owens, to see that mission and vision through as the Media Commission builds upon and advances the cause of Christ through media.

The commission is available to all churches and denominational agencies for assistance and resources. We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our denomination.

About the Author: Josh Owens is a member of the Free Will Baptist Media Commission.

2022 Leadership Conference to Highlight Discipleship

Nashville, TN—Pastors and ministry leaders from across the denomination will gather at Sonesta Nashville Airport, December 5-6, for the 2022 Leadership Conference. The conference will offer two days of training, inspiration, and fellowship. Bestselling author and pastor Robby Gallaty will be the keynote speaker, exploring the theme “DiscipleShift.”

The pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, Gallaty’s story is a vivid testimony to God’s grace. He was saved from drug addiction and today is driven by a passion to disciple others for Christ. Gallaty is founder of Replicate Ministries and the author of several books, including Growing Up, Firmly Planted, and Rediscovering Discipleship. He and his wife Kandi have two sons, Rig and Ryder.

Between keynote sessions, attendees will enjoy banquet-styled meals, a broad variety of seminars, Q&A discussions and workshops, and free time to fellowship or explore the sights in Nashville. Several denominational boards, commissions, and committees will meet in conjunction with the conference.

Visit nafwb.org/leadershipconference to register or for updates.

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

Marshall L. Bonéy III
Training Free Will Baptist Churches in Cross-Cultural Competence to Reach Their Multi-Ethnic Communities for Christ.

Fernando Bustamante
Discipulado

Matthew Bracey & Eric Thomsen
Going DPR: Developing Deliberate Personal Relationships for Discipleship

Carolyn Dwyer
The Pastor’s Wife: Our Ministry in Discipleship

Pedro Garcia
Discipleship When It Isn’t Wanted
El Discipulado Cuando no se Quiere

Steve Greenwood
Priorities for Partnering With Parents

Ron Hunter
Five Strategic Questions for Effective Discipleship

Ruth McDonald
Be Sure to Like, Follow, and Share! (Becoming a Disciple who Makes Disciples)

Faron Thebeau & Josh Chapman
For Such a Time as This: Strategies for Discipling the Rising Generation to Reach a World We No Longer Recognize

Faron Thebeau
Para un Tiempo Como Este: Estrategias Para Discipular a la Generación Surgiente con el Fin de Evangelizar a un Mundo que no Receonocemos

Phyllis York
Discipling Across Generations

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Monday, December 5

3:00 pm Registration
5:30 Supper
7:00 Evening Session*
Speaker: Robby Gallaty

Tuesday, December 6

7:30 am Breakfast
9:00 Seminars 1
10:00 Seminars 2
10:50 Refreshments
11:10 Seminars 3
12:00 pm Lunch
1:30 Seminars 4
Free Time / Fellowship Opportunities
5:30 Dinner
7:00 Evening Session*
Speaker: Robby Gallaty

*Q&A Panels After Evening Sessions