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.

Free Will Baptist Yearbook Now Available

Antioch, TN—The 2013 Free Will Baptist Yearbooks have been mailed to district association clerks for distribution of complimentary copies to local churches. If you wish to purchase a copy for personal use, contact Randall House Publications at 800-877-7030 or visit www.RandallHouse.com.

Chaplain Awarded for Service

New York City—Major David Trogdon (pictured below), 1st Aviation Brigade, Ft. Rucker, Alabama, and Ft. Stewart, Georgia, was awarded the Witherspoon Award at the 2013 National Bible Week Awards Gala held in New York City, November 15, 2012.

The prestigious award, considered the highest honor a military chaplain can receive, is named after famous chaplain Maurice Witherspoon, who served with excellence in both World Wars. The Witherspoon award is given to three chaplains who demonstrate and promote Bible reading in a unique and effective way over the course of a year. Trogdon was selected to represent the U.S. Army chaplaincy.

During the ceremony, the Indiana native was presented with a large framed page from a 1611, first edition, King James Version of the Bible. Chaplain Trogdon said, “I am humbled and amazed to be honored for doing what God has called me to do and what I love to do as an Army chaplain…to be a ‘Free Will Baptist preacher in uniform.’”

Chaplain Trogdon first entered the Army as an enlisted soldier in 1979 and served until 1987. He also served in the Tennessee National Guard from 1987-1991 and the Army Reserves from 1991-1995 before returning to active duty as a Chaplain in 2000.
He received a B.A. in Pastoral Administration and Bible from Welch College and a M.Div. in Biblical Languages from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center and School. Ordained as a Free Will Baptist minister, he served as pastor at Tippett’s Chapel FWB Church in Clayton, North Carolina, for nine years.

“We are so proud of our chaplains,” said Home Missions Director Larry Powell. “Their hard work and excellence speaks for itself as they serve God, the men in their command, and Free Will Baptists. I am glad to see Chaplain Trogdon receive this special honor. It is well deserved.”

To learn more about the Free Will Baptist chaplaincy, visit www.homemissions.net.

Missouri Free Will Baptists Celebrate 100 Years

Springfield, MO—The Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptists will celebrate a Centennial anniversary June 3-5, 2013, in Springfield, Missouri, at Ramada Oasis Convention Center. Speakers will include Clarence Burton; Gary Fry; Nathan Ruble; Keith Burden, executive secretary of the National Association of Free Will Baptists; and Missouri Executive Director Stan Bunch. Evening services will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Throughout their history, Missourians have been active in Free Will Baptist cooperative efforts. They played an important role in the formation of the National Association in 1935, when representative Winford Davis delivered the first message of the organizational meeting and was later elected assistant moderator and secretary of Sunday School work. Fellow Missourian B.F. Brown was elected to the Executive Committee and Selph Jones was appointed to the first Joint Educational Committee.

Missouri played an important role in promoting the use of Free Will Baptist Sunday School curriculum, and began publishing its own periodical, the Free Will Baptist Gem, in 1929. It continues as one of the longest-running Free Will Baptist publications and served for a time as the national Free Will Baptist magazine.

Today, the Missouri State Association includes 173 churches in 19 associations, with state office and bookstore in Lebanon. For more information, visit www.mofwb.org.

Introducing 2013 Convention Nominees

Antioch, TN—The following have been nominated for board and commission positions to be filled at the 2013 National Association of Free Will Baptists in Tampa, Florida, according to Mike Wade (OK), Nominating Committee chairman:

2013 Election Schedule For Standing Boards and Commissions

Board of the Free Will Baptist Foundation 2019

Donnie Miles (SC) - (eligible for re-election)
Wendell Walley (CA) - (eligible for re-election)
Hubert Stafford (GA) to replace Brian Hurst (TN)

Hubert Stafford is chairman of the deacon board at Colquitt FWB Church (GA). A retired businessman, Hubert has broad experience in investments. He graduated from Troy State University with a B.A. in Business and Marketing, and in 1977, after several years of working in the grocery industry, he and his wife opened their own grocery store in Colquitt, which they operated until their retirement in 2007. Hubert and Barbara have been married 47 years. They have two children—Ashley and Sonia—and three grandchildren: Hunter, Erin, and Andrew.

Board of Home Missions 2019

Jeff Jones (NC) to replace Jerry Atwell (MS)
Frank Wiley (OK) to replace Bobby Shepherd (AR)
Frank Webster (MO) to replace Matt Upton (CA)

Jeff Jones moved to Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, and began ministry at Hilltop FWB Church in 1987 after graduating from Southeastern FWB College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Bible and Pastoral Training. Jeff served first as assistant pastor until becoming senior pastor in 1996. In 2010, he graduated from Bob Jones University with a Master of Ministry degree. He teaches Homiletics at Southeastern FWB College, where he has been a member of the Board of Directors since 1997. He was a member of the North Carolina Mission Board from 1996-2006, serving two years as chairman. Jeff and his wife Rose have two daughters: Leslie and Stacie (Ange).

Frank Wiley has pastored Sunnylane FWB Church in Del City, Oklahoma, since 1972. The Oklahoma native earned a B.A. in Theology from Hillsdale FWB College in 1975. He has been a member of the Oklahoma State Executive Board for 16 years and served 12 years on the Board of Trustees of Hillsdale FWB College. As chairman of the First Oklahoma (District) Mission Board, Wiley was instrumental in 11 new church plants and four joint missions projects with the Oklahoma Church Extension Program. He also led the Sunnylane Church to start Winnwood FWB Church in Oklahoma City. Wiley also serves as chaplain for the Del City Fire and Police Department.

Frank Webster left a pastorate at First FWB Church, Neosho, Missouri, in 2007 to become state missions director for the Missouri State Association of Free Will Baptists. The 1994 Crowder College graduate has served the Missouri State Missions Board in some capacity for nearly 20 years. Since becoming director, he has traveled more than 100,000 miles promoting missions endeavors, leading three missions trips to international locations and 14 trips to Home Missions church plants in North America and Mexico. He is founder of Support Walk, a statewide missions fundraising event.

Board of Master’s Men

2019 – Ken Oleson (OK) - (eligible for re-election)
Jason Vinson (AL) - (eligible for re-election)
Sam Lucky (FL) to replace Rudy Taylor (MI)

Sam Lucky has been a deacon at Ryanwood Fellowship FWB Church in Vero Beach, Florida, since 1976. In addition to his work as a deacon, he teaches an adult Sunday School class, presides over his local chapter of Master’s Men, and serves on the Board of Trustees. Sam is a member of the Christian Education Board of the Indian River Association, serves on the district ordaining board, and acts as the district representative to the Florida State Association.

Board of Retirement

2015 – Larry Clyatt (FL) to replace Mark Ousley (TN)

Larry Clyatt pastors Harmony FWB Church in Lake Butler, Florida. The Florida native graduated from Welch College in 1969 with a B.A. in Bible. During his 44-year pastoral career, he has pastored four churches in Illinois, Tennessee, and Florida. He was a member of the Board of Randall House Publications from 1986-1998 and served as moderator of both the Tennessee and Illinois State Associations. Clyatt was a member of the Illinois Missions Board for more than a decade and currently serves on the Florida Missions Board. He and his wife Peggy have three daughters, Elise, Larae, and Bethany.

2019 – Rick Cason (GA) - (eligible for re-election)
Mike Gladson (TN) to replace Craig Cook (TN)
Randy Wilson (OK) to replace Jack Ward (NC)

Mike Gladson has served as pastor at Cofer’s Chapel in Nashville, Tennessee, since 2005. Called to preach as a teenager, Gladson was ordained in 1981 and has pastored for 29 years. He holds a B.A. in Bible and Pastoral Ministry from Welch College, and an M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary. He has served on the Tennessee Executive Committee since 2008. He and his wife Linda have three children.

Randy Wilson began his current pastorate at Bethany FWB Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, in 1992. A 1979 graduate of Hillsdale FWB College, he received a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Theological Seminary in 1983. He has served as vice-chairman of the Free Will Baptist International Missions Board, on the Oklahoma State Executive Board, and on the Board of Trustees for Hillsdale FWB College. Randy and his wife Donell have two grown children and a grandson.

Commission for Theological Integrity

2016 – W. Jackson Watts (MO) to replace Paul Harrison (TN)
2018 – Matt Pinson (TN) – (eligible for re-election)

Jackson Watts began pastoring at Grace FWB Church in Arnold, Missouri, in August 2011. The South Carolina native was called to preach shortly after beginning his studies at Welch College where he studied English and Pastoral Ministry. He was ordained into the ministry shortly after graduation and served from 2007-2011 as Minister of Education at Tippett’s Chapel FWB Church in Clayton, North Carolina. During this time he earned graduate degrees from both Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div.) and Duke Divinity School (Th.M.). Currently, he is earning a Ph.D. from Concordia Seminary in addition to his pastoral responsibilities. Jackson and several ministry colleagues operate a website known as The Helwys Society Forum. He will publish his first book, Biblical Beliefs, later this year.

Historical Commission

2018 – David Crowe (TN) – (eligible for re-election)

Music Commission

2018 – James Stevens (TN) – (eligible for re-election)

Media Commission

2018 – Stephen Lopes (TN) – (eligible for re-election)

General Board 2018

Alabama: Rick Cash
Arizona: George Harvey, Jr.
Arkansas: Tim Campbell
Association of Mexico: Luis Felipe Tijerina
Atlantic-Canada: Oral McAffee
California: Millard Sasser
Colorado: Mark Thomas
David Marks Heritage: Tom Jones
Florida: Donnie Hussey
Georgia: Wayne Miracle
Idaho: Gene Kissinger
Illinois: David Shores

Executive Committee

2016 – Tim Campbell (AR) - (eligible for re-election)
David Shores (IL) - (eligible for re-election)
Millard Sasser (CA) to replace Rick Cash (AL)

Millard Sasser is a veteran pastor who has served churches in Florida, Missouri, Washington, and California during 50 years of ministry. The Florida native attended Welch College from 1961-1963. He earned a B.A. in Bible and Social Psychology from Missouri Baptist College in 1976, and a M.A. in Pastoral Ministry from Covenant Theological Seminary a decade later. He has been a General Board member representing the states of Missouri, Washington, Florida, and (currently) California. Sasser has served as moderator of the California and Missouri State Associations, as executive secretary of the Florida State Association, and as moderator of the Northwest Association. He also served as academic dean of California Christian College. He and his wife Margie have three daughters, Joanna (Felts), Rhonda (Hodges) and Felicia (Lopez).

2014 – Wayne Hale (DE) to replace Chris Clay (IN)

Wayne Hale has pastored New Castle FWB Church in Delaware since 2001. The Missouri native graduated from Welch College in 1979 with a B.A. in Bible, and earned both an MAR and a M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He is pursuing a D.Min. from Luther Rice Seminary. Hale grew up in Park Hills, Missouri, and has nearly 30 years pastoral experience in Mississippi, Missouri, and Delaware. He is moderator of the Mid-Atlantic Association.

General Officers –

Moderator: Tim York (TN)
Assistant Moderator: William Smith (GA)
Clerk: Randy Bryant (FL)
Assistant Clerk: Ernie Lewis (IL)

The following boards do not elect members in 2013: Board of Randall House Publications, Board of International Missions, and Welch College Board of Trustees.

Foundation Announces Expansion of Ministry

Antioch, TN—Free Will Baptist Foundation will begin a partnership with Cornerstone Estate Services of Woodstock, GA, beginning January 2013. The organization will sponsor estate-planning seminars presented by Cornerstone personnel. More than informational, the seminars will offer individuals a customized estate plan for a price of $1,995.

The Foundation will subsidize the cost for Free Will Baptists and offer payment plans to make it affordable for anyone. Doug Little will serve as the Foundation’s part-time field representative, coordinating efforts between the two agencies. Initially, seminars will be held in Tennessee and Alabama before expanding to other states.

For more information, visit www.fwbgifts.org or contact 877-336-7575.