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.

ONE Magazine Honored by the Evangelical Press Association

Antioch, TN — During the annual meeting of the Evangelical Press Association held in Franklin, Tennessee, May 11-13, ONE Magazine was honored with ten Higher Goals awards in areas ranging from writing to design:

• Critical Review – "Teaching Children to Be Christians" by Matt Pinson (fourth place)
  

• Department – "Leadership Whiteboard" by Ron Hunter Jr. (fifth place)
  

• Devotional – "Forgiveness Great and Small" by
  

• Marianne Stewart (first place)
  

• Evangelism Article – "Evangelism in Prayer and
  

• Practice" by Joshua Colson (fifth place)
  

• Personality Article – "Upstream With Mr. Trout"
  

• by Eric Thomsen (first place)
  

• Table of Contents (second place)
  

• Two-page spread design (fifth place)
  

• Titles (fifth place)
  

• Publication Redesign (first place)
  

• Publication Design (second place)
  

The Evangelical Press Association is a professional organization of more than 400 Christian print and digital publications and has become one of the world’s leading professional associations for the Christian publishing industry.

Managing Editor Eric Thomsen noted, "It is encouraging for the ONE Magazine team to be recognized by the greater Christian community for publishing excellence. It was a special honor for Marianne Stewart, the magazine’s lead designer, to receive top honors for both writing and design categories in the same year, a rare feat."

Stewart (pictured above) additionally won design awards for typography and infographic design for other publications.

D6 Family Ministry also won eight Higher Goals awards, along with six Awards of Excellence for their devotional magazines. Between the two, Free Will Baptist publishing efforts were among the most honored by the association.

Executive Director Eddie Moody said, "We are incredibly proud of Eric Thomsen, Marianne Stewart, and the entire team behind ONE Magazine and D6 Family Ministry.

These awards prove what we can achieve when we pool our talents for God’s Kingdom. We truly are better together.”

2027 Nominees Requested

Antioch, TN — The 2026-2027 Nominating Committee, which will serve through the national convention in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is prepared to receive nominees for the 2027 election, according to Barry Long, committee chairman.

The committee will consider nominations and compile a report offering a single nomination for each position to be filled. The report will be presented to delegates at the 2027 convention.

The following board and commission positions will be filled in 2027: Free Will Baptist Foundation (3), North American Ministries (3), Richland Ave Financial (3), Media Commission (1), Commission for Theological Integrity (1), Historical Commission (1), Music Commission (1), General Board (12), Executive Committee (3), General Officers: Assistant Moderator and Clerk.

The following boards do not elect members in 2027: D6 Family Ministry; IM, Inc.; Welch College; WNAC.

Nominations, accompanied by a brief resume, must be submitted exclusively to the chairman on or before October 1.

Those submitting nominations should also consider RESOLUTION 1 that was passed at 2025 National Convention. Information regarding the contributions of nominees and/or their churches can be submitted along with the nomination form and brief resume.

Download the nomination form and email it to Chairman Barry Long: pastorbarrylong@gmail.com. 

Contact Chairman Barry Long:
Nominating Committee
PO Box 5060
Ashland KY 41105
pastorbarrylong@gmail.com