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.

Overcoming Isolation | 2024 Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference

Nashville, TN — Antioch, TN — December 9-10, 194 Free Will Baptist pastors and ministry leaders from 26 states gathered at Sonesta Nashville Airport for the annual Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference. The two days were filled with fellowship, training, resources, new ideas, and business. Speakers and panelists tackled the theme, “Flying Solo,” identifying challenges and offering solutions related to isolation in ministry.

Keynote sessions featured Gary McIntosh, writer, speaker, and professor. The author of 22 books, McIntosh has spent many years as a professor of Christian Ministry and Leadership at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, teaching pastoral theology and missiology. Gary has analyzed over 1,200 churches from 90-plus denominations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Southeast Asia. A former pastor himself, Gary understands both the challenges and blessings of the pastorate.

During the Monday evening opening session, McIntosh identified key challenges confronting pastors in isolated ministry and shared simple (though not easy to implement) solutions to overcome these challenges.

Tuesday morning, drawing from the story of Joseph, McIntosh defined “vision” as “a picture of a desirable future.” He reminded pastors that God likely will give them a vision for their church. He offered guidelines for sharing this vision in a way that inspires and excites the congregation. “Vision is important…” he concluded. “We can lead our churches into the future, and I pray that is what happens.”

Tuesday evening, McIntosh emphasized God’s continuing desire for His Church to grow, as evidenced by His command to “go and make disciples” (Acts 1:8). This command is clear and unmistakable, and it is a mandate, unchanged today. McIntosh concluded by sharing six ways God continues to grow His Church today.

Daryl Crouch, executive director of Everyone’s Wilson, encouraged churches to reach their communities by embracing the power of network. “One church cannot reach the entire community,” he explained. “It takes the united Body of Christ working together.” Crouch also encouraged congregations to establish relationships at every level of the community — beyond the walls of the church — thereby creating trust and building redemptive bridges.

Bestselling author Robert J. Morgan offered encouragement from his book The Mediterranean Sea Rules. From the story of the Apostle Paul’s voyage and shipwreck recorded in Acts 27-28, he urged listeners to let God work His will and way through the storms in their lives. “What is faith?” Morgan asked listeners. “Faith is believing that life will work out exactly as God intends.”

Tuesday afternoon, a seven-person panel moderated by Executive Director Eddie Moody updated the counseling and fellowship opportunities available to Free Will Baptist ministry families. Moody and the panelists acknowledged the desire to help connect those successfully counseled with others struggling.

Stan Bunch, director of the Missouri State Association, shared the history and purpose of associations within the denomination and then offered practical advice for making associations work at every level by assessing current practices, defining objectives, and implementing those objectives with leadership development in mind.

As always, the Leadership Conference featured far more than sessions and training. Attendees connected or reconnected over banquet-styled meals. Conversations continued long after meals and sessions concluded, spilling over into the hallways and common areas of the hotel. Leaders also took advantage of free publicity photos provided by Rodney Yerby, IM, Inc. board chairman.

Various boards and committees also met in conjunction with the conference, including D6 Family Ministry; Executive Committee; Free Will Baptist Foundation; IM, Inc.; North American Ministries; Richland Ave Financial; Welch College; WNAC; and state leaders and promotional directors.
Richland Ave Financial board member Don Myers said: “I’m always thankful for the Leadership Conference. Each year, it renews my long-term friendships and helps me establish new ones. It also fills my mind with long-held truths and introduces new thoughts for today.”

Executive Director Eddie Moody announced December 8-9, 2025, as the dates for this year’s meeting. Author and researcher Sam Rainer will be featured as keynote speaker, exploring the theme, “The Neighborhood Church.” Visit nafwb.org/leader throughout the year for updates regarding the 2025 conference.

Hood Honored for Nearly Five Decades of Service

Nashville, TN — Longtime Accounting Administrator Melody Hood (pictured below) was honored for 46 years of service to the Executive Office during the annual Leadership Conference December 10.

The West Virginia native, who retired January 31, began serving the Executive Office in 1979. She worked for three executive secretaries: Melvin Worthington, Keith Burden, and, currently, Eddie Moody. “Melody has been a faithful part of this office for many years,” Moody noted. “We are deeply grateful for her work and dedication, and we will miss her.”

Coworkers recalled her remarkable cheerfulness, attention to detail, and infectious laugh. “Melody always brought a smile to any meeting,” recalled ONE Magazine Editor Eric Thomsen, “not to mention gummy bears, great coffee, and mountains of detailed financial reports. She truly has been a joy to work with.”

Attendees at the Leadership Conference gave Hood a lengthy standing ovation after she was honored with flowers and a Pandora™ bracelet featuring charms selected by her coworkers, based on their memories of time spent with Melody.

Introducing the 2025 Nominees for Standing Boards and Commissions

Antioch, TN — The 2024-25 Nominating Committee has presented the following nominees to be considered for the 2025 National Convention election, according to Jimmy Lawson (MI), committee chair. The following boards do not elect members in 2025: D6 Family Ministry; IM, Inc; Welch College; and WNAC.

Note: bios are included only for new board and commission nominees, not for returning members.

Moderator – Tim York (TN)

Assistant Clerk– Ernie Lewis (IL)

FWB Foundation

Brent Patrick (VA)
Matt Mouser (GA)
Corey Minter (TN)

Board of North American Ministries
Josh Bush (KS)
Faron Thebeau (MO)
Bob Brown (FL)

Josh Bush has been the lead pastor at Cross Point FWB Church in Wichita, Kansas, since 2006. A member of the Kansas Executive Board, Josh is the General Board representative for Kansas Free Will Baptists. In addition to being a local police chaplain for 15 years, Josh has served on various boards of ministries and non-profits in Wichita. He is active in mentoring and training younger leaders in pastoral ministry. Josh holds a bachelor's degree in ministry and leadership from Randall University.

Faron Thebeau has been a Free Will Baptist pastor for 30 years, including 11 years at Primera Iglesia Bautista Libre, a bilingual church in Weslaco, Texas. For the last six years, he has pastored Mosaic FWB Church in Rolla, Missouri, which has a focus on reaching international college students. A member of the NAFWB College Task Force, Thebeau is the assistant clerk of the Missouri State Association and served two years on the Christian Education Board of the Texas State Association. Thebeau holds a B.S. degree in Christian ministry from Welch College.

Richland Ave Financial

Don Myers (MI)
Lance Boyer (MO)
Steven West (FL)

Steven West began serving as youth pastor at Graceway FWB Church in Melbourne, Florida, in 2014. He transitioned into the role of lead pastor in 2021. Steven holds a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Southeastern Free Will Baptist College.

Media Commission – Isaiah Grimes (VA)

Commission for Theological Integrity – Rodney Holloman (TN)
Jeremy Craft (FL, fulfilling uncompleted term)

Jeremy Craft has pastored in Florida for 11 years and currently serves as pastor of the Piney Grove FWB Church in Chipley. A member of the Executive Committee of the Florida State Association, Jeremy is additionally the clerk of the West Florida Association and a member of the board of directors for Camp Mount Pleasant. Craft is a cofounder and regular contributor to the Helwys Society Forum. He holds a B.S. degree in biblical studies from Welch College and the M.Div. degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.

Historical Commission – Eric Thomsen (TN)

Music Commission – Bryan Hughes (NC)

Executive Committee

David Taylor (AR)
Danny Williams (AL)
Josh Colson (IL)

Josh Colson pastors Angelville Community Church in Pittsburg, Illinois. He serves as the General Board representative for Illinois Free Will Baptists as well as assistant clerk of the Illinois State Association and assistant moderator of the South-Central (Illinois) Quarterly Meeting. Josh is both a frequent contributor to the Helwys Society Forum and a past presenter at the Free Will Baptist Theological Symposium. Colson earned a B.S. in theological studies, the M.A. in theology and ministry from Welch College, and the M.T.S. in theological studies from Vanderbilt University.
Submitted by the Nominating Committee: Jimmy Lawson, chair (MI); Clint Adams (GA);
Travis Alexander (AR); Lanney Ard (SC); Steven Hood (AZ); and Carol Thompson (OK).