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.

2022 Leadership Conference Explores Shifting Discipleship

Nashville, TN—Nashville, TN—December 5-6, 256 pastors and ministry leaders from 25 states and a Canadian province gathered at Sonesta Nashville Airport for one of the largest Leadership Conferences in the meeting’s history. Attendees enjoyed two days packed with intense training, inspiration, fellowship, and business. Keynote sessions featured bestselling author and pastor Robby Gallaty who explored the theme “DiscipleShift.”

During Monday’s opening session, Gallaty (pictured below) challenged leaders to care for their own discipleship needs in preparation to disciple others. He pointed listeners back to the basics of discipleship: spending time alone with God and His Word, seeking silence and solitude despite busy schedules that make this feel impossible. “Every great movement of God starts by not moving,” he concluded.

On Tuesday, Gallaty tackled five common myths that can become barriers to effective discipleship in the church: 1) activity = transformation; 2) ministry excellence = excellent ministry; 3) teaching = training; 4) filling spots = empowering people; 5) church impact = ministry ownership.

To remove these barriers, Gallaty urged church leaders to become hero makers who make the church a training center to empower individual members to embrace a discipleship plan they own.
During Q&A following each keynote session, Gallaty answered difficult and challenging questions about being a disciple and making disciples. His honest (sometimes blunt) answers were perhaps as helpful to listeners as his messages.

In addition to keynote sessions, 14 seminar speakers delivered timely sessions addressing a wide range of discipleship topics from strategies for discipleship to discipleship across generations, the role of the pastor’s wife in discipleship, cross-cultural effectiveness in discipleship, and more.
The seminar program included new tracks especially for women and Spanish speakers, leading to high attendance numbers for both groups, including 42 women, the largest number ever to attend the meeting.

Conference Director Ryan Lewis reflected, “In a year where the conference theme was ‘DiscipleShift,’ attendees were challenged both personally and practically to change their thinking in how they reach those within their circle of influence and help them grow in the faith.”

The two-day conference featured much more than strategy and training. Ballrooms buzzed with animated conversation during banquet-styled meals, and in-depth discussions continued long after meals and sessions concluded, spilling over into the hallways and common areas of the hotel.

Various boards and committees also met in conjunction with the conference, including the Board of Retirement; the Executive Committee; Free Will Baptist Foundation; IM, Inc.; North American Ministries; Randall House; Welch College; WNAC; and state leaders.

Tennessee Pastor Matt Honeycutt expressed enthusiasm about his experience: “I thoroughly enjoy and look forward to the Leadership Conference each year. From seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones, to gaining insights in the breakout sessions and hearing keynote speakers, the Leadership Conference fills an important need.”

Executive Secretary Eddie Moody announced December 4-5, 2023, as the dates for the next meeting. Author and veteran pastor and church planter Mark Clifton will be featured as the speaker, exploring the theme, “Reclaiming Glory: Hope for Our Churches.”

Visit www.nafwb.org/leader throughout the year for more updates regarding the 2023 conference.

Introducing the 2023 Nominations for Standing Boards and Commissions*

Please note: biographical information only included for new board and commission nominees.

Board of Retirement and Insurance (2029)
Travis Moots (NC)
William Smith (GA)
Joshua Chapman (MO)

Travis Moots has served at Hilltop FWB Church and Hilltop Christian School (HCS) in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, for more than two decades. Currently, he serves as associate pastor of the church and principal of the school.

William Smith has served as executive secretary/treasurer of the Georgia State Association of Free Will Baptists for over 25 years. Also in 2023, he will conclude more than two decades as assistant moderator of the National Association.

Joshua Chapman is a church planter to Rolla, Missouri, serving under the Missouri Free Will Baptist Missions Board. The church planting team has established Mosaic Church, a local congregation focused on reaching the large international population studying and working in the Rolla community. Fundraising and partnerships with other ministry organizations have been essential in Joshua’s role as he oversees finances and planning, communication with partners, and teaching.

Board of FWB Foundation (2029)
Jonathan Locklear (MI)
Melissa Haralson (AR)
Bob Thompson (OK)

Jonathan Locklear is the associate pastor at Woodhaven FWB Church in Woodhaven, Michigan, where he has ministered for 15 years. He currently supports the Foundation by hosting estate planning seminars. Although a younger minister, he is heavily involved in denominational work and understands the importance of the work of Free Will Baptist Foundation.

Board of North American Ministries (2029)
Josh Bush (KS)
Josh Baer (NC)
David Sexton (VA)

Josh Bush became pastor of Cross Point Church in Wichita, Kansas, 16 years ago. Cross Point had a congregation of seven and a building in disrepair. After the church began to grow numerically, Josh led the congregation to purchase a church campus in a struggling area of Wichita. The church has since grown to become one of the leading Free Will Baptist churches in Kansas. Josh supports and promotes North American Ministries along with other denominational ministries. He has the gift of encouragement and uses that gift to help other churches and pastors.

Commissions

Music Commission (2026) - Sam Harris (NC)

Sam Harris has been music minister at Parkers Chapel FWB Church in Greenville, North Carolina, for 32 years. He has worked with the Music Commission since 2015 to plan music for the National Convention. He also has directed the Convention Choir since 2015.

Music Commission (2028) - Daniel Webster (TN)

Daniel Webster has served in music ministry 22 years at four Free Will Baptist churches. He currently serves as the music and worship director at Immanuel FWB Church in Gallatin, Tennessee. Daniel also teaches worship and music classes at Welch College.

Historical Commission (2028) - David Crowe (TN)

Media Commission (2028) - Stephen Lopes (TN)

Commission for Theological Integrity (2028) - Matt Pinson (TN)

Executive Committee (2026)
Stan Bunch (MO)
Wayne Hale (Mid-Atlantic)
Daniel Edwards (IN)

General Officers of the Executive Committee (2027)
Randy Bryant (FL) – Clerk
Jackson Watts (MO) – Assistant Moderator

Jackson Watts began pastoring Grace FWB Church in Arnold, Missouri, in August 2011, after ministering four years in North Carolina. Jackson grew up in South Carolina and was called to preach shortly after becoming a student at Welch College, where he studied English and pastoral ministry. Ordained shortly after graduation from Welch, Jackson served from 2007-2011 as the minister of education at Tippett’s Chapel in Clayton, North Carolina. While there, he earned graduate degrees from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Duke Divinity School. He has since completed a Ph.D. from Concordia Seminary. A member of the Commission for Theological Integrity, he has published two books and written extensively for FWBTheology.com and the Helwys Society Forum (TheHSF.com).

*The following boards do not elect members in 2023: IM, Inc., Randall House, Welch College, and WNAC.