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.

Introducing the Shepherding Initiative

Antioch, TN — The Executive Office recently launched a new program to help churches through extended pastoral changes, according to Executive Director Eddie Moody.

“Free Will Baptists are not immune to the shortage of pastors in North America,” Moody notes. “We have launched The Shepherding Initiative to deal specifically with the challenges created by the lack of pastors.”

The Shepherding Initiative builds on the foundation of the pastor placement program launched two years ago and led by Dr. Tim York. York works confidentially with pastors and church leadership to help them identify one another. Churches facing a pastoral change are encouraged to watch the Better Together Podcast (nafwb.org/podcast) featuring Pastor Barry Long to understand how this pastor placement program works.

Despite these efforts, the number of available pastoral candidates does not meet the number of church vacancies, making it necessary for the program to work with churches until they settle on a pastor. “That’s why we began a shepherding approach,” continues Moody. “A coach/mentor works with a leader within the church each week to help that individual continue day-to-day operations of the church, and we provide additional resources to the church to help it continue ministering effectively until they find a pastor. This not only keeps the church from losing ground in the interim, but it also sets the stage for a smooth transition for the new pastor.”

Any church interested in The Shepherding Initiative should email the Executive Office at questions@nafwb.org with “The Shepherding Initiative” in the subject line. For more information about the program, visit nafwb.org/shepherding.

Counseling Program Surpasses 1,200 Sessions

Antioch, TN — The Refresh Pastoral Counseling Program of the National Association has reached an important milestone, according to Executive Director Eddie Moody.

More than 1,200 sessions have been provided to pastors or members of their families since 2022. Moody, a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor himself, expresses his gratitude for the program and credits Tom Jones, licensed professional counselor and former Free Will Baptist church planter, as a key to the success of the program. “Tom has been a workhorse,” Moody notes, “conducting nearly a thousand counseling sessions.”

The program was born from tragedy. Dr. Moody recalls early days in the Executive Office when he was overwhelmed by the needs of many pastors and pastoral families. He recounts, “While at the airport one Saturday afternoon, waiting to fly out to speak at a church, I spoke with a pastor concerning the urgent needs of his wife. I had to cut short the conversation to board the plane.”

Later, that pastor’s wife took her own life. Dr. Moody recalls wanting to start a pastoral counseling program but lacking the funding. He approached Dr. David Crowe, director of North American Ministries, about the problem. Crowe assured Moody his department would help. After the program began, IM, Inc.; Richland Ave Financial; FWB Foundation; the Missouri State Association; and other agencies joined the effort.

The counseling program is used to address difficulties pastors are experiencing. “We are here to help with big or small problems,” Dr. Moody says. “We love our pastors, and we want them to know they are not alone in the ministry.”

One counseling recipient observed, “I very likely wouldn’t be in the ministry if it weren’t for the Refresh Counseling Program.” Another noted, “During a very broken time in my life this ministry provided sound biblical direction.” Still another recipient noted the program “was a critical tool for me as a pastor to work through my depression and anxiety in a healthy way.”

Listen to the Better Together Podcast to hear Pastor Sherman Branch’s powerful testimony describing how the program helped him after the death of his wife, and what he experienced as a participant.

The counseling program currently relies upon eight helping professionals to meet the variety of needs faced by pastors and their families. If you or someone you know would like to participate, email questions@nafwb.org with Counseling in the subject line. You will be contacted for more details. Find additional resources: nafwb.org.