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.

David F. Wells to Address Leadership Conference

Antioch, TN—Dr. David F. Wells, author of the book, Courage to Be Protestant, has been named keynote speaker for the 2011 Free Will Baptist Leadership Conference to be held December 5-6, at the Marriott Nashville Airport hotel according to Executive Secretary Keith Burden.

The annual event, which provides a meeting venue for denominational boards and agencies, is open to any Free Will Baptist minister or leader. The two-day meeting features nightly worship services, a full slate of workshops, and free time for fellowship and networking.

Dr. Wells is Distinguished Senior Research Professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary.
Wells received his B.D. from the University of London; Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; Ph.D. from Manchester University (England); and was a post-doctoral Research Fellow at Yale Divinity School. He is a council member of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. The Cambridge Declaration came about in 1996 as a result of his book No Place for Truth, or Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?

To register for Leadership Conference, contact the Executive Office: 877-767-7659.

2012 Nominees Requested

ANTIOCH, TN—The 2011-2012 Nominating Committee, which will serve through the national convention in Memphis, Tennessee, is prepared to receive nominees for the 2012 convention election, according to Tim Campbell (AR), committee chairman.

The committee will meet December 6, 2011, at the annual Leadership Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, to consider nominations and compile a report with one nomination for each position to be filled. The report will be presented to the General Board and delegates at the 2012 convention.

The following board and commission positions will be filled in 2012: Free Will Baptist Bible College (3), International Missions (3), Randall House Publications (3), Commission for Theological Integrity (1), Historical Commission (1), Media Commission (1), Music Commission (1), General Board (10), Executive Committee (3), and General Officers (4).

Nominations, accompanied by a brief resume, must be submitted in writing exclusively to the chairman on or before November 30. Contact Chairman Tim Campbell (AR):

Nominating Committee
Tim Campbell
2105 Harkrider
Conway, AR 72032
tim@arfwb.org
501-329-8193

Heritage Video Available for Purchase

Antioch, TN—Two important commemorative items were released at the 2011 convention in Charlotte. Honoring Our Heritage is a stunning video documentary that takes viewers on a revealing trip through Free Will Baptist history, from English General Baptist forerunners in the 1600s to the highlights of the 20th Century. This thought-provoking look into the heritage of the denomination will encourage, educate, challenge, inspire, and hopefully excite you about the promise the future holds for the next generation of Free Will Baptists.

DVDs may be purchased for $15 (plus $5 shipping and handling)* by contacting the Executive Office: 877-767-7659.

* A purchase price of two videos for $25 was inadvertently listed in the August-September issue. We apologize for any confusion this misprint may have caused.

Convention Pre-registration Trends Upward

Antioch, TN—Pre-registration for the annual Free Will Baptist convention continues to trend upward, reaching 64% of total conference registration when the 2011 convention met in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pre-registration for the annual meeting began in 1990 in response to registration challenges and frustrations that had grown along with attendance.

“We started pre-registration because the process had become a nightmare. Hundreds and hundreds of people stood in line for hours to register,” said Jack Williams, former convention coordinator.

The pre-registration process has been streamlined in the intervening years. Convention planners began offering an online registration option in 2000 when the convention met in Anaheim California. The number of online registrants has grown to 75% of all pre-registration.

Registration Coordinator Dari Goodfellow encourages convention goers to take advantage of the process. “It’s a great way to save time at the convention—both for attendees and for staffers. When you pre-register, there are no forms to complete onsite. You simply walk to the counter and receive your conference materials. It’s a great way to start the convention.”

Executive Secretary Participates in National Prayer Event

Houston, TX—Executive Secretary Keith Burden joined a crowd of thousands who gathered to pray at Reliant stadium in Houston, Texas, August 6. The event, organized by Texas Governor Rick Perry and American Family Association President Don Wildmon among others, encouraged believers to participate in a day of fasting and prayer for the nation.

At the request of event organizers, Reverend Burden joined other pastors and leaders on the platform, leading more than 30,000 participants in a prayer of repentance for the nation’s shedding of innocent blood.

In addition to the crowd at Reliant Stadium, more than 1,000 churches and groups participated via live web stream, and over 80,000 individuals streamed the event live to their homes.
For more information, or to watch archived video, visit http://theresponseusa.com/.