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.

Read the 2023 National Convention Review

Read the 2023 Vertical 3 Review

2023 Leadership Conference Challenges Churches to Reclaim God’s Glory

Antioch, TN—December 4-5, 189 pastors and ministry leaders from 25 states gathered at Sonesta Nashville Airport for the annual Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference. Attendees enjoyed two full days packed with humor, training, fellowship, and business. Keynote sessions featured author and church planter Mark Clifton, who explored the theme “Reclaiming Glory” and areas related to revitalizing struggling and dying churches.

Clifton is the lead national strategist for revitalization/replanting at the North American Mission Board. God has used Mark in planting or replanting more than a dozen churches across the United States and Canada. He is the author of Reclaiming Glory and produces a weekly podcast entitled Revitalize and Replant. Mark and his wife Jill have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and four grandsons.

During Monday’s opening session, after identifying the characteristics of churches that die, Clifton urged listeners to replant churches that bring God glory. He identified replanting as “an act of worship and requires us to lay down our idols [anything we run to for comfort, security, and meaning].”

Tuesday morning, Clifton detailed four approaches to helping a dying church: 1) give the building to a church plant; 2) share the building with a church plant; 3) merge with a church plant; and 4) replant the existing church from within. Each approach has challenges, but each also can be a solution for the dying church. Tuesday evening, Clifton introduced four key requirements for church planting: 1) passion for the Bible and biblical preaching; 2) being both a disciple and a disciple maker; 3) a passion for the gospel; and 4) a passion for prayer. He concluded by sharing important traits every church replanter should display.

In addition to these keynote sessions, 12 seminar speakers explored a wide range of important topics ranging from strategies for reaching and keeping college students to messy ministry and pastoral mental health, among other topics. Denominational leadership and committees also met for strategy and updates on ongoing initiatives.

However, the conference featured much more than strategy and training. Ballrooms buzzed with animated conversation during banquet-styled meals. 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 met in conjunction with the conference, including the Board of Retirement; D6 Family Ministry; the Executive Committee; Free Will Baptist Foundation; IM, Inc.; North American Ministries; Welch College; and state leaders and promotional directors.
North Carolina Promotional Secretary Reuben Cason expressed his enthusiasm: “This year’s Leadership Conference has been invigorating! Listening to our denominational leaders speak about current issues and opportunities facing our churches today, and how to respond to these issues and opportunities has been challenging, comforting, and convicting. Mark Clifton has done an outstanding job addressing the subject of refreshing, replanting, and revitalizing our churches. It was good to be reminded we have hope for our churches because our Lord has promised to build His church.”

Executive Secretary Eddie Moody announced December 9-10, 2024, as the dates for next year’s meeting. Bestselling author Gary McIntosh will be featured as the speaker, exploring the theme, “Flying Solo: Helping Pastors Survive the Isolation of Ministry.”

Visit www.nafwb.org/leader throughout the year for updates regarding the 2024 conference.

National Offices Building Manager Retires After More Than Three Decades

Antioch, TN—Steve Pate, building manager for the Free Will Baptist National Offices building since 1992, retired in December after 31 years of faithful service to the denomination.

Pate’s responsibilities included building maintenance and supervision, mailing and shipping, and logistics for the National Convention, including driving the 18-wheeler to and from the yearly meeting. However, his responsibilities didn’t stop there, as Executive Secretary Eddie Moody noted while honoring Pate during the annual Leadership Conference.

“Steve has done a little bit of everything for us over the years. In addition to his hard work on the building and in the mailroom, since 2020 Steve has also served as lunch breaker for the building receptionist nearly every day. (Perhaps some of you had an opportunity to speak to him.) Whatever the case, Steve has always been willing to do anything asked, and we are grateful to him for his service.”

Pate and his wife Vicki live in Smyrna, Tennessee, and attend Corner Stone Free Will Baptist Church. They have one son Chris (Jacy) and two grandchildren.

Foundation Grants Program to Resume

Antioch, TN—Free Will Baptist Foundation is pleased to announce the grants program will resume in 2024.

“After the hard decision last year to pause the grants program, the Free Will Baptist Foundation is pleased to make grants available again this year,” said Director David Brown. “We will award $250,000 in grants, and applications are now being accepted.”

Brown encourages Free Will Baptist organizations to begin preparing their grant requests to meet the March 15, 2024 deadline. More information regarding the grant program can be found at fwbgifts.com. Download the grant application packet: https://loom.ly/jiYOyEQ.

Introducing 2024 Nominees for Standing Boards and Commissions

Antioch, TN—The 2023-24 Nominating Committee has presented the following individuals to be considered for the 2024 Convention election, according to Terry Hinds (IN), committee chair.
Please note: bios are included only for new board and commission nominees, not for returning members.

Executive Committee
Chris Dotson (TN)
Reuben Cason (NC)
James Coffelt (OK)

James Coffelt most recently served as lead pastor at Cushing FWB Church (OK) from 2009 to 2023. Active in denominational boards and positions throughout his ministry, James recently accepted the role of executive director of the Oklahoma State Association of Free Will Baptists. He began serving as a state officer in Oklahoma in 1999 and has been the state clerk for 23 years. Ordained in 1993, James pastored three decades in seven churches before accepting his current position as executive director. He holds a B.A. in theology from Randall University.

Women Nationally Active for Christ
Melanie Franks (AL)
Angie Frazier (FL)
Ashley Alphin (OH)

Melanie Franks is coordinator of Alabama FWB Women’s Ministries. Her experience as an educator, pastor’s wife, and church women’s ministries director equips her well to serve women of all ages. An active participant in various levels of women’s ministries, she successfully led a Shine! conference in 2022. Since 2017, Melanie has served as a team member of Cultivate FWB Church, a church plant in Athens, Alabama. She leads both the women’s ministry and nursery and toddler ministry. Melanie earned a B.S. and a M.A. in elementary education from Western Kentucky University.

Angie Frazier is WAC coordinator for First FWB Church Tampa (FL). She is a dedicated women’s church group leader with a passion for fostering spiritual growth, community engagement, and unity among women. With 23-plus years of experience in ministry, she is committed to serving women and helping them grow in their spiritual walk. She graduated from Welch College with a B.S. in elementary education.

Ashley Alphin is vice president for Ohio FWB Women’s Ministries and has also been a board member since 2021. For 11 years, she faithfully served in women’s ministry as a member and participant of WNAC, OWAC, and her local women’s group. She has also been active in Young Women Active for Christ for multiple years. She attends Westerville FWB Church in Westerville, Ohio. Ashley is a 2021 graduate of Welch College with a B.S. in psychology and theology.

D6 Family Ministry
Kendall Ross (AR)
Kevin Barnett (AR)
Fuad Farhat (NC)

Kevin Barnett has pastored Sutton FWB Church (AR) since January 2017. A member of the Arkansas State Executive Committee, he additionally served on the Arkansas Executive Board from 2011-2019. He has been a member of the Social Band Association Executive Board since 2010, the chair for the past 11 years. Kevin has been a supporter of D6 curriculum since its launch and has attended seven D6 Conferences. He earned a B.S. in plant science from Arkansas State University.

Fuad Farhat has been on staff at New Life Church (NC) since 2018. He pastors middle and high school students and oversees day-to-day operations and projects. He graduated from Southeastern FWB College in 2017 with a B.A. in Bible. He earned a Master of Theological Studies (MTS), Master of Religious Education (MRE), and Master of Divinity in biblical languages from the Liberty School of Divinity. Currently, he is pursuing a Ph.D. in New Testament from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

IM, Inc.
Darren Walker (NC)
Casey Cariker (OK)
Paul Etterling (OH)

Paul Etterling has served 21 years at Westerville FWB Church (OH), 16 as the lead pastor. A bivocational minister, he also works as a compliance consultant with Elevate Health, his employer since 1997. An ordained minister since 1993, Paul has been active in the denomination for the entirety of his ministry, serving on multiple boards in both the local conference and the Ohio State Association. Paul is currently serving a second term on the Ohio Home Mission Board as the secretary/treasurer. Additionally, the Westerville Church regularly supports mission efforts around the world through budgetary and special offerings. Paul earned an A.S. from Shawnee State University, a B.S. in religion, and a M.A. in religion from Liberty University.

Welch College
Tim Campbell (AR)
Theron Scott (SC)
Josue Suarez (FL)

Josue Suarez is lead pastor at Ebenezer FWB Church in Hollywood, Florida, where he also serves as administrator of Ebenezer School, overseeing 20 employees, finances, and daily operations. A member of the Florida State Executive Committee, Josue chairs his district association, Asociación Hispana de Iglesias Bautistas Libres (FWB) de la Florida, and chairs the board of Camp Sunshine. A 2015 graduate of Welch College with a B.A. in pastoral ministry, Josue is currently completing his M.Div. at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Commission for Theological Integrity
Cory Thompson (OK)

Media Commission
Josh Owens (TN)
Isaiah Grimes (VA)

Isaiah Grimes has been church media director of Great Bridge FWB Ministries (VA) since 2021. An IT administrator and computer instructor for elementary and middle schoolers, Isaiah has a broad range of technical skills and software proficiency, including graphic, web design, and audio and video editing. A graduate of Erie Institute of Technology, he is currently pursuing a B.A. in ministry and business at Randall University.

Music Commission:
Kevin Justice (NC)

Historical Commission:
Philip Morgan (TN)

Phillip Morgan has served as the head curator for the Free Will Baptist Historical Collection since October 2017, after training under Dr. Robert E. Picirilli for three years. In that capacity, he collects and catalogs historical materials, assists researchers, and works with historians and clerks throughout the denomination to promote the preservation of Free Will Baptist history. He has written local church and associational histories and assisted others in similar projects. In 2018, he published a history of Welch College with J. Matthew Pinson. He also has presented numerous papers, articles, and presentations on various aspects of Free Will Baptist and general church history. A graduate of Welch College (B.S.) and Middle Tennessee State University (M.A.), he is finalizing a Ph.D. in history from Kansas State University (ABD; 2019-present).

Submitted by the Nominating Committee: Terry Hinds (Chair), Jimmy Lawson, Mark Walker, Lori McCraney, Ken Simpson, John Collier, and Mark Harrison